December2013thevalleyonline

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Serving Mifflin County and the surrounding area.

The Valley A free newspaper dedicated to agriculture, self-reliance, frugal living, and modern homesteading.

Tomorrow’s Media - A Day Early Volume 4, No. 12

Complimentary

The Valley, December 2013

Three Generations, Same Location

After almost a year of remodeling, the gift shop at the Burnham Hardware has gone from traditional store aisles to a bold and brand new look with the Primitive Gift Shoppes. The majority of the “shoppes” are tailored so our customers will have a much easier time finding particular popular items that are carried year round.

We have the Bulb Shoppe that has the popular silicone bulbs.

These bulbs come in many different colors and we also carry the handmade decorative bulbs for everyday and holidays. There are also the country string lights, which are great for everyday crafts and holidays. We also carry battery operated pillars, tapers and tea lights. We have bulbs for the tart warmer and bulbs for window lights. Other very popular items are the flags and banners. These can be found in the Flag & Banner Shed. We have a HUGE selection of garden flags (smaller flags) and banners (larger flags) from everyday to holiday and even for special occasions like a graduation or wedding. We also carry the black iron flag holders and shepherd hooks. Many people like the candle rings, picks, sprays, and decorative garland. If that is the case, then head on over to the Flower Shoppe. All different colors are available. The most popular of all the shoppes is the Candle Shoppe. We are currently carrying many different brands of candles. We have tarts, melts, air fresheners and large and medium jars. The rest of the shoppes are decorated with everyday decor as well as holiday. It was important

to us that our customers be able to see how a home would look decorated, and not just items sitting on a shelf or hanging on a peg.

Making the decision to remodel the gift section was not an easy one. We did a lot of market research, trial and error, and considered customer suggestions.

The last being the most important because we want to have what the customers want and who better to tell us then our patrons. Primitive and country were the most popular with touches of vintage and

shabby chic. The great thing about these four styles of decor is that they all work well together when decorating. Another great thing about our Primitive Gift Shoppes is that all of our large furniture is made and finished in house. We also carry a lot of locally made items. We enjoy carrying items made by local people because it brings to our store that “one of kind” look. We definitely want to keep customers coming back.

The hardware aspect of the business has not changed much

through the years. We still offer quality brands in all the core departments such as electrical, plumbing, paint, and lawn and garden. Old-fashioned services that are still offered are key cutting, paint mixing, lamp repair, screen repair, stove pipe services, and a complete glass shop. The glass shop offers cut-to-size glass, mirror, and acrylic, as well as glass table tops. We also now do UPS shipping. The UPS shipping consists of domestic and commercial shipping, and we also do ARS

Third generation owner, Dan, on the right and potential fourth generation owner, Steve, on the left. I’d say it’s a good Photo courtesy of Mike and Laura Jackson bet, they both look at home.

Lighting Brush Fires in People’s Minds

and Internet packages.

Our paint department carries two of the “oldest family” run paint companies in the country.

Stulb’s Old Village Paint and Muralo. All of our in-house furniture is painted with Old Village for that primitive and country look.

The Muralo line has hundreds of different colors that are mixed for you. Muralo has BreathSafe paint that has low odor and high performance.

In the spring of each year, we have hanging baskets, flowers and vegetable plants. Kennebec and Potomac potatoes and yellow, white and candied onion sets are always big sellers. We also have bulk vegetable seeds like Black Seeded Simpson and Iceberg lettuce, Detroit red beets, Danver half-long carrots, Lima beans, green beans, corn, cucumbers and many more. Penn State grass seed in sunny, shady and turf master are also favorites in the spring.

The grass seed is measured by the pound or patrons may purchase a 50 pound bag if that is more convenient.

In today’s world of “big box” stores, Burnham Hardware thrives as a three generation hardware, decor and gift store. Beginning in 1949, Jim and Helen Kochenderfer opened Burnham Hardware, which was a single room. The store has been expanded three times throughout the years. Jim and Helen basically carried hardware and houseware lines until the early 70s when some home decor was introduced. Some of

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The Valley, December 2013

2

Editor’s Corner Wayne Stottlar

Merry Christmas everyone!

I am making an effort to focus on what is important this year during this special time. The last few years I was chasing an extra buck by selling Christmas Trees while still trying to produce this newspaper. It was very hectic and in my mind took a lot away from my enjoyment of this special time.

So this year I decided that I was just going to take what time was required to get the paper out and then try to focus on family and friends and enjoying what should be a happy time of year.

We are especially blessed once again to be able to reprint a story from our friends at Backwoods Home Magazine. Their Senior Editor John Silveira once again nails his subject. I have said many times, if I could only afford one magazine subscription, it would be Backwoods Home Magazine. Founder Dave Duffy and I have forged an electronic relationship over the years and almost got to meet face-to-face back in October, but due to circumstances, missed our chance—there is always next year! If you are looking for “Practical Ideas for Self-Reliant Living” check out a subscription, details on page 46.

Thanksgiving is over and we are rushing headlong toward Christmas and all the commercialism that entails. Stores open on

Thanksgiving tempting people to leave their families to participate in a sometimes violent shopping experience. The herd mentality of consumers thinking they will save a buck is astounding and extremely sad. (possibly some the same people who praise getting free healthcare)

News broadcasts that are nothing more than theatrical productions shaping people’s opinions for them. Sports announcers that are outright biased in their coverage rather than just describing the game. Schools pushing an agenda that promotes the rights of the collective over an individual’s rights. The saddest part of the whole situation is that people have been taught to accept what is happening and to keep quiet about it for fear of some kind of retribution from the organized minority.

It is time for people to stand up and push back. I always have, perhaps that is why my children were singled out for “special treatment” at the hands of the local education establishment and the locals in uniform. It caused some tough times to be sure, but the “in crowd” lost a lot more than we did. Oh yeah, they are propped up as something special, got the success they tell people they worked so hard for, but in reality they sold their soul to the devil. They are nothing more than

subjects in a charade that is going to come crashing down in the near future. When that time comes it will not be all of those with highly specialized knowledge from a high-priced institution who will be equipped to survive, it will be those who know who they are and know how to take care of themselves. I predict the artificial society that has been created for these “special” folks will devolve rapidly into an every man for himself culture.

We have a president who has done nothing but lie to the people and depending on which “news” program you watch, you are either told he is the messiah, or the devil. The truth is, he and his administration are the product of a culture without morals and a populace who has sold their souls in order to be entertained by their idiot box watching reality TV or so caught up in their favorite sports game that the rest of what is really important is pushed aside.

We are all so connected these days by electronics that we are becoming less and less capable of being truthful, engaged, and productive human beings. Instead we are being taught how to be well behaved subjects. Dully staring

at the screen and being lulled into complacency.

As I struggle to find that feeling that I remembered as a kid during this time of the year, I have come to realize that they have won. The government schools have indoctrinated and dumbed down several generations of students so now what would be considered blatantly stupid behavior 40 years ago, is now accepted.

Gone are the days of free critical thinking. That has been replaced by multitudes of programmed subjects that all demand that everyone be the same. If anyone has any more than another person, that is called not fair, regardless of the effort by the individual who has more. What some people called fairness I am going to call criminally forced mediocrity. You see, that way it is easier to control people.

Obamacare is another abortion related to this “fairness” doctrine practiced and forced on everyone by government and progressive/socialist educators and news anchors. Call me what you will, but I do NOT have any desire to pay for someone else’s healthcare. If 40 million people had no healthcare before this, perhaps they should try harder or stay healthy, both require effort.

So instead, 100 million people have been dumped off their

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Contact Info Editor/Publisher Wayne Stottlar Graphic Artist/Co-Publisher Lynn Persing Associate Editor Colleen Swetland The Valley PO Box 41 Yeagertown, PA 17099 (717) 363-1550 E-mail: thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com Web: www.thevalleynewspaper.com ©The Valley. All Rights Reserved.

healthcare policies and will be forced to pay more so that many others who refuse to change their lifestyle can have free insurance.

I WILL NOT COMPLY. I don’t have insurance now, and I don’t think other people should pay for it. PAY YOUR OWN WAY! That will cause people to work at being healthier because it affects the rest of their disposable income. Rates will drop drastically if people depend a little more on themselves and stop using medical services for situations they can handle themselves. A friend’s wife was a

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3

The Valley, December 2013 Caution: Turbines may be hazardous to your Health from page 47 cause chronic sleep deprivation, hypertension, memory dysfunction, and other health problems (3).

A local example of a family impacted by low frequency vibrations occurred when the Allegheny Ridge Wind project was built along the Blair/Cambria Co. line on the Allegheny Front in 2006. The closest turbine was over 2,200 feet away, but still caused severe sleep deprivation for a family in one home.

The type of house structure also reacts differently to these low-frequency vibrations. Some houses absorb the vibration, while others intensify it.

The suite of symptoms that some people experience when they are near wind turbines is called Wind Turbine Syndrome.

Affected people get one or more of these symptoms: • ringing in their ears (tinnitus) • dizziness • heart palpitations • migraines • nausea.

When people suffering from wind turbine syndrome leave the area for extended periods, their symptoms go away (4). Industrial wind companies claim that there are not enough scientific studies conducted on this issue, but more doctors are conducting studies with significant data that shows wind turbine syndrome is real and debilitating. Dr. Michael Nissenbaum has published peer review research showing that people do suffer from wind turbine noise (5).

A good website with excellent information is Wind Vigilance (6).

Although the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) did acknowledge in 2009 that wind turbines could cause negative impacts on residents’ health, local developers downplay the impact and pressure local municipalities to develop insufficient setbacks, which lead to noise problems (7).

Even people like New York state town judge Hal Graham, who leased his land for a wind turbine, because he thought he was doing the right thing, regrets what he has done to himself and his neighbors.

“Graham likened the noise from the tower on his property and another on a neighbor’s property that’s only 1,050 feet away to jet engines.

“It’s a constant grinding, whining noise,” he said later.

“You walk outside the house and

it sounds like planes are in the sky all the time. You wake up at two or three in the morning, and it’s impossible to get back to sleep.”

Graham said he and his wife had been anxious about possible noise from the turbines, but that the developer had reassured them their concerns were unfounded.

“We said from day one, we don’t want noise,” he recalled.

“We were constantly assured that at 900 feet, the noise would only be like the hum of a refrigerator.

We believed that” (8).

What should you do if turbines are planned close to your home?

As with cigarettes, not everyone gets sick from turbines. But, if just one person in your family gets sick from wind turbines, you can’t go to the doctor for a pill or a shot. You can no longer function as a normal family. What will you do to protect your family’s health?

1. Move away - even if your original home will most likely remain vacant?

In some cases wind companies will buy the house and property, and the affected property if owners move away. A gag order is issued, so people cannot talk about the arrangement. We know this situation happened at the Somerset wind project along the Pa. turnpike. Two families were forced to leave their homes due to the noise and shadow flicker. Another issue over noise was caused by the Lookout Wind Project in Somerset Co. That family settled out of court over noise issues and is under a gag order.

In their rush to embrace the wind-energy business, many politicians are walking away from rural residents like David Enz and his wife, Rose. A year ago, the couple abandoned their home near Denmark, Wis., because of the unbearable low-frequency noise produced by a half-dozen 495-foot-high wind turbines that were built near the home they’ve owned since 1978. The closest turbine was installed about 3,200 feet from their house.

Shortly after the Shirley Wind project’s turbines began operating, the couple began experiencing numerous symptoms, including “headaches, ear pain, nausea, blurred vision, anxiety, memory loss, and an overall unsettledness,” says Mr. Enz, 68. Today, the Enzes are living elsewhere in their RV or staying with friends (9).

Many other families have been forced to leave their home without compensation and must live elsewhere, often in less than comfortable conditions, since they

are paying for two homes, instead of one.

2. Sign a Good Neighbor policy? Think twice about this choice!

Respected acoustical consultants realize that “location, location, location” is the best way to eliminate noise issues and many are now recommending a 40dB noise level at the property line of non-participating landowners.

Some more cautionary acousticians recommend 30 – 35dB, at least at night. These levels require that wind projects be setback a half mile or more, which eliminates the potential for wind development in many rural areas in Pennsylvania and other eastern states. Some wind developers offer a payment to non-participating landowners who are willing to waive the setbacks required in an ordinance (10). This payment prohibits the landowner from suing over noise, shadow flicker, TV and phone interference, or any other issues caused by having turbines too close to their house or property line.

Developers call the payment plan a “Good Neighbor Policy,” which is a legally binding agreement. The landowners who sign it receive a paltry sum for the loss of their right to enjoy their property.

A more accurate name for this policy should be “Bad Neighbor Policy,” since wind turbines really are not good neighbors.

3. Sue the wind companies to stop or curtail the project?

The family living near the Allegheny Ridge Wind project in Blair Co. spent thousands of dollars in a lawsuit against Gamesa, the wind developer. The case was settled out of court. While the details of that settlement are not known, it is quite possible that there are nighttime shut downs. It is also important to point out that the township incurred expenses, due to legal fees and extra secretarial work (11).

As more wind projects are built on top of mountains in our area, more residents are adversely affected and are seeking legal restitution. Thirty-two lawsuits have been filed in federal court over the Pinnacle Wind project near Keyser, WV. One lawsuit alleges that the wind project has interfered with their use, enjoyment and value of their property. Others allege that the wind project has caused mental and physical health problems as well as loss in the value of homes. A real estate developer also filed a lawsuit alleging that the noise and pulsations from the 23 wind turbines impede selling houses at a development site that

is located 1.5 miles away from the wind farm, according to The West Virginia Record (12).

The noise from the turbines built on forested mountains can intensify as it travels down slope, impacting people who live in the valley below. The concept is very simple – the ravines and uneven terrain of the mountain slopes act like a megaphone. Sound models that are supplied by wind developers do not take this into effect and they also fail to recognize that noise from a complex of turbines in a project is not the same as noise coming from just one turbine. The noise is also variable, changing as the wind changes direction and intensity. Wind turbines also create loud thumping noises during winter nights when the air is cold and dense.

The blade rotation covers about an acre of air space, and moving that cold dense air creates noise that disturbs sleep.

4. Ask your township supervisors to enact a protective ordinance?

Township supervisors have the authority to protect the “health, safety, and welfare” of the residents. Townships can enact restrictive ordinances that will establish setbacks to protect residents from noise and shadow flicker. Shadow flicker is the flickering effect caused when rotating wind turbine blades periodically cast shadows on neighboring properties. The degree of the problem depends on a number of factors such as wind speed and direction, the position of the sun and cloudiness. While some say shadow flicker is just a nuisance, others say it can cause migraines and nausea. Watch this video to decide how you would describe the effects of shadow flicker: http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MbIe0iUtelQ

Only Union Township has passed a protective ordinance.

Call your township supervisor and ask them to adopt a protective ordinance so wind turbines don’t ruin your health.

Conclusion

It is clear that industrial wind turbines pose significant and substantial health risks in communities where people live within 1 – 2 miles of a project. Wind turbine noise, the low-frequency vibrations, and shadow flicker have the potential to cause serious illness.

The most effective way to prevent negative impacts is to keep turbines sited far enough away from people’s property and homes.

Township ordinances should be in place to provide protection, so

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residents do not have to sue or move away.

1. Cummings, et al. The Cigarette Controversy. http:// cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/16/6/1070.long 2. Basner, et al. Auditory and non-auditory of noise on Health.

https://www.wind-watch.org/ documents/auditory-and-non-auditory-effects-of-noise-on-health/ 3. Salt, Alec. Turbines can be Hazardous to Human Health http://oto2.wustl.edu/cochlea/ wind.html 4. Cape Cod town residents claim to be hit by ‘wind turbine syndrome’ http://rt.com/usa/cape-codwind-turbine-syndrome-560/ 5. Nissenbaum MA, M.D. et al.

Effects of industrial wind turbine noise on sleep and health.

Noise Health [serial online] 2012;14:237-43. http:// www.noiseandhealth.org/text. asp?2012/14/60/237/102961 6. Wind Vigilance website http:// www.windvigilance.com/home 7. Colby, David, M.D. et al., Wind Turbine Sound and Health Effects, An Expert Panel Review 2009, Prepared for American Wind Energy Association and Canadian Wind Energy Association 8. McFaul, Emily. Naples hears from windmill supporter-turnedopponent. Daily Messenger.

2009. http://www.mpnnow.com/ x1393569912/Naples-hearsfrom-windmill-supporter-turnedopponent 9. Bryce, Robert. Wind Energy, Noise Pollution. 2012 http://www.nationalreview.com/ articles/289920/wind-energynoise-pollution-robert-bryce?pg=1 10. Cummings, Jim. Wind Operators adjust to Noise responses.

2012. http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2012/07/wind-farm-operatorsadjust-to-noise-responses 11. Mellott, Kathy. Windmill Lawsuit settled. Johnstown Tribune Democrat. 2010 http://www.tribune-democrat. com/local/x1358974006/Windmill-lawsuit-settled/print 12. Cumberland Times News. 32 Lawsuits filed against Pinnacle Wind Farm.2013 http://www.times-news.com/local/ x2136379466/32-lawsuits-filedagainst-Pinnacle-Wind-Farm a

The Valley, December 2013

4

The American Police State

While this month’s article deviates from my usual emergency preparedness topics, I feel that this subject should be addressed sooner rather than later and I advocate preparing for any contingency.

“We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives we’ve set. We’ve got to have a civilian national security force that’s just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded.”Presidential candidate Barack Hussein Obama, 2008.

What did then candidate Obama mean when he gave that speech? What will this security force do?

With the purchases of millions of rounds of ammunition, armored vehicles, and thousands

of firearms including the AR-15 by the Department of Homeland Security, it makes you wonder if this is his army and what are they preparing for?

With the majority of Americans wrapped up in nonsense such as Dancing With The Stars or the great distraction that is professional sports leagues, they are oblivious to the fact that their freedoms and liberties are quickly being erased.

The Fourth Amendment protects us from unlawful searches, yet like an occupying force, law enforcement agencies obscenely violated this right as they went house to house searching for the Boston Marathon bombing suspect. And what was even more disgusting is that the residents of Watertown, MA willingly allowed

themselves to be treated like subjects and not citizens.

Do we not still have a Constitution that guarantees our rights as American citizens? Or has that document become irrelevant?

The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 prevents any U.S. military personnel, with the exception of National Guard troops, from acting as law enforcement agents on U.S. soil.

So now, just like DHS, police departments nationwide are militarizing themselves.

Department after department have acquired firearms and equipment that is the very same utilized by our troops in overseas combat zones. This militarization also includes (thanks to the Section 1033 Program of the National Defense Authorization Act signed in 1997,

which allows the Department of Defense to transfer unneeded equipment and supplies to law enforcement agencies), the acquisition of armored vehicles including the MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicle and the Lenco BearCat armored vehicle specifically designed for law enforcement.

Some see this militarization of the police and the acquisition of the above armaments as a prepositioning of logistics should the implementation of martial law be necessary. Is the possibility of an economic collapse, and the resulting civil unrest that would follow, the reason for this armament?

Are those of us that question the Status Quo the reason? Are you and I really that much of a threat? Evidently your government thinks so.

In a 2009 MIAC report titled “The Modern Militia Movement,” which labeled supporters of former presidential candidates Ron Paul and Constitutionalist Chuck Baldwin; those of us who strive for self-sufficiency (I think many of us fall into this category!); those of us who display the Gadsden or Don’t Tread On Me flag; those of us that believe in what they consider to be conspiracy theories such as the New World Order; those of us who hold

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Libertarian beliefs; and those of us who demand a strict adherence to the Constitution, as potential terrorist threats.

Likewise, in a 2009 Department of Homeland Security report entitled “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment,” in which not only were racist and hate groups profiled, but also included in this broad categorization were: those who advocate for States’ Rights, returning veterans, and groups that oppose abortion.

So if need be, will every police department nationwide now fall under the umbrella of DHS?

Every American should find this growing trend to be disturbing and possibly a threat to our civil liberties. We should be demanding answers as to why, what appears to be a transformation of our police forces into heavily armed paramilitary units is necessary for whatever reason. We should also take this into consideration when creating an emergency preparedness plan. The threat of unlawful seizure, detention, and arrest is about to become very real.

Welcome to the Police State everyone. a

5

The Valley, December 2013

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Gathering the Unusual

Spicebush An Aromatic Native to Know

It’s not much to look at. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, mind. Still, it’s just a brushy shrub, with pointed oval leaves, the kind any child would draw if asked to do so, and most of the year it tends to blend into the surroundings; you’d walk right past it without a second glance on an afternoon’s walk. But, as the old saying goes, you can’t tell a book by its cover and this bush isn’t called “spice” for no reason.

Spicebush, Lindera benzoin, is known by a number of names: spice wood, feverbush, wild allspice are a few. We’ve always called it spiceberry bush (more on the berry part in a bit). From Maine west to Michigan, all the way south to Florida and Texas, spicebush can be found growing in rich moist soil—shady creek banks and ravines are a favorite spot.

Brushy shrub is the perfect description for this plant; multiple, many branched stems can

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grow 10 feet or more in height and the bushes tend to grow in groups that can spread over wide areas.

In early spring, before even a hint of leaf bud, the spicebush puts on a delicate show. Small, bright yellow flowers appear along the branches. A single bush is a pleasant enough sight, but when a stream is lined with dozens of bushes, the tiny blooms join to make a cheerful swath of color in a still wintry landscape.

This makes it easy to identify, thereby making spring the perfect time to begin to get acquainted; picking a bunch of stems for an early bouquet will give you an opportunity to enjoy the spicy scent that helps to give its name.

It’s in the spring that folks who are so inclined enjoy a stimulating cup of spice bush tea. Even before it flowers, spicebush twigs can be cut and simmered ‘til the water colors. Strained and sweetened to your taste, this beverage is a tasty addition to our list of native tea plants.

Before continuing, this is a good place to borrow a page from one of my fellow writers (Hey, Jared!) and point out that anyone who decides to try spicebush tea, or any of the other wilder foods or drinks that may appear in this column, does so at Native Spicebush as seen in early fall. their own risk.

While I do not

~ Lots of great Christmas gifts ~

write about anything that I do not use myself, everyone is different, so remember to try small amounts of new things ‘til you find out how your body reacts.

Now that that’s out of the way - the bark of the heavier branches can be peeled to use for tea as well as the twigs, and some sources claim that the leaves can be used as well. The twigs I’ve used, but not the leaves, so you’re on your own with them.

While we’re on the subject of tea, in his book Stalking the Wild Asparagus, Euell Gibbons, that grand old man of all foods wild (who lived and wrote just down the road in Troxilville) writes of enjoying spicebush tea made with maple sap instead of water! He would boil the sap down to one quarter of its original volume. For each quart of reduced sap add one cup of chopped twigs or bark and boil gently for about twenty minutes. Strain and enjoy. He recommends trying this with sassafrass as well.

Another use for spicebush, particularly if you find yourself having to cut some down when clearing brush, is as an aromatic fuel in

winter fires. Tie the branches into manageable bundles and store them under cover ‘til needed. As anyone who has burned apple wood knows, there’s something about cozying up to a fragrant fire on a winter’s night that gets you all warm and fuzzy. Spicebush twigs yield up – you guessed it – a slightly spicy scent to add some

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genuine country ambience to an evening’s enjoyment.

As spring turns to summer, small, green oval berries - maybe 3/8 of an inch long or a bit more – begin to show where the flowers were. By autumn, they have turned glossy red. Since most

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The Valley, December 2013

6

Christmas Encouragement

by Pastor J. C. Reese

I’m departing from Revelation for this month of Christmas to encourage you with a text from Luke’s gospel. A few years back there was a commercial where a Dad was pushing his little boy in a tree swing and suddenly the boy is a lot bigger and knocks his father over on the back swing.

