June2014 the valleyonline

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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 5, No. 6

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The Valley, June 2014

Elohi

“of the earth”

By: Licensed Massage Therapist and owner of Shade Mountain Naturals, Tamela Hetrick, LMT

Spring 2012, it all started: I was working on a client’s back.

We were chatting off and on when I mentioned it was a beautiful day and I was looking forward to the warm sunshine, and the color it brings to my skin. She stated she also likes the sun, but since she has had skin cancer, she is not able to be “in” the sun. We talked about how she likes to have some color and had tried the sunless tanning lotions. I am still massaging her back when she says how she cannot reach the area I am working on with tanning lotion. She says: “hey! I have a great idea: I will bring in my sunless tanning lotion and you can massage my back with it!” I then tell her I have a better idea: bring in the whole bottle and I will do a full body massage with it and she will get a relaxing massage AND a tan! PERFECT!

Well, not really: I quickly find many things wrong with this.

Sunless tanners streak and you can end up with a very uneven tan. Also, the ingredients in commercial tanners are, in my opinion, not the healthiest to be putting on your skin. A lot of selftanners leave your skin with an orange color. Not to mention, my hands would look terrible afterwards!

Well, that conversation stuck with me and I thought, Hmmmm: I wonder if there is a massage

crème that has a tanner in it?

Wouldn’t it be perfect to get a relaxing massage AND a tan?

And, who is better at applying crème than a Massage Therapist?

A therapist could reach the whole back and make sure an even coat is applied. Surely this is on the market. I searched the internet and came up with nothing. The only application I could find was spray tanning. So, with my background as the owner of Shade Mountain Naturals, where creating new products is not new to me, I decided to make my own!

After two years of researching tanning ingredients, (What makes your skin tan?), (Why do some make you look orange?), (What are natural alternatives?) and testing on anyone that would allow me to change the color of their skin, etc. I finally developed a crème that had all the qualities I was looking for. I had three main requirements. 1) I needed a product that could be used as a massage crème. 2) It HAD to be nutritious for your skin and 3) it had to give a natural color.

Because I wanted to use this product while giving a massage, Elohi needed to be formulated

for “workability” and it needed to stay on top of the client’s skin long enough for proper glide.

But, it needed to absorb within a reasonable amount of time so the client is not left feeling greasy.

This combination of qualities is very different than the self-tanners

on the market. Conversely, commercial tanners are formulated to dry quickly so you do not feel greasy. Commercial tanners achieve this by adding lots of drying alcohol and water. This also makes them very susceptible to streaking. My first requirement was easy to fulfill! We at Shade Mountain have been making massage crèmes for Therapists for years! Done.

Second, this product had to be natural and nutritious for your skin. Shade Mountain Naturals has been creating the 100% natural massage crème for approximately seven years, no problem.

Next I had to make it give a tan.

We are using two tanning ingredients. One: DHA, or Dihydroxyacetone (I know this does not sound at all natural but, it is actually derived from the sugars of corn or cane sugar.) There is concern over the use of DHA, but this is for spray tanning in which there is a significant risk of inhalation. DHAbased sunless tanning has been recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation, American Academy of Dermatology Association, Canadian Dermatology Association and the American Medical Association as a safer alternative to sun-bathing.

The second ingredient is Erythlurose. Erythlurose is derived from the sugars of red raspberries. You can’t get any more natural than that. Second requirement: Natural and nutritious, Done.

Finally, the third requirement, one must get a beautiful, natural color. NO orange skin here. First

Lighting Brush Fires in People’s Minds

I had to understand HOW the ingredients tan. The DHA and Erythlurose work together with the amino acids already present in your skin. When you cut an apple or peach in half and leave it exposed to the air, what happens?

It turns brown. This is called the “Maillard Effect.” This is basically the same thing that happens to the top layer of skin when the sugars from the tanners react with the amino acids in your skin.

Commercial tanning lotions use mostly DHA for the tanning effect with very little Erythlurose. This is because of cost. Erythlurose is approximately 5 times the cost of DHA. However, DHA tends to give a more orange tone while Erythlurose gives a nicer brownish red tone. After much testing: we have a great balance (formulation) of the two. I am extremely happy with the color we get with Elohi! Third requirement: Awesome color, Done.

I’ve told you about the creation of Elohi: now for the process of the treatment. Elohi tanning experience is applied by a licensed Massage Therapist and begins with a full body exfoliation. For this, we use an all natural (of course!) Agave Fiber mitt.

The exfoliation process removes dead skin cells so your skin can breathe and glow. Exfoliation also warms the skin by increasing circulation and opens pores allowing the tanning massage crème to absorb deeper into skin. Certain high keratin areas (around nails, Continued on page 7

The Valley, June 2014

2

Editor’s Corner Wayne Stottlar

Well, the time I have been waiting for all winter has arrived, and I have been basically on light duty if any. A bad back due to Lyme disease back in 1996 has once again started causing me problems. It just doesn’t seem to be fair, and getting old is starting to be not so much fun. I have always said that age was just a number and that I didn’t care what the number was, as long as I could get up every day and be able to work at doing the things that need to be done. So while chores pile up around the homestead, I have been pretty much sidelined, and when I do feel good enough to work, that work usually sets me back again. I think maybe I should listen to Lynn a little more when she tells me to rest. So for the last month, Murphy and I have been

trying our best to age gracefully without too many complaints.

My poor dog has been crippled up pretty good for a couple years now with arthritis, I guess he is going through the same situation as I, having been so active when he was younger. The thing is, the tough old boy never complains, is always happy when we come home—I perhaps could learn something from him too.

Back pain is debilitating, everything you do is somehow connected to your back it seems, I hope this heals up sooner rather than later.

You all may have noticed some of your favorite authors missing from time to time, and others who, because of family or other life obligations,have to take a breather. It isn’t easy meeting a

deadline every month, especially when this isn’t your real job.

Family, the real job, and life have to take precedent over their gracious contributions to The Valley.

Part of what makes us who we are is the fact that the writers cover what they are passionate about and it comes out in their writing.

We will continually be an evolving paper and try to hit the right balance for our readers.

Speaking of evolution, after a long while without having a writer who covered homestead living since our friend Julie became too busy with hers to contribute, we want to welcome another local writer, Liz Lightfoot, to The Valley family this month.

Some of you may remember that Liz wrote an article for us a couple years ago. I have been following her Facebook posts ever since and finally got it through my thick head that she would be an awesome replacement as our Homestead Living author. I am sure many will find her writings useful and entertaining. Join her for “Holistic Homestead Living” each month and learn some great tips for living better.

Much has happened in the news since the last time we covered any of it. It seems our politicians are as crooked as ever and continue to take us down a road to destruction, despite constant protests. It seems “by, of, and for The People “ are just words on paper.

Our government continues to place more and more ridiculous regulations on business, which in turns makes it harder for those of us still trying to eke out a living. Food prices have and continue to rise dra-

matically, utilities continue to rise, and work keeps becoming harder to get. There are people hurting out there, worse than I have ever seen in my lifetime. To be sure, some of those people made bad decisions, but most comes from a government who cares not for your well being.

The useless EPA has been given way too much power and I hear that come June 2nd, our president is going to act on their recommendation to kill the coal industry. This will cause the loss of 250,000 jobs a year, and I even saw this morning that some years it will be closer to half a million jobs lost. Coal has gotten a bad rap, and perhaps 50 years ago it was deserved, but the industry has taken steps during that time to make coal a clean, inexpensive resource. Do any of you know what is going to happen going forward?

Our GDP is going to lose even more ground, and your electric rates are going to skyrocket, YES, even more than they already have.

While the rest of the developing world increases coal use and their economies boom, ours will continue to shrivel. And after causing all this pain and hardship, the net gain in pollutant output is going to be just about 1%!!

It almost looks like there is an effort afoot to demolish the American economy, ever wonder why? A suffering, demoralized citizenry is more apt to accept change, perhaps even to our founding documents. If that happens, there is no place left to go.

With the recent revelations over the Veterans Administration, does anyone think those elected to serve are deserving? There are people involved from both parties that are what I consider criminal. The American people are fed a constant line of lies by the controlled media, and we are very close to a boil over. Perhaps that is what it will take to lead to fixing the problem. The first thing that needs to be done on the local, state and national level is to make these elected officials understand that they work for us, NOT special interest groups or the corporations

“Fair & Balanced” means Spin gets Equal Time

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.

The ballot box is not working any longer—I in fact, believe that we have not had free and fair elections in a long, long time.

Electronic ballots CAN NOT be protected from corruption. We need to go back to paper ballots where each one must be hand counted with several observers.

Don’t tell me it can’t be done, it can. As long as we allow elections to take place using electronic ballot machines, you can NEVER be sure the results are accurate.

Rather than making elections more reliable, we have been fed a line of garbage that allows more corruption.

We have almost made it to five years in publication, but due to economic realities, I am not sure how much longer we will be able to continue. This paper was not set up as a profit center when we first started, we had a mission in mind and decided we would be different and keep our advertising as low as we could, just making the paper self sufficient. It has worked reasonably well up until now. But with economic pressures on advertisers and perhaps a little too much trust by myself, we find ourselves in somewhat dire straights. Rising printing costs and our low advertising rates, have led to hard times keeping up with the printing bills. However, we will do our best to keep afloat despite these pressures.

Continued on page 38

3

The Valley, June 2014

Second Annual Millheim Mayfly Festival June 6-7, 2014

Join the Millheim Business Community on June 6th & 7th, for the “Mayfly Festival,” a family-friendly weekend full of shopping, music, art, food and general merriment for local residents and visitors.

The “Mayfly Festival” is an event-filled weekend, celebrating summer in one of the most interesting small towns in Central Pennsylvania. In its second year, the “Mayfly Festival” returns with even more shopping, more live street music, and more children’s activities than before. This year, the festival will also highlight outdoor related activities such as fishing, archery, chainsaw carving and more, with demonstrations throughout town.

Shop Locally, Buy Unique Millheim is home to a delightful and lively set of independent, local retail shops and food and music venues. Be sure to visit Penns Valley Jewelers and Cottage Rose Gifts, ,Lizzie Belle’s, Angtiques in Hosterman & Stover’s Hardware and Variety Store, Millheim Small Engine, Good Scents, and Morning Glory Massage Therapy.