The slogan was “Life comes at you hard!” Indeed it can, and the holiday time of year is especially a season for life coming at you hard with all the stress and such.

Thankfully, we have what we need to make it through life’s twists and turns because of what Christmas is really all about.

Aren’t you tired of the shallow Christmas movies that offer no real hope and present empty messages? The Bible fills this void in its Christmas account as the birth of Jesus can actually make your life easier !

In Luke 2:1-3 a census by

The Best Medicine

Have you ever been watching television some evening and realizd half of the commercials are for some drug that will “change your life.” Just be sure not to listen to the last 30 seconds of the commercial where they talk fast and try to cram the 300 side effects into the commercial time slot. It always strikes me as odd when a depression med is being advertised and one of the side effects is suicidal thoughts.

It seems the more medicine we take, the more we see a decline in Americans overall physical and mental health.

It is very interesting that the further our country drifts from God’s perfect design, and the more our government and individual citizens throw common sense out the window, the unhealthier and more unsettled Americans are becoming. Is there a link? Definitely whether or not people want to admit it, being inside God’s design by resting in Him and living a peaceful, simple life based on common sense and God’s moral design, is the only way to have real joy.

I see how those who don’t believe this, grasp at everything other then God to try to find this,

Rome is decreed and young Joseph and Mary are affected, yet here is the first encouragement: God is at work even when the world intrudes! People make decisions all the time that often affect us. And many times we wonder “why me?” Things can affect us that initially make no sense, that bug us and impose upon our plans. Yet as in the case of pregnant Mary and her betrothed Joseph, God was at work fulfilling His better plan! Maybe God is teaching us patience through these intrusions, but He is at work you can be sure. Absent from the passage is any complaint by this young couple, only compliance.

Maybe they wondered, though, “what a time for us to make a trip to Bethlehem!” Yet, God was in complete control and working in their lives and He is in yours too!!

We also find God is at work even when you are inconve-

nienced. Though the trip was in a southerly direction, the Bible says they “went up from Galilee. . . unto the city of David.” It was uphill and would’ve been nearly a hundred miles in rough terrain with people who may very well have had bad attitudes. Maybe there was some first century road rage going on with some they encountered along the journey.

Such a journey at this particular time was no doubt an inconvenience, but the Bible says they simply “went up. . . to be taxed.”

Fun, fun! But they went with “God’s flow” even if it meant a little “twist” in their road. The sooner we understand that life is not about us, the sooner we’re more content. So next time you feel inconvenienced, remember the patient obedience of Joseph and Mary!

Finally, God is at work even when things seem less than ideal.

but they never do. Some even fake like they have it but they don’t.

Deep inside they know something is missing. And yes, I believe the unrest in our country, the walking away from God, is actually affecting our health. That’s not to say we won’t get sick when we trust God, but we won’t worry so much when we do because we realize God is in control and we are ultimately under his protection when we are his children. So popping pills by the handful instead of seeing if we can fix the problems first, is a dangerous thing. (Like I said, listen to the side effects.)

I understand some people depend on certain drugs to live or live pain free because of something terrible that has happened in their lives or because of some uncontrollable illness, and for those medicines that help those people, I am very thankful. But I still think there is a vast overuse of prescription drugs and in a lot of cases, what is really needed is a change of heart and a change of attitude. It seems a lot of Americans have adopted this ‘I am weak and entitled’ attitude that leads to depression and apathy. And in the wave of that, all kinds of “new” disorders and diseases have been “invented,” and of course, there is a “miracle” drug for all of them.

As long as you or your insurance company are willing to pay for it, you can have it.

I have watched people throughout my life, and I have seen it proven time and time again—the people with the most

Of all times to have a baby! “And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.” (vs.6). They are not at home in the well set-up nursery, the accommodations are less than ideal (a manger), the place is crowded, and her baby doctor is miles to the north.

Have you ever felt like you were in what you consider to be less than the ideal situation? How about poor Joseph? As a young man you are going to deliver your son! Or poor Mary, need we say more? Both could’ve easily thought, “Why me? Why now?

Why this way?” But the Bible is blessedly silent with such anxious commentary. When we are thrust into similar scenarios, our plan may be to find a quick way out, but even in this, God is trying to mold us. We may want our “ducks in a row” and freak out when we can’t control the situation, yet maybe it’s simply that God wants the control in your life instead!

News flash: we don’t live in an ideal world, things do get messy!

But with God in charge, the less than ideal can become His ideal if we let Him take the reins.

What if Joseph hadn’t followed God through the “messes?” He would’ve missed out on fantastic

blessings like seeing this birth, the shepherds and their telling of their heavenly visitation, as well as those wise men, and on and on!

So Mary wrapped the baby Jesus in “swaddling clothes,” no fancy infant outfits or warm, plush receiving blankets - less than ideal! They laid Him in a manger, which was a feeding trough for animals - less than ideal. The signs of the Bethlehem “hotels” prior to His birth all said “No Vacancy”- less than ideal. He passed up what was ideal, so that your Christmas would be more than gifts, special food, and parties. He left the throne room of grace, to grace a less than ideal stable so that YOU could experience His saving grace. You may never have here all you want, but you can have all you need through Him Who loves you so!

Christmas is about Christ coming to save you and help you to live well through this life with Him at the helm: “. . .I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto YOU is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord.” (Lk.2:10-11). Yes, life can come at you hard here, but He Who gave you life wants you also to know His joy and peace this season. a

positive attitudes and outlook on life, are the healthiest, happiest people I have ever met and many of them did not, or do not follow some strict diet or take 20 supplements a day, or 10 drugs every morning and night to dull their

senses. They just accept things as they are and enjoy the simple everyday things in life and are thankful to be alive. My husband has proven this to me over and over with his positive upbeat

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OBSERVATIONS . . . of an OLD MAN We are living in divisive times, we are challenged daily to discern.

What are my thoughts?

POSITIVES NEGATIVES

Love

Hate

Sharing/Caring

Greed/Selfish

Light

Darkness

Understanding

Judgmental

Compassion

Cruelty

Joy

Sadness

Good

Evil

Trust

Fear

God is: Love, Caring, Sharing

Evil is: Fear, Greed, Hate

Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious; If there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise; Think about these things Philippians 4:8

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Peter J. Moses

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The Valley, December 2013

Adventures on Our Nourishing Journey

by Sue Burns

Cinnamon Is This Spice, “Everything Nice?

The sweet, warm aromatic smell and taste of cinnamon defines the essence of holiday delights for me. If fact, I reach for it, not just during the holidays, but all year round to sprinkle that definitive flavor onto both sweet and savory foods. First thing in the morning a pinch goes into my breakfast shake, it is the mystery ingredient in my beef stew, and occasionally, this time of year, a generous toss dusts the top of a cup of thick and luscious hot chocolate. Yum!!

But there is more to this culinary favorite than just flavor.

Current research is showing promise in its ability to reduce our blood sugar. Should we be excited? To be honest, I am not sure yet. But I am intrigued enough to share with you some insight about this ancient and beloved spice and let you decide for yourself.

Does a Sprinkle a Day Keep Our Blood Sugar at Bay?

You are all smart enough to know that the our cunning food industry has teamed up with our culturally accepted dietary norms to assure that the addition of sugar in all its guises is poured onto and into just about everything sitting on the inner aisles of the grocery store. Go ahead, I dare you. Read the labels. You will be hard pressed to find a favorite item that has less than 5 grams of sugar per serving, (which is my recommendation for all pre-packaged and processed foods.) We know that added sugar provides the “yum” factor that we have all learned to adore, seek out, and yes, to crave.

In my opinion, sugar is also our number one dietary nemesis, for it wrecks havoc on every aspect of our health by being one of the main contributing factors toward obesity, diabetes, heart disease and inflammation.

But what if there were something else we could sprinkle on our food that, unlike sugar, would have a positive effect on our health. Something natural, easy to obtain, and most importantly, deli-

cious! Well, researchers are telling us to look no further than the baking aisle of the grocery store where we will find an aromatic gift from Mother Nature wrapped in a very familiar package we all recognize as cinnamon.

The premise is that when we take in more of this delightful spice, we will be giving our blood sugar levels a healthy holiday gift. So is that it? Just eat some cinnamon? But what about the type of cinnamon, and the amount, and the ways to use it, and where to buy it . How does cinnamon “work” in controlling blood sugar? And are there any cautions and concerns to be aware of when using it on a regular basis?

Okay, you knew I would have questions so here are some answers about this amazing, everything nice, spice.

Types of Cinnamon

Cinnamon comes from the bark of a tropical evergreen tree.

It has been heralded since the beginning of human history. The Greeks and Romans offered it to their gods and ancient cultures of India and China used cinnamon medicinally. It seems what goes around, comes around, so here we are in the 21st century, looking at cinnamon from a “new” healing perspective.

There are two main types of cinnamon. Their botanical names are Cinnamomum Cassia and Cinnamomum Verum. From here on I will simply refer to them as cassia and verum. Although these two types belong to the same family, just like cousins, they have similar, yet different, personalities. Most of the cinnamon imported into the United

States is known as cassia. That means that the dark delicious stuff we have been calling cinnamon is not “true” cinnamon True cinnamon is verum. Both cassia and verum look very much alike, but they differ in flavor. They are harvested in the same way, from dried bark and rolled like a scroll into what we call cinnamon sticks or quills. The sticks of verum are

more brittle and have a thin paper like appearance, and they are lighter brown in color than cassia. It’s taste is mild and delicate.

Most high grade verum comes from India while a lower grade originates from Madagascar. Cassia is the sweeter and stronger in flavor of the two, and the one preferred throughout Europe and United States as a culinary spice.

Verum is found in kitchens in Mexico, Latin America, India and nations in South Asia. In some parts of the world it is illegal to refer to cassia as cinnamon. In Great Britain and Australia, cassia can only be sold as cassia and cinnamomum verum can only be sold as cinnamon. In the United States, both are legally sold as cinnamon.

Cassia cinnamon is also called Chinese cinnamon. Sai-

gon Cinnamon also known as Vietnamese Cassia is also a type of cassia cinnamon.

Verum cinnamon goes by the names Ceylon cinnamon or Sri Lankan cinnamon. Obviously, their names depict their country’s origin. In the United States you can find true verum cinnamon in specialty spice shops and online.

Ground cassia is sometimes called “baker’s cinnamon.” It is usually lower priced than the ground sticks of true cinnamon.

The Studies

A recent research study found cinnamon can lower blood

sugar and cholesterol in humans, but so far, evidence that it eases arthritis is limited to animal data.

The consumption of cinnamon is associated with a statistically significant decrease in levels of

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fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C, and triglyceride levels, and an increase in HDL-C levels; (College of Pharmacy, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California—Critical Review In Food Science and Nutrition r. 2010 Oct).

For health benefits, cassia cinnamon, which is typically sold in supermarkets, has been more widely studied than verum cinnamon. But scientists say verum cinnamon is likely safer in very high doses than supermarket cassia cinnamon. I explain more about this later when I discuss taking cautions.

Another more recent metaanalysis found a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in diabetics as well as a drop in cholesterol. The analysis, which included 10 studies and a total of 543 patients, was published in September of this year in the Annals of Family Medicine. Based on this meta-analysis, “I wouldn’t recommend cinnamon instead of [diabetes] medication,” and longterm effects are unknown, senior author Olivia Phung, PharmD, from Western University of Health Sciences, told Medscape Medical News. However, small doses of a cinnamon supplement could be used along with traditional dia-

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The Valley, December 2013

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Directions In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.

Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

Eggnog for the Holidays!

I wish someone would write a nice Christmas carol about eggnog. I’ve looked and they are pretty pathetic. I won’t repeat some of the lyrics to the songs that I have found but I think you can use your imagination. Let’s face it. You either love the stuff or it makes you shudder. I have

noticed in the grocery store that some companies have ventured out and have made some alternatives to the traditional drink. You can now buy, cinnamon, caramel, pumpkin, sugar cookie, golden, vanilla, lite and traditional. They all sound exceptional to me! I love the stuff myself and even use

it in place of cream in my coffee.

This has now caught on and they now serve eggnog lattes at Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks. Yum! I am also seeing some absolutely grand recipes using eggnog. These are mostly desserts of course, but for a treat on Christmas Eve or the following day, they might become a family favorite!

My sister-in-law made homemade eggnog last year for Christmas dinner and it was absolutely divine. So much better than the stuff you buy at the store. She cooked hers and it was still very good, but if you have access to homegrown eggs, you can certainly make the traditional uncooked version. I would hesitate using store bought eggs for this, of course. I asked her which recipe she used and she passed this along. Courtesy of Alton Brown.

Route 322, 5 Miles East of State College Phone: 814-364-0891 Mon-Fri 8 am to 5pm

wandwequipment.com

Sat 8 am to Noon

Homemade Eggnog Ingredients 4 egg yolks 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon 1 pint whole milk 1 cup heavy cream 3 ounces bourbon 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 4 egg whites*

Cook’s Note: For cooked eggnog, follow procedure below.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved.

Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks.

With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

Ok so now you have your eggnog to drink. Now you need a sinfully delicious rich dessert to go along with it. Cake and cheesecake all in one glorious package!

What could be better?

Eggnog Cheesecake Cake Ingredients For the Cakes: 3 egg whites, room temperature 3/4 cup buttermilk 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 1/2 cup cake flour 1 Tbsp baking powder

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1/2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp ground ginger For the Cheesecake: 2 pkg (8oz each) cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup granulated sugar pinch of salt 2 eggs 1/4 cup sour cream 1/3 cup heavy cream 1/2 tsp rum flavoring 1/2 tsp nutmeg For the Frosting: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp rum flavoring 4 cup powdered sugar 1/4 cup low fat eggnog Instructions For the Cakes: In small bowl, mix egg whites and 1/4 cup buttermilk. Set aside.

In mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in dry ingredients and mix until combined. Slowly add in egg white mixture. Beat in remaining buttermilk. Bake in a 350- degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Remove and cool on wire rack.

For the Cheesecake: Preheat oven to 325 degree. Using a large roasting pan on the lower 1/3 of the oven, preheat the pan.

Prepare spring form pan by wrapping bottom of pan (outside) with double layer of foil. Spray pan with nonstick baking spray and line bottom (inside) with a circle of parchment paper. Meanwhile, boil several cups of water to use later.

Beat cream cheese with sugar for 2-3 minutes until creamy. Add in salt and egg, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in sour cream, heavy cream and remaining ingredients.

Pour into prepared 9inch spring form pan. Place pan in center of preheated roasting pan. Pour boiling water, slowly, into pan, until about one inch of water comes up the sides. Bake cheesecake for 45 minutes. Turn oven off and let cheesecake sit for an additional

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The Valley, December 2013

Ein grus en alle thal leser = Hello to all the valley readers, from the corner of Hillside Orchard, where rain falls down, the crows caw and the Bald Eagles fly again. The bare trees and colder weather remind us that by the time this reaches your hands, the red coats will probably have declared all out war on the fourlegged brown and black coats in Pennsylvania, and Thanksgiving will be history and Christmas will be staring us in the face. Christmas should most certainly be a joyous time of the year. However, the fact that Jesus grants salvation to anyone that is willing to accept him and carry his cross, is plenty enough reason to celebrate 365 days a year with Thanksgiving for his mercy that he bestows upon his followers. It’s also the time of the year to have firewood cut and stacked away for winter unless you are a last minute trailer or tackler like I am, then you probably have that chore waiting for you yet.

We have been busy here at the orchard the last while putting tree guards on and mowing one last time. In case you are interested to know, we use no herbicides for weed and grass control in our orchard. I happen to be one of the weird people who thinks herbicides affect soil health. I don’t think those people are as rare anymore as they used to be, as not long ago, some of the top apple growers in the U.S. warned about the negative effects of using Glyphosate (Round Up) for herbicide control in orchards.

I had a first hand experience in seeing such effects myself when

an orchardman took me for a tour in his orchard and showed me his blocks of 8th leaf and fifth leaf trees. The fifth leaf were out performing the 8th leaf trees.

Needless to say, what I saw was more than enough to convince me that no RoundUp was going to be used in our orchard—just on the production side of it, without adding any fear mongering health concerns. Also the list of Round Up resistant weeds gets longer every year, something we were told, would never happen.

getting mules instead of horses, but for now I come across this

description of a mule in a newspaper.

The Mule wrote a schoolboy, is a hardier bird than an ostrich or turkey and is different. It carries its wings on the side of the head, it has two feet to walk with, two more to kick with and is backwards about going forward.

I am thinking now that I’ll just stick with my horses and let them things in Washington D.C. where they seem to be in high demand. I will leave you with

Reuters October 2012....hardy super weeds, immune to the farm belt’s most effective weed killer, are invading fields, that could leave farmers using greater amounts of harsh old line herbicides they’ve spread to millions of acres in more than 20 states in the midwest and south. Ron Holthouse, a farmer who grows cotton and soy beans on 8,600 acres near Osceola AR says after 10 years of use on his land, RoundUp no longer controls pigweed, the weed which can grow six feet tall is tough enough to damage delicate parts of his cotton picking equipment. Mr. Holthouse had to hire a crew of 20 laborers to attack the weeds with hoes resorting to a practice from his fathers generation.

Now getting back to the orchard, we keep all our weeds and grass mowed with ground driven, horse drawn mowers and hand swung weed wackers. One thing’s for sure, no one around here has to go to the gym to get exercise.

Recently, I was thinking about

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this thought...”Some people are like balls. The harder they get thrown down, the higher they will bounce!”

So much for this time

Auf Wiedershen a

The Valley, December 2013

10

My Horse Story

Holidays tend to be a time of reminiscing. I enjoy looking back over the years at the horses I have had, and what each of these horses has brought into my life.

I was born into a family who owned horses, and my riding started on a small black and white pinto pony named Prince. Shortly afterwards there was a donkey named Jenny, who I had to tap with a fly swatter to make her go.

The first pony I can really remember riding was Poncho. He was a brown and white pinto who came along about the time my brother Troy got a pony named Diamond.

We played together for hours on those ponies, running wild through Canoe Creek State Park playing cowboys and Indians.

Astro was the next pony to

make an impact on my life. He was a feisty black and white POA. I rode him for several years. My mom would make our horse show outfits, including my favorite, which was an Indian costume, for the costume class.

Will’s Showboat was the first registered Quarter Horse that I owned. I remember going to a Quarter Horse farm and picking him out. I showed him in Western Pleasure but he should have been running barrels. I owned several other good Quarter Horses over the next few years including Shug Bar Deck and Jana Lee.

One day in 1986 I got a call about a good pleasure horse prospect. When I went to see him he tried to take off, he crow hopped, and he didn’t even know his

leads. My parents took him home on a two week trial, and there wasn’t much I liked about him.

But some things are just meant to be. We got a snow storm and he stayed two more weeks, and I fell in love. His name was Cajuns Flower aka Ty. I never had many lessons on riding or training horses, but Ty and I just figured things out together. We placed almost every time I showed him and made it to the State 4-H Horse show. I still own this horse today.

After college I went to work at Heartland Acres in Hollidaysburg riding Reining horses. I no longer had time for my own horses. Even though I did not own these horses, many of them were important in my life. Sonora Enterprise was a palomino filly I watched grow up to win the Ohio State Fair Futurity. There were several others I enjoyed riding and showing. There was no

horse while at Heartland Acres that was as special as Lil Operator. I rode and showed him not only in reining but also in pleasure and barrels. I gave lessons to the children on him. I had many great memories with the golden palomino gelding.

After leaving Heartland Acres, I went through several years of being in a “horse rut” until I found Justa Good Deal, Jezabel. She was a gorgeous big bay mare with an awesome jog.

Jez ending up giving me an accidental foal named Another Good Bay, “Willy.” I decided I wanted to run barrels instead of showing pleasure, and I found a horse named Hickorys Smokin Benz. I also traded Willy for an unruly, scruffy, almost white pony. That was Toby and he became a beautiful chocolate palomino. I learned to have fun with Toby and taught him little tricks like bowing.

Again life took more turns and I had to sell Toby and Hickory. There just did not seem to be the right horse out there for me until I found Crockett. Many people already know that he was my 40th birthday present from an amazing friend. Crockett is definitely my once in a lifetime horse.

Since Crockett and I started roping, that brought Dynamite into our lives. He was to be used

Spicebush from page 5 wild critters – birds in particular – enjoy munching on them, any human critters who want to use them had better harvest them as soon as they are ripe. Dried and ground, they can be used in cooking (remember that name – wild allspice) to spice things up. The berries have a thin flesh surrounding a seed and it can take a few weeks, at least, to dry them properly. A dry, warm room is essential or you can experiment with a dehydrator.

When dry, the berry will have shrunk somewhat and should be hard and slightly wrinkled.

Although some books will recommend a pepper mill to grind the berries, I’ve found that a good

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for roping practice as a heeling dummy. So much for the plan of keeping him a couple months, I am probably stuck with the darn donkey for the rest of my life!

About the same time I got Dynamite, I wanted a project and could not resist Chili Habanero.

Chili was an great project pony.

We showed, trail rode, and chased cows, but he never seemed to find his spot and was not happy with the plans I had for him, which led to my broken ribs. I sold Chili and he now has a wonderful home as a hunter pony. It just goes to show that not every horse is meant to work out for every rider.

Crockett was taking on rope horse, barrel horse, and show horse. It was time that I needed a backup horse for those events so along came Kiss My Gray CD, “Goose.”

My “horse story” is to be continued as I grow with my current horses and most likely my future holds many more. Not only have I had great horses throughout the years, but many of these horses have brought some amazing people into my life.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. a

old mortar and pestle gives finer results. Remember to use just a bit to see if you like it; try any recipe that calls for allspice as a place to start.

Early in fall, the leaves begin to drop, though the ripe berries will sometimes remain on the branches for a time. Before the first snow flies, the spicebush once again takes on the appearance of nothing more than a bunch of bare branches. Not much to look at, nothing special – except for those of us lucky enough to know better.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of reading Stalking the Wild Asparagus by Euell Gibbons, secure a copy. You’ll probably end up wanting it and his other books for your reference library. a

11

The Valley, December 2013 Cinnamon from page 7 betes medication, she conceded.

“Until that time, cassia cinnamon in daily doses of 1 to 6 g appears to be a reasonable option for glucose lowering in conjunction with (and not precluding) the use of evidence-based therapies when clinically appropriate.”

Cinnamomum cassia, either as natural supplement powder or capsule, was the most common form of cinnamon that was studied in the trials. One tsp. of cinnamon is approximately 3 g, according to Prof. Phung.

“Sprinkling cinnamon on food “might help a little” to control a diabetic’s blood sugar, says Emmy Suhl, a certified diabetes educator and nutritionist at Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, but it won’t likely have a strong enough effect to allow diabetics to stop their medications.”

Additional research I have been reading states that the cassia species is showing the most promise in blood sugar regulation, most specifically Saigon cinnamon.

Among the cassia cinnamons and the one true verum cinnamon, Saigon cinnamon (a cassia) offers the richest source of the essential oil (1 to 5 percent) that distinguishes these herbs in both the kitchen and the medicine chest. Indeed, so concentrated is the oil in a stick of Saigon cinnamon that it is reported to spark when exposed to a flame. Saigon Cinnamon is becoming more readily available and is the one to look for.

Amount

As stated above, 1-6 grams was the studied dosage. One tsp. is approximately 3 grams. Yes, this seems like a huge variance in amount. For most of us it seems as if ½ tsp. per day was the average amount that proved beneficial.

Keep in mind that this includes adding cinnamon to a whole foods diet that is low in grains, sugar and processed food and high in vegetables and healthy fats and protein. In and of itself, cinnamon is not the magic bullet in blood glucose control; it can simply be a contributing player.

How does cinnamon “work” in controlling blood sugar?

Below are five ways cinnamon can be helpful to our metabolism: 1. Cinnamon can increase our glucose metabolism about 20fold, which significantly improves blood sugar regulation.

2. Cinnamon has been found to have “insulin-like effects” due to a bioactive compound, qualifying it as a candidate for an insulin

substitute.

3. Cinnamon slows the emptying of our stomach to reduce sharp rises in blood sugar following meals, and improves the effectiveness, or sensitivity, of insulin.

4. Cinnamon actually enhances our antioxidant defenses.

5. A bioflavonoid found in cinnamon called proanthocyanidin may alter the insulin-signaling activity in your fat cells Other health benefits of cinnamon include • Supporting digestive function • Relieving congestion • Relieving pain and stiffness of muscles and joints • Reducing inflammation and symptoms of arthritis • Helping to prevent urinary tract infections, tooth decay and gum disease • Relieving menstrual discomfort • Stimulating circulation with blood-thinning compounds Spice Up Your Life

Here are some ways to get more cinnamon into your life. A perfect solution this time of year is to make a spiced tea, cider or wine. When warming the beverage of your choice, add a cinnamon stick to the brew along with some cloves. You might also try to: • Sprinkle on apples, bananas, or oranges • Use it in savory dishes such as beef stew or lentil soup.

• Mix it into ground beef along with some mint and parsley when making burgers or meatloaf • Mix it with some black pepper and rub it into pork tenderloin before baking • Add it to rice pilaf • Mix it into hot cocoa to bring out the flavor of the chocolate Where to buy Cassia cinnamon is what you will find in most supermarkets in the United States. Saigon Cinnamon (another cassia) can be found with the specialty spices in larger grocery stores. True Cinnamon may be purchased online or in health food or specialty shops. Ask for it by name. It may be marked verum or Ceylon cinnamon. Keep in mind that the sticks of cassia and verum look different. Verum is lighter in color and more “paper “like in layers and thinness.

What about Cinnamon Supplements?

Cinnamon-containing supplements, such as Glucotect, may be used as an addition to a highnutrient eating style and exercise

program as described in Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s book The End of Diabetes, to assist those with diabetes in achieving favorable HbA1C and fasting blood glucose.

However, when using such a supplement, always take note of the source of the supplemental cinnamon. Glucotect contains a safe cinnamon extract, plus essential nutrients and additional plant extracts with natural glucoselowering effects.

Keep in n mind that most of the human trials that have demonstrated glucose-balancing effects of cinnamon powder have used cassia. However, as I will point out below, powdered cassia supplements can expose people to excess coumarin. For more information about Dr. Fuhrman go to www.drfurman.com . Always consult with your health care provider before taking any blood glucose controlling supplements.

Cautions and Concerns Most of us love cinnamon in all its forms so it is easy to sing its praises, especially when we begin to learn that it has healing properties. Yet, I can not lead you down this spicy path without pointing out some necessary stop signs.

Even though cassia and verum have much in common, one characteristic that sets them apart is their coumarin content. Coumarins are naturally occurring plant components that can have strong anticoagulant properties. Because our blood needs to maintain its ability to coagulate in times of injury, excessive intake of coumarins over a prolonged period of time can pose health risks European health agencies have warned against consuming high amounts of cassia bark, because of its coumarin content. Cassia cinnamon is the main source of coumarin in the human diet. Coumarin is a naturally occurring toxin which also has the potential to damage

Editors Corner from page 2 prime example. She hardly ever went to a doctor for herself or her new child when the bill was her responsibility. I remember my friend telling me that his company was going to offer insurance for the employees (yes, 30 years ago it wasn’t all that common) starting the following month. From that moment on, if the kid had a sniffle or she felt out of sorts, off to the doctor she went. After all, it wasn’t costing her anything out of pocket. Her abuse back then was an eye into the future when hoards of people would abuse the system.

Health insurance is one of the

the liver in high doses. While the level of naturally occurring coumarins in Ceylon or verum cinnamon appears to be very small and lower than the amount that could cause health risks, the level of naturally occurring coumarins in the cassia cinnamons appears to be higher and may pose a risk to some susceptible individuals if consumed in substantial amounts on a regular basis. For this reason, organizations like the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in Berlin, Germany have recommended that large amounts of the cassia cinnamons be avoided.

A teaspoon of cassia cinnamon powder contains 5.8 to 12.1 mg of coumarin and the tolerable daily intake for humans is 0.1mg/ kg body weight. Measurements of coumarin in Saigon cinnamon are relatively low. As I mentioned, Saigon cinnamon is effective on blood sugar regulation and the fact that it is low in coumarin makes it a better choice.

One possible way to avoid coumarin and still use cassia is to steep the sticks in a non-fat hot liquid. Coumarin is fat-soluble so we can extract the beneficial compounds from cinnamon this way and leave out the coumarin.

Just use the liquid and throw away the stick.

If you are currently taking blood glucose lowering medications, avoid all types of cinnamon as well as other insulin production reducing substances such as ginger, cider vinegar and curry in large amounts, which is more than a tsp. each day.

Remember that very high quantities of cassia cinnamon may be toxic, particularly in people with liver problems. Because cinnamon may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes may need to adjust their treatment if they use cinnamon supplements. In addition, people who have cancer that is affected by hormone levels,

like breast cancer, should not take cinnamon. Given the lack of evidence about its safety, cinnamon, used as a treatment, is not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be aware of interactions. If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using cinnamon or cinnamon supplements from a medicinal perspective. They could interact with antibiotics, diabetes drugs, blood thinners, heart medicines, and others.

DO NOT consume large doses of cinnamon if you are currently taking insulin as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood sugar.

One final word of caution; cinnamon is fat soluble which means it does not mix or blend well with water or water soluble solutions. Always use caution when drinking water soluble liquids to which you have added cinnamon for it may float on the top of the beverage and you may inhale it which has the potential of causing lung and throat irritation and difficulty breathing.

Although a spoonful of cinnamon may help our blood sugar go down, I believe we need to continue to watch and wait for more definitive research. That may be long in coming because a natural substance like cinnamon can not be patented like pharmaceutical drugs, hence it will not bring a hefty profit. In the meantime, I will continue to toss and sprinkle this nice spice on my favorite holiday foods. Hot chocolate anyone? Merry Christmas!!

biggest ponzi schemes ever unleashed on a population. Take care of yourself, be smart, eat right (stay out of fast food restaurants and cook at home!) and you will be less likely to need a doctor. In the meantime, save those premiums into an account YOU own, and self insure!

Lastly, there is a way to defeat this whole illegal, unconstitutional (I don’t care what some politicized idiot in a black robe says) Obamacare crisis. DO NOT ENROLL, especially young folks.

Why would you want to further pay the bills for someone else, you are already subsidizing Social Security when you know darn

well there will be nothing left when your time comes. Stay away from the web site, do not enroll and this whole pile of garbage will collapse on itself.

Remember to patronize your local shops and businesses during this holiday season, especially those that advertise here and keep this paper going, without their advertising dollars The Valley doesn’t exist. Help your neighbor, buy local and tell them you appreciate their advertising in The Valley. All of us here at The Valley hope your Christmas is joyous and full of family and friends.

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References: www.worldshealthiestfoods.com www.webmd.com www.pubmed.com www.huffingtonpost.com/dr.mercola/cinnamon a

The Valley, December 2013

12

Introvert or Extrovert?

Not everyone is excited about the parties and hustle and bustle of the holidays. For some, the thought of copious holiday parties and mingling with all those people makes them want to run for the hills—and NOW! Others have already planned what they are going to wear, what they are going to take for the hostess, and who they might see and get to talk to. They can’t wait! I’m describing introverts vs. extroverts here.

So which one are you?

There’s no doubt in my mind which one I am. Have you ever thought about which one you are? But wait, these seem like two extremes to me, surely there are people who are neither an introvert or extrovert, but possess some qualities from both of these

personality types. There are always people in the middle, right?

What are they called? Ha! My guess is they are called “normal.”

So what’s an introvert? Most people think an introvert is someone who is shy, dislikes people, and just a general wallflower.

Well guess what? Not true!

While an introvert can be shy, the definition of an introvert is someone who draws energy from being alone with their thoughts and generally finds comfort, enjoyment, and peace in solitude or in very small groups. An introvert will feel drained of energy after spending time with large groups of people, like at a party, and will need to re-charge their batteries for a while before putting themselves out there again. An intro-

vert might be highly creative and imaginary and looks forward to spending time alone. Some might also label introverts as loners and hermits, but that’s not really true either. They like to do things and spend time with friends, just not too many friends at one time and not too often—remember, they need time to re-charge and think!

Ok, so we’ve got introvert covered, now what about those extroverts? You know, the social butterflies, as most people describe them. I can imagine what you are picturing—the life of the party, the person who is popular with everyone, and the person who is constantly engaged in one activity or another. Well, that’s not exactly the definition of an extrovert either. While an extrovert may be outgoing and extremely social, the real definition is someone that draws their energy from being around other people. They generally become sad or even depressed if they have to spend much time alone and are bored without lots of activities in the queue. Rather than sit alone and reflect on their thoughts, they will find someone—anyone—to

talk to. Their thoughts and ideas are most productive if they have someone else to share them with—and they WILL always find someone to share them with! Extroverts enjoy social events, and as such, they are seen as outgoing and popular. It’s also thought that extroverts are the “standard” in our society, so therefore, introverts are judged against them.

So, if you know me fairly well, you can probably identify me pretty easily. I am most definitely an introvert. I enjoy my time alone immensely. I have no problem with shopping, going to a movie, or eating out by myself (although I’d really prefer to do these things with one or two other people that I am close to). At night before bed, I like to sit with the dog and just reflect on life and think about all kinds of things. I like to take walks in the woods and just sit on a rock and listen to the sounds around me and enjoy nature. I really don’t like having a Saturday where my whole day is all planned with events (even if they are fun!). I want time to be by myself and “re-charge” after I’ve had one weekend full of activity. I’m happier at home working on projects around the house by myself or with Wayne than I am going to a party or going “out.” Ok, so maybe I do

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have some hermit in me after all!

No one would EVER describe me as the life of the party, that’s for sure.

I do know a few extroverts too. I have friends who are easy to distinguish (you know who you are). I’ve also labeled Wayne as an extrovert even though he proclaims to “not like most people.”

He does like people, he just doesn’t want to live where there are a lot of people and he enjoys his private time. It’s pretty clear though that he thrives on being around people and talking and getting to know them. Yup, he draws his energy from interacting with other people, whether he believes it or not (and he doesn’t)!

What happens when you put an introvert and extrovert together? A challenge, that’s what!

The extrovert is always wanting to go, go, go and the introvert would rather stay, stay, stay.

So, for those of you who are introverts this holiday season, remember, there is no shame in missing a holiday bash or two.

Just say, “Hey, the introvert in me needs to re-charge the batteries this weekend!” And for those of you who are extroverts,try to respect the fact that there is a personality type that is your exact opposite! a

13

The Valley, December 2013

Understanding the Constitution

by David Molek

Another Assault on our Constitution

Are you readers as exhausted as I am with the continued assaults on our Constitution? I don’t know exactly why I continue to be shocked by the Obama administration’s overreach, outright lies and tyrannical inclinations. I know they are attacking my ideas of freedom and liberty; but we always seem to be on the defense.

Someone recently said (and I agree) they could not remember the last time the Republicans in Congress acted as a true opposition to what is happening to us.

Lady Liberty’s torch is flickering.

The latest power grab is the Senate Democrats reversing the long-standing Senate rule requiring a 60-vote majority for cloture of debate. The so-called “nuclear option” now only requires a simple majority vote to stop debate and break a filibuster to confirm political and judicial appointments.

In 2005, Senator Harry Reid said this nuclear option is a “raw abuse of power and will destroy the very checks and balances our founding fathers put in place to

prevent absolute power”. Now he supports it. In 2005, then-Senator Joe Biden called this nuclear option “an example of the arrogance of power” and a “fundamental power grab by the majority party designed to change the reading of our Constitution”. Now he supports it. Also in 2005, thenSenator Barack Hussein Obama called this nuclear option an “end to democratic debate…that does not serve anybody’s best interest” and is “not what the patriots who founded this democracy had in mind. He said “the nuclear option is more about power than about fairness”. Now he supports it.

It is astounding what difference 8 years and a change of power makes. There is a truly dangerous pattern here.

I am looking for the public outrage. Where is it? I am looking for all the concern with Obama’s motivations to eliminate all opposition to his rule (or as Rush calls it – his regime). It is a dangerous pattern. The federal government is not your friend.

Our nation, conceived in and

dedicated to individual liberty, is taking on the trappings of the collective mind. This government is regulating our liberties away. It is the scariest presidential administration during my lifetime.

Senatorial opposition is normal and has been the norm for 237 years. The system of checks and balances has been withered by the wholesale rewriting of the Senate rules. If you have read my column in the past, I have tried consistently to speak the truth about the threat that Obama and his faction collaborators pose to our individual liberty and freedom and about the inordinate power over money and mainstream media resources. I have difficulty remembering the last time most Republicans in Congress acted as the true opposition to what is happening to us.

Ours is a Constitution that authorizes only limited government.

Today, we live with the legacy of constitutional decline, and without the discipline that document was meant to impose upon politics.

This shift from law grounded in

principle to law as policy and to the politicalization of law is precisely what our Constitution sought to avoid.

There is no doubt to me that America is under attack. I hear on a daily basis peoples’ concerns about where this Obama administration is attempting to take our country. The change that I seek is not to the new, but back to what our forefathers intended.

Now, no one is ever held accountable for anything. Continuing resolutions fund the no-budget federal government.

Legislative hearings never go anywhere. Every investigation is stonewalled or lied about until the mainstream media declares it old news. Speaking of media,, I feel that the concept of journalistic ethics is dead. We depend upon a free and independent press to hold public officials and politicians accountable for what they say and do. Remember those days? Accurate information and reporting honestly presented is the best counterweight to self-serving politicians who like to play fast and loose with the truth. But the media, for the most part, have become advocates of these same politicians they are supposed to

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hold accountable. I no longer trust mainstream media. They lack integrity and I fail to see true journalism. Words that come to mind are biased, unfair and onesided which describe my feelings.

DHS lists Christians, patriots and tea party members as possible terrorists. I am on all 3 of those lists. They hate opposition. There is a definite move toward tyranny in our federal government. The Senate rule will now be expanded even further to include more subjects and more government.

The rule of law is being replaced by the rule of men. This Senate action is shameless and destructive. This action is another assault against America’s constitutional republic. The federal government is all-pervasive when it should be limited.

I sometimes feel that I ramble when I am upset with all these assaults on our Constitution.

Don’t you get tired of being on the defense? Even though I feel like I am fighting the good fight, I get tired of fighting this powergrubbing, people-diminishing federal government. We need to remind the Republican party to stop criticizing conservatives and the Tea Party, and focus on their true political enemy. Then, I step back, look at history and remember the oath that I have taken about 18 times to uphold our Constitution.a

The Valley, December 2013

14 Poor Wills’ Valley Almanack from page 19 Daddy and his two big horses. It was worth the wait!

The Turkey Butt: A Christmas Story

By Susan Perkins, Boston, KY

It’s the time of year, when our memories carry us back to the easier days of childhood. Some people are soaked in tradition, as was my family, sort of.

My family always got together at Christmas, and all the fusses that may have occurred in the past year were forgotten. Presents were handed out, nothing grand, but a little something to say, “I’m thinking of you, and wanted to give you a small gift.”

One year, my dad gave my Uncle Bubs a neatly wrapped little box, handing it to him as gently as though an egg might be inside.

Uncle Bubs tenderly loosened the bow, and unwrapped the shiny gold paper. It was plain to everyone, he was moved by my dad’s thoughtfulness.

Once he removed the wrapping, Uncle Bubs lifted the lid and pulled back the brightly colored tissue paper inside, to find, to everyone’s shock… a turkey butt, brown and basted to perfection.

The whole room went up in laughter, as Uncle Bubs got up and went into the kitchen with his turkey butt still in the box.

Everyone thought he gave it to the cat, but the next Christmas, he gave it back to my dad, still frozen from hiding in the freezer for a year! He had the last laugh on Dad, and that turkey butt went back and forth for years, till it accidentally got thrown out during a freezer cleaning.

At least, Mom said it was an accident!

Uncle Bubs is gone now, since 1987. But every year, I still smile when I hear Martha Stewart say, “Have a traditional Christmas!”

Not in our house!

WHO SOLVED THE SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER SCKRAMBLERS?

Katherine Halterman of Mapleton was the winner of the September Sckrambler. Katherine Kaufman of Miflin, PA and Michelle Morgan of Stowe, PA were the winners in October.

A SCKRAMBLER FOR DECEMBER

If you are the FIRST or the FIFTH person to respond with the correct answers, you’ll receive a $5.00 prize. There should by no typos in this puzzle, but if you do find one, you June skip the word without penalty. There should be no typos in this puzzle, and no typo prize will be awarded. If you happen to find a typo, however, you may simply skip that word without penalty. Send your entries by postcard only to Poor Will’s Valley Almanack at P.O. Box 431, Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387. The names of the winners will appear an upcoming issue of The Valley Newspaper.

ECNIEPAT

URPNEDEC

TEDMREANINOIT

ECNEDIFNOC

OUAEGRC

REPSEVREANCE

OEPH

DORLERNISES

NESSFULPLEH

GHTIRESOF

ITYBILEXIF

EESSN FO ROHUM

NEGRESOTIY

STYNEOH

RITYINETG

EEEATMPRNC

SESNLUFEHPL

YTILAGURF

RTYSUDNI

NOITERAMOD Listen to Bill Felker’s weekly “Poor Will’s Almanack” on podcast any time at www. wyso.org. And Bill’s website, www.poorwillsalmanack.com, contains weekly updates and a sizable bank of information about nature. His organization of weather patterns and phenology (what happens when in nature) offers a unique structure for understanding the repeating rhythms of the year.

Bill lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio. He has two daugh-

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ters, Jeni, who is a psychologist in Portland, Oregon, and Neysa, a photographer in Spoleto, Italy.

Copyright 2013 – W. L. Felker a

Eggnog for the Holidays from page 8 30 minutes in oven. Remove and cool completely.

When cooled remove from spring form pan and place in freezer for one hour, or overnight until ready to assemble cake.

For the Frosting: Beat butter for 3 minutes until fluffy. Add in nutmeg, rum flavoring, powdered sugar and eggnog.

Beat for an additional 3-5 minutes until fluffy.

To assemble Cake: Lay one spice cake on cake plate.

Top with cheesecake then second layer of spice cake. Frost with eggnog frosting! ENJOY!

Now if that cake sounds like you would be suffering on the couch after eating it perhaps a nice cookie would be more your style. These are good for dipping in coffee and great if you want to add a little cream cheese/eggnog frosting.

Eggnog Cookies 1 1/4 cups white sugar 3/4 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup eggnog

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 egg yolks 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon Directions: Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).

2. Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg.

3. Cream sugar and butter until light.

4. Add eggnog, vanilla, and egg yolks; beat at medium speed with mixer until smooth.

5. Add flour mixture and beat at low speed until just combined.

6. Do not over mix.

7. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet 1 inch apart.

8. Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg.

9. Bake 20 to 23 minutes until bottoms turn light brown.

I hope that you try some of these marvelous treats.

The MacConnell family wishes you a very rich and blessed holiday season. a

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15

The Valley, December 2013

The 2014 Bows Are Here!!

The 2014 bows are out and on the shelves at your local dealers. I’ve been shooting competitive archery for 12 years, and the most popular question that I get asked from people that are new to the sport of archery and buying their first bow is, “What bow do you recommend for me?” Or, “What is the best bow on the market?” Now, let me start by saying that I am a Hoyt Archery and Athens Archery Dealer, but, I can’t honestly say that Hoyt and Athens are the bows for that particular person to shoot. I feel that the technology for all of the top-of-the line bows like Hoyt, Mathews, Athens, Bowtech, Elite, G5, Bear, PSE, Strothers, and Stephens are really good. I’m sure I

missed some brands that people

2014 Hoyt Faktor 30

shoot or like, and I apologize for that. Now back to the question at hand. My answer to the question What bow would I recommend for a beginner is, “Shoot them all.”

The reason I say that is because every bow company has their own little niche that sets their bow apart from other brands. The most important thing that I tell people is the grip in your hand—it all starts there. If that bow does not feel right in your hand, you will never shoot that bow well.

I’m not saying that it isn’t going to shoot good, I’m saying that if the hand and grip mesh as one you can shoot that bow excellently. Excellent shooting causes your confidence to rise and allows you to group your shots better at

longer distances. What to look for in a grip that is comfortable in your hand? Some people might like a thick grip and some might like a thin grip. Some might like a low heel or a high heel. Some might like a flat riser grip, while some may like a little round to the grip. I myself like a thin, flat, low heel grip.

I like the grip being flat so the bow doesn’t rock in my hand— when the bow rocks it may cause left or right shots. I don’t like a

2014 Hoyt Carbon Spyder 30

thick grip because those style grips cause torque on the riser and that will cause inconsistency. I like a low heel to my grip because with the form that I have, I put a lot of pressure to the heel of my bow hand when I shoot. On some bows that I’ve had in the past, I’ve taken the grip off and shot bare riser. That’s always an option as well, but this will lengthen your draw length about an 1/8” to 1/4”, depending on the style of grip.

You must take that into consideration. After you shoot multiple bows and find the right grip that best fits your hand, then you can focus on speed, axle to axle length, brace height, vibration, noise, draw cycle, and looks.

With all that being said, if you are in the market for a bow, get out to your local dealers and shoot as many as you can. Please feel free to give me a call if you ever have any questions. I’m always here to help. Good luck, I hope you found this article helpful, and always remember—“Shoot Em Straight” Jim Ream Valley Sports N Outdoors LLC 18 Glenlew Dr. Lewistown, PA 17044 717-248-8122 www.valleysportsnoutdoors.com a

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The Valley, December 2013

16

Local “Life Coach” Nurtures a Vision For Her Own Family

My oldest son was born 33 years ago. I really didn’t know how to be a mom. I didn’t have a mom’s manual! So I envisioned the feelings, the values, and the bonds I wanted to create. Each time I made a decision, I did so considering my vision of creating a peaceful, safe, healthy, and happy, home filled with unconditional love.

A few weeks ago, my three grown children came home at the same time – a rare occasion given that they are scattered around the U.S. Their significant others joined them. What a blessed event

that visit became.

My daughter Kori, and sons Mark and Dylan, joined me for a long hike – just like old times. As we wandered the peaceful paths in Alan Seeger park, Kori and I lagged a bit behind the boys and had the kind of easy conversation only a mother and daughter can have—about love and relationships. Sharing intimate thoughts, like, “Mom, what is it like to grow old?”

We could hear Mark and Dylan chatting and laughing, just like they did when they were much younger. They even played a few silly pranks on their sister

and me.

That evening the three couples and I gathered around the candlelit dining table, sharing a meal and making friendly conversation. Kori’s friend John asked “if we always ate like this – homemade family dinners, made from scratch.” My children instantly said, “Yes!” He was amazed and perhaps a bit envious.

He couldn’t imagine that happening in his childhood home.