In nearby Rebersburg, Main Street Yarn and Forefathers Book Store are joining us with full days.

Many of these retailers will have special sales during the Mayfly Festival weekend.

The newly renovated Bremen Town Ballroom (formerly Brownie’s Tavern) will host a “food court,” with food from the Hummingbird Room, Sweet Creek Bakers and Ecovents. This year, on Saturday, the festival will extend to Muddy Paws March and the Millheim Farmers Market as well.

Music Galore, Art Happenings and Children’s Events.

Friday begins with a Plein Air Paintout sponsored by the Green Drake Gallery & Art Center. The Up Texas Chapel Choir will host a brief concert on the steps of the old Niemen’s Department Store from 6:00 – 6:30. At 7:00 p.m., the Green Drake will host a concert by Gnarled Knuckles, while the IngleBean hosts Acoustic Rumble with Chris Rattie and Ryan Alford on its back patio.

And then, from 8:00-10:00 Mike Swavely and the Chromagnatones will be holding forth at the Bre-

men Town Ballroom.

Saturday starts early: You can meet Andrea Ferich, Executive Director of the Penns Valley Conservation Association for a bird walk at Fountain Park on Main Street at 5:00 a.m! Then backtrack down Rt. 45, pick up a snack and watch Primitive Skills Demonstrations at the Millheim Farmers Market (open 10-1:00), and then head over to Muddy Paws Marsh in Penn Hall for the Frog Fest (10:30-12:30). Heading back towards Millheim, there will be Chainsaw Carving at MIllheim Small Engine between 10:00 and 1:00, Fishing Demos and a Casting Contest at Hostermen & Stovers between 10:00 and noon, as well as the Pinedell Farm Animals from 10-11:00. The Learning Garden at Millheim Farmer’s Market will be holding an Herb Walk at 10:00 and an Archery Demonstration at 11:00.

Meanwhile, there will also be many interesting events in downtown Millheim. The Plein Art Paintout continues much of the day – watch wonderful paintings take shape before your very eyes! All the artist’s works will be exhibited at the Green Drake between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m.

Morning Glory Massage is offering free chair massages and $5 coupons at the same time. Freeze Thaw Cycles is leading a 15 mile road ride, leaving from Fountain Park at 11:00. The Bremen Town Ballroom Food Court will be open from 11:00 to 4 p.m.

Saturday’s street music lineup includes Gene Gibson at the Green Drake at 11:00, Kai Schafft at 11:30,Centrallica at 1:00, the Strayers at 2 and CTR at 3. Closing out the day, Erin Condo and the Hoofties will be rockin’ the Elk Creek Café at 8pm.

Fountain Park’s gazebo will offer a variety of children’s activities between 11 and 4, including helping to create a new mural for downtown Millheim. In addition, there will be children’s music, a story time, and fun craft-making!

Locations for all of these events will be posted around town.

Support WSOV, “The Sounds of the Valleys” The Millheim Mayfly Festival and its many events are work-

ing this year to benefit WSOV, the low-power FM community radio station that is starting up in Millheim. From 2-4 on Saturday, WSOV will be conducting live interviews regarding Millheim in its heyday from a temporary studio set up in the window of the Penns Valley Veterinary Clinic. At 4:00, there will be a raffle drawing for a custom-built tube amp and handcrafted cigar box guitar, proceeds to benefit the radio station. The amp will be demonstrated in front of the Vet Clinic from 2;45-3:00, so make sure to stop by to hear it!

The Mayfly Festival is hosted by the Millheim Business Community (MBC), a non-profit organization that works to foster healthy economic and cultural development of Millheim and the Penns Valley region through community cooperation, entrepreneurial innovation, and local governance.

There is plenty of parking for this weekend. Please check the Facebook page, and our website for updates on the complete event schedule and the participating businesses. Schedules and maps will be posted around town.

Complete Event & Special Sale Schedule Friday Plein Air Paintout – all day Up Texas Chapel Choir – 6:006:30 Gnarled Knuckles – Green Drake7:00-8:00 Acoustic Rumble with Chris Rattie & Ryan Alford - IngleBean Back Patio – 7:00-8:00 Mike Swavely and the Chromagnatones- Bremen Town Ballroom - 8:00-10:00 Saturday Plein Air Paintout – until 4 p.m.

Bird Walk with PVCA’s Andrea Ferich – Meet at Fountain Park 5:00am Frog Fest - Muddy Paws Marsh, Spring Mills - 10:30am - 12:30pm Millheim Farmer’s Market – 162 West Main Street - 10:00am 1:00pm Fishing Demos and Casting Contest - Hosterman & Stover Hardware - 10am - 12pm Pinedell Farm Animals – Hosterman & Stover -10am - 11am Herb Walk- Learning Garden – 10am

The Truth Has No Agenda

Goose Day Photography Contest!

The Mifflin-Juniata Arts Council and the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau are launching a contest to encourage amateur photographers to capture the best of Mifflin and Juniata Counties.

“We have many beautiful photos of the Juniata River Valley in our archives that were taken by staff members,” explains Jenny Landis, Visitors Bureau Project Coordinator. “This contest will hopefully uncover new views and different ways to look at our surroundings.”

Eligible photographs must be taken between January 1, 2013 and August 1, 2014. Organizers feel that timeframe will provide a wide enough span of time to get all of the seasons represented. Photos will be classified into six categories including: Townscapes, Country Views, Water - be it river, pond, stream or creek, Woodlands, Flora & Fauna (flowers and animals). Faces and recognizable people may be in the photos but a completed release form (allowing JRVVB to publish the photograph) must accompany the contest entry. Forms will be made available by the JRVVB. All entries must be received by 5pm on Friday, August 1.

Three local judges with experience in photography, art and publishing will select the top three winners in each of six categories. Rosettes will be awarded for first, second and third places in each category. All entries will be on display at Gallery 3West on The Square in Downtown Lewistown for Goose Day weekend, September 27 & 28. Additional dates will be announced later. All entries will also be considered for use in marketing the Juniata River Valley to potential visitors world-wide. This marketing will include a video production for posting on YouTube. Individual credit will be given to all photographers where ever possible. Be assured that images will not be sold or reproduced for sale. The photographer will retain the copyright but will give the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau permission to use the image in all marketing materials as they see fit.

Photos are to be submitted in digital form only. Entries must conform to an 8” x 10” format and must be at least 300 dpi resolution. All entries will be printed and matted for display by the contest organizers. In order to cover this cost, there is a $5 entry fee for each photo. Contestants may pick up their photo after the exhibit is dismantled for no additional fee. To email your entry or for more information, contact jlandis@ juniatarivervalley.org or call 717-248-6713.

Contact: Jenny Landis 248-6713, jlandis@juniatarivervalley. org MJ Arts Council contact – Nathaniel Thierwechter, 994-4211, nthierwechter@yahoo.com

Archery Demo - Learning Garden – 11am Freeze Thaw Cycles - 15 mile Road Ride – Fountain Park 11am Chainsaw Carving - Millheim Small Engine – 10am - 1pm Primitive Skills Demo – Millheim Farmer’s Market – 11am - 1pm Interviews and Music with WSOV Penns Valley Radio – PV Vet Clinic – 2pm - 4pm Food Vendors - Bremen Town Ballroom – 11am - 4pm Craft Vendors – Main Street – 11am - 4pm Live Music on Main Street -

11:00am - 4:00pm Kids Activities and Entertainment - Fountain Park - 11:00am - 4:00pm Free Chair Massages and $5 Coupons – Morning Glory Massage – 11:00am – 4:00pm Plein Air Paintout Exhibit - Green Drake Gallery - 4:00pm - 8:00pm Erin Condo and the Hoofties - Elk Creek- 8:30pm Contact: Lisa Marshall lisa@smartworkco.com 814 404-5425 a

The Valley, June 2014

4

DIY EMP Protection

Over the last several weeks I’ve been inundated with questions concerning the possibility of an Electro-Magnetic Pulse (EMP) and the steps to take to protect your sensitive equipment from the subsequent damaging effects.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with an Electro-Magnetic Pulse, let me try to give you my best explanation. An EMP is basically a short burst of electromagnetic energy that could cause, at the least, radio interference and at the possible worst, destroy our electrical power-grid system and send society reeling back to the 1800’s in a second. There are many causes of EMPs including lightning, solar flares and static electricity, but the one that is most likely to happen and causes the most concern, would have to be the weaponized kind created by

detonating a nuclear device in the upper atmosphere. This high-altitude blast would have the potential in knocking out power to a large portion of the United States.

There are many reports detailing the possibility of such an attack from a rogue nation or terrorist network.

There is great potential for damage to electronics, but some experts argue that due to all the built-in electronic shielding (and contrary to popular belief) modern vehicles would still operate and that cell phones would still work, but both of those would be deemed useless if there is no electricity to operate the gas pumps and the likelihood of cell towers being destroyed is very high.

Disruptions in the supply lines and communications could have devastating results. It’s estimated

that millions would die within a year. I encourage you to do a little research into the potential effects an EMP could have, and prepare accordingly. I will recommend a novel that was recently lent to me by a friend titled One Second After, by William R. Forstchen. This fictional story gives you a very realistic glimpse at the aftermath of the devastating effects of an EMP.

Getting to the Do-It-Yourself part of my article, I want to suggest a way to protect your small electronics against the effects of an EMP. I’ve taken the initiative to put together what is called a Faraday Cage. A Faraday Cage is designed to reflect the electromagnetic waves and shield the contents from damage.

Any metal container can be used including metal trash cans, ammo boxes, and even old microwave ovens. A cardboard box tightly wrapped in multiple

layers of tinfoil could serve as a simple Faraday Cage. Also, the devices that are inside your container must be wrapped in a nonconductive material in order to prevent them from touching any metal part of the container.

My Faraday Cage was easily assembled using a surplus 40mm ammo can that measures approx 17 1/2” long x 10” high x 6” wide and multiple layers precut foam sheets as insulation. These sheets are regularly used as packing material.

“Fair & Balanced” means Spin gets Equal Time

I would recommend including some form of information gathering and communication as content in your Faraday Cage. This could include a small emergency radio, two-way handheld radios or a CB radio.

While I will admit that an EMP strike is low on my disaster scenario list, and I haven’t lost any sleep over it yet, this basic step has been taken.