Another of the guests commented on the moment of silence we have before eating – pausing to hold hands around the table before digging in and about the calm feeling that moment created.

Someone also observed that there was just one conversation over dinner, a give-and-take involving all of us, rather than lots of private chats skipping over others.

Our recent visit together will be etched in my memory forever.

What a joy to hear those observations! It had been part of my family vision to communicate as one.

To share homemade meals. To have that dinner table be a haven of peace and love.

After dinner, we took a walk around the grounds, stopping in many spots that triggered memories. They shared those memories with their friends—feeding the chickens, working in the garden, making cider together, playing in the creek, the horses, rope swings, picking berries, the birthdays, and the long, lazy summers.

In fact, we even learned together. An inner voice told me that home-schooling could be a part of my family vision. It began

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as an experiment. An experiment that we loved, and continued yearafter-year until all three graduated from high school. Now an aerospace engineer, an integrative artist, and a therapeutic massage therapist, my children followed their individual dreams—I’m so proud.

That night the seven of us continued our lively conversation around a flickering fireplace in the living room. We were up into the wee hours asking questions and sharing stories, and I got to know my children better, as the adults they are now.

I am so grateful that I

Continued on page 22

17

The Valley, December 2013 deductions AND income benefits for you, your families, and beneficiaries.

There are a variety of charitable planning programs available and these include:

Generosity and Stewardship

A cornerstone of wise planning is giving. Giving helps remove the love of money from us; which, scripture teaches, is the root of all evil. Compassion and help for those less fortunate than ourselves is a core attribute of Stewardship. We cannot be good stewards of the resources with which we have been blessed unless we allocate some of those resources to be given away.

What works have been laid upon your heart? What ministries do you feel compelled to participate in? Is it feeding or providing shelter for the poor? Do you get excited when your finances help to engage kids in before and after school programs? Do you prefer to see your resources go to

assist life affirming organizations or church outreach, or perhaps supporting missionaries? However you’re wired and whatever passions are upon your heart, how well do you strategically incorporate charitable giving into your overall financial planning?

Giving should be birthed from the commitment you have toward certain ministries and institutions that harmonize with your beliefs and share your vision for serving humanity. We all receive untold numbers of solicitations from various ministries almost on a daily basis. Don’t allow these solicitations to diffuse your focus on the ministries and institutions you really want to help. Don’t be afraid to discard

those that don’t suit you. While all will tell you any donation is welcome, I believe it is best to select your top ministries and give as much as you can to those. Start local, and then go global if you have capacity to do so. Consider more than giving monetarily, most ministries are in need of volunteers. A few hours a week can make all the difference in the world!

Giving is a life-long pursuit and one that can continue even when you are called from this life!

Many of you are already giving to your favorite causes, but are unaware that there are simple programs recognized in the tax code that can be utilized which will make giving a more strategic part of your overall retirement, income and estate plans. Charitable planning is NOT only for high-net-worth individuals! There are simplified charitable programs that allow you to benefit your chosen charities and receive both tax

1) The traditional gift annuity, offered by charities for over 100 years, can create an immediate or deferred lifetime payout for up to two individuals.

2) The charitable bargain installment sale, provides an immediate or deferred structured payout to the family for a set term or number of years.

3) The donor advised fund is an outright gift that generates systematic grants to your selected charities over a number of years and allows you to create a charitable legacy for your family.

When using one of these programs you can benefit from an immediate charitable income tax deduction. The deduction is reported on Schedule A of the itemized tax return and can be utilized to reduce your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) by up to 50% (or 30% if the asset funding the charitable program was appreciated securities or real estate). If the tax deduction is large enough

that it cannot be utilized fully in the first year, then the remaining amount can be carried forward for up to 5 additional years. Typical examples of individuals who can utilize these tax deductions are: • Folks who are currently taking Required Minimum Distributions that they neither want nor need.

• Folks who earn enough in social security, pension and other investment income that they are making quarterly tax payments.

• Families who experience an unusual year of inflated income due to the sale of a business, real estate, or other type of windfall.

• Families who are in the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) bracket. Charitable deductions are one of the few tax deductions allowed that can actually move a client out of the AMT bracket.

• Individuals who would like to unlock or re-characterize their qualified money in a tax-advantaged manner.

• Annuity owners who would prefer not to pass along an IRD (Income with Respect to the Decedent) asset with large taxable gains to their heirs.

Continued on page 26

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The Valley, December 2013

18

Poor Will’s Valley Almanack

for Early Winter of 2013

by W. L. Felker Now I have told the year from dawn to dusk, Its morning and its evening and its noon; Once round the sun our slanting orbit rolled, Four times the season changed, thirteen the moon….

--Vita Sackville-West The Sun

Winter solstice occurs at 12:11 p.m. (EST) on December 21. On the 24th, the sun’s declination makes its very first move towards spring, shifting just a fraction of a degree from 23 minutes 26 seconds to 23 minutes 25 seconds. The Valley days begin to lengthen the day after Christmas.

The Planets J upiter lies in Gemini, overhead after midnight and shining bright in the far west before sunrise. Mars is in Virgo, well up in the southeast before dawn. Venus remains in Sagittarius, low in the southwest after dark. Saturn in Libra glows in the morning sky.

The Stars

The Milky Way lies across the sky from southeast to southwest this month. It turns slowly through the winter, reaching from due south to due north as the first lambs and kids are born and the first crocus blooms.

The Shooting Stars

December’s shooting stars are the Geminids, appearing at the rate of about 40 to 50 per hour on December 13-14. Find them following behind Orion in Gemini.

The Ursid meteors will appear

late at night deep in the northeast around the Big Dipper and Little Dipper, the Ursid or “bear” constellations, between December 17 and 25.

for sun; on the other days of this period, odds are better than 50/50 for clouds. December 6 is the last day for the slightest chance of a high above 70 until January 21.

Meteorology

DECEMBER – WEEK 2 THE FIRST WEEK OF EARLY WINTER Lunar Phase And Lore

Severe weather is most likely to occur during the following periods: December 1-3, 24-26, 31-January 1. It is probable that new moon on December 1 will intensify the arrival of early winter. Full moon on December 16 will bring stronger-than-average storms to the United States as deep winter approaches.

DECEMBER – WEEK 1 THE FINAL WEEK OF LATE FALL Lunar Phase And Lore

The Paperwhite Moon, new on December 2, waxes throughout the week, entering its second quarter at 10:12 a.m. on December 9. Rising in the morning and setting in the evening, this moon will move overhead in the afternoon, making that part of day the most promising lunar time for hunting and fishing. The moon’s first quarter is also ideal for seeding your spring bedding plants, especially under Capricorn between the 4th and the 6th. Wet Pisces will also be fine on December 8 and 9.

Since cold fronts are expected to arrive near December 3 and 8, watch the barometer (or the weather report) to time your outings before the lower temperatures strike your favorite woodlot or fishing hole.

Weather Trends

Highs sometimes reach the 60s this week of the year, but only five percent of the time. Odds are far better for chilly afternoons in the 30s and 40s, and lows well below freezing. December 1 is usually the brightest day of the week, with a 60 percent chance

The Paperwhite Moon, waxing as it fattens up the buds of the paperwhite bulbs, enters its second quarter on December 9 at 10:12 a.m. becoming more and more gibbous until it is completely round on December 17 at 4:28 a.m.

Rising after sunup and setting well before dawn, this moon travels overhead after dark. Lunar position should favor late afternoon fishing and hunting all week. Fish and animal activity should pick up as the barometer drops in advance of the weather system due on or about the 15th. Rain or snow often precedes the December 15 cold front, adding a chilling but sometimes favorable conclusion to your outdoor expeditions.

Hemmed in by bad weather or a bad knee, gardeners can be setting up trays for the seeding of bedding plants. Slow-growing flower seeds usually do well under the waxing moon of December.

And it is not too late to order what you plan on planting during the dark moon of January’s first days.

Weather Trends

Afternoon highs are usually in the 20s or 30s from the Lower Midwest to the East Coast (a 55 percent chance for temperatures so cold). The 10th and the 12th are the days this week with the best chance for warmth in the 50s (slightly better than a 30 percent chance for that), and severe weather with below-zero temperatures and highs only in the teens is rare. The cold early winter winds usually take down the last of the honeysuckle foliage, opening the

woods completely for the next four to five months. Double digit below-zero temperatures are possible between December 15 and March 22.

On December 15 of 1983, the worst cold spell in half a century began, lows reaching past 20 below. The chill lasted until the 31st.

The following year, there were highs in the 60s on the 15th and 16th.

DECEMBER – WEEK 3 THE SECOND WEEK OF EARLY WINTER Lunar Phase And Lore

The Paperwhite Moon encourages paperwhite and amaryllis bulbs to bloom for Christmas (if you started them early enough), especially when it becomes full moon on the 17th at 4:28 a.m.

Rising after dark, setting in the morning, the gibbous moon moves overhead near midnight.

Lunar position after dark favors hunters of opossums and raccoons, especially as the December 20 and 25 cold fronts approach.

The upcoming weekend should be relatively mild with a chance of precipitation, and conditions should be favorable for finding squirrels, rabbits and antlerless deer during the day, especially at the second-best lunar time (when the moon is below the United States) in the middle of the day.

Weather Trends

In general, the third week of December, the first 20 days of January and the first seven days of February are the most frigid of the year. If it’s going to be a terrible winter, the worst winds will blow during these five weeks. From another perspective, just ten fronts out of the winter’s 20 are usually unusually cold. The approximate days (usually predictable within 72 hours either way) for the arrival of those severe high-pressure systems are December 8, 15, 20; January 1, 5, 11, 15; February 2, 7, 12.

The coldest December days,

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those with better than a 35 percent chance for temperatures in the 20s or below, all come at this time of year: the 17th, 18th, 19th, 25th, and 26th. The most bitter day this week in weather history is the 19th, with a 30 percent chance for highs only in the teens. And more below zero temperatures occur between the 18th and the 26th than on any other December mornings.

As for below zero mornings, they come more often on the 20th (three years out of 15) than on any other December day. Will there be a white Christmas? History says that one out of three can bring a little snow.

DECEMBER – WEEK 4 THE THIRD AND FINAL WEEK OF EARLY WINTER Lunar Phase And Lore

The Paperwhite Moon enters its final quarter on December 25 at 8:48 a.m. and wanes throughout the remainder of the year. Rising in the early morning and setting in the afternoon, this moon comes overhead near dawn.

Lunar position suggests that the moon’s influence will be greatest at sunrise and will continue significant until about 11:00 a.m. Opossums and raccoons may be more active than usual after midnight.

High-pressure systems due on the 25th and the 28th are expected to enhance fishing and hunting before the cold arrives.

Gardeners should prepare soil and set up growlights (or just plain shop lights) so that everything will be ready for indoor seeding of bedding plants on new moon day, the first new moon day of 2014, January 1.

Weather Trends

Snow falls (well, at least there are flurries) half the time in my weather history on Christmas Eve. The 26th is typically the coldest day of the week and has a 40 percent chance for highs just

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The Valley, December 2013 in the teens or 20s. Chances for highs in the 60s on Christmas Day are only five percent. Forties come another five percent of the time, 30s forty percent, 20s or below 50 percent. One Christmas per quarter century remains below zero. The sun appears 60 percent of all the years.

The likelihood of precipitation increases as the old year fades. From a 35 percent chance of rain or snow on the 27th, chances increase to a 55 percent chance on the 31st. The 1st is usually windy and dry, with just a 20 percent chance for flurries. By the 2nd and 3rd, however, chances for snow or sleet jump back up to the 50-percent range.

The Almanack Daybook for December 1: When sunset reaches its earliest time of the year, the brittle leaves of the pear trees fall. This is the time during which the second bloom of forsythia flowers ends, when witch hazel blossoms wither, and the last of the golden beeches, the willows, osage and oaks come down.

2: The corn and soybean harvests are usually complete all around the county, and growth of winter wheat slows in the cold. New garlic shoots are firm and green, but they’ve stopped growing and remain at their middle-autumn height. The Christmas tree harvest has begun, and the last poinsettias have come north.

3: Honey bees can stand a lot of cold as long as they don’t have moisture or bitter winds on them.

With plenty of honey and just enough air movement to keep them dry and a warm day once in a while for a cleansing flight, they should come thru winter just fine.

4: Dig the last of your tender bulbs before early winter arrives with the December 8th cold front.

Then spread fertilizer in the garden. Manure and compost spread now will have a chance to work into the ground all winter. Seed begonias, pansies, geraniums and other popular varieties for April and May sales. Mulch strawberries with straw. Fill rose collars with dirt against the hard frost season ahead. Winterize climbing roses and other plants by lay them on the ground and covering them with soil mulch. If you leave them standing, wrap them with burlap.

5: Increase energy feeds to your herd and flock in unusually severe cold. You might consider forage

testing if you suspect that quality is declining. Early fall treatment for lice may not be enough to keep your herd or flock free from parasites this winter; be sure to check for reinfection.

6: Complete sow breeding for early spring litters. Mulch the last of the garden vegetables against the coming cold. Reserve your spring chicks for March, April or May so they can gain weight throughout the summer and be ready to lay by autumn.

7: Make a tentative calendar to include dates for seed, fertilizer, herbicide, and pesticide purchases, livestock due dates, fair and other show dates, spring, summer and fall breeding periods, estimated planting and harvest times. Create a mock budget for an ideal year and a terrible year and then for a year in between.

Consider options for diversification. Discuss the possibility of a loan to expand your operation.

Sit down with the tax person and see if there’s a way to reduce your taxes next year.

8: In general, the third week of December, the first 20 days of January and the first seven days of February are the most frigid of the year. If it’s going to be a terrible winter, the worst winds will blow during these five weeks. From another perspective, just ten fronts out of the winter’s 20 are usually severe. The approximate days (usually predictable within 72 hours either way) for the arrival of those air systems are December 8, 15, 20. January 1, 5, 11, 15.

February 2, 7, 12.

9: Great flocks (called “murders”) of crows feed in the cornfields and soybean fields of the past summer.

Overwintering robins look for honeysuckle berries.

10: Take special care in feeding mares: horses bred in April begin their period of most rapid fetal development at this time of year.

11: Indoors, seed pansies for early spring bloom, cherry tomatoes for April fruit. Put in flats of cabbages, collards, and kale if you live in the southern states. Wait until the middle of January in the central states, the middle of February in the far north.

12: Start feeding grain to stock which will be birthing early in the year. Make year-end tax decisions, and take inventory of animals, capital items, crops, feed, and

supplies on hand. Start building lambing pens and box stalls for calves. Repair farrowing quarters for pigs.

13: A light feeding in the morning, and a heavier feeding towards dark will provide your chickens with a little more in their stomach to heat them up as the mercury falls.

14: Reserve your ready-to-lay pullets for summer. And some egg aficionados are starting their first brood of chicks this month expecting them to be producing omelettes by June or July.

15 Foxes and coyotes are becoming more active as they begin their courtship rituals. Watch for them frolicking in the fields. And keep the hen house all buttoned up!

16: New curly dock is often growing back in the wetlands. The freshest spears can be picked and used for salad greens, or sautéed with onions and maybe a small piece of bacon.

17: Today begins the moon’s third quarter, a period during which most abortions in livestock are said to occur. Traditional supplements to ward off abortion include rose hips, hawthorn berries, raspberry leaves, tansy leaves and hollyhock root. Herbs to help with birthing are peppermint, thyme and chamomile.

18: Keep plenty of lukewarm water available for your chickens when temperatures fall below freezing. Egg production can be expected to decline when highs stay below 30 degrees, but warm water will help keep the hens happier and, hopefully, laying a little.

19: Maybe just as much fun as forcing bulbs and making your own seeds is forcing rhubarb.

Once the roots have been frozen, bring the plant indoors, and put it in a dark place. Cut the stalks as they appear.

20: As harvest comes to a close, schedule maintenance of all mechanical equipment. Clean your tools and order and organize the work areas. Review the performance of livestock and crop varieties. Plan for an even better year ahead. Corn companies soon begin to sell their spring seed, and discounts may be available to farmers for early purchases.

21: On colder days, prune suckers and dead branches. Cut fruit trees down to the right level for

picking, but don’t prune what will bloom before June, and wait for July or August for the maples.

22: As you schedule estimated due dates for each of your pregnant animals, also do an estimated time of day for each, basing your assessment on the time of the mother’s previous births or the time of day the animal’s mother gave birth to her. If your estimates end up being right, you may save yourself some surprises in the years to come.

23: Turning lights on early and keeping them on after dark can help keep your chickens eating for more hours in the day. If temperatures are relatively mild, hens could start laying, after molt, with about 13 hours of light (but use a low-wattage bulb).

24: Water for livestock should remain between 50 and 60 degrees throughout the winter. Pregnant animals should be drinking more as their young develop.

25: Amaranth is bowing to set its seeds. Black pokeberries dangle on their hollow stems. The heads of foxtail grass cling to one another, wave in the wind like lost, pale woolly bear caterpillars. Stubborn snapdragons and Japanese honeysuckles are finally giving in, blackening with the cold.

26: The days begin to lengthen right after Christmas, and Regulus, the fertile star of the mild March winds, rises after dark. In the warmth of southern plots and northern greenhouses, bedding plant seeding is underway. Pullets which will produce summer eggs are hatching. Plan now to have broilers ready for market as early in the year as possible. Calculate feed acreage required for the year ahead.

27 Have the best creep feed ready for November lambs. Castrate and dock the October and November lambs. Vaccinate late lambs for enterotoxemia before you give them grain feed.

28: If you are planning to market sheep or goat milk and cheese next year, be sure you have the right freezer – one that has enough room and freezes the milk quickly. Proteins have a tendency to separate if freezing is done too slowly, and cheese may curdle if the milk is frozen incorrectly.

29: Watch for mold in feed; be sure the grain and hay are “dry and sweet.” Separate your thinnest

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pregnant does and ewes now and give them a little extra attention in order to improve their body condition and reduce risk of abortion.

30: The hydrangea heads are drooping, and the Jerusalem artichokes have fallen over. Grasses are pale and bent. Hoary goldenrod and brittle great ragweed have broken. Chicory stalks are leaning.

31: Rheumatism in livestock increases during the cold and damp weather of winter. A tablespoonful of paprika and one of molasses per day are considered helpful to reduce the stiffness in animals’ joints. Try it for your own aches and pains!

Almanack Literature Daddy’s Gift

by Lois Newman, Seaman, OH

One of my most memorable Christmases happened in the days when Daddy farmed with horses and our family traveled short distances in a Model-T Ford.

Those were simple days when “Santa” slipped in during the night and left one gift for each child under our aromatic, homegrown cedar tree. There would usually be a bag of oranges, a bag of peanuts and some candy. Then we drove off to Grandma and Grandpa’s house for Christmas dinner.

That particular year, we children decided earlier that we’d like to have Santa leave our gifts at Grandpa’s house so our grandparents could see them, too.

However, on Christmas morning, we woke up to a heavy snowfall. There was no way our car could make it to Grandpa’s. It seemed to us our Christmas was stolen. The next day wasn’t much better.

But two days later, Daddy woke us up stomping snow on the back porch. He shouted out for us to jump up and put on our warmest clothes for we were going to Grandpa’s. It had warmed and the sun was shining. Daddy had hitched the workhorses to the farm sled. He knew the sunshine would make the snow slick enough for the sled to ride easily over it.

Mom covered a pile of hay with a blanket to make a comfortable seat on the sled. The horses seemed as delighted as we were to be traveling in the snow.

I don’t remember anything about Santa’s gifts, but I’ll never forget the gift given to us by

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Fifty Years Ago From the pages of The Sentinel (Lewistown, PA), founded in 1903: December 1963

The Miller Theatre opened “Because You’re Mine” starring Mario Lanza, Doretta Morrow and James Whitmore, and “Rampage” featuring Robert Mitchum, Elsa Martinelli and Jack Hawkins.

The Embassy Theatre opened “Lassie’s Great Adventure” in Color by Deluxe, filmed in “The Great North Woods” with Jon Provost, reprising his TV role from “Lassie” as Timmy Martin.

Christmas car sales touted, “Santa Traded in His Reindeer!

He couldn’t resist these new prices!” A selection of new cars included: a Ford Fairlane 500 4 door, $1395; Ford Galaxie 500 2 door, $1395; and a Chevrolet 4 door Impala, $1995. On the used

lot, one might see: ’61 Comet 4 door Sedan, “loaded,” $1495; ’58 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, “One owner,” $1795 or a ’60 Ford Falcon Station Wagon, $1295. Buyers received a FREE bicycle with every new or used car purchase worth over $600! Now that’s a bargain.

One Hundred Years Ago From the pages of the Democrat & Sentinel (Lewistown, PA), founded in 1832: December 1913

Postmaster Allen Orr of Lewistown is in communication with the Post Office Department in discussing plans for handling parcel post deliveries under new expanded rule for 1914. It is expected that a permanent automobile will be assigned to the post office for the rural routes when the weight of parcels will increase

from 20 pounds to 50 pounds.

Some provision must be made for the expected avalanche of weighty packages. The editor commented, “A letter carrier bearing two 50 pound cans of lard upon either shoulder, a crate of eggs or a turkey under each arm and a heavy mail bag upon his back would cut a sorry figure in making his rounds. The society for the cruelty would be called into action by an irate populace.”

Civil War Echoes – One Hundred Fifty Years Ago From the pages of the Lewistown Gazette (Lewistown, PA), founded in 1811 December 1863

The death of Capt. Ira R. Alexander of Lewistown was reported. He was killed in a skirmish at Mine Run, Va., shot by a rebel sharpshooter, dying several

hours after being wounded. He was carried by Ambulance Corps stretcher-bearers for a distance of four miles to the field hospital.

He died on November 29, and his remains were returned to his family for burial December 11. The field glasses Capt. Alexander was using at the time he was shot are on display at McCoy House in the Civil War collection of the Mifflin County Historical Society.

The Ladies Aid Association was asking for donations for Christmas boxes to be sent to the recuperating soldiers in military hospitals.

Diphtheria was reported locally. A “wash” was the recommended preventive and sure cure for the disease, which the newspaper said consisted of Goldenseal (an herbal member of the buttercup family), borax, black pepper, alum, nitrate of potash and salt.

This mixture was to be swabbed in the mouth and throat. For an external cure, rub turpentine, sweet oil and aqua ammonia on the chest and elsewhere. a

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The Logan Guards - The Civil War’s First Defenders from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania by author Forest K. Fisher tells the story of this Mifflin County militia company. $17.75 plus PA Sales Tax and $3 S&H - Available at these locations: Mifflin County Historical Society, 1 W. Market Street, Lewistown, PA 17044 or - Purchase with PayPal, visit our web site at www.mccoyhouse. com, click on STORE - Also the JVACC Gift Shop, Historic Courthouse, Lewistown, PA. For more information: Call MCHS Office at 717-242-1022 or info@mifflincountyhistoricalsociety.org a

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The Valley, December 2013

Modern Energy and Alternative Heating with Curt Bierly Preparing for A warm and Safe Winter

As I write this article it is in the low 20s and we experienced the first isolated snow squalls this evening during our trip home from our business in Millheim so - I need to accept the fact that fall is over and winter has arrived.

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving has passed and consumers (my daughter in law included) have already arisen early the following day to shop for Black Friday Deals. The forecast was for temperatures in the single digits (Low of 7, no way) on Thanksgiving Night. I’m sure happy I’m not a Black Friday Shopper!

I plan to start my Saey Coal Stove tomorrow evening after attending the Penn State/Lock Haven Wrestling match at Rec

Hall with some friends. The stove was cleaned last spring and the top of the insulated stainless steel

(SS) pipe was covered with an experimental fabricated SS cover (see picture) to keep the rain out of the pipe and thus preserve the life of the chimney (it did the job). That will need to be removed and a regular chimney cap installed so it is ready to go tomorrow evening. Two tons of coal were delivered this week, which will keep part of our home warm for the winter.

I don’t have a coal bin, but choose to dump it on a 10’ x 20’ tarp laying on the black top driveway; then, fold the tarp back over the pile of coal to protect it from the rain (see picture). By spring, the coal will be gone – so – I’ll hose off the tarp, let it dry, fold it up and put

it away for the summer. I like to keep all reminders of Winter out of sight!

A dealer in Ohio was telling me he orders a tandem dump truck load of coal each fall to supply his customers throughout the winter months. One year he ran out of coal in January and needed to order another load. Apparently the day they delivered the load it was very cold and the coal was wet – so – when the driver opened the tailgate of the dump trailer only one lump of coal fell out. It doesn’t matter if the coal is stored outside, but be sure to cover it so it doesn’t get wet and freeze into a solid block.

The Jotul Oslo Wood Stove will be fired up early next week.

I have the seasoned wood poles on a pile, but have been resisting cutting and splitting them thinking that winter hasn’t arrived.

Once supplied with wood, this stove will keep the other side of the house nice and warm all winter.

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Be sure to check your carbon monoxide detector, and if you use propane or natural gas, your gas detector. If you don’t have a detector, most certainly you need to purchase one quickly. Don’t operate your appliance without a detector nearby installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Many thanks for your readership of The Valley Newspaper and these articles in 2013. Be safe and have a great Holiday Season.

We’ll see you in 2014.

Curt Bierly is president of the bierly group incorporated of which Stanley C. Bierly is a division.

He is chair of the Penn College HVAC Advisory Board. You can contact him at 814-349-3000 or cbierly@bierlygroup.com. a

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LIbrary Lines Your Mifflin County Library

I am pleased to announce a new partnership for the Mifflin County Library. The library and the Discovery Space Children’s Science Museum, located at 112 West Foster Ave, Suite 1, State College, have collaborated to better serve area families wishing to visit the museum. A free pass to the museum is now available for check out from the library. The pass is good for two parents and all of the children living in the household to visit the Discovery Space Children’s Science Museum free of charge. The lending period is for seven days.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the children of Mifflin County and we are excited to partner with Discovery Science Museum to promote learning and exploring our world. Discovery Space Children’s Science Museum offers amazing exhibits in geology and weather and is fantastic for children of all ages, especially school-age students and home-schooled students. And now the museum offers a Dinosaur Dig where children pretend to be a paleontologist and look for fossils buried in sand. There are different activities every day, including a story time for pre-

schoolers and a program called “Baby Explorers,” in which parents may visit the museum with their very young child and explore the museum through books and movement. The museum offers “Homeschool” days on the first Friday of each month. And new for winter is the program called “The Wonders of Winter” where children explore hibernation.

The pass to the Discovery Space Children’s Science Museum is available for check out at the Lewistown Library of the Mifflin County Library. Parents wishing to check out the pass at a branch location in Belleville or McVeytown should call ahead to reserve the pass for pick up at their branch library.

More information regarding Discovery Space Children’s Science Museum can be found at www.mydiscoveryspace.org.

If you have any questions regarding the pass, the availability of the pass at the library, or to reserve the pass, please call the library at 242-2391 or feel free to email me at kidsroom@mifcolib. org.

Local Life Coach Nurtures Family Vision from page 17

or generosity, far into the future.

Do you feel you have a clear vision to guide your family? Or would you like to create one? I’d love to hear about it. Has dayto-day life taken control of your family’s destiny? Are you living a vision that puts your family in charge of the future?

As in the Proverbs, “Without vision the people perish.”

Perhaps you would like to consider doing the following exercise with your family over this holiday season, to help create a clear, shared, vision of the destination where you and your family would like to go.

Create a Family Vision Board

Have each member of the family brainstorm and choose three words and some corresponding images from a magazine that represent the kind of year (or upcoming season) he or she would like to have. Everyone takes turns sharing what they chose, and why.

Then paste or tape all the words and images on a large piece of paper for display in a prominent place. a

dedicated my time, connecting with my children as they were growing up—always striving for that vision of a safe, comfortable home filled with unconditional love. It wasn’t easy. Our divorce.

My cancer. Heavy blows from challenges large and small. But because of our foundation of love and communication, we survived – thrived.

That one visit, that one weekend, was one of the most remarkable joyous times of my life. I knew, really knew, that the family vision I created was successful beyond my wildest dreams. I am so grateful, so blessed. Now I can relax and enjoy – knowing that unconditional love will always flow between us.

Growing together as a family is a deeply personal experience – one that echoes throughout lifetimes. Raising children is a very private endeavor, but the outcome sends waves of love or hatred, virtue or vice, selfishness

Susan Miriello Children’s Librarian a

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The Valley, December 2013 author that will make the read as pleasurable as it it delicious!

There are more than 100 recipes.

Mail Pouch Books

THE HOMEMADE PANTRY: 101 Food You Can Stop Buying and Start Making

By Alana Chernila Copyright 2012

by Carleen B. Grossman

The month of December finds us in times of celebrating and giving gifts to friends and family.

For your enjoyment, I have tried to coordinate this theme of celebrating into some holiday books that will catch your spirit and provide motivation for you to do something special for the holidays or to make some special December gift items!

A DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS

By Greg Kincaid Copyright 2008

Within this short, but wonderful story [only 145 pages], a 20-year old developmentally challenged man who lives at home with his parents on their

Kansas farm, hears about a special program the local animal shelter is running for the holidays. In an effort to clear the shelter for the holidays when there is not enough staff available to care for the animals, the town shelter is asking the public to take a dog home just for the holidays. The idea is that families will choose a dog to visit them for a couple of weeks at Christmastime and then return the dog after the holidays are over... or perhaps be smitten with the dog and adopt it!

The young man wants his family to participate, but his dad, who in the past has dealt with the death of two very special dogs, wants no part of the program. Will the family participate in this program and to what extent will they become involved? This is what the book is about and for you to enjoy!

You will be impressed with the young man’s sunny disposition and how he has a special touch with animals.

The author has written a story so warm and so tender that it will have you both laughing and crying at the same time. This book was also made into a Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie. A DOG NAMED CHRISTMAS by Greg Kincaid is a perfect holiday read and would also make an excellent

holiday stocking stuffer!

FOOD IN JARS: Preserving in Small Batches Year-Round

By Marisa McClellan Copyright 2012

In this book you will find basics like jams and jellies but also pickles, chutneys, conserves, whole fruit, tomato sauces, salsas, marmalades, nut butters, seasonings and much more. This is a great book for a novice, but there is still much more to tempt the more experienced cooks. There are even some stories by the

This book will change the way you relate to food! It will take you on a mission to make “anything” in your kitchen...from crackers, cheese, pesto, sauerkraut, mayonnaise and MUCH MORE! Whether you are trying a recipe for butter, potato chips, spice mixes, or ketchup, you will discover the magic and thrill that comes from THE HOMEMADE PANTRY.

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AROUND THE CORNER CROCHET BORDERS

By E. Eckman Copyrigh 2010

From this small treasure of a book, you will learn both in text format and charts how to crochet in-the-round. There are photographs of finished borders ranging from the simply delicate to the elegantly detailed. This book is sure to appeal to trend-setting crafters who want to put finishing touches on the edges of their crocheted project—blankets, scarves, afghans and more. a

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The Valley, December 2013

Find us on The Valley Newspaper

The Pen and Thread Custom Calligraphy and Weaving

Mary Anna Chenoweth Proprietor

Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

717-248-6079 131 West Market Street Lewistown, Pennsylvania

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The Valley, December 2013

The Best Gift Ever!

My personal belief is that the best gift we can give anyone (including ourselves) is TIME. Time with someone is time well spent.

When we take the time to be with someone, I call that creating a memory day. When we come to the end of our lives, I really doubt we will remember all the “stuff,” but I believe we will remember the people, the memories, and the experiences.

My suggestion for a great gift is to give a gift certificate to someone for a visit to the Salt Spa…..but even better… is to make a date to come with them and enjoy the benefits yourself too. Create that memory day, spend some time together, and renew your health and spirits.

Who would benefit from visiting our Himalayan Salt Spa? Only

anyone with asthma, arthritis, allergies, skin issues, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, sinus infections, bronchitis, ADHD, eczema, skin challenges, sleeping challenges, and much more. Sitting in our Salt Room for a 45 minute session is unique because Himalayan salt is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial.

Inflammation is the root cause of just about all of our health issues.

So this would cover just about anyone and everyone. You sit on a reclining chair for 45 minutes with very low lights, very quiet music, and you DO NOTHING. You just sit and breathe in the benefits of the Himalayan Salt.

Our three rooms have 11 tons of Himalayan salt, so it is very beneficial.

An excellent addition to your

gift (or if someone is physically unable to get to our Salt Spa) would be a Himalayan Salt Lamp.

A lamp enables you to carry the benefits of the salt spa into your home. We suggest that your first lamp be placed in the room you are in the most…. for many that is the bedroom. It does everything the Salt Room does, plus helps you to sleep and helps most people to STOP SNORING! What a gift that can be!!! Remember the properties of Himalayan salt, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. You turn the lamp on and leave it on 24/7 so it builds up benefits in your room.

The other must place to put a lamp is beside your computer if you sit in front of one every day. Our computers, our TV’s, and other electronics are giving off positive ions, a lamp gives off negative ions, which helps to balance your environment and gets rid of that grey, hazy, headachy feeling we get sometimes.

If someone on your list has allergies, sinus problems, a

constant nagging cough, or any bronchial problems, the Himalayan Salt inhaler is a great gift. It is very easy to use (breathe in and breath out…easy!) and not messy like a netti pot. But again, due to the properties of the Himalayan Salt, it will start to HEAL the sinuses and lungs and it also helps to build our immune system so that we are not as susceptible to the person walking by us with the cold or the flu. It’s one of Dr. Oz’s top 10 favorite things.

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The gift of a purifying bar will put you on the top of anyone’s list that has eczema, psoriasis, dry skin, or acne. These little inexpensive ($4) bars are the perfect stocking stuffer. Who does not have theses issues at times? The bars are so effective because it is just pure salt, no additives, no fillers, no creams/ chemicals, just pure salt that gets to the root cause of the skin issue and helps it to heal…remember

Continued on page 30

The Valley, December 2013

26

a special gift giving technique while Santa busies himself delivering his gifts to families. You will have to read this rhymed, imaginatively told and illustrated story to find out the secret tradition. You won’t be disappointed! a THE REINDEER GIFT

By Elizabeth Passo Copyright 2014

This delightful new children’s Christmas story is copyrighted for 2014! But, armed with my review and information about where to purchase this great family book (visit the website www.reindeergift.com), your holiday will be complete with a perfect gift for the little ones!

This beautiful book is both written and illustrated by a new central Pennsylvania author/illustrator team. It not only will tickle your holiday spirits, but also will

provide an exciting new family tradition for you to follow!

The rhymed story tells the tale of how Santa’s reindeer create

New Mifflin County author/illustrator Elizabeth Passo brings a family tradition in the making to Christmas 2013!

The Mifflin County Historical Society Presents “Mifflin County Then & Now” MIFFLIN COUNTY THEN & NOW

A Changing Community Through the Camera’s Lens Written & edited by FOREST K. FISHER Contemporary photographs by NATHANIEL THIERWECHTER

FEATURING * Over 175 historical and contemporary photographs * Landscape layout for large, easyto-compare Then & Now images * Full color contemporary photographs * Vintage photos in full color, black & white or original photo tones * Historical text details over 80 pairs of Then & Now images * 175 page, soft cover 8 1/2” x 11”, sewn perfect-bound binding

(Add $6 for shipping, if mailed) Book sales benefit the Mifflin County Historical Society AVAILABLE AT THESE LOCATIONS: MCHS Office & Library; MCHS Web site www.mccoyhouse. com (via PayPal, click on Store); Juniata Valley Chamber of Commerce Store, Historic Courthouse; Friendship Book Store in the K-Mart Plaza, Burnham, Bushmen @ Home.

MIFFLIN COUNTY - THEN & NOW pairs photographic images to compare past with present. Contemporary photographs approximated the same site or $20.00 + PA Sales Tax = $21.20

More information: location as seen in Mifflin vintage views from County Mifflin County’s past, Historical while related images Society, 1 and memorabilia augW. Market ment many historical St., Lewphotographs. istown, PA

Mifflin County 17044 Historical Society auPhone - 717thor Forest K. Fisher 242-1022 and photographer NaEmail: thaniel Thierwechter info@mifhave teamed for this flincountynostalgic look back historicalsoto see a changing ciety.org community through Web site: the camera’s lens, and www.mcto remember... MifContemporary photographs by Written & edited by coyhouse.

NATHANIEL THIERWECHTER FOREST K. FISHER flin County - Then & com a Now

Mifflin County

THEN & NOW

A Changing Community Through the Camera’s Lens

Generosity and Stewardship from page 17 When funding a charitable program with appreciated securities, there is a double blessing, so to speak. Not only do you benefit from the immediate charitable income tax deduction, but depending on the program, either all or a portion of the capital gains taxes you would otherwise have to pay are eliminated.

An illustration of how this type of planning can accomplish your goals is demonstrated in a case we recently were blessed to work on with one of our clients.

Interested in tithing a portion of their estate to charity, this client donated a lump sum to a Foundation we work with. The Foundation in turn, made an immediate contribution to several charities, which were designated by the client. In return for their donation, the client has an opportunity to receive a tax deduction on a portion of the amount given to the Foundation.

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In this case, our client designated the same charities to receive the income from the donation beginning in seven years, which will last for twenty years. This was a charitable bargain sale with a deferred pay-out. If instead, they personally need the income, they can change the income recipients to themselves and even start the income stream sooner, if need be. In lieu of designating charities to receive income, they could have chosen a family member to receive the payout. In this case, it is their desire to continue to fund kingdom work even after their passing, and this vehicle allows them to do just that.

Charitable giving programs help you accomplish something important – and at the same time, help you save significant amounts on taxes. This improves cash flow and greatly reduces the net cost of giving. We’d enjoy having a conversation with you to explore how this type of program might fit your needs.

Call our office today. a

27

The Valley, December 2013

Grosze Thal Nachbaren

(Big Valley Neighbors)

by Jeptha I. Yoder

Zuerst ein Grusz im Namen des Herren. Well ich will probiren ein paar linien auf Papier schreiben, Ich hoff dies findt euch all gesund und guttes muths. Die Nächt sin kalt und frostich. Der Sieben und Zwanzigst October war Kirchengasse Gemein bei die (Emanuel B.) Fräney N. Yoder.

West Lang Leen war ans Johannes J. Hostetlers. Ost Milroy ans Korie E. Zugen.

Meine Eltern und Ich waren ans Unkel Christ M. Yoders abends, Rebecca M., Miriam K., und Ruth N. Hostetler (Jesse S.) und Schwester Elisabeth waren in McClur in der Gemein ans Iddo M. Hostetlers. Auch dort von “Das Thal” waren Michael Js, Daniel Ys, alle Hostetlern und Yost Speicher (Yost).

Der dreit November waren wir in der Gemein ans Ruben D. Hostetlers. Von McClur waren etliche Junge. Von andere Theilen waren witwee (Jeff) Lydia R. und Kindeskinder Fräney und Dorothy (Emanuel J.) und Ketura (Joel M.); auch Mattie, Elisabeth und Mose (Joseph S.) alle Yodern.

Jacob S. Hostetlers und etliche Junge waren dort fürs abendes-

sen. Singen war dort abends.

Rebecca M. Naemi B., und Lena E. (Jesse S.) waren in McClur in der Gemein bei ihre Schwester, die Esra S. Hostetlers. Ost Lang Leen Gemein war ans Simeon J. Hostetlers. Nieder Milroy ans Jacob B. Yoders für das erste mol.

Der Zeht waren meine Eltern und Ich ans Johannes I. Yoders fürs Mittagessen. Auch dort waren Dan Es und Lena und Fräney (Seth), alle Hostetlern. Nachmittages waren wir ein wenig ans Johannes Y. Hostetlers und Sohn Hannes. Ihre Besuch für das Mittag waren eine Tochter die Isaak R. Hostetlers und Familie. Rudy N. Hostelters und Familie waren bei die (Sam R.) Malinda K. Hostetler. Yost I. Hostetlers von McClur waren in das Grosze Thal über Sonntag und waren bei ihre Tochter die Mose C. Yoders fürs Mittag.

Der Siebenzeht waren wir in der Gemein ans Jesse S. Hostetlers. Von andere Theilen waren Isaak Rs und Uria Ss und Familien, (Salomon) Mareily R., und Jonathan Ns; Von McClur waren Iddo Ms und Esra Ss, und Familien, alle Hostetlern.

Dort fürs abendessen waren Iddo Ms, Jesse Js, und Familien, und Jonathan Ns, Singen war auch dort. Ost Lang Leen Gemein war ans Johannes M. Hostetlers. Mose C. Yoders waren in McClur in der Gemein bei ihre Eltern die Yost I. Hostetlers.

Der Fünft November war Hochzeit ans Henry C. und Elisabeth D. Yoders für ihre Tochter Katie S. verheirathet mit David S. und Anna M. Zug ihr Earnest.

Gemein ans Eli J. Yoders.

Der Zwelft waren etliche von das Grosze Thal in Penns Thal in die Hochzeit bei die Witwee (Bennie) Lydia (Hostetler) Yoder für ihre Tochter Ruth mit Simeon und Salina Hostetler ihr Sohn Stephen S. Gemein ans Noah Y. Hostetlers Jr.

Der Vierzeht war Hochzeit ans Michael M.S. und Hannah A. Hostetlers für ihre Tochter Elisabeth H. mit die Witwee (Noah L.) Rhodä L. ihr Sohn Noah K. Hostetler. Verheirathet durch Michael A. Speicher. Gemein ans Esra A. Hostetlers.

Der Neunzeht war Hochzeit ans Josie B. und Malinda Y. Zug für ihre Tochter Lydia unds Jonathan D. und Esther E. Hostetlers ihr Jonas J. Gemein ans Solomon Z. Hostetlers.

Der Ein und Zwanzigst war Hochzeit ans Mose S. und Rhodä L. Hostetlers für ihre Tochter Leah L. mits Sam E. Jr. und Malinda F. Hostetlers ihr Sohn David E. Gemein ans Isaak N. Hostetlers.

Der Vier und Zwanzigst war Kirchengasse Gemein ans Yost J. Hostetlers. Lang Leen West ans Mahlon C. Yoders. Wir waren alle ans Unkel Christ M. Yoders abends.

Christian greetings to all on a typical autumn morning—a good frosty one and now the sun is shining warmly. I picked four bushels of red “wild” apples. This tree has had apples clinging to it until winter. I am considering it worthwhile to graft some of these well-keeping winter apples. Now they are not your typical Delicious apples, though! I am also digging the root crops.

A new arrival is Noah A. on November 1st, joining three sisters to Ner E. and Leah M. Grands are Rudy M. and Leah K.; Abie N. and Lena F. Yoder, all Hostetlers.

Ner’s buried a stillborn daughter in 2011.

Some weeks ago, relatives went to visit the (Christy) Mary Y. Yoder and daughter Naomi and Noah A. Yoders of Lewisburg area. On the load were: the widow (Sam R.) Barbara H., Christ Gs,

Eli Johns, all Yoders and Mrs. Christian Z. Speicher (Elizabeth); Going along and being dropped off at the (Rufus) Malinda S. Yoder, in Winfield were Rudy S. Yoders and the widow (SamR.) Malinda K. Hostetlers.

Christ M. Zooks Sr. are, or were, spending time with their daughters and families in Hammondsport, New York. Reports are he shot a deer while there.

Satuday, November 23rd, at 9:00am was the funeral of Moses I. Hostetler (83 years, 3 months, 12 days), husband of Elizabeth L. of 8100 East Back Mountain Road, Reedsville, PA 17084. By Emanuel J. Yoder in house with freundschaft. Other house by Jesse S. Hostetler. Pallbearers were John Y., Jonathan D. John S. Jr. and Emanuel I.; Hauled by Isaac R., all Hostetlers. Surviving are five sons and one daughter, John M. married to Naomi F. (Yoder), Noah D. married to Fronie K. (Yoder), Moses J. (on the home farm) married to Esther Y. and Isaac H. married to Elizabeth B., all of Reedsville; Yost I. married to Elizabeth D., of McClure; and Nancy M. married to Christian S. Hostetler of Milroy. Numerous grands and great-grands; one brother Jonathan R. of Reedsville.

Preceded by two brothers and one sister, one grandson, a (stillborn) great grandchild; and a daughterin-law Leah Z. (Noah Ds first wife).

Saw the obituary of Isabelle (Armstrong) Mann in our local weekly. Her parents, the Guy

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Armstrongs were the former owners of the grounds I call home.

Had just been thinking lately of how interesting it would be to talk “history” with a member of this family.

You cannot persuade, they are not alike And so were are, and will remain.

The horse will go to the barn; And I am Dutch, no gain.

God’s Blessings Wished for the Holidays!

(Gottes Segen Gewinscht für die Feiertagen!)

Jeptha I. Yoder a

Old Fashioned 10 Gallon Tin Milk Cans For Sale $25 Each Contact: Isaac M. Yoder at 150 Red Lane Milroy, PA 17063.

The Valley, December 2013

28

Savvy Cents & Sensibility

by JoAnn Wills-Kline MBA

20 Days Till Christmas...!!!

As we skate into December, you should be well on your way to enjoying a “stress-free” Christmas holiday season. Last month’s article discussed prep of holiday meal planning; getting focused on holiday cards and gift wrap options; super sale shopping options; and Christmas trees.

This month, we “wrap” it all up and conclude our “stress-free” holiday prep by December 12th.

You might be saying… “What?!...

December 12th?!?... that’s twelve days before Christmas!... are you crazy?!... Why not stretch it out ‘til the 24th?!” And, my reply is… “We have been aiming for a ‘stress-free’ Christmas. Concluding on the 12th will empower you to be more mindful of the beauty and the blessings of the season.” I have incorporated an outline style for this last installment in hopes it will be an easy and efficient method of instruction for finish-

ing up our tasks. Now, onward as we have lots to accomplish in the next week!

A. Cards – If you are sending holiday cards, get them addressed and in the mail now • Have a few extra on hand in case your memory failed you and you ‘forgot’ to send someone a card B. Décor – Deck the halls now… if you haven’t already • Christmas Tree – If you are buying fresh support local sales • If you choose artificial, get it in the stand and decked out • House decorations – Wreaths, garlands, tree and lights completed by 8th • If lights aren’t in good working order do not waste precious time • If it’s a simple/minor repair go for it; but if it appears to be a time consuming task opt

for less lighting features • The key is less stress/frustration and less time C. Gifts & Wrap – Shopping/ wrapping completed by the 12th… the 14th at latest • “Last-minute” gift ideas and sales may pop up begging you to partake • Remember, our focus is on removing stress and overspending • If you can’t afford it, don’t need it, don’t do it!!!

• Do not buckle under pressure D. Holiday Parties – Opt for simple fare with easy clean-up if at all possible • Work parties – attend and enjoy don’t overspend on attire/ gifts – budget!