Until next month, stay safe and prep on! a

5

The Valley, June 2014

Local Central PA Fiber Festival a Fine Fit for Fiber Fanatics!

Brenda and Eric Schenck are a lucky pair. On a recent, sunny Saturday in May, they stood in a large building at the Clinton County Fair Grounds, watching as groups of intent people circulated around the vendors who had gathered for the second year at the festival celebrating their shared passion.

“We both grew up on farms” Brenda explains” and we both wanted to farm. And then we fell in love with alpacas.”

And that, as they say, was that.

In 2008 they started Red Ghost Alpaca and found themselves looking for a way to market the annual clipping that their fluffy critters provided.

Last year’s first Central PA Fiber Festival was conceived as a way to market their products and to connect with like minded people. And, not incidentally, to give anyone with any interest whatsoever in fiber in any form a place to indulge their own passion

– be it knitting, spinning, crochet, weaving, or felting. If you’re looking to purchase top quality yarn or fleece and other creations of the human hand, from the folks who produce it, look no further than the Central PA Fiber Festival!

With more than thirty vendors, fiber demonstrations, free admission and parking this was the place to be in mid-May. Here are a few highlights of the weekend to whet your appetite and pique your interest for next year.

And remember, most of these folks – as well as the ones that we don’t have room to mention individually - have websites to check out, so get those fingers flying!

Of course, Pennsylvania fiber maven Phylleri Ball of Steam Valley Fiber Farm was there to share her knowledge and expertise.

Persimmon Tree Farm delighted everyone with a dropdead-gorgeous display of their mill-spun, hand-dyed yarn in all the colors of a Pennsylvania autumn. Seriously folks, it stopped me in my tracks! Check them out on face book to locate their next festival appearance.

The Appalachia Angora Rabbit Club made an appearance in the form of several large, excessively furry hopping critters (way too cute) and Julie’s Handspun Yarns from Mt. Vernon, Virginia was on hand to answer any questions.

Another find, enjoying their second year at the festival, were Pat and Elaine DiGirolamo of Falls Edge Farm & Mill out of Benton, PA. These folks offer it all – alpacas, breeding, adjusting (yes, I had to ask too; it means boarding in alpaca-speak), sales, consulting and –are you ready?- a FULL SERVICE FIBER MILL!!!

Processing all types of animal fiber from Alpaca to Yak! P. J. Jones of Jester Farm

The Truth Has No Agenda

in Bucks County brought a stunning collection of natural colored alpaca yarn. From very close to home were the tempting offerings from the alpacas – and people- of Broken Arrow Ventures of Mill Hall, Pennsylvania.

But fiber wasn’t the only feature of this festival, oh no. Julia Robinson of Justifiably Julia (“We see potential where you see an old sweater”), and Hearthwise – Tools for a Simpler Life, Charles P. Arnold were both making their second festival appearance.

Then there were wood workers: Charles Knarr, Sr. – “Fine woodturning gifts from wood” and Bob Whitesel from Craftsman of Wood Working. Offerings of jewelry were made by Quintessential Elements and Cate Tails Creations.

One of the most fascinating demonstrations were the circular sock knitting machines. A small group of ladies – one from as far a field as New Hampshire – were on hand to represent the dedicated folks worldwide who maintain the use of the hand cranked knitting machine that’s been around from the time of our Civil War. That’s right, thread in your yarn, turn the handle and voila’, there’s a sock.

Well, maybe not that easily, but

pretty close. We WILL be looking into this more closely, so stay tuned!

Next year’s festival looks to be even better, and will be moving to larger quarters at the Hughesville fairgrounds in Lycoming County. Co-founder Brenda Schenck says that they are open to new vendors and not just in the fiber line.

“We’re looking for more fro hand made quilts, to honeys and syrups; and anything else that people do by hand and that is farm related.”

So, if you are looking for a place to market the products from your flock or farm; if you have a passion for creating wearable or otherwise usable items from the absolute best in fiber products; if you’re just looking for an enjoyable and informative day out, then MAKE A NOTE to keep an eye out for the 2015 CENTRAL PA FIBER FESTIVAL!

For more information: Red Ghost Alpaca, LLC check them out on Facebook and also follow plans for next year on the Central Pa Fiber Festival website or contact Brenda directly at 207240-4269! a

The Valley, June 2014

6

Encouragement from the Book of Revelation

by Pastor J. C. Reese

Aesop’s fables were written centuries ago. If you have read any perhaps the story of the Tortoise and the Hare comes to mind where the lessons are slow and steady wins the race as the turtle was and don’t get overconfident as the rabbit did! Those fables are just as helpful today as they were when first written. Yet even more powerful are the lessons from the Bible for it is God’s very Word!! So let’s focus on just a few encouraging lessons from Revelation 11 where we see the “Two Witnesses”.

The chapter begins with John being given a reed or measuring stick and he is told, “…measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.”

Similar measurements were done in the Old Testament (Zech.2 & Ezek.40) where God is evaluating His people. In vs.2 we find a clue that he is told to not measure the outer court which was the Court of the Gentiles. This tells us that the seal judgments will

occur primarily outside of Israel and thus mostly globally, while these latter judgments will focus more locally upon Israel and it’s vicinity. We’re also informed the period of this judgment will be 42 months (3 ½ years) which is the time in Scripture known as the Great Tribulation (the last half of the seven year tribulation period).

John gives us this data just before he introduces us to the Two Witnesses. Why? Because God will use them to mete out justice upon the unbelieving in and around Israel. Given the news currently in the Middle East and the atrocities committed against folks (Lebanon, Sudan, Iraq, Iran, etc) even in the name of God there, they had better heed the warnings for God will make things right ! And we had better pray for them.

God will give these two men the ability to speak His Word boldly to any who will listen for these 3 ½ years as they speak of the doom ahead but also of the opportunity to avoid it by turning

Who’s Your Daddy?

Life is strange and much of it remains a mystery. However, our current culture sure seems to think their level of intelligence far surpasses any before us, and that we are the generation of progressive thinkers. But I find it odd that the ideas all of these “smart” people want to share with the world are things like global warming and evolution. They teach us things from the benefits of a one world government to the “freedom” to kill unwanted babies. They have even become so advanced and progressed so far in their “intelligence” that they have now redesigned family.

Does it matter if there is a male Daddy and a female Mommy to raise a family? Why should it, right? The progressive thinkers will assure you it doesn’t matter— it’s all the same as long as there is love. Families can look like anything now and it will all be good because we are doing it all in the name of “love.”

I John 4:16 says, “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides

in him.” If we are changing the design of all core things from throwing out creation and replacing it with “evolution” to what a family looks like and doing it in the name of “love” it’s a little odd, because that means we are doing it in the name of God since HE is love. But wait, isn’t he the one that created it the way… hmmm?

I know for progressive thinkers this doesn’t matter because there is no God in their world, but in the real world there is a God, an all powerful, all knowing, beyond our comprehension being, that controls all this. Things were designed to work a certain way for specific reasons, reasons that are actually quite beautiful if you are willing to look deeper at them. The differences in the design of a man and a woman are incredibly orchestrated to work together to make something beautiful when united. This is not something that could have evolved, it was designed that way.

to the Lord. The same opportunity that believers have today! They are also called “two olive trees and the two candlesticks” in verse 4 meaning their witness is bright.

Olive oil (symbolic of the Holy Spirit) was used in the temple to enlighten it through those huge candlesticks there. God will also give them power to destroy those seeking their hurt as they minister for Him as well as the ability to control the elements to perform their bidding for the Lord. All in all what we see encouraging is they will be agents of judgment to bring people to Christ just as God wants you to be His agent for judgment too: by sharing the good news of the gospel that though sin must be punished by a Holy God it has been paid for through Christ’s dying on the cross. Once a person sincerely admits he is a sinner and asks Christ to be his Savior heaven is assured and all our sin is forgiven by what was done at the cross ! We are often afraid to be a witness because we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to be our strength and ask for His help to speak this wonderful lifechanging message to folks. But try asking Him for help next time you have a chance to tell someone

this wonderful message and see what happens !

Next, verse seven says, “And when they have finished their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them. . . and kill them.” This shows us the Lord has complete control over even the most intense opposition we may face. How so, you may be thinking, the Anti-Christ kills them?! As with them, God’s children who serve Him may lose some battles but the war has already been won. Their bodies lay in the streets for three days as unbelievers party around their corpses but God will resurrect them thus stunning the world!

When Jesus preached His great Sermon on the Mount He encouraged us that when we are persecuted for His sake (whether its being a witness of the gospel, standing up for what’s right or others less fortunate) we are to rejoice and be exceeding glad or to “kick up the heels”. This doesn’t seem logical until you hear what He says next: “for great is your reward in heaven.” You may catch some flak for doing what’s right here, but rest assured these Two Witnesses encourage us to stay the course for God will pick you up in His time and way!

Finally, as God resurrects the Two Witnesses He then raises their now alive bodies up to heaven itself, and in full view of an unbelieving world: “And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies beheld them.” (vs.12). This Divine wonder reminds us that one day

church age believers will also rise to take on their new bodies at the rapture. Being up on the clouds in an airliner is pretty cool as you look down at terra firma and even clouds below you but this rising won’t cost you air fare nor mean you have to go through TSAYou’ll be free then to move about the universe !

As these men arise the watching world is stunned and John mentions they will then be “affrighted” and give “glory to the God of heaven.” You betcha ! Ironically, the idea of judgment here means to change one’s judgment or opinion so that he respects the Lord ! I don’t care what problems life brings you here, YOU have a glorious future if you have been truly saved.

And, you have an all-powerful God Who, if you let Him, can work wonders in your life so that others around you are awed by the change – you too can and will rise!! a

For more helpful messages from the Bible come check us out some Sunday at 10:45 a.m. at the “log cabin church” just ten minutes from State College and ten from Milroy !! We’re at 430 Mountainback Rd on Rt 322 in Potters Mills. We’re also on the internet at nittanybaptist.org

OBSERVATIONS . . . of an OLD MAN

We are living in divisive times, we are challenged daily to discern.

Do we understand the opposition’s perspectives?

POSITIVES Love Sharing/Caring Light Understanding Compassion Joy Good Trust

-

God is: Love, Caring, Sharing

NEGATIVES Hate Greed/Selfish Darkness Judgment Cruelty Sadness Evil Fear Evil is: Fear, Greed, Hate

Albert Einstein: “ Peace cannot be found or kept by Force. It can only be achieved by Understanding”

Continued on page 27

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Peter J. Moses

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The Valley, June 2014

Women’s Health & Fitness

Strength training is important for women who want to stay healthy and maintain their strength as they age. It doesn’t mean it will make you bulky and it doesn’t have to be hard.

Strength training, which is part of a Curves workout, will help you build strong bones, burn fat, and much more and it can be fun!

Learn more in the Curves article below.

Lou Ann Yoder, Owner Curves of Lewistown/Burnham 101 South Logan Blvd., Burnaham, PA 17009 (717) 953-9101

weight. But a lot of women steer clear of strength training. It’s a scary thought. Heavy weights, lots of men, awkward exercises, and bulkiness are some phrases that pop up the minute strength training is uttered. I’m here to tell you, strength training doesn’t

Strength Matters

A complete exercise program includes both cardiovascular exercise or aerobic activity and strength training. Both are important to help us stay healthy and get to or maintain our goal

have to be like that – it’s not for men only, you don’t have to lift a super human amount to weight to see benefit, it can actually be really easy, and you won’t become bulky! I’m also here to tell you that strength really does matter, and strength training or resistance training is how we improve our strength. Ladies, if you’re mainly doing cardio exercises like walking, running and swimming, you’re missing out on a very important component of overall fitness – strength training. Why does it matter so much? Well, I’ll tell you why: - Would you

Elohi “of the earth” from front page elbows, knees, etc) will absorb more, therefore, those areas will be treated with a 100% natural blend of butters and oils to keep those areas from getting too dark.

The initial application tanning massage crème: Elohi Pro is then applied as you receive a relaxing full body massage! Don’t worry, you can hold that glow by purchasing our tanning extender crème, Elohi Glow. Elohi Glow is a take home moisturizing crème that has a lower concentration of the tanners than the Elohi Pro. Use this every two or three days to keep your tan.

The only thing that was missing was the name: a very important component! The word Elohi is Cherokee meaning “of the earth” it is pronounced AY-LOWHEE. I love the Native American heritage. I have Native American in my lineage. The Native Americans have beautiful skin tone and are known for respecting and loving all things natural. For me, I also like the fact that in Hebrew Elohi means “my God,” (but is pronounced EE-LOW-HI).

People are grateful that they can get an awesome color from a natural crème AND receive a relaxing full body massage at the same time. The sun is a wonderful thing: but too much can be very damaging. Just a few short weeks ago, on May 6, 2014

Pennsylvania’s new law prohibits teens ages 16 and younger from using indoor tanning facilities and a 17-year-old must have parental consent. The Center for Disease Control and prevention said statistics reveal there are 419,000 new cases of skin cancer each year; Elohi is a safe alternative.

The name and logo are trademarked and the process is patent pending. I am super excited about what the future may hold for Elohi! Currently, I am working on marketing and building a team of Licensed Massage Therapists to provide the Elohi treatment to their clients.

You may purchase the Elohi Glow at Shade Mountain Naturals, or through any of the Massage Therapists whom are providing the Elohi Treatment. They are listed to the right.

Tamela Hetrick, LMT and Dana Varner, LMT at Shade Mountain R&R, Lewistown www.shade-mountain.com or 717-248-8847 Amber Goss, LMT at Bella Vista Massage and Spa, Milroy www.ambergoss.massagetherapy.com: 717-250-1501 Nikki Kline, LMT at Klingensmith Massage Clinic, Yeagertown 717-250-0330 Simply Health Salt Cave, State College simplyhealth-calm.com 814- 954-7731 Kelly Hoffman, LMT at Bernard’s Day Spa & Salon Litiz, PA a

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like to more easily play with your kids and grandkids? Do you wish all those groceries felt a little lighter? With consistent strength training, you’ll build more lean muscle and strengthen those muscles. Over time, you’ll improve your strength and be able to lift those kids or grandkids high in the air and carrying in the groceries won’t seem like much of a chore anymore. Increasing our strength just makes all of our daily activities easier.

- Build strong bones.

Strength training is a form of exercise that will place stress on your bones. Not in a negative way! It’s considered weight bearing exercise and will help increase bone density. This will reduce your risk for Osteoporosis.

- Rev up metabolism and burn body fat. Muscle is the engine to our metabolism. As we build more lean muscle, we improve our body’s metabolism which means our body becomes a fat burning machine! As we improve our metabolism, we improve our body’s ability to burn

calories, even while we are resting.

These are just a few benefits that I know you do not want to miss, right?

The beauty of the Curves workout is it combines both components of a complete program – cardio exercise and strength training – all in just 30 minutes.

The Curves Strength Machines use hydraulic resistance which is similar to water resistance. The faster you move the machine, the more resistance you’ll feel. So, there are no free weights to pick up and put down, and no need to guess how much weight you’re supposed to lift. Along with all the other benefits listed above, strength training will give you a more lean and toned appearance.

Contrary to popular belief, you will not bulk up and look like Arnold. So you really have no excuse to skip your strength training!

“Reprinted with permission from MyCurves magazine. For a free monthly subscription, go to www. curves.com/mycurves.” a

The Valley, June 2014

8

FORD - Found On Road Dead

Well here it is, one of THE most gorgeous weekends of the spring so far, and Wayne and I have been spending it indoors working on the newspaper. So my goal is to wrap this article up so that I can get outside and enjoy some sunshine while puttering around in the flowerbeds a bit!

Wayne’s goal is to remain stationary and nurse his aching back. It’s been a tough couple of months in our household. I’ve been battling frequent headaches and Wayne’s been battling back pain. I’ve never had back pain, but I’ve heard that it’s one of those things that just wears you down after a while. Wayne is at this “low” point now as he’s feeling like he can’t do the things he wants to do so his spirits are shot.

Take a very active man, and keep him down for a week or more and you’ve got a miserable attitude.

My headaches have finally subsided and you have no idea how thankful I am for that! I guess severe headaches are similar to back pain, because I was pretty low too a few weeks ago when I was getting two or three a week, some that would last a few days.

I’m sure you’ve all heard the

saying that “if you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything,” well we are certainly feeling that way lately.

Enough gloom and doom, let’s get down to business. In the midst of all this health angst, I decided it was time for a new car. I had a 2003 Jeep Liberty with 167,000 miles on it and I was feeling like it was time to trade in for something a little newer with less miles since I rely on my car to make a 64 mile roundtrip to work each weekday.

I’ve never spent so much time researching and test driving different used vehicles. I was pretty sure I wanted one of the “American” cars (Ford, Chevy, Dodge, etc.) even though many of them aren’t assembled in America anymore! But, I decided to keep an open mind and even test drove a Nissan. I wanted something slightly bigger than my Jeep Liberty, 4WD, with at least the features that my Liberty had, no black exterior or interior, fairly low to mid-range mileage, and getting the same or better gas mileage as the Liberty. Who would have known this was such a tall order to fill? I found my main dilemma to be gas mileage.

I agonized over this decision. The stickers said one thing, people I talked to said another and users on the internet at places like www.Fuelly. com said yet another.

Who to believe? I really wanted another Jeep, but I’d heard rumors that the newer Jeeps took a hit in gas mileage because they are a little heavier than the Liberty with a 6 cyl engine. Just when I thought I had found the perfect vehicle (a V8 Jeep that was in excellent shape and the only compromise was a dark gray and black interior), I found out it was already sold. Darn! I think at this point, I had decided V8, and had narrowed my choices down to a Ford Explorer or a Jeep Grand Cherokee, so I started doing internet searches using Cars.com. A couple great possibilities popped up, some being more than I wanted to spend, however. But, if it was the perfect vehicle, maybe I’d dig deeper into my pocket.

I found a REALLY nice 2008, V8 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer in Manheim, PA while surfing one Saturday afternoon, and on a whim, I decided to make the hour and forty minute drive to see if it was as nice as the internet had portrayed it.

The dealership was very accommodating, as they stayed about an hour later than they were normally open to accommodate me arriving because of driving through terrible thunderstorms on my way there. They had even pulled it into the garage and washed and dried it all off for me to get a good look. I took it for a

test drive and decided it was decision time. I put a deposit down and vowed to go back a few days later to take ownership.

I grew sad on the way home thinking of giving up my Liberty that had been so good to me (except over the last year when many parts just started to wear out). I was also going to be sad to give up the manual transmission (yes, I really like to shift), but newer would be better...I hoped.

Being a “Ford” guy, Wayne was cautiously optimistic that we’d soon be a “two Ford” family. What made this decision even more difficult for me was that my family has always owned Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge products, so I was going out on a limb and forfeiting the family inheritance to my brother. (ha ha!)

Oh well, money isn’t everything, I just hope my Dad still loves me. :-) So, I’ve now owned the Explorer for less than a month and here are my reactions so far.

1) It’s a smooth ride and I don’t miss the shifting “too” much.

2) I’ve discovered things I didn’t

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even know the vehicle had when I bought it because I never did see a feature list. I’ve got an engine block heater and remote start. Woo! (Hope I don’t need that engine block heater though.)

I’ve also got automatic headlights and a heated windshield. I also discovered it’s got a 6 CD player

(I know,I know, who owns CDs anymore--me, that’s who!). It also connects via bluetooth to my phone so I can make calls without having to even touch my phone.

It responds to voice commands too. Neat! And, I was told it didn’t have back up assist, but it does!

3) The power seats seem to have a mind of their own. I still haven’t figured this feature out.

Any help here? My remote has a 1 and 2 on it, which I thought was for the seats, but upon reading the remote manual, it doesn’t indicate that. Sometimes my seat will move into the position I want it to when I get in, sometimes it will move up and then move back again? What?! If my keys get jingled around in the ignition, my seat will sometimes move back on its own like it does when I’m ready to exit the vehicle. I’ve gotta figure this one out.

4) Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) are a nuisance.

Why do we need these? What happened to just using a tire pres-

continued on page 20

The Valley, June 2014

School is almost out! Summer is finally here, that means more time to spend with your bunnies... Right?

I realize that you might have big plans for this summer—going to the beach, summer camp, hanging with friends—I mean gosh, your summer is packed! But just because you are getting busy with your summer plans, does not mean you can just push your rabbits to the back burner. You can not just go to the beach for a week, and leave your bunny to fend for itself. Rabbits need just as much, if not more, care in the summer as they do in the winter.