• Hosting parties – keep it super simple…here are a few ideas…

• Potluck – Crockpot main dish (meatballs, chicken bites, soup) • Add a simple side dish and cookies for desert • Entertain early – choose to host a “brunch party” • Breakfast casseroles, fruit salad, and coffee/tea • Attending hosted parties – make your food/dish a simple choice • Hostess gift ideas – candle/tarts/home scents, dish towels, wine • Can’t complete by the 12th? – work it in where necessary, but keep it as simple and stress-free as possible • New Year’s Celebrations – Same goes – keep it simple and

under budget!

E. Meet Goal – 12th – Strive very mindfully to complete your holiday tasks • There is no prize or pat on the back for extending the stressful “to-do” list • Procrastinating? – Why? Ask yourself, is it out of habit, for attention, etc.

Now, you should have “twelve days of Christmas” to enjoy the season! Be slow, and mindful as you progress through the next twelve days. Take time to: A. Relax – get comfy and cozy early in the evening • Read a holiday themed book/ magazine/blog • Watch a holiday themed movie or TV special B. Enjoy your family – spend precious time making memories • Take a walk/drive through your neighborhood to view holiday lights • Bake an extra batch of cookies and enjoy together C. Reflect – on your blessings for

the day, week, month, year, etc.

• Spend time in mindful awareness of all the good that surrounds your life D. Help – others in need and less fortunate • Take a mini meal/casserole to someone who may be struggling financially • Or, buy them a gas card ($10); invite them to share a meal with you • Help someone in need with a small amount of holiday decorating • Visit a nursing/personal home to sing Christmas carols or play an instrument if you have musical talent • The point is to give – a small amount of your time, talents, and resources

Finally, as Christmas eve unfolds and the light of Christmas morn glows, be joyful! Welcome the sacred holiday with an open heart grateful for the ultimate gift… the babe born as king of kings. a

Washing your Yeast from page 29

for the temperature to be cooled to room temperature. Place a dry towel over the yeast starter to prevent bacteria contamination. Then pitch it in a batch of wort.

Washing your yeast is a great way to save a few bucks each time you brew. I would highly recommend doing this if you use an exotic yeast strain for a particular brew because they are much more expensive to buy and fun to experiment with to change up the flavor of a bland homebrew kit.

Until next month, here’s hoping that your Holiday Season is filled with the laughter of family and friends and good fresh local beer. a

want to consider mixing in some sterile water and washing the yeast again. If there is not a lot of trub left, you can put a lid on the Mason jar for long time storage in the fridge. I recommend labeling what kind of yeast it is and how many times it has been washed.

Because after about four washes, the yeast will mutate or probably become cross contaminated no matter how good you sanitize.

Then on the day before you brew, just mix the contents of the Mason jar will some sugar water that has been boiled and allowed

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The Valley, December 2013

Washing your Yeast

So I took off a month there and finally got everything squared away on the homestead. The solar panels are up and running, vegetables are harvested and stored in the basement, and Jared and I butchered up a few more of the chickens, but there always seems like there is something else that needs to be done. I have quite a few projects I want to accomplish this winter, but there is definitely more time to brew now that the garden beds have been cover cropped for the winter. Let’s get into it. This month we are going to learn how to reuse your beer yeast.

I have told you in the past that I’m bound and determined to

make a beer with everything off of my property. I already grow my own hops and this coming spring I will be planting my first barley crop (to appear in future articles).

The only other ingredient left for a basic ale is the yeast. I can’t really harvest wild yeast from my property even though wild yeast is everywhere. I do not have the equipment to isolate one strain of yeast to use in a batch of beer, but I can reuse the yeast from previous batches of beer. This is often referred to as washing your yeast in the homebrewing world.

Washing yeast to reuse it in another batch of beer is a great technique to have in your home brewing arsenal. Yeast washing is

a simple process used to separate the live yeast from the underlying trub (hop residue, proteins, and other by-products of the brew) left at the bottom of your fermenter when making beer.

Start by sterilizing two jars (pint size Mason jars work well) by boiling them in water or immersing them in a high quality sanitizing solution. Prepare a quart of sterile water by pre-boiling it and then cooling it to room temperature. Some people use sanitizing solution such as B-Brite to sanitize the rim of their fermenter so they can pour the suspended yeast off. This is an accident waiting to happen. I prefer to sanitize a funnel and a measuring cup to collect the suspended yeast.

You will want to draw your yeast sample from the primary fermenter as it contains more active yeast than the secondary.

Harvest the yeast immediately after racking your beer off to the secondary, as you want to mini-

The finished product ready for long term storage

mize the chance of wild bacteria entering the mix. The primary will contain a layer of thick trub.

You need a bit of liquid to work with, so add some sterile water to the primary if needed—just make sure this sterile water temperature is below 80 degrees F. Otherwise, the yeast will be killed off. Swish the fermenter around several times to break up the trub and then allow it to settle for five minutes. I then collect the suspended yeast with the measuring cup and use the funnel to channel it into a mason jar filling it up to the top.

After collecting your suspended yeast, put some foil or plastic wrap over the top and seal it with a rubber band. Put the

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Mason jar in your refrigerator for 45-60 minutes, which will help it separate. You should see a clear separation between the liquid and sediment. The liquid contains suspended yeast, while the sediment is primarily more trub.

The next step is simply to pour off the liquid suspended yeast from the top of your Mason jar leaving as much of the sediment behind as possible. Pour your yeast into a second Mason jar, cover it and place it in the fridge again for an hour or so.

If you still have a significant amount of trub (there will always be some trub) at the bottom of the second Mason jar, you may

Continued on page 28

The Valley, December 2013

30 Best Medicine from page 6 outlook on life and has helped me benefit from living this way as well. It is even proven that smiling and laughing, and in general being a positive, happy person, actually makes you healthier. It stimulates your immune system and in general, you function better. Stress hormones wreak havoc on the human body and having a negative, fearful attitude is the number one way to keep them firing inside you and damaging you from the inside out.

My Christmas wish for all of you is that you have a stress free and simple Christmas where you enjoy family and friends and rejoice in the fact that we have been redeemed—we have a savior Jesus Christ our Lord! I wish you all good health and a positive outlook on the New Year ahead! a

All Of Us Here At The Valley Wish You and Yours a Blessed Christmas and a Safe and Happy New Year Surrounded By Your Friends And Family

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We can also send gift certificates and any of our products if your time is short. If you have a group at work that needs a “team building” experience, or just an escape, call us perhaps in January when things are quieter and everyone’s focus is on their health at the beginning of the year. We have spa packages and many different things to offer. Check out our website for all of our services,

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May the blessings of this season include good health for you and your family! a

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The Valley, December 2013

Lip Balms: The Good, The Bad and the Gross

by Tamela Hetrick

Tis the season for dry, chapped lips.

Why is it that in the cold winter months our lips need extra moisture? Dry air (from heating systems), cold temperatures, and wind all have a drying effect on skin by drawing moisture away.

Lips are particularly vulnerable because the skin is so thin and delicate; they are often the first to show signs of dryness. Also, your lips do not have sebaceous glands, which keep skin moisturized so this is why they can become easily chapped.

The skin on our lips is even more porous than the skin on our bodies. So the ingredients in lip balm should be safe for consumption. Unfortunately, most mainstream lip balms are still far from safe. Hopefully, after reading this, you will not only read your lip balm label, but know what to look for!

The Good When you’re shopping for protection for your skin and lips, be wary of products that promise to be “all-natural” or “green.”

There’s no regulation that limits the use of those terms and no consistent standard for what those words mean. The most reliable way to know if your lip and skin care products are safe is to read their ingredients labels. Ask yourself: “would I eat that?” Because your body absorbs (and your lips even more) up to 70% of what you put on it, you essentially are eating it!

Here are some great ingredients for in lip balms: • Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide – one or both of these ingredients are commonly found in green or chemical-free sunscreens.

These products use a “barrier protection” against UV rays instead of a chemical protection • Coconut oil, jojoba oil and hemp oil: All of these ingredients don’t just treat your lips temporarily, but they actually allow your lips to absorb the oil and effectively treat dryness beneath the surface.

• Any natural oil or butters such as: Avocado, Sunflower, Safflower, and Sweet Almond.

Mineral Oil is NOT a natural oil (read on!)

• Castor oil is a great one if you want some shine.

• Basically lip balms need to have a hard wax to give the balm its firmness. Natural waxes are Candelilla, Carnauba, Soy and Beeswax • Preservatives are not a necessary ingredient in lip balms, but some that are all natural and also have added benefits are: Vitamin E and Rosemary Oil Extract • Essential oils for flavoring • Some lip balms are tinted, look for natural colorants; such as micas, clays, and minerals.

The Bad Are you constantly reapplying your lip balm, because no matter how much you put on, your lips just dry out again five minutes later? It could be that you’re experiencing a lip balm ingredient to avoid. Many lip balms have ingredients that actually dry your lips out or have other negative properties.

• Menthol, camphor, and phenol: All three of these ingredients give your lips a cooling sensation — but they also dry them out, creating a vicious cycle where you apply your lip balm to get relief... from your lip balm.

• Alcohols or “OL” on the ingredient list equals alcohol, which dries fast.

• Salicylic acid is added to chemically exfoliate lips. Protective layers of dead skin on your lips are peeled off. Removing these layers leaves your lips more susceptible to the environmental factors that cause chapping.

• Sweeteners like sucrose and honey should be avoided because they encourage you to lick your lips. This not only dries your lips, but your saliva has digestive enzymes that “eat” the skin on the lips. Leaving them vulnerable.

• If the ingredients sound like a chemical, they probably are.

Remember, the order the ingredients are listed, is the order of concentration in the lip balms.

The first few ingredients are very important.

• Artificial flavors and colors; these can be very irritating.

• Chemical preservatives; there are many, some common ones are: Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben and Propylparaben,

And the Gross • Are you a lover of red lipsticks?

Cochineal beetles eat the prickly pear cactus in South America.

Pucker up because when they are full of cactus juice, these insects are scraped off the plant, boiled and dried out and crushed into “carmine,” which is used in red dye that’s used in some lip products and blush.

• Lanolin is a greasy, waxy yellow substance that is produced by sheep’s skin glands to keep their wool dry, kinda like greasy hair!

Not bad for you, just a bit gross (in my opinion) to be putting on your lips.

• Petroleum jelly and mineral oil both are byproducts of oil drilling, and when you spread it on your lips, you end up eating it….yuck! There are also many controversial concerns on the safety of petroleum products and indeed it has its environmental concerns.

• Emu Oil, okay I know Emu Oil, and even Lanolin, is natural and known to be great healers of skin aliments, but….on my lips? Emu oil comes from a thick pad of fat on the back of the deceased bird that was initially provided to protect the animal from the extreme temperatures of its Australian homeland.

The most common cause of dry lips is dehydration, mouth breathing, dry air, as well as some medications, which can have such side effects. After you choose a great lip balm: try increasing your water intake, use a cool

mist humidifier in bedrooms, and check side effects of your meds.

Also a great source to see exactly how safe your products are: www.cosmeticdatabase.com.

You can put your favorite product name, or an ingredient you are not

sure about in the “search” and you will receive info with a hazard rating.

Now, go out and buy a great lip balm! a

100% Natural! Made from the finest Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Sunflower Oil, Cocoa Butter, Candelilla Wax, Beeswax, Hemp Butter, Vitamin E *with the exception of Java Bean

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The Valley, December 2013

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33

The Valley, December 2013

Back Talk

by Dr. Joseph Kauffman

K. I. S. S.

KISS. Remembering back to my days in chiropractic school, one of my professors gave our class this piece of advice. Whenever things were starting to get complicated, he would just say KISS. After annoying us quite a bit, a fellow classmate finally asked what he is talking about.

The professor was teaching us Biochemistry I and II. He told us when learning new things throughout school, learning the fundamentals of Biochemistry and learning the details of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, it is always important to remember KISS. KISS is an acronym for Keep It Simple, Stupid. At those earlier stages of school, it was kind of offending to hear. There we were learning the complicated details of how the body breaks down sugars, and this guy is calling us stupid.

But, when learning very complicated processes in the body, it is very easy to get overwhelmed by the details and lose sight on the

bigger picture. His advice was merely for us to just relax and keep it simple. Stay focused and don’t over-think things. This is great advice to follow this time of year. During the Christmas season, it is very easy to over-think things and become preoccupied on the materialistic aspect of things.

The stores and shops live on sales and deals. Each place is out to have the better deal or slash prices to try to win you over. And, lately, these deals start earlier than ever, now commencing on the evening of Thanksgiving. In the close future, I can foresee the deals starting on Thanksgiving morning or at midnight and people will cut into family time just to get a good deal. People tend to take on a whole new attitude while out shopping. Try to remember to just keep it simple. There are more cars on the road and more traffic congestion near the stores and malls. Many people tend to lose their common sense and act in

ways they wouldn’t normally act.

Just remember to Keep It Simple.

Take a deep breath and relax. The holidays bring back many good and some not-so-good memories.

Or, perhaps, this is the first Christmas without a certain loved one.

Then, it’s easy to get caught up in depression and grief. Just remember to Keep It Simple.

Keeping It Simple is also a good idea when thinking about why we are celebrating Christmas in the first place. Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. Skeptics tend to focus on the pinpoint date of exactly when Christ was born and argue that it’s not on December 25. Keep It Simple. This is when we celebrate the birth of Christ. When you die, you will go to heaven or hell. There’s no in between. It’s not just game over and that’s it. You will either spend eternity in heaven or in hell. You can’t Keep It any Simpler than that. Where will you choose to spend eternity? There is only one way to heaven. Jesus said, “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

The Only Way to the Father is through Me.” John 14:6 It’s easy to complicate that message. But, that’s as Simple as it gets. There is only one way—through Christ.

Not through works or deeds, not through donations, not through being kind to others or an overall nice person. Nice people, good people, hard workers and people who give a lot of money to charities go to hell every day. There is only one way. That’s as Simple as it gets. That one way is through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Remember that as we celebrate His birth. While it is politically incorrect to say Merry Christmas nowadays, say it anyway. That is why we even have a celebration, Christ’s birth. Don’t get so pre-occupied with the material end of things with shopping for your children or spouse.

Instead, start a new Christmas tradition at home with your family, either reading the passage of Christ’s birth in the Bible (Luke 2) or having special family time Christmas Eve, perhaps singing carols or having a snack or volunteering on Christmas eve or Christmas Day to help the needy people in your

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area. Your children will remember and value the time spent together with family much more than getting that special toy at Christmas 2013. So, when thinking about all of the stresses, all of the troubles or worries, or all of the grief that may come with the time surrounding Christmas, just remember to Keep It Simple. Keep looking up!

The answer is in heaven! He is, after all, the Reason for our Season! Merry Christmas to you and your family and May God Bless You!!!

Dr. Joseph Kauffman Kauffman-Hummel Chiropractic Clinic drjosephkauffman@comcast.net a

The Valley, December 2013

34

Joanne Wills-Kline Contentment Quest

A Few Of My Favorite Things

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…” a 1963 Christmas song sung by Andy Williams, written by Edward Pola and George Wyle, has become my mantra for the Christmas season.

I love, love, love the Christmas season! I love the hope, peace, joy, and memory-making that surround the sacred season. It’s a season filled with gratitude and deep reflection. This month, I have decided to reflect on “a few of my favorite things” regarding Christmas and the gift-giving season (credit at end of article). Grab a hot mug of wassail, a warm cozy throw blanket, and get comfy in your favorite chair… now, we are ready! Here are a few of my favorite things: Deck the Halls – I love to decorate for Christmas! In fact, I’m one of those people who begin thinking about holiday decorating in October… and by Thanksgiving night our home is decked out

in Christmas spirit. I like to use a lot of simple and natural decorations all through the house… even our powder rooms are dressed in Christmas spirit. Pinecones, pine swags, gingerbread men, popcorn & cranberry strands, and cinnamon sticks all deck the halls throughout our home. We enjoy scenting the air in our home during the holiday seasons with candles, melts, potpourri, and of course cookie baking!

Scents of the Season – We usually enjoy the seasonal scents that have spicy and woodsy notes such as cinnamon and woodland pine.

One of my long-term seasonal scents I prefer is cranberry. I believe that cranberry is so very versatile. The scent can be used from Thanksgiving through early spring. It’s such a light refreshing scent and can easily be warmed with a hint of vanilla to create a cozy combo scent.

Delicious Delectables – Wassail

is my go to holiday drink. My recipe version consists of mixing apple cider with orange juice and simmering spices. I love to simmer the mixture on the stovetop and enjoy it nearly every evening throughout the holidays – plus it creates a cozy scent in the air as it simmers. Next on my list of favorite delectables would be Christmas cookies. We make the old standbys such as chocolate chip, peanut butter, and oatmeal.

Each year we pick a few “spotlight” cookie recipes to try in addition to our old standbys. It is not uncommon for us to mix up batches of cookies every week throughout December. Rick is an awesome cookie crafter, and a much better baker than me, so the Christmas cookie department is managed by him. As for candies, my childhood favorites prevail – candy canes, ribbon candy, and hard clear toy candies. In December, our house is all about the sugar… the detox takes place in January.

Comforts of Home – At any given time in December, our

home is filled with cozy comforts.

I enjoy the “nesting” feeling that is sparked by the short daylight hours and cold brisk air. Hand crafted crocheted blankets adorn our furniture, and are stored within fingertips’ reach for blustery evenings. Fuzzy slipper socks become my choice of footwear, and flannel and fleece my winter uniform.

Merry Memories – I have many great childhood memories that evolve around the Christmas season. My favorite childhood memories of decking the halls is of my grandmother (known to many as “Gam”) and cousin “Barb” decorating the house from top to bottom. My mom, sister, and I resided with Gam. Every

Progress At The Embassy

by Patricia Lawson

Did you have the opportunity to take the Dwight Kirkland mural tour on November 1st? How impressive was that? Lewistown Mayor, Deb Bargo, presented artist Dwight Kirkland with the key to the city for his artistic contribution to the borough of Lewistown during the dedication of his latest mural featuring the theaters of Lewistown. After the dedication, the Mifflin Juniata Arts Council held the show “An Evening with Dwight Kirkland” at Gallery 3 West displaying some of Kirkland’s artwork. Donations were accepted to raise funds for the protective sealant to be placed over the theater mural.

If you would like to donate to this effort or the restoration of the theatre, please make checks payable to “The Friends Of The Embassy Theatre” and mail them to the Friends of The Embassy at

PO Box 203, Burnham PA 17009.

Please note, your contributions are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

We are thrilled to acknowledge Dwight, who will be doing a painting of The Embassy Theatre.

This masterpiece will be unveiled at the theatre during The Festival Of Ice!

Speaking of The Festival Of Ice – these are the dates and times: Thursday, December 5th, 6pm-9pm and Friday, December 6th, 6pm-10pm. Watch professional ice carvers do their magic, enjoy live music, take a ride on horse drawn carriages, visit the new art gallery, participate in the children’s event, AND, be sure to stop by The Embassy Theatre to admire the improvements and learn more about its future. We are pleased to announce that representatives from Westlake

Reed Leskosky, the chosen architectural firm, will be there to answer your questions. Also, while you’re there, enjoy some holiday cookies!

Last month we mentioned an upcoming Benefit Auction, which is scheduled for Friday, January 17th, at Stevens Auction House on Market Street in Lewistown. During The Festival Of Ice, we will be accepting donations of items, so please start looking around for new or good used items to drop off at the theatre for the auction.

Thank you!

As we approach the next phase of restoration, we are looking for volunteers to assist with many aspects, including clearing the interior, graphic arts, promotions, fund-raising, etc. Please contact Paul Fagley at embassytheatre@verizon.net or call 717-248-0321.

Original decor from the 1949 redecoration

If anyone is interested, there is scrap wood that’s basically only good for burning, however, it’s available for pick-up for FREE. Again, contact Paul Fagley at the above email or phone number.

I personally have volunteered to assist with the clean-up of the interior of the theatre. I haven’t been upstairs, but I’m excited to poke around the upper levels including the projection room. Who knows what treasures we may

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year, Gam would bring Barb to our house to decorate… and boy, did we decorate! My mom would load the stereo with vinyl albums of Christmas carols, as Barb, Gam, and the rest of us covered the entire house inside and out with Christmas cheer and twinkle lights. As each year passed, I realized more and more just how special those family decorating seasons really were… and I’m grateful for the memories I carry in my heart.

More Memories – Gam would bake a double layer walnut cake, frost it, and decorate it with red and green sprinkle sugars. She would toss the colored sugars

Continued on page 43

find! To the left is just a sampling of ornamental wall hangings that have surfaced and will be re-hung in the future.

We will also be cataloging any pictures and movie memorabilia that we discover. I’ll be helping with this project, and I’m looking forward to sharing my cool finds with you.

Projection Room-1940’s As we approach the holidays and reminisce about fond times, do you have some memories of The Embassy Theatre that you would like to share with us? Please email me at: lawsonlodge@ centurylink.net, and please put “Embassy Theatre” on the subject line. I would love to share them with our readers in future Valley publications.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Friends of The Embassy Theatre! www.embassytheatre.org www.facebook.com/embassyltwn A Memory with a Future, a Future Full of Memories! a

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The Valley, December 2013

Life in the East End

by Rebecca Harrop

The harvest is finished in the East End now. Our corn and soybeans were pretty good. We still have some corn fodder we want to bale, but that may have to wait until after Deer Season. We usually try to stay out of the fields while everyone is hunting deer.

There are usually a lot of hunters around our fields, so it just makes sense to steer clear for a bit.

I only got to a couple of the Turkey Shoots this fall, so I’m going to need to spend some extra time shooting in my gun this year to make sure my aim is good.

Although, I did win a turkey at the last one. I don’t want to miss a deer this year. Since Rachel is commuting to college this semester, she is planning to have more time to hunt also, so hopefully we will have more venison in the freezer. Now, if we can get my Mom back out there hunting again with us, we should have plenty of venison. I want to make lots of jerky if I get a deer. I love venison jerky! My brother Ernie Jr. makes some of the best jerky.

He always gives us some when he makes it. Dad loves it too because he eats a ton of it. Sometimes I hide it so it lasts a while.

The week before Thanksgiving I had the opportunity to attend Farm Bureau’s Annual convention. Mifflin County Farm Bureau’s 3rd grade Ag Tour won a Farm Bureau state and national award. We were given the opportunity to have a booth to showcase our tour and answer questions

from other county Farm Bureau groups who might want to start a similar type tour in their counties. (We will also have a booth at the national convention in San Antonio, Texas.) Adam White and I went to help with the booth on the Tuesday of the meeting. We also sat in the spectator section while the delegates were voting on resolutions that set Farm Bureau policy. Adam was able to sit on the delegate floor, which means when votes were taken he was able to vote as an alternate delegate. We also attended the luncheon and dinner meetings.

State Farm Bureau president, Carl Shaffer, State Secretary of Ag, George Greig, and the acting State Secretary of DEP, E. Christopher Abruzzo, were the speakers at the evening meeting. I really enjoyed hearing these gentlemen speak. I know I learned a lot more about Farm Bureau that I wasn’t aware of before such as the programs and services available for farmers and the things farmers do in our communities. Frank & Barb Bonson, Orville & Evie Heister, Elrose & Pauline Glick, Mark Ellinger, Tim Goss, and my Dad & Mom were the other attendees.

We spent all day there and had a great time. I know Adam and I are both thankful for the opportunity to attend the state convention.

We will have celebrated Thanksgiving by the time you receive this Valley, so I hope you all enjoyed a great Thanksgiving day and meal. I know I will have.