In the summer, rabbits need ways to keep cool, like frozen water bottles, fans, and shade, or your bunny has a low chance of making it through the summer, without getting heat stroke.

I am not by any means saying you have to stay home all summer, to take care of your pet, but I AM saying that it is necessary to have someone lined up to care for your bunny when you are out of town. This person should be knowledgeable about rabbits, and should get to know your bunnies before you leave town, so they can tell if the rabbit is not acting like itself, and also so the rabbits can get used to a new person taking care of them.

This person should be able to check on the rabbits 3-4 times a day, since in the summer heat, it does not take long for a perfectly normal rabbit to become very sick. They need to be sure to change out frozen water bottles, and make sure that the rabbits always have nice fresh, cold water available to them.

Be sure to leave the pet sitter with a list of phone numbers, including yours, other family members traveling with you (In case your phone is dead, or left somewhere), and your vet. I always tell the pet sitter to call me first, unless they feel that the situation is life or death, because often I can give them a solution to the issue, without stressing the rabbit out over a unnecessary vet visit.

Even if you are just going to your friend’ house for the day, or for a sleepover, you still need to have someone check on your rabbits. This can be your parents, or a friend across the street. Be sure to have a phone that they can reach you on in case there is something wrong with them. Make sure that they have access to a stock pile of frozen water bottles to change out when needed.

If you are leaving town for a long period of time, I suggest you find someone willing to bring the rabbits to their house while you are gone. This will give everyone a better sense of protection for the rabbits, and let you enjoy your vacation without calling your pet sitter daily about how your pet is doing. (Don’t feel bad, I do it to.)

I like to have my pet sitter send me a quick text every night, on my rabbits condition, just to give me peace of mind.

All in all, Have a great summer vacation with your bunnies, whether you will be spending it going to rabbit shows all summer (like me), or just chilling with some friends. Whatever your plans are, keep your furry friends in mind, and have fun! a

The Truth Has No Agenda

9

The Valley, June 2014

10

Ivermectin Warning

Imagine spending a sunny afternoon at the barn with your horse and your canine sidekick.

You have just enjoyed another springtime day in the saddle, and gotten some daily chores done including deworming your horses.

Feeling relaxed and accomplished, you head in for the evening then suddenly notice your dog has lost his vision and has become disoriented. Realizing what could have caused this quick onset of blindness in your pet, could make a huge difference in his recovery. I have heard this scenario of sudden blindness in dogs more than once while working at East Gate Feed.

Many horse owners have

dogs, but few are aware of the dangers when it comes time to deworm the horses. Ivermectin can be very dangerous to certain breeds of dogs. Ivermectin kills parasites by causing neurological damage to the parasite, resulting in paralysis and death of the parasite. Some dogs are extremely sensitive to the medication and have an irregularity that allows the Ivermectin to pass into the dog’s central nervous system, which can be lethal.

Ivermectin is a commonly used medication to eliminate parasites in many species of animals. In dogs, the medication is prescribed as a heartworm preventative or treatment; treatment for sarcoptic and demodectic mange and ear mites; and

for other rare internal parasites.

When used at the right dose in most dogs, Ivermectin is usually a safe product. However, when misused or in cases of accidental overdose, or in certain dogs with a genetic mutation; Ivermectin toxicosis can be fatal.

Several dog breeds that are likely to have sensitivity to Ivermectin include: Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Collies, English Shepherds, German Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, Shetland Sheepdogs, Whippets, and mixed breeds known to have crosses in any of these breeds. If you do not own one of these breeds, but think your dog may have sensitivity to Ivermectin, consult your veterinarian.

Most dogs need to be exposed to more than 2000ug/kg of Ivermectin before having symptoms of overdose. There are dogs that carry a genetic mutation called ABCB1 (or MDR1) that make them extremely sensitive to Ivermectin and other medications including Moxidectin (such as

Quest dewormer), Lopermide (such as Anti-Diarrheal or Imodium), Mibemycin (such as Safeheart), and some types of Chemotherapies. The potential toxic dose of Ivermectin in ABCB1 positive dogs can be as low as 100ug/kg.

Symptoms of Ivermectin toxicity in dogs include dilated pupils, blindness, excessive drooling, vomiting, muscle tremors, staggering, mentally dull progressing into a coma, and seizures.

Many people do not realize that deworming with Ivermectin can even be dangerous to dogs that eat horse manure. If you have a dog that possibly has the ABCB1 mutation, or to be safe, keep all dogs away from all manure for 48 hours after deworming your horse.

It is not known for sure how much drug could be in the manure, but this is a good precaution to avoid any health issue with your dog.

Dispose of any paste tubes immediately and clean up any paste that your horse may have coughed up or spit out.

If a dog is topically exposed to Ivermectin, it should be washed immediately with a mild shampoo or dishwashing detergent and rinsed thoroughly with cool water. For oral exposure to toxic amounts of Ivermectin, induce vomiting before it can be ab-

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sorbed into the bloodstream. This is usually within the first 4 hours.

Up to 36 hours after ingestion, repeatedly administer activated charcoal paste as an adsorbent or detoxification therapy to help eliminate the drug from the body.

With any case of suspected Ivermectin poisoning, it is best to receive immediate veterinary care. Most dogs will recover from Ivermectin poisioning. However, it can take weeks for full recovery, and in many cases, may require aggressive and long term treatment.

It is important to make people aware of the dangers and how you can keep your pet from harm and still keep your horse parasite free. a

Enjoy time at the barn with your equine and canine companions.

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The Valley, June 2014

Hillside Orchard News and Comments

by Iddo M. Hostetler Ein grus zu alle thal laser: hello to all The Valley readers from Hill Side Orchard, where the bunny hops, the corn pops, and the trees have tops. ‘Tis a farmer’s life out working the ground with a hat that is torn, pants that are worn, in the field planting his corn, soon tiny plants are born.

Next he has to cut the thistles and thorns, he also needs to fix the fence cause it’s torn, so he doesn’t have to hear the vehicle’s horn, while he’s putting up with the bluejay’s scorn, that is the farmer’s norm.

With the summer season steaming ahead at full speed, one could push writing aside with the busy hustle and bustle before us, but we need to remember if there were no writers, there would be no reading. I would say writing is the second most important way to communicate, coming in slightly behind talking.

Now that we are discussing communication, I would like to encourage everyone to communicate with their food producers. I am a strong supporter of buy local and eat local to help the local economy. Fortunately, we live in an area that has a fair amount of farmers, both organic and conventional, where you can find about anything that grows in Pennsylvania. Farmers Markets are also becoming more popular in the urban areas. I think the “buy local eat local” trend is started, let’s help keep it going and speed it up some if possible. To this day, I never bought anything at Wal-Mart, not that I have anything against them, it’s just that I don’t like to shop in stores that are so big that you get lost in them.

One local place I will mention is Fisher’s Farm Market between Lewistown and McClure along route 522. Mrs. Fisher is wheelchair bound and is managing the place on her own since the passing of her husband nearly two years ago, so stop in and check it out. The place isn’t very big, but the quality and selection are.

You’ll find anything from local meats to baked goods to most things grown in PA. Check it out, you’ll be surprised how much you’ll feel at home there.

Another reason to buy local is food safety. Of all the food contaminations that have happened the last ten years, how many

happened locally or on small family farms? The rule of thumb at our farm is if we don’t want to eat it, we won’t sell it. That is except for frog legs, of course.

So why mention frog legs? Well, my inlaws have a pond and there seem to be hundreds of bull frogs there. Several years ago our nonAmish neighbor brought his son and grandson to gig bull frogs, so I went out to help and they kept telling me how delicious they are.

Finally they convinced me to try them. So I took one, cleaned it, and put the legs in a skillet and watched them curl around till I

thought that they should be ready.

So I tasted them and decided to throw them out to the dog. The dog came running, sniffed them and walked away with a disappointed look. Uh huh I thought, at least I am as smart as a dog this time, except I tasted them, he only sniffed them.

So that is one exception. If you ask for frog legs, I might get them for you if I have time, but I won’t eat them.

With the cherries falling victim to frost, there won’t be many cherries at our farm; however, peaches are looking good so far.

Clingstones usually start at the beginning of July and Freestones usually come in around August 1st. So if you are hungry for local fresh peaches, stop by in peach season, our address is 11646 Stage Road, McClure PA 17841.

Thought: Some people are

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like honeybees, they work hard and produce real sweetness.

Auf Wiedersehen. a

The Valley, June 2014

12

The Affair:

Don’t take it personally It is NOT about YOU

One of my core teachings is that no matter what someone does or doesn’t do, it’s never personal.

When a person yells, manipulates you, talks down to you, is rude, unfriendly, unkind or even if they are sweet to you, it always has to do with them. It has nothing to do with you. It is their behavior. It comes from their minds and their hearts. If it is unkind, it comes from their wounds. If it is kind, it comes from their hearts.

When my clients choose to grasp this concept, their lives positively change. The result is a more relaxing, joyful, and peaceful life.

It’s especially challenging to

apply this concept when a person feels betrayed by their spouse or boy/girlfriend. It feels awful when you are married to, living with, or in a serious relationship with a person who has an affair with another. Your trust is shattered, destroyed. Your idea of what you thought you had with that person is torn to pieces. It feels like a cyclone came through and put your life in shambles.

Remember: It is not personal.

If he (or she) chose to be with another woman or man, it had nothing to do with you. It is all about your partner – something he or she needed, wanted, desired, and acted upon.

An Unhealthy Reaction

You may choose not to continue a relationship with that person. It is certainly acceptable to be mad and feel all those horrible hateful feelings right after the discovery. But don’t wallow. I see men and woman ruining their lives by staying hateful and angry.

Embracing that anger for years will only magnify the betrayal and

keep the wound fresh.

I often hear women declare that they “don’t trust men.”

When I ask why, their answer is

that they’ve been “cheated” on. That word alone makes you feel awful about yourself. With venomous anger in their voices, they tell me the whole story. I can feel the hate pouring from their hearts.

At first, being honestly angry and embracing all of your feelings is normal and healthy. Staying angry is not. You become stuck in dark, negative energy.

A More Healthy Response

After you take the time to process all of your feelings, think this instead, “He chose to be with another woman and didn’t choose to tell me. It hurt me to the core and made me terribly sad. At times he lied to me. I don’t feel I can trust him anymore.

He may not be the type of man I want to be with.

I know it’s not personal, it’s about him. But it is not okay with me. He has some things to work out from his past.

I’m moving on.”

With this reaction, you are

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free to cultivate a relationship with a new person – one who has already worked through issues that cause others to look for satisfaction outside a relationship.

A Freeing Choice

What if your “partner” apologizes and wants to stay in the marriage of relationship? You decide.

If you think the relationship is worth saving, the person who betrayed you will have to do a lot of work to regain your trust. And you will have to forgive that person. It is much easier to forgive someone if you don’t take the affair personally. With a healthy attitude, it is more possible forgive.

Forgiving is not about condoning the behavior, it is “for giving love to yourself and someone else.” If you truly love this person and are open to accepting that their behavior had nothing to do with you – that he or she was trying to heal an old wound or learn something about themselves – the next best step is for you to forgive. You’ll be healing your anger and freeing yourself for a fresh start, with or without that person.

How Not To Feel Betrayed This path is not easy. The

Continued on page 14

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The Valley, June 2014

Understanding the Constitution

by David Molek

We The People - Still?

The stirring words of our Constitution proclaim that it is the work of “We the People”. In this American republic, we wonder today what is the role of the people?

Contrary to what our President thinks, our country is exceptional because of its universal founding principles. At the very heart of these principles is the belief that people are free by nature and possess inherent rights.

The self-evident truths of our Declaration of Independence aren’t as widely thought to be self-evident as they once were.

Our President seems to have transformed them beyond recognition. No one needs to give us our core rights. We possess them simply by virtue of being human.

Criminals may violate them, governments may fail to secure them, but we are all morally entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Since we already possess our rights simply by virtue of being human, then the task of government is not to give us rights but to secure these rights. However, our federal government, limited

by our Constitution to certain core functions, now dominates virtually every area of our lives. Its authority is all but unquestioned by liberals, progressives and the “takers”. We need to keep resisting.

Liberty-loving, God-fearing Americans are losing. Reversing the Obama trends toward tyranny and moral chaos is not going to occur overnight. We need people to stay the course and stand on our principles of constitutionally limited government, self-government, liberty and God’s ways.

Obama and the progressives are robbing us of our American birthright. There is growing authoritarian and totalitarian mindset within the Democratic party. The actual rule of law remains in jeopardy.

The farther away from traditional values our country moves, the weaker our society becomes.

We have a President and Attorney General who pick and choose what laws they want to defend.

Their constitutional oath when they were sworn in said they would defend all laws. What if I

as the District Attorney decided not to enforce all laws and started to pick and choose. I know I would select income and other taxes not to enforce. But that’s not the way things are supposed to be. I take my oath seriously.

We have a President who actually lies to us and deceives us in many ways. I recognize from history and military training, the goals of command, control and confiscation of the Obama “regime’s” progressive agenda.

Our over-extended, over-regulating, nearly unlimited federal government invariably weakens and even impoverishes us in both body and spirit. Our families, our friends, our churches and our small communities strengthen and enrich our lives.

Many of us still believe America is an exceptional nation.

We are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Individual rights and limited government have guided us for over 250 years.

Political power is supposed to ultimately rest with the people.

The Truth Has No Agenda

How do you feel about that today?

We the People are sovereign.

Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious people. Look where the current administration has been “leading” or forcing us in the last five years. How much more can we take?

No piece of paper ensures liberty. Just look at the Obama “regime”, activist judges and progressive socialism has been doing to our Constitution. Our form of republican government requires not merely the consent of the governed but the ability of the people to govern themselves.

Freedom, however, is not guaranteed. As Ronald Reagan said, freedom is never more than one generation from extinction. It is a duty of We the People to pass the torch of freedom to the next generation. Right now, we are not able to do that. It is critical that we read, understand and study our Constitution so that we can defend what we have achieved under it.

What has been achieved is a government of, by and for the people.

When government takes more than we have given it, the independent spirit of the people is sapped. Unlimited government is tyrannical. The federal government is not supposed to be the most important institution in America.. We need to resurrect

informed patriotism.

In 1820, Thomas Jefferson said, “When all government… shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided…and it will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated”. Big government does not see us as self-reliant individuals who provide for ourselves and help others; it sees subjects whom it must tax and on whom it must spend to keep their favor.

Many people suffer from historical amnesia. We forget, or never knew, the real history of liberalism and progressive ideas and evolution. We live in an age of falsity. Words have lost their meanings. We have a leader who does not govern. He is still campaigning. We have just the opposite of transparency.

We have doublespeak, lack of responsibility or accountability, and no absolute standards. We have, “what difference does it make?.

The Founders’ tyranny arose under an unjust king. Our tyranny today derives from a centralized, powerful , national government that intrudes into most aspects of our lives and prevents us from freely exercising our right to selfgovernment. Our founding documents are today honored more in the breach than in the observance.

The American people need to make the right decision. We need to reject the unlimited administrative state of the last five years.

We need to pursue the course, the rule of law and constitutional government in an effort to restore liberty and renew our bedrock principles. We need to be We the People again. a

The Valley, June 2014

14 Poor Wills Valley Almanack from page 19 new today. Many people plant turnips and beets for fall harvest as well as for fall grazing under this moon.

June 28: Summer blueberries are being picked along the Great Lakes, and cornfields start tasseling in the nation’s midsection.

Cottony maple scale eggs hatch on the silver maples almost everywhere.

June 29: Ramadan begins. Now is the time to advertise your farm to the Halal market in preparation for the close of Ramadan on July 28.

June 30: The upcoming Dog Days can make your goats chew excessively on wood, or even lick dirt. Both of those activities could signal hot weather salt deprivation. Increase the availability of loose salt to your animals as the heat increases.

Almanack Classics The Wise Sheriff

by Switzerland County’s Namoi Bliss

When I was growing up, our family lived two blocks from the town square in Scottsburg, Indiana. In the center of the square were the county courthouse, two outhouses, and a coal shed.

Large maple trees were abundantly scattered throughout the rest of the square.

Most of the small town’s business establishments were houses facing the square, with a few places angling off. The post office was on one of those off streets. It was a small solid building, and the center of activity several times a day when the Pennsylvania railroad train brought the in the mail.

One night long after midnight, Mama came to my bed and shook me awake. She whispered: “There’s a fire. Let’s go.” It was Mama’s habit to go to all the fires.

I usually tagged along.

I quickly dressed and joined her on the front porch.

The sky was red, and we could hear the hooves of many horses.

We walked quietly towards the square.

Suddenly in front of us a horse appeared. On his back was a man holding a long gun. Mama pulled me to her, and we stood silently until he was gone. Then

we darted across the road into the courthouse yard.

There in the darkness, we were soon aware that we were not alone. As our eyes adjusted to the darkness, we could see that several people were crouched behind the maple trees. Without a sound, we found a hiding place, for we know something bad was afoot, and that we must not be detected.

As we hid there, we could see horsemen riding around the square. We could hear the roar of fire and see the flames and sparks.

Then there was a giant explosion.

We shivered, and I began to cry.

With Mama’s arms around me, we remained by the tree, too afraid to venture out.

Finally, the horsemen, perhaps as many as 50 riders, gave a great whoop and galloped away.

As the town grew quiet, first one and then another person moved out from among the trees. No one knew just what had happened, but before long, the streets around the town were full of people and lights.

And then we knew. A band of robbers had entered town, set fire to buildings adjoining the post office. Then they broke into the office, blew up the safe, and made off with the money. The sheriff formed a posse to ride after the robbers. But as I recall, they were never caught. I heard Mama say later that she didn’t think the Sherriff much wanted to catch up with the robbers.

He was one of our friends hiding behind a tree in the courthouse yard! *** Any season is right for memory stories. Send yours to Poor Will, P.O. Box 431, Yellow Springs, OH 45387. Three dollars will be paid to any author whose story appears in this column. *** Poor Will’s Sckrambler Only one person solved the April and May Sckramblers. But a prize was promised to the the 4th , the 12th, the 20th, the 40th or 99th person to return your correct Sckrambler solutions by my deadline.

That means if you go back and find your April The Valley, you have a 25% chance of winning.

And, for June, if you are the 4th , the 12th, the 20th, the 40th or 99th person to return your correct Sckrambler solutions by my deadline, you will win $5.00. 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.

AAEIBLM

BLEENA

ROCPURELBIT

ELBARAPERIR LILELBGU

OAELBD

EAEALBRB

BAYLAEL

IRIVECOBLEL

EEEEALRDMB EZGAINO

ARELEZI

ZIEHTPASMY

MEPAHSIZE

PYHTONEIZ

ZEOAIERRGN

EZIGOLOPA

MONRAHZIE

IZETRAPNO

ZOCONIME UEOASJL

RAMEVLSUO

LOLUSCA

OOOIUBNXS

SURIOUC

OSUVENI

SOULARHI

XOSIPNA

NOPSNATESUO

SVBUOIO

Listen to Poor Will’s radio almanack on podcast any time at www.wyso.org.

Copyright 2014, W. L. Felker a

Next Issue Of The Valley July 2nd

Protect Your Well Water Well Workshop Bryan Swistock, Water Resources Specialist with Penn State Extension, will conduct a water well wellness workshop on June 10 and 11, 2014. The workshop starts at 6 PM on both days. The workshop will be held at the Potter Township Building, 124 Short Road, Spring Mills, PA. “Over 3 million Pennsylvanians own private water wells. Managing private well systems is entirely the homeowner’s responsibility.” writes Mr. Swistock, co-author of the booklet, A Guide to Private Water Systems in Pennsylvania. Todd Giddings, operator of his PA-state certified water testing lab and Professional Geologist, will discuss the implications of major construction projects on water well integrity.

This workshop describes quality water. Improving the health and aesthetic quality of water are covered. Well owners will get an overview of how to protect his or her well. This workshop is especially relevant for well owners living within one mile of the Potters Mills Gap construction project.

The workshop is free and open to all, but registration is required. Free, basic water well quality testing is available to the first 25 registrants at each session. Make your reservation today by calling Mary Carol Frier at 814 364 2847 or emailing her at marycarolfrier@gmail.com.

The Affair: It is NOT about YOU from page 12 right thing to do rarely is. It’s much easier to wonder: what does the other lover look like, what made your partner risk the special relationship you thought the two of you shared? An unsettled mind swirls with dozens of questions and causes.