Mom always makes a great meal and then we go to my aunt and uncle’s home in McClure for dessert in the evening. A few of the many things I have to be grateful for this year are my family, friends, the addition to our family of my twin nieces Emily Marie and Nicole Elizabeth, and all the opportunities I’ve had this year.

One special opportunity I have is I get to babysit Emily and Nicole every Monday. I am truly grateful for spending that special time with them. They are such adorable babies. I know what my Mom means now when she says children are such a joy.

Christmas will be here soon and it is one of the most magical times of the year.

We all enjoy the decorations, the music, the food, just all the sights and sounds of the season of Christ’s birth. As I was writing thi,s I was thinking about how at Christmas people are cheerier and more friendly. People hold doors open for you and smile, and some say hello. Maybe this year when Christmas is over we could all try to carry some of that cheer into the The Mifflin County Farm Bureau’s booth at the recent annual convention where we new year. The recent articles I’ve been hearing about answered questions about our 3rd Grade Ag Tour.

these gangs that are going around are directly affected or have been “knocking people out” is very contacted by these companies, troubling. I don’t know what to PLEASE before you sign any do to stop some of these awful contracts or proposals, do some things that happen, but maybe just research on your own and find one smile or hello can help. out what is involved. By signing

As most of you are aware these contracts you may be allowthere have been some testing and ing more than just the turbines contacts made in our area with the access to your property. So again, intention of installing these wind I stress, be careful what you sign. turbines (giant windmills). I was

From the East End, we wish recently given some information you all a very Merry Christmas concerning these turbines and and may you all enjoy Peace asked if I would consider writing and Prosperity in the New Year! an article. I am very concerned a about what they could mean to our area and I want to do some more research.

I hope to have more information soon and then be able to share that with you. I know our editor, Wayne, has been very concerned and written about them so I don?t want to overkill the subject. For now I would suggest that any of you landowners that My winnings from my last Turkey Shoot. I tend to like

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these as I don’t have to do any of the cleaning!

The Valley, December 2013

36

Hey everyone. Hope you are getting used to this time change thing better than I am. Twice a year it messes up my internal clock for weeks afterwards. They tell me your a SMAHT cookie, so I’ll ask you a question: Why can’t we move it a half hour and then just leave the damn thing alone?

Hmmmmm..?

Hard to believe that Christmas is just a stone’s throw away.

Thats right. CHRISTMAS. Not The Holidays. I’m a Christian, so I say CHRISTmas. If that offends you, you need to lay off the talk shows, put on your big girl panties, and get over it. Everyone is SO sensitive nowadays. I’m a carpenter by trade, and have been a foreman and stupor-visor on hundreds of great projects. I once had a 47 year-old man that was

6’ 3” tell me that I was not being responsive to his FEELINGS. Umm, excuse me? Is this a job site, or a pre-school? I can’t print my exact response, but it involved a certain feminine hygeine product with some instructions and getting his large posterior back to work.

I am the proud dad of a 15 year-old young lady. She lives with me full time, visiting with her Mom when the mood strikes either one. Some of the things she says and does, I’m like “Wuh? Where did THAT come from?”

You’ll hear people say that they wish they could be young again.

Really? I’m all good with that. I could do with a few less aches and pains, for sure, though.

You paying attention to them idiots in DC that keep getting

voted into office? I think DC really stands for Drama Club. What a bunch of pompous, arrogant windbags. Some of the things they say? They make me go “Wuh? Where did THAT come from?”

You see the pattern here?

Exactly! Lets put some kids in charge. They can’t do any worse, and I’m betting they can control the spending spree better than the spoiled brats that are there at the moment.

How about all these BILLIONS of bullets that Homeland Insecurity is buying? Most are hollow points, and NOT used on the practice range. These are for use INSIDE OUR BORDERS. Think about that. And keep your eyes open.

Did you know that the Federal Reserve is 100 years old,

and has NEVER been audited?

“Wuh?, “ you say? Yeah, me too.

And what is this Foreign Aid? It sounds like a license to steal OUR money. Would you give your money to someone that wanted to see you dead? Me, either. Soooo, why is it happening in the name of Foreign Aid? All this rubbish about not offending THIS group or THAT group.

Seriously? I’m offended that the majority of Americans have become so soft and lethargic, that they just don’t care anymore.

Put in your 40 hours, pay those taxes, eat your frozen dinner, sit in that recliner, and watch that Idiot Box until bedtime. And keep quiet, you don’t want to offend anyone! Goodness gracious, no.

We can’t have THAT. Repeat until your almost 70. Oh, such FUN!

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Freedom? BAH! Do you feel like a walking, talking ATM machine? To the vast majority of this once- great, proud country, that is EXACTLY what they are.

If you think for one second that ANYONE in big government gives a flying poop about you, you’ve been drinking the Foolaid.

Until next time, keep your ammo dry. If you can find any. a

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The Valley, December 2013

Caving Mifflin County with Todd Karschner

Bat Boxes

Hello again everyone.

Anyone up for a little winter shop project? Bat boxes.

Now is the best time to build and pick a spot to hang one. They are not difficult to construct, and help out with the struggling bat population.

First, decide where you want to put it. Bats prefer boxes mounted on the side of buildings or on poles where it can get at least 8 hours of direct sunlight. More is better. A nearby water source is attractive to bats too. Try to keep it at least 20’ away from any obstacles like wires. And Keep it at least 15’ off of the ground to keep most predators at bay.

Next, how big? They should be at least two feet tall, 14” wide and around 6” thick. Also you need an 8” wide landing area under the box.

Now you need some materials. Use either 3/4” cedar plywood or rough-cut cedar for the box. Do not use treated lumber.

If it is smooth, rough it up so the bats have something to grab.

Use outdoor or deck screws for

assembly. (Drywall screws rust off pretty quick). You will need some nylon screen material to line the inside surfaces of the box.

Depending on where you live will determine what color you would paint it. Around here, use outdoor flat black if possible and give it 3 coats. In a pinch you could use a dark brown or dark grey. And last, you’ll need some caulking to seal up all the seams to keep water out and heat in.

Now for the tools. A circular saw with a fine tooth blade, cordless drill or screwgun, staple gun, tape measure, straight edge, (a yardstick works good for this), a square, paint brush and a pencil.

Now the fun part. Putting it all together. I am going to keep the plans basic. If you look online, you can see some really interesting designs, or you can come up with something one of a kind.

Using plywood, cut out the front and back of your box. The back piece 2’ 8” by 14” and the front piece 1’ 9” by 14”. Next, cut out three pieces 1’ 6” by 14” for the roosting area. Now for the sides. Cut two pieces 2’ by 6 3/4”.

At one end of each piece, cut the angle for the roof pitch. Measure down 3” on one of the 2’ sides and mark with your pencil. Then using your straight edge, draw a line from your mark to the corner of the other 2’ edge. Then cut with a circular saw. If you are handy with a saw, you can bevel the top edge of the back, front and roosting area pieces. This will make sealing the joints much easier.

Last piece to cut is the roof. It is 16 1/2” by 8”. You can bevel the back edge of the roof at the same angle as you bevelled the other top edges for an even better fit and finish.

Cut a vent 12” long and a 1/2” wide across the front piece 6” from the bottom. This gives the bat house a little lower temperature near the bottom so the bats can move lower in the box during very hot days.

Now to put it all together. Cut out some screen to cover both sides of all three roosting pieces and the inside of both front and back pieces. Attach the screen with a staple gun. Starting with the back, attach the sides so that the angles and bevelled edge line up. Don’t forget to seal all seams with caulking during assembly.

Fasten the sides with screws. Now assemble the roosting area. You need 3/4” space between each piece. This helps keep wasps from building nests inside. I have found that if you cut out two 3/4” wooden shims and use them to space your roosting pieces as you assemble, it makes it much easier.

Just lay one on each side of the back, lay your first roosting piece on top of your shims. Be sure to put the bevelled edge at the top and line it up with the side angles.

Fasten with screws. Pull the shims out, lay them on top of the piece you just fastened and repeat the process for the other two roosting pieces and the front. Attach the roof so the back edge is flush with the back of the box, and you have a 1/2” of hangover on each side.

There will be some hangover on the front but exact amount will depend if you bevelled the edges or not. Be sure to seal the roof good and fasten with screws.

Now you want to paint the

One of many variations on the basic design of a bat box.

whole thing with 3 coats of paint, and once dry, hang it up. For better luck in having your new house inhabited this summer, be sure it is up before early spring when the bats begin coming out of hibernation.

If you would like a bat box, but either don’t have a shop or

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have cut off most of your fingers in previous projects, drop me an email and I will get one made for you at a reasonable price.

Until next time CAVE SAFE Todd K. a

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The Valley, December 2013

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Ed’s Railroading News

by Ed Forsythe

Merry Christmas to all.

Well, December is here and all the holiday activities are in full swing. The Mifflin County Model Railroad Club is having our annual Open House fund raiser on December 5th & 6th from 5:00 to 9:00 pm in conjunction with the Ice Festival in downtown Lewistown. Naturally, I write about the railroading side of the Ice Festival, but since there have been many new volunteers involved with the planning of the event, there are many new attractions being held at the festival this year.

Make sure you all come on out to downtown Lewistown these nights and enjoy the fun.

Following these two shows, the club will be open December 7th, 8th, 14th, 15th, 28th and 29th., all from 1:00 to 4:00. All these shows are FREE, but we would really appreciate any donations that folks can give to assist us with our yearly expenses of rent, insurance, layout building supplies, etc. We will be selling raffle tickets for a Lionel “O” gauge Thomas the Tank remote

controlled train set, a Lionel “G” gauge train set, a Bachmann “HO” train set and a framed print of the Lewistown train station by local artist Dick Henry. These tickets are only $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.

These can be purchased from members at the train shows or at Ed’s Train Repairs and Sales. The drawing will be held on December 15th at 4:00 pm and the winners will be notified. Our club features a 24 by 26 foot “O” gauge layout running ten units that include passenger & freight trains that are as old as 75 years and as new as 6 months. We also have a 45 by 65 foot “HO” layout running multiple units using DCC command control. Some of the trains that we run are also passenger and freight featuring steam and diesel engines, mixed freight cars, billboard reefers, a trailer truck train and a 40 plus flatcar pipe train being pulled by a Broadway Limited custom designed engine. I must say, this last one is my favorite since I’m the builder of it. Please come often and enjoy all that we have to show.

Also happening this month is the Polar Bear Express Trolley ride at the Rockhill Trolley Museum on December 6th, 7th and 13th & 14th from 6:30 to 9:00.

Also this month is the Santa Trolley ride on December 7th from 10:00 to 4:00 featuring a trolley ride to see Santa and kids receive a free gift from the jolly man himself. Check out the pictures and more information at rockhilltrolley.org.

By the time you read this article, the Kish Park project “Shining Light Through the Darkness,” will be just about ready to open on December 7th from 5:00 until 10:00 each night until January 3rd, 2014. The park will be lit up for a walking tour with hundreds of Christmas decorations, thousands of lights, entertainment most nights, free snacks and hot beverages, carriage rides some nights, and in the heated room beside the Theater in the Park, you will find a great winter village display and a large train layout to enjoy. If anyone needs a ride around the park, that too can happen, just show up and let the greeters know. Speaking of greeters, anyone who would like to get involved with this project as a greeter, train watcher or otherwise, please feel free to speak up

and volunteer. It’s a really great feeling helping others have a good time.

Ed’s Train Repairs and Sales of 1317 Vira Road, Lewistown has been receiving many, many new train sets, accessories, track packs of all gauges, buildings and other fun items to add to your train layouts, or just to the trains that you run under your Christmas trees. Lionel has introduced several fine new remote controlled trains, operating accessories, cars to add on, and lots, lots more.

Ed’s also carries MTH trains, Bachmann “HO” & “N” gauge sets and more, scenic detail needs, Penn State engines, cars, accessories, autos and tractor trailers.

More information about Ed’s can be found at edstrainstore.com.

So for now, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and please, “Remember the reason for the season, The Birth of Christ!”

Happy Railroading. Ed a

Burnham Hardware and Gifts from front page

the items they carried were milk glass, hurricane lamps and wooden accessories. This would be the beginning of the gift section of the store. In 1976, Jim and Helen retired, and their son, Jim (Jake) and his wife, Linda, took over the business. At that time, there was a major shift towards home decor.

The home decor and gift section changed a lot through the years, always making way for the new trends and styles of each year. In the new millennium, Burnham Hardware changed hands again, this time to Jim and Linda’s son, Dan. At the beginning of this year, a complete remodel began in the gift section of the store. We now have The Primitive Gift Shoppes for your house decorating needs and gifts for those special people in your life. Even though we here at the store love the remodel, it wasn’t done for us. We did this for our customers, so that they may have a better shopping experience.

We hope you all like it. If you haven’t seen it yet, stop on by and visit. We would love to see you.

We are open Monday thru Sat., 8:30 - 5. Closed on Sunday. a

A well stocked selection of brand new lines await you at The Primitive Shoppes at Burnham Hardware and Gifts, just in time for Christmas!

A gorgeous renovation and a tasteful line of merchandise, as well as a bright, cheery atmosphere will transform your shopping experience.

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The Valley, December 2013

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The Valley, December 2013

40

The Rehab Difference: Why Do You Need to Know?

Imagine that you are a patient in an acute-care hospital (like Mount Nittany Health or Geisinger Medical Center) and you’re there because of an illness, injury or surgery. A member of the hospital care management staff comes into your room and tells you that when you are discharged from the hospital, you’ll need rehabilitation. And now you (and/ or your loved ones) have to make a choice about where you’ll go for that rehab. But not all rehab is the same, and just because a place advertises “rehabilitation,” doesn’t mean that you’ll get the same kind of care in every setting.

More importantly, where you choose to go for rehabilitation can greatly impact your ability to go home and remain independent again.

Your decision can affect how soon you go home, your condition when you return home, and whether you are able to go home.

The way to make a choice that’s going to give you the best outcomes in the shortest amount of time is to do your research before you’re in the hospital.

For example, if you have the option to go to a skilled nursing facility, an assisted living facility or an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, how do you choose?

Regarding an inpatient rehabilitation hospital such as HealthSouth, here are some things you need to consider before you have to make a choice.

Three hours of therapy a day: As an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, HealthSouth Nittany Valley is required to provide three hours of therapy a day, including physical and occupational therapy, and may include speech therapy. Therapy is paced to meet the patients’ needs.

Frequent visits by an attending physician are also required in a reha-

bilitation hospital.

Registered nurse oversight and availability occurs 24 hours/day, and is required in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital.

Certified rehabilitation registered nurses (CRRN®) provide a higher level of nursing care in the rehabilitation hospital.

A interdisciplinary team approach, including HealthSouth’s physicians, case managers, nurses and therapists, meet weekly to

discuss patients’ care and discharge planning.

State-of-the-art technology offers patients the most advanced treatments for the greatest potential outcomes.

Family education and support are critical; family members are encouraged to join patients in therapy. Case managers guide families through the discharge process, helping patients transition to home/the community

safely and comfortably. HealthSouth also provides many support groups that are open to the public.

The Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certifications have been earned by HealthSouth in four programs: Stroke, Brain Injury, Heart Failure and Parkinson’s disease.

“At HealthSouth, the intensity of our therapy is what drives patients’ success and excellent outcomes,” explains Chief Execu-

tive Officer Susan Hartman. “A higher level of therapy, combined with medical management, is an essential part of a patient’s recovery and timely discharge back to the community.”

Learn more about all levels of care before you have to make a choice for rehabilitation. For more information, or to schedule a tour, call HealthSouth Nittany Valley at (814) 359-3421, or go to www.nittanyvalleyrehab.com. a

Rehabilitation after your illness, injury, or surgery.

Better Outcomes. Quality Care.

A Higher Level of Care®

550 West College Avenue • Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 814 359-3421 NittanyValleyRehab.com ©2013:HealthSouth Corporation:636925

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The Valley, December 2013

What Is 4-H?

by Clarissa Goss

We have seen our first bit of snow this winter and everyone has probably started, if not finished, their Christmas shopping. It is a joyous time of year to spend with family and friends and I know my family has big plans for the holidays. This also is the time of year to think of those in need and those less fortunate. There have been many house fires lately and I pray for those families now without a home. There are a few 4-H clubs that do fundraisers and food drives around this time of year and I know there are plenty of people that appreciate it. I was telling someone the other day about some of the community services that the 4-H does and they actually asked me, “What is 4-H exactly?” I get asked this question more than some people realize, but I am always happy to answer their questions. So I answered their question the best way that I could, from my own experiences in 4-H. I told them, “4-H is a non-profit organization

that teaches children responsibility, respect, and how to grow to be a good citizen of the world. It instils good morals and values in children and they have fun while learning all of this.” The 4-H experiences children have will be with them all of their lives and it really does make a difference in their lives by keeping them off the streets and drug free. What a lot of people don’t know is that 4-H does all of this and helps our youth to use the things they learn in school like math, science, and reading. Overall. the 4-H program helps educate our youth for a better future.

So now that we have been making a difference in the youth of tomorrow for 60 years in Mifflin County, the 4-H has some news to share on some items that will be available for purchase to help celebrate our 60th anniversary. There will be commemorative baskets that will have a special design to represent the fair and the anniversary that will be available

for purchase at the fair. Then there is also a cookbook that will be available for purchase at the fair as well, but we are asking for the public’s help. We are collecting recipes up until December 31, 2013 to put them into the cookbook and have them featured under their appropriate category of appetizers, desserts, etc.

Anyone may enter up to 5 recipes by picking up an entry form at the Extension Office in Lewistown.

The recipes need to be spelled out completely with no abbreviations so no mistakes are made.

We are looking forward to receiving these recipes to add to our growing collection, and we hope that many of you will enjoy the cookbook. I know it will be a treasure in my kitchen to have so many good recipes to choose from. Until next month, have a very merry Christmas! a

Last month, in the Farm Show Complex, in Harrisburg PA, over 22,000 rabbits, and 2,000 exhibitors gathered to take part in the biggest rabbit show in the country.

People as far away as Washington, Oregon, and even Canada, gathered to visit fellow rabbit friends, buy and sell rabbits that they would not be able to buy otherwise (too far away), and most importantly, to show their rabbits! With class sizes ranging from 20 to 200, there is quite a lot of competition. Everyone wants the same thing, the fibber cup, awarded to the best in show rabbit.

This is one of the few shows in which every recognized ARBA breed is shown.

If a breed has less than 25 entries over the course of 5 years, then it will no longer be considered a ARBA recognized breed. If one is considering a new breed, this is the place to do it! Browse around, visit all the breeds, and look for rabbits for sale.

Along with the recognized breeds, at this show there are also many un-recognized breeds. These breeders are going through a very time consuming process to have their new breed, or color of an existing breed, recognized by the ARBA. The breeds have to be presented at a minimum of three consecutive conventions, that is if they pass the showing every time, to be considered a ARBA breed. This year after many years of hard work and dedication, the Lionheads were finally recognized, becoming the 48th recognized breed.

Having the convention in our backyard was a once in a lifetime opportunity, it has not been on the East Coast for over a decade. The MARC rabbit club has spent years working hard to have this convention a unforgettable one, and their hard work has paid off! It is a huge deal to have the convention in Pennsylvania. According to the Harrisburg news, the convention was expected to bring over 2.3 million dollars into the Harrisburg economy. In order to have the convention in our state, the state had to put down a $20,000 down payment, and from there they bid.

Along with the many events that went on during the convention, a relatively new sport was taking place. Rabbit Hopping! It may sound comical, but it’s true! Nearly 50 rabbits were entered in the fun competition, where rabbits hop over jumps ranging from 10 inches to 20 inches high, depending on the difficulty level. There were three types of hopping this year, Straight line, team relay, and high jump. Strait line is a line of 10-15 jumps, spaced 6 feet apart, and the rabbit that has the least faults, and best time, wins! The team relay uses the same course, but instead there are three rabbits competing on a team, and the combined time of all three rabbits is used to determine the winner. The high jump is started at 16” high, and the rabbits each take a turn going over the jump, The rabbits that make it over the jump, advance to the next level, raising the jump higher and higher until only one rabbit remains, and that is the winner!

Continued on page 45

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The Valley, December 2013

42

Merry Millheim 2012.

Merry Millheim The Arts Perspective

December 6 and 7 will again bring Merry Millheim to our blossoming small town. This is the third year for this combined effort by many of the businesses, organizations, and individuals that are working to make Millheim a fun destination for all and a cultural center for the community.

This year, many of the events and businesses will be helping to raise funds for the East Penns Valley Library, which recently returned to being an unaffiliated independent library. Since the arts are a big part of the special events and activities, I thought I’d give a

rundown of things to plan on.

Music is a big part of the festivities, both Friday evening and all day Saturday. On Friday evening from 6:30 until 8:00, there will be a carol singing jam session, the “J-IngleJam”, at the IngleBean Coffee House, which will be open until 9 p.m.. Join in with local musicians to sing your favorite carols! Then, at 8:00 pm, the Green Drake Gallery and Arts Center will host a very special holiday concert by nationally known harpist Anne Sullivan, who will be accompanied by master cellist Kim Cook. This concert has

a charge at the door and limited seating, so plan to get there early.

On Saturday, the music begins with Christine Smith and Gary Gyekis playing Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at St. Luke’s Cultural Center, the big old brick church a block down Penn Street from the intersection. Yes, they will be doing the entire album on piano and drums, and they expect to have a few guest soloists and singers on some numbers. Then, starting at 4 p.m., the Up-Texas Chapel, another converted church just a block and a half up North Street (this part of Millheim is nicknamed “Up Texas”) will host barbershop quartet The Four Decades as well as the UpTexas Chapel Choir. The UpTexas Choir is a fun community group that

Photo by and courtesy of Cyndy Engle.

always welcomes new members.

Finally, at 8 p.m., Billy Martin’s “Wicked Knee” will perform Ragtime Funk at the Elk Creek Café + Aleworks. You’ll find more about this and ticket info online at elkcreekcafe.net.

On the visual arts and crafts side, Merry Millheim has lots to see and shopping opportunities at several venues. The Bremen Town Ballroom on Main Street will have their Handmade Holiday Market on Friday evening as well as Saturday until 3:00. This will feature many local and regional crafters. The Green Drake Gallery will have a special show for just the weekend of crafts brought directly from the Amazon by Campbell Plowden and the Center for Amazon Community Ecology.

The Green Drake is also wellstocked with local and regional fine art and crafts, and will be hosting several fundraising activities for the library, including a holiday cookie swap/sale. I’m personally creating a special painting for silent auctioning at the gallery for the library fund. The Green Drake will also have children’s craft/ornament-making from 10-2 on Saturday, and the current

special show of art by the gallery’s in-house artists, “The Home Team”, continues all month.

Hosterman and Stover Hardware, at the west end of town, will host Santa’s Workshop arts and crafts for all ages on Saturday from 1-3 p.m., and the IngleBean will have Christmas Cookie decorating from 2-3:30.

There are also several related venues outside of Millheim, with Scot Paterson at the Aaronsburg Pottery and the recently opened Main Street Yarn and Firefathers Book Shop in Rebersburg having open houses both days. Many other businesses will have special events and sales this weekend, so plan to make a day of it in Millheim and support the community library! More details can be found online at MillheimPa.com. a

Musicians perform at an Open Mic at the Green Drake Gallery during last year’s Merry Millheim.

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The Valley, December 2013 A Few Of My Favorite Things from page 33 on the cake top so effortlessly… working like an artist… quiet and consumed with her art. Once completed, the sugars magically appeared as a green Christmas tree with red decorations. If there was snow on the ground, my sister and I would dress warm and walk to the “big sledding hill” (adjacent to the old Chief Logan High School) with our snow saucers in hand.