Try not to go there. It is not relevant! Your partner chose another for his or her own reasons – nothing to do with you or the new bed-mate. Trying to understand “WHY” doesn’t help. You will only become mired in a very negative energy field.

The key to the freedom from feeling devastated, betrayed, cheated on, or rejected is: Don’t take it personally. You may have been a couple, but you are each individuals.

Most importantly, BE TRUE TO YOURSELF AND LOVE YOURSELF. He made his decision. Now it is time to make yours. What decision would be a healthy choice for you?

To find your truth, move into your heart. Get out of your head.

Do not listen to your ego or your critical voice. Those will make so much negative noise that you

“Fair & Balanced” means Spin gets Equal Time

won’t be able to listen to your heart. What does your heart want to say and do?

If something like this happened years ago, and you are still angry or bitter, is there a way to finally let it go? Don’t let this “betrayal” keep you from nurturing another relationship. You were not rejected. It was your old partner’s choice. Release yourself by letting go.

Nothing is more unattractive than a bitter, resentful woman or man. It keeps you from opening up to new love. Not all partners will be unfaithful. It’s time to move on – to take a risk and go for love.

How will you feel if you choose to let go? If you choose to love again? If you choose to be free from your negative, critical mind? And choose to allow glorious love into your beautiful heart and life?

Imagine the possibilities.

Does your life feel shaken up by a recent infidelity by yourself or your partner? It may be time to take action. Let me help you carve the path to a renewed loving future. Call me (814-7770410) for information and setting up a free consultation. a

15

The Valley, June 2014

Camping Season Is Here

Boy I can smell the campfires now! Besides October when the foliage is at its peak and the bucks are looking for that special doe as I sit in my tree stand, camping season is my favorite time of the year.

I have hundreds of thousands of memories of my family and friends sitting around the perfect campfire roasting marshmallows for s’mores, making mountain pies and telling stories to try to embarrass your best buddy. As a matter of fact, the first meal my

wife ever made me was a mountain pie. She burnt the living tar out of it, but I still ate it and did not complain one bit! I can’t wait to strike the first match. I think the best part about that camp fire is making an awesome bed of coals so we can fire up the cast iron mountain pie makers. There are so many flavors of mountain pies I don’t know which one I would say is my favorite. You’ve got your traditional pie filling like apple, cherry, and blueberry. And then of course, the pizza, ham ‘n cheese and lebanon bologna.

But, we like to experiment with our mountain pies. For example, when you make your normal cherry pie, drop a few small pieces of a Hershey bar in it, so it turns out to be a chocolate covered cherry. How bout drizzling caramel A good heavy bed of coals is a must for the best sundae topping with campfire.

Plain Talk

Solar Explained

by Steven Yoder

Hello to all readers of The Valley. So I guess this is one time that I am writing my article in the daytime. As we all know, as of May 16th, 2014, Central PA is under flood warning. It looks like the town of Schrader has plenty of water this morning as well as all of Honey Creek Road.

Fisherman, are you ready, or waiting? I think I would be waiting.

So let’s talk some more about inverters and L.E.D. lights.

We have inverters available in 120/240, which will work in almost any application such as solar applications, service vehicles, mobile offices, boats, recreational vehicles, camping, telecommuni-

cations applications, field work construction sites, emergency back-up power, home electronics, cordless chargers, tools, appliances, and computers and printers, just to name a few.

No matter where you are, you can always have AC power in your choice of true sine or modified sine wave.

You can also get optional remote controls to turn your power on from convenient locations.

We also have optional automatic generator starters to start up your generator in stand-by systems where it is critical that your inverter stay on at all times.

These automatic generator starters will start the generator

your apple pie to make a caramel apple mountain pie. And here is my favorite—chocolate peanut butter marshmallow. You make this mountain pie by spreading the peanut butter on both pieces

one time and make Can’t get out to the woods? No worries, a fire pit in your backyard works just fine. a peep kabob. You cheese and spread on the inside, will definitely like those. now fill the center with the blue At Valley Sports N Outdoors berry filling. Let me tell ya what, we have an awesome selecyou can’t make those things fast tion of cast iron cookware. enough. We also have cook books We have pie irons, double at VSO as well. These books are pie irons, burger cookers, designed for campers to make skillets on a stick, bread cool dinners using a pie iron and a makers, waffle makers and bed of coals. Stop down at VSO dough boy makers. so you too can learn to experiment Speaking of dough boys. with your cast iron cookware. a Let me explain what one is in case you haven’t heard. Open a pack of buttermilk Everyone’s campfire favorite, s`mores! biscuits. Take one biscuit and form it of bread. Cut 2 marshmallows in over the maker. Make half and place the four pieces in sure the top is squeezed the center flat side down, add your together so it seals when Hershey bar and cook to a golden it bakes. Hold it over brown. Oh man am I hungry for the fire until it is golden one now. They are tremendous. brown from one end to

Another experiment that we the other. Once it’s done tried after the weather broke this cooking, slide the biscuit year was roasting our marshmaloff of the maker. It low Easter peeps. Amazing! The should look like a tube. sugar on the outside gets all caraMy favorite is bluebermelized and enhances the flavor. ry, so that’s what we’re A Mountain Pie maker is the first ingredient to I like to cook the whole row at gonna use. Take cream experimentation. without any effort on your part, which also features an automatic exercise mode to help keep maintenance to a minimum.

All of this can be programmed and more through your Magnum Remote. Stand alone generator starters that need no network are available with Magnum Remotes and Inverters.

Remember, we also sell L.E.D. bulbs. Let’s see what they can save you over typical C.F.L. bulbs, which by the way, contain mercury!

L.E.D.s are a “green” environmentally friendly product.

Their light has neither infrared radiation nor ultra violet rays, no stroboflash, can be started frequently, no heating, and they easy to be recycled. All of those features make it a genuine “green” product. Efficient energy conservation is attained because it is driven by low voltage with a low power loss and it’s rate of power conversion is above 98%. Under

The Truth Has No Agenda

the same conditions of luminosity, it can save 50 - 80% more energy than that of ordinary energy saving lights and, it has a long life span. It is also easy to install.

L.E.D.s have an Extra Long Life span of about 30,000 to 50,000 hours, which is 30 times as much as an ordinary C.F.L. L.E.D.s can

be used for about three years continuously. L.E.D. bulbs now come in many sizes and styles. There are also dimmers on select bulbs.

Have a blessed month of June and thank you for taking the time to read this article. Got to go!

See ya next month!

Steven M. Yoder Jr. a

The Valley, June 2014

16

Caving Mifflin County with Todd Karschner

Hello again everyone!

Ahhh! Warm weather, and summer is just around the corner.

Time to dig out the ol’ tent and get ready for camping, boating and, of course, caving.

This month I would like to cover an important subject that I kinda brushed over last spring.

Safety equipment.

It is not wise to go underground without a little bit of protection. I don’t think I have ever gone caving when I didn’t go home with a new scrape, bruise or minor cut. It’s just part of the thrill. But, there have been times when I would have had more serious injuries if it wasn’t for some inexpensive insurance.

The most important piece of safety gear is a helmet. There are helmets made for caving/climbing that are around $60.00 through Karst Sports. Be sure it fits your head the way it is designed and that it and the chin strap is ad-

justed properly. Always wear the chin strap while underground. Its not much help if your helmet slips off as you are falling!

The next important item is knee pads, especially in caves that require crawling. It will only take one time through a rocky crawl-

ing cave without knee pads to appreciate them. Avoid the bulky ones as they can get in your way in tighter spots.

Next are your feet. I prefer a lightweight hiking boot with ankle support, good tread, that are comfortable.

Low cut shoes tend to slip off while climbing around, especially when wet.

Next, lights and backup lights. You should wear your main one on your helmet so you have both of your hands free. Also, you should have at least three backups and batteries. If you are carrying a small pack or Don’t skimp on your helmet, it is one of the most waterproof bag, don’t important pieces of equipment you will own. put all of your backups

in the pack. Keep one or two in your pockets. That way if you loose your pack, you don’t loose all your spare light. I have two on my helmet, one in my pocket and a homemade wrist light.

You should wear gloves while caving to protect you AND the cave. Please avoid touching formations in caves Avoid bulky kneepads and opt for flexible, thin with your bare hands.

Oils from your skin can kneepads for ease of movement. stop their growth. way to never get permission again Some other items that you and possibly arrested or even shot might want to have are elbow at. Not worth it. pads, and in some cases, safety The last, but not least, piece glasses. of safety equipment is YOU. Use Always let a responsible adult common sense. Take your time know your caving plans. Tell them and watch where you are stepping. when you are leaving, where you It’s really easy to twist an ankle are going, and how long you plan on most of the terrain. Another to be gone. reason to take your time is so not Never go caving alone! You to damage any delicate formashould have at least three people tions by a misplaced hand, knee, to be safe. A comfortable number or foot. Don’t attempt something of cavers is around six to eight that you are not comfortable with. depending on the size of the cave.

Know your limits.

Pennsylvania caves are known Take nothing but pictures, leave for their smaller size, so too many nothing but footprints, and kill people can become a safety issue. nothing but time.

And, as I have mentioned before many times, all caves in MifTill next time, flin County are on private land.

Cave safe Please get permission before you Todd K. a go. Do not trespass. That is one

“Fair & Balanced” means Spin gets Equal Time

17

The Valley, June 2014

Raystown Lake Turns 40

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is inviting the public to celebrate Raystown Lake’s 40th anniversary with a free, rare look at Raystown Dam from June 6-7.

Guided tours will include access to the spillway and interior galleries, accompanied with presentations by Park Rangers on lake history, operations, and local heritage.

The hour-long tours will depart from the overlook at the Dam every hour and half hour, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the last tour departing at 3:30 p.m. each day.

Persons wishing to take a tour will be asked to provide government-issued photo identification (driver’s license, passport, school ID, etc.). Visitors aged 15 years and younger are not required to have identification, but must be

accompanied on the tour by an adult (18 years or older).

Visitors may register in person at the Dam on a first come, first served basis. However, tour space is limited to 10 persons per tour and pre-registration is strongly encouraged to guarantee a spot and for large groups.

To pre-register visit www. raystown.org/raystown40 or call (814) 6586809.