We would sled for hours until the cold settled in our bones. Upon arriving home, mom would have homemade hot cocoa ready for us… and on occasion, she would also treat us to her chocolate fudge. I always thought her fudge was delish… and special because we usually had to eat it with a spoon… it rarely hardened, but the spoon eating is what made it special!

Gift Giving – I have always put a lot of thought into my gift giving.

I enjoy giving gifts that ‘celebrate’ the individual… the kind that applauds their authentic self. I also strive to purchase locally if at all possible. I believe the small busi-

ness owner and entrepreneurial spirit is what really built the backbone of America; therefore, I try to honor that whenever possible.

Economic times have been tough and many of us have shrinking financial resources for holiday shopping. I found several local shops that offer great gifts at very reasonable price points – including just ten dollars – and I chose to mention them in hopes that you too might wish to partake in their welcoming spirit this Christmas season. A few of my very favorite places to shop for gifts are…

Bushman @ Home 1537 Loop Road Lewistown (717-248-3484) – From the moment one steps onto the property an inviting welcoming feeling is conveyed. Jeannie’s shop is warm, inviting, and full of items that make the heart sing.

Jeannie provides a very personalized shopping experience, and she is prepared to help you find the perfect gift. Entering Jeannie’s shop is like partaking in the comforts of home… a warm welcome, festive environment, uplifting, and a compassionate spirit. Some of my favorite items in Jeannie’s shop are handmade cards, hand-

crafted jewelry (beautiful earrings, bracelets, and necklaces), potpourri, quote blocks (I love these!), and room sprays.

Olde Thyme Reflections 19 E. Susquehanna Ave. Lewistown (717-248-8700) – Enter and go back in “thyme”… back to the “olde thymes” when service was customized and shops were chock full of charmingly crafted items that held exquisite utility. Enter Staci and Jayne’s shop to find a wealth of fabulous items – seasonal and everyday – with handcrafted roots reaching deep into a variety of traditions such as colonial, primitive, and artisan. They carry a broad line of lighting (including unique bulbs & strand lights), tinware, treenware, holiday garlands, wreaths, and a long list of candle varieties and options. My favorite is their seasonal wax tart melts (by 1803 Candle Co.) as they are packaged adorably with a mini wreath – requires no wrapping.

Shade Mountain Naturals Jacks Mountain Road Lewistown (717248-8847) – Tamela handcrafts a wonderful variety of skin care products. I love the aromatherapy soaps! My absolute favorite soap

hands down is called “Stress Less.” The scent can transform my state of mind from frazzled to fabulous in mere minutes. A few more of my favorites products are the soap decks, fiber washcloths (bamboo & agave – yeah!), and the “Hand Salvation.” Need to ship holiday gifts out of the area? Tamela can help! Tamela has shipped boxes to the farthest western hemisphere for me at very reasonable prices – so the gift products are spotlighted, not the shipping costs.

The Little Cupcake Shoppe 101 S. Logan Blvd. Burnham (717248-5010) – Lana and Jena create creamy confections that embody pure contentment. The mother and daughter team craft cupcakes with personality and a special scrumptiousness that brings a smile to your whole being – inside and out! They have everyday flavors, seasonal flavors, and specialty flavor themes. The shoppe also offers delightful luncheon soup and sandwich specials that warm and nourish body and soul.

Who wouldn’t want a sweet treat to nourish body and soul?!

Parting Thoughts - What I know

717-447-0220

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for sure is that all four entrepreneurships step forth to offer their art – artistic creativity, unique skills, and welcoming spirits – and all four have found the work that they love… work that makes their hearts sing. I also know that all of my favorite things are rooted in a foundation of love – love of cozy seasonal home; love of warm memories; love of gift giving; and love of being of service.

My Hope – That you might endeavor to create a list of your own “favorite things” during the beautiful season of light… and realize just how much love surrounds you.

Quotes - “There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” ~ Vincent Van Gogh “Peace is the result of retraining your mind to process life as it is, rather than as you think it should be.” ~ Wayne Dyer Reference: a song brought to popularity in 1965 by Julie Andrews in the musical “The Sound of Music” by Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1959 Broadway production (wikipedia. org) a

The Valley, December 2013

44

R. O. F. F.

Dairy Connection

by Halee Wasson

Rescue Our Furry Friends

Centre Count y Dair y Princess

Lights are hung, the tree is decorated and presents are wrapped. Christmas is here!

One of my favorite things to do during this holiday is watch all the Christmas movies I can. One of my favorite movies is Annabelle’s Wish. I have watched this movie with my family every Christmas since I can remember.

This movie is based upon the idea that Santa gave every animal the ability to speak on Christmas.

On one Christmas Eve, a calf is born named Annabelle. Annabelle is special because she was given a gift to talk. She becomes good friends with the farmer’s son, Billy, who suffers muteness. Throughout the rest of the year, Annabelle and Billy learn to overcome great odds together.

However, Annabelle wishes Billy could speak, so Annabelle gives her voice to Billy. I still get very upset every time I watch this movie, even though this movie is

fictional. I realized that if Annabelle can give up such a special gift to someone who needed it more, what could I do? After thinking about it, I realized that living on a dairy farm, I give back to the community often.

Many dairy farmers support their communities by not only providing a nutritious and safe product, but they can be involved in many community organizations. Therefore, this Christmas I want you to think how you can give a gift of joy? Is that not what Christmas is about? Celebrating the birth of Christ and joy of life he has given us.

Candy Cane Cookies 1 box sugar cookie mix 1/2 stick butter, melted 1 egg 1/3 cup softened cream cheese 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus additional for surface Red food coloring 1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint

by Patricia Lawson

extract Directions Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a bowl, combine sugar cookie mix, melted butter, egg, cream cheese, and flour; mix together to form dough. Separate dough into 2 equal portions and place in 2 different bowls. Add red food coloring gradually to 1 bowl of dough, kneading together until desired shade of red is created. To second bowl of uncolored dough, add peppermint extract and knead together. On a floured work surface, shape each dough into balls and then roll each ball into 1/4-inch-wide ropes, each about 6 inches long. For each cookie, carefully twist some of the red and white ropes of dough together and shape into a candy cane. Spread candy canes out on cookie sheets and bake on the top shelf of the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes.

Transfer to a rack to cool before serving.

Candy Cane Cocoa 4 cups milk 3 (1 oz) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped 4 peppermint candy canes, crushed 1 cup whipped cream 4 small peppermint candy canes Directions In a saucepan, heat milk until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in the chocolate and the crushed peppermint candies until melted, and smooth. Pour hot cocoa into four mugs and garnish with whipped cream. Serve each with a candy cane stirring stick. a

First of all, we would like to send out a big “Thank You” to Caulkins for allowing ROFF to use their site to showcase our canines on October 26th. Due to their kindness, several of our “Furry Friend’s” futures are looking brighter.

Another “Thank You” to Pleasant View Vet Clinic for coming to our rescue by providing their office and expertise at the Feline Clinic on November 17th.

Your team is awesome!

It’s that time of year! Get ready for Pet Photos with Santa on Saturday, December 7th at Big Valley Beverage from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each picture is only $5 and a holiday frame will also be provided as long as supplies last.

“Bow Wow Bandanas,” some with Christmas themes and colors in small and large sizes will also be for sale at this event, and all of the proceeds will go to ROFF. So, be sure to “dog ear” this page as a reminder to attend!

Here’s a fundraiser that you don’t want to miss. ROFF is selling raffle tickets for great prizes from “Thirty One” www.mythirtyone.com or “Silpada Jewelry” www.silpada.com. Please visit our Facebook page and our website www.roff.cc for more details; but basically there will be prizes for each day of the month of December, and the raffle tickets will be sold until they are sold out.

And, as a bonus, if your number is drawn on Christmas day, you will win BOTH items listed on this date. The tickets are only $10 each and may be purchased at 133 N. Walnut St. in Burnham or at Big Valley Beverage.

Look at this handsome pooch! This is Dyson! He is an approximately 1 year old Shiba Inu mix, and he is such a loving and loyal dog. He will always be by your side waiting

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for your attention. He is very intelligent and a quick learner, too.

He sits, shakes and stays well. He loves to play fetch, but he would be just as happy laying on your lap. He gets along well with the foster home dog and cats and does well with children. Sounds like a perfect companion to me! Dyson is searching for his FUR-ever home. If you are interested in him, go to our web-site www.roff.cc and fill out an online application or call 1-877-933-ROFF (7633).

Well, Hello Dolly!

Dolly is approximately 2 years

old. She came to our rescue as a stray, and Dolly has told us that she would prefer to live in a single cat household where she can claim all of your attention. I bet she’ll keep you warm this winter!

She has tested negative for FIV/ FELUKE. Plus, she is litter trained, up to date on vaccinations and is spayed. If interested in adopting this cutie, please fill out an application on our web-site at www.roff.cc or call 1-877-933ROFF (7633).

Brrrrr…yes, the cold weather has arrived. Be sure you pets are also prepared for this time of year by checking out this web-site: http://www.findavet.us/2012/12/ how-to-keep-your-dog-safe-incold-weather/.

Also, please consider becoming a foster for our adorable cats and dogs or donating your time and/or money by calling 877-9337633. Your contributions are greatly needed and appreciated, so please make checks payable to ROFF, and mail them to ROFF, 133 North Walnut Street, Burnham, PA 17009.

Merry Christmas from all of us at ROFF! Until they all have homes… www.roff.cc a

45

The Valley, December 2013 sales of these coins began in 1986.

Dave Wilson

(3). US (1/10th-Oz.) Gold Eagle coins (dated 2013) are priced at $155.00 each. (Whatever earlier dates we have are usually a few dollars less per coin.) Again add an extra $5.00 for the deluxe US mint box. (** 1/4-Oz. US Gold coins and 1-Full-Ounce US Gold Coins dated 2013 are also available, naturally, at substantially higher prices.)

Coins, Precious Metal and a Little of this and That

Gift Suggestions and Free Gifts!

While we have never directly attempted to use our monthly articles in The Valley as a way to “sell merchandise”, i.e. Gold and Silver Bullion and collector coins, we thought this month’s article might actually end up being exceptionally useful for folks who like to prepare for the future, enjoy giving appreciated, unusual and valuable gifts for the holidays, and have a number of people on their list that are always hard to buy for.

With what many people believe is in everyone’s financial future, giving gifts of Gold, Silver and collector coins just might be the smartest gift of all. You will be surprised at how fabulously delighted people are who are

gifted with such items and YOU will have the satisfaction of knowing that you spent their gift money MOST wisely. People LOVE to receive gifts of VALUE and with the serious consternation in our country’s current financial system, such gifts will likely be received with even more gratitude than usual.

While we will use specific pricing in the following paragraphs, please understand that these prices cannot be guaranteed since we have been experiencing terrific volatility in the metals markets for some time.

Here is a listing of gift suggestions and current pricing as of late November. Please remember

that AS OF NOW, there is NO SALES TAX on collector coins or Gold and Silver Coins and Bullion bars. Therefore, all prices listed from here are NET. (1). United States Proof Sets for 2013. These are attractively housed in a nice box and contain one each of this year’s made for circulation coins. Set price? $37.00 . (While these are attractive, we do not recommend them as long term investments.)

(2). United States Walking Liberty Silver Dollars. These are large silver coins and are $1.00 face value, legal tender US coins that contain One-Full-Troy Ounce of .999 Fine silver. There are quantity discounts available for serious investors, but the price for 1-to-10 coins is presently $29.00.

Add an extra $5 if you would want the custom US Mint display box.

For gift givers who REALLY want to delight, Sue P. keeps in shape by jogging after work, but US Mint rolls her knee really hurt after a bad fall. Her doctor of 20 coins are priced at $535.00. scheduled an MRI at the local hospital. She (** We have checked on her insurance company’s web site dozens of people and found that her full deductible of $2,000 who gift their remained. She checked the cost of the hospital grandchildren, MRI and was shocked at the $1,827 price, since each year, with it was her responsibility to pay this amount. the current year Walking Liberty On the same website she noticed that the cost at 611 MRI was $511.

Dollars. They Sue quickly realized that she could pay $1,316 less for the same exam. have turned out to be quite a good Your Hospital 611 MRI investment since Procedure Deductible Cost Cost Difference

Local woman saves $1,316 on MRI!

MRI Knee

$2,000

$1,827*

$511

$1,316

MRI Shoulder

$2,000

$1,615

$510

$1,105

MRI Lumbar Spine

$2,000

$1,894

$554

$1,340

(4). Small packets of Pre-1964, 90% Silver coins are available currently at present rates of $16.00 for each $1.00 face value.

(Supplies for these coins are presently VERY difficult to locate and are, as a result, many times not available for sale.)

(5). Older, flashy and uncirculated MORGAN and PEACE Silver Dollars. Common date Morgan dollars (1878-1904) currently sell for between $38 and $45 each, while Common Peace Dollars (1922-1935) sell for between $27 and $30. Display holders will, of course, add a bit more to the purchase price. If you want to go ALL OUT, full, 20-coin rolls of mixed date Morgans are presently $825.00, and 20 Lustrous, Brilliant, Uncirculated Peace Dollars are priced at $575.00.

(6). Generic 1-Oz. Silver “Rounds” and “Bars”, many commemorating specific events are presently $23.50 each. ($23.00 each if 20 or more medallions are purchased.) Supplies of these silver rounds and bars are also, many times, quite limited.

(7). 50-coin rolls of nice, no problem INDIAN PENNIES (Mixed dates) are priced at just $65.00 each but, of course, are in limited supply.

(8). Packs of One-Hundred (100) full date, mixed Buffalo Nickels are $55.00 each. Packs of 100 partial date, mixed Buffalo nickels are priced at $35.00.

Earlier (1700’s and 1800’s) collector “Type” coins are also

*Rates are for areas largest insurer. Check with your insurance company.

814-234-2600 www.611mri.com

611 University Drive, State College

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very popular but the items listed above are, by far, the most popular items for general gift-giving.

If you have never considered “Coins for Christmas,” perhaps this might be the year to test the waters. We have never yet met ANYONE who was anything less than totally DELIGHTED with such gifts of appreciated value.

As a special THANK YOU to our many Valley readers, the first 250 people who stop in before Christmas and mention this article, will receive FREE, an uncirculated Lincoln WHEAT cent, a nice Buffalo Nickel, a 1943 Steel Cent, and a 1935 or 1957 $1.00 US Silver Certificate..... (There is NO PURCHASE necessary, just stop, ASK and receive.)

Meanwhile, Betty, Dixie, Kathy, Grant, Bill and I would like to wish you ALL a very Merry Christmas, a wonderful, peaceful holiday season and (hopefully) a bright, prosperous “Happy New Year.” a

Splitting Hares from page 41

Next year, the ARBA national convention is set to take place in Texas, and after that, in Oregon.

Not only does having the ARBA Convention in different states each year help to bring people that would not be able to make the trip across the country, like some do, but it allows people to visit other states, that otherwise they would never visit. I don’t know about you, but next year, I am Texas bound!

The ARBA convention is too incredible to sum up in a short article. In order for one to fully understand it, they have to go to one, and experience it. With that, I will see you in Texas! a

The Valley, December 2013

46

A Reason For The Second Amendment

by John Silveira Senior Editor Backwoods Home Magazine

Right after the shooting of 20 children and 6 teachers at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, I was asked by several people, “Does anyone really need assault weapons with high-capacity clips?”

My short answer was, and still is, “Yes.”

When that elicits surprise, I add, “Why do cops need them?”

The usual response is, “To protect us.” What I then explain is, “Cops have no obligation to protect you. Even if they promise to protect you, they don’t have to, and they can’t be held accountable if they don’t. No police organization in this country includes in its charter the obligation to protect you. Their sole purpose is to serve the government. No citizen has ever won a case in court when they’ve sued because a police organization failed to protect them. Cops don’t even have to stop a crime if they’re witnessing one, and this has happened with undercover cops and cops on stakeouts who have witnessed heinous crimes and done nothing because they didn’t want to blow

their cover. In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled that the job of police is not to protect us, but to enforce the law.”

If I’ve been allowed to get this far, I also like to add, “If the cops need the kinds of guns you would like to see outlawed, then I want them too because cops almost never show up to stop a crime, but only to take a report.”

As for more stringent laws, more gun laws aren’t going to prevent mass shootings. We have more than 20,000 gun laws on the books at local, state, and federal levels and they couldn’t stop the Sandy Hook shooting.

However, if we really want a solution to shootings in schools, there is a solution that has worked: Israel had a problem with terrorists attacking schools, and a major part of the solution was to allow teachers, who became proficient with guns, to arm themselves. With the Israeli model, the goons just don’t know which teachers may be armed and when.

It worked and Israeli schools became safer overnight.

The Israeli model for protect-

ing children in schools goes hand in hand with the argument and statistics presented by John Lott in his book, More Guns, Less Crime. His statistics show that for concealed carry weapons to be effective deterrents against crime, it is not necessary for everyone to be armed. In counties in the U.S. where it is legal to carry concealed firearms, crime dropped dramatically.

Still, there are those who believe we would be better off with no private ownership of guns, so let’s examine the real reasons for gun ownership.

We own guns for self-defense.

We own them because they’re fun, just as Corvettes, Lamborghinis, and even my Honda Accord is fun.

But the greatest reason for Americans to be armed, especially with military-style weapons with high-capacity magazines, and the real reason for the Second Amendment, is that they are our last line of defense against tyranny. The Founders included the Second Amendment as a reminder

that an armed populace can resist tyranny.

Is there an American dictatorship on the horizon? I don’t know.

But no one could have predicted, at the close of WWI, that a country as cultured and civilized as Germany would have devolved into a nation with a government that would prey on its own people and citizens in neighboring countries, killing at least 12 million civilians because they were Jews, Gypsies, Poles, homosexuals, those with birth defects, etc.

Hundreds of studies based on an original experiment posed and conducted by Stanley Milgram, a renowned Yale University professor of social psychology, have been carried out in the almost seven decades since WWII ended to explain how a country like Germany could have turned so barbaric. What has been concluded, again and again, across many cultures including our own, is that people, no matter what their nationality, will “follow orders” and torture their fellow citizens.

The studies found that roughly one third of any large population would willingly do what the German people did.

Now, imagine the difficulties Hitler and his gang would have had if the people he persecuted been armed to the teeth as the American people are today. Remember the Warsaw Ghetto where Jews made a heroic last stand on the same level as the Texans at the Alamo or the Greeks at Thermopylae? Imagine if the Jews and the others murdered had not surrendered their personal firearms when the new Nazi regime first imposed gun control? How much attention would the Nazis have had to give to a guerrilla war at home, fought by people they couldn’t so easily murder because they fought back? The irony is that, had the Jews, Poles, Gypsies, etc., been armed, not only would more of them have lived, but more Allied soldiers would have lived, also.

And Germany was not an aberration. In the 20th century in

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the Soviet Union, 20 to 60 million died under Stalin. In China, at least 50 million were murdered, and some estimates run as high as 120 million. In Cambodia, at least 1.7 million died, as did millions in Turkey and millions in other countries — and all of these countries became “gun free” zones before the atrocities began.

How successful would these government pogroms have been had their genocidal victims been armed and able to resist? On the other hand, I don’t believe any government-sponsored massacres have ever happened where the populace was armed.

So, are Americans in any danger?

Maybe! Our own government has been at war with We the People ever since the early days of the Republic, at least as far back as the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which were designed to prevent criticism of government.

And before oppression of blacks in the postbellum South was possible, blacks were “lawfully” disarmed so they couldn’t resist.

When Indians were committed to those uniquely American concentration camps we call reservations, they too were legally and lawfully denied access to weapons, as were the Japanese-Americans interned during World War II.

Are guns dangerous? Yes, they kill! They’d be useless if they didn’t. But just as we trade more than 30,000 traffic deaths a year for the benefits of cars, trucks, and motorcycles, there are benefits from widespread gun ownership, including ownership of those high-capacity magazines that help make us the equal of an armed government should it turn against the people.

We shouldn’t assume tyranny is impossible here. As I’ve pointed out in past columns, it seems we’re putting in place more laws each year that would make a dictatorship possible.

Laws prohibiting modern personal weapons would be the last brick in the wall. And as horrible as the shooting at the Sandy Hook Elementary School was, we cannot let it become an excuse to disarm an entire nation.

Reprinted courtesy of our friends at Backwoods Home Magazine. If you like The Valley, you will LOVE Backwoods Home Magazine. If we had to only have one magazine, this would be it, “Practical ideas for Self-Reliant Living” and a whole heaping helping of common sense. See ad to left to subscribe. a

47

The Valley, December 2013

Caution: Industrial Wind Turbines May Be Hazardous To Your Health Laura Jackson, President Save Our Allegheny Ridges www.SaveOurAlleghenyRidges.org

Not everyone who smokes cigarettes gets cancer, but experts agree that smoking is the single biggest cause of cancer in the world. We also know that exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of getting lung cancer. Since smoke from cigarettes is so dangerous, why are cigarettes still legal?

There are two main reasons:

1. Lobbying Power. The to-

bacco market creates a lot of jobs.

Hundreds of thousands of people would be out of jobs if tobacco products were made illegal.

2. Money. The revenue from the tobacco tax is significant.

People are addicted to nicotine, so they will pay high prices for their drug. Governments are addicted, because they want the tax revenues.

For decades, the tobacco

industry not only denied that smoking caused cancer, but spent millions of dollars trying to cover up the truth. Research linking smoking and cancer began in the 1920s, but the tobacco companies conspired to deceive through pro-cigarette campaigns. Industry leaders demanded that more scientific research was needed. They hired public relations firms to stop public panic over health concerns.

The industry recruited scientists and funded their research on smoking, which allowed the cigarette industry, in the 1970s, to claim that there was scientific controversy about whether smoking caused disease. It wasn’t until 1998 that the Philip Morris Tobacco Company publicly admitted that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and other serious diseases. The industry continues to spend millions of dollars to stop laws that limit smoking in public places (1).

The Industrial Wind Industry has many parallels with the Tobacco Industry

There are many similarities

between the tobacco industry and the wind industry. Not everyone who lives near wind turbines has health problems. But, there are significant numbers of people who are impacted by the noise and low-frequency vibrations from large turbines. Wind developers hire public relations firms to help them deliver a slick message to prospective landowners, to persuade them to sign leases for wind turbines on their properties without fully explaining all the consequences. The wind companies continually call for more research and refute the health studies that are being conducted, which confirm that some people do get sick when turbines are too close to their homes. The wind industry spends millions of dollars lobbying and touts the promise of jobs to sell their products to Congress, so they can continue to reap billions of dollars in tax-payer funded subsidies.

What health problems do wind turbines cause?

In general, annoyance is the most common response to

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environmental noise. When I conducted an informal survey of Sidman, PA residents in February of 2013, about the impact of EverPower’s turbines on their lives, the most common complaint was that people were bothered by the noise at night.

Some communities experience higher levels of noise from wind turbines. Long-term exposure to noise can lead to heart disease, ringing in the ears, trouble concentrating, hypertension, and even stroke (2).

Industrial wind turbines also generate very low frequency sounds and infrasound. These “sounds” cannot be heard, but our ears are stimulated by them. Dr. Alec Salt has done extensive research on this and I highly recommend reading his work. Dr. Salt explains that infrasound can make people more sensitive to heard sounds, creating symptoms of pulsation, annoyance and stress.

Low-frequency sounds can also

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The Valley, December 2013

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