Cameras, cell phones, handbags, backpacks, briefcases, etc. will not be permitted on the tour and storage of

these items will not be provided.

Visitors must be able to negotiate more than 120 stairs and walk upwards of 300 yards to attend the tours. Children of any walking age are permitted - for your safety, visitors may not carry children on the tour.

Weekend Long Events • Visit Impact Media at the Raystown Lake Region Visi-

•

•

•

tor Center to film your Raystown memories. The Impact Media booth will be set up at the visitor center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the event festivities.

Heritage Cove Resort is offering $40 per night campsites for the entire month of June 2014 to celebrate Raystown Lake’s 40th Anniversary.

Seven Points Bait and Grocery is highlighting fishing and fun and their 38 years in business at Raystown Lake with a special offer of 15% off fishing tackle including rods & reels. All weekend June 6-7-8, 2014.

Raystown Reflections Gift Shoppe at the Raystown Lake Region Visitor Center has 40th Anniversary of Raystown Lake souvenir merchandise available.

• The Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau commissioned artist Rebecca Reck of Three Springs, PA to produce artwork (pictured above) for special edition Raystown Lake 40th Anniversary t-shirts and promotional posters. The t-shirts

will be included among the 40th Anniversary merchandise available at the Raystown Reflections Gift Shoppe and other area merchants.

Contact the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau (HCVB) and learn about all that the Raystown Lake Region has to offer.

With many outdoor public spaces, the Raystown Lake Region has opportunities aplenty to breathe in the fresh air, walk through the forest or enjoy the unspoiled shoreline scenery of Raystown Lake.

So bring your boots, kayak and mountain bike to really get the most out of your time in Huntingdon County. You will find many spots to relax and unwind that are free to access like Trough Creek, Greenwood Furnace and Whipple Dam State Parks, the Juniata College Peace Chapel and the Seven Points Recreation Area. Other options include kicking back on a Raystown Lake boat tour, delving into the natural wonders of Huntingdon County underground on a cave tour or discovering one of our local museums filled with living history and local lore. You can always contact the HCVB office either prior to or during a “Raycation” for more information: (888) 729-7869, info@raystown.org or online at Raystown.org. a

MEAT. WILSON’S MEATS AND GROCERIES

Fresh Meats, Full Line of Groceries, and Produce

Open 7 Days! 7am - 9pm

The Truth Has No Agenda

A hometown grocer you can trust.

The Valley, June 2014

18

Poor Will’s Valley Almanack

for Early Summer of 2014

by W. L. Felker To loll back, in a misty hammock, swung From tip to tip of a slim crescent moon That gems some royal-purple night of June, To dream of songs that never have been sung Since the first stars were stilled and God was young....

--James Whitcomb Riley The Sun Summer solstice for 2014 occurs on June 21, at 6:51 a.m. EDT. The sun enters the middle summer sign of Cancer at the same time.

Between June 19 and 23, the sun remains at its solstice declination of 23 degrees 26 minutes, and the day’s length remains virtually unchanged.

The Planets Venus continues to move retrograde this month, passing from Pisces into Aries, keeping its position as the morning star throughout June. Mars remains in Virgo, visible in the southwest well after dark. Jupiter stays in Gemini as the evening star throughout June, sinking into the northwest not long after dark.

Saturn stays in Libra, visible in the evening along the center of the southern horizon The Stars The Big Dipper has started to rotate to the west, marking the time that chiggers and Japanese beetles appear throughout Pennsylvania. In the east, the Summer Triangle is rising, bringing all the lilies into bloom. To the east of the North Star, the house-shaped constellation of Cepheus spins slowly around to the center of the southern sky; when it is almost

overhead, gardens will be full of bright mums.

A Calendar of Holidays and Special Occasions for Gardeners, Ranchers & Homesteaders June 15: Father’s Day: Heat up the grill and fix Dad a lamb barbeque. Get your early sweet corn and tomatoes to the roadside stand.

June 29: Ramadan begins: Now is the time to advertise your farm to the Halal market in preparation for the close of Ramadan on July 28 of 2014.

JUNE – WEEK 1 The First Week of Early Summer The New Cherry Pie Moon reaching apogee, its weak position farthest from Earth, on June 2, waxes throughout the week, entering its second quarter at 3:39 p.m. on June 5. Rising at midday and setting after midnight, this moon will travel overhead (its best location for angling and eating) in the evening, ripening cherries as it goes. Planting by lunar signs is recommended on June 9 – 11 under wet Scorpio. Continue to put flowers, vegetables, shrubs and trees around the yard.

Weather Trends Normal temperatures rise at the rate of one degree every four days this month throughout most of the United States. In the Lower Midwest, average highs move from the upper 70s on the first of June to the middle 80s by the beginning of July. Lows climb from the mid 50s into the lower 60s. The average temperature for the entire month is usually in the low 70s, up about ten degrees from May. A typical June temperature distribution looks like the following in much of the area: four days in the 90s, twelve days in the 80s, twelve days in the 70s, two days in the 60s, with a slight chance for one of those cooler days to be in the upper 50s.

JUNE – WEEK 2 The Second Week of Early Summer Lunar Phase and Lore The Cherry Pie Moon waxing full on June 12 at 11:11 p.m., moves to its position closest to earth (perigee) on the 14th, and then it enters its final quarter at 1:39 p.m. on June 19. Rising near midnight and setting before noon, this waning moon lies overhead early in the morning – making before-breakfast fishing a little more exciting than afternoon fishing – especially as the cool front of June 15 approaches, pushing down the barometer. Late garden planting favors the sowing of root crops with the darkening moon in Capricorn on June 13 – 15.

Weather Trends Unsettled conditions often surround the approach of the June 15 cool front (between the 13th and 16th) as late spring and early summer hold their final skirmishes along the nation’s midsection.

After summer is victorious, precipitation typically stays away for several days. Between the 15th and the 19th, average temperatures climb their final degrees, reaching their summer peak near solstice. The period between the 13th and the 26th is historically one of the best times of the month for fieldwork.

JUNE – WEEK 3 The Third Week of Early Summer Lunar Phase and Lore The Cherry Pie Moon waxing full on June 12 at 11:11 p.m., moves to its position closest to earth (perigee) on the 14th, and then it enters its final quarter at 1:39 p.m. on June 19. Rising near midnight and setting before noon, this waning moon lies overhead early in the morning – making before-breakfast fishing a little more exciting than afternoon fishing – especially as the cool front of June 15 approaches, pushing down the barometer. Late garden

planting favors the sowing of root crops with the darkening moon in Capricorn on June 13 – 15.

Weather Trends Unsettled conditions often surround the approach of the June 15 cool front (between the 13th and 16th) as late spring and early summer hold their final skirmishes along the nation’s midsection.

After summer is victorious, precipitation typically stays away for several days. Between the 15th and the 19th, average temperatures climb their final degrees, reaching their summer peak near solstice. The period between the 13th and the 26th is historically one of the best times of the month for fieldwork.

JUNE – WEEK 4 The Fourth Week of Early Summer Lunar Phase And Lore As early summer comes to a close, the Cherry Pie Moon gives up almost all its cherries and becomes the new Cicada Moon on June 27 at 3:09 a.m., reaching apogee (its position farthest from Earth) on June 30. Rising in the morning and setting in the evening, this moon passes overhead in the middle of the day, encouraging fish and people to bite, especially as the barometer drops in advance of the cool front due just before July begins. Lunar position favors both planting and harvesting this week. Put in turnips and other vegetables for the autumn garden under Cancer between the 26th and 29th. Cut winter wheat and hay any time you can before the arrival of the mid-summer “Corn Tassel Rains.” The dark moon is especially favorable for detasseling corn, for beginning the winter wheat harvest, for completing the first cut of alfalfa and for starting the second cut. The darkening moon is also right for all kinds of animal care (especially worming and spraying for external parasites), for weeding and mulching

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as well as insect hunting.

Weather Trends July is the most stable and predictable period in the year.

At average elevations along the 40th Parallel, 85 percent of all the days reach above 80 degrees (35 percent in the 90s, and 50 percent in the 80s). The average highs and lows vary only one degree in the entire month. Temperatures reach above 100 two percent of the time (although record highs above 100 have been recorded for almost every afternoon this month). Only ten percent of the next 30 days provide the likelihood for highs in the 70s, and 60s come just twice in a decade.

The Natural Calendar June 1: At average elevations along the 40th Parallel, the high canopy of trees is complete, the winter wheat just about ready to turn. Banks of yellow stella d’oro lilies are open. Staghorns are reddening on the sumac. Poison hemlock and elderberries and daisies are in flower. Hatching of wild ducks and goslings is almost complete.

June 2: The June 2nd front can still bring a light freeze at higher elevations, but apogee today (the moon’s position farthest from Earth) is likely to soften this high pressure system.

June 3: Pollen from flowering trees has reached very low levels.

Most of the pollen in the air this month comes from grasses.

Estimated Pollen Count on a scale of 0 - 700 grains per cubic meter: June 10: 40; June 15: 35; June 30: 25 June 4: When the canopy has closed above the woodland wildflowers, when winter wheat is a soft pale green, and the clovers and vetches are all coming in, then it’s the best time of year for golden parsnip blossoms throughout the countryside.

June 5: Catalpas and privets and hawthorns and pink spirea bloom at parsnip time, and the number of

19

The Valley, June 2014 fireflies grows in proportion to the flowers on the day lilies.

June 6: The June 6th front is associated with a four-day period during which there is an increased chance for tornadoes and flash floods. Part of the reason for the rise in the risk for severe weather is the increase in the percentage of afternoons in the 80s and 90s. On the other hand, the moon’s weak phase (entering its final quarter on the 8th) holds out the promise of relatively stable conditions this year June 7: The first nodding thistle, the first chicory, first daisy fleabane, the first great mullein, the first Asiatic lily, and the first tall meadow rue open. The first raspberry reddens, and the first orange trumpet creeper blossoms.

Bindweeds and sweet peas color the fences with pastels.

June 8: Young blackbirds and grackles join their parents to harvest the ripening cherries and mulberries. Painted turtles are out laying eggs. The fearsome (but harmless) stag beetle waddles to porch lights after dark. Young grackles beg for food from their parents. Baby robins have been out for a week or two. Firefly time starts now in average years, lasts through the first days of August.

June 9: When yucca plants send up their stalks and flower, young grackles have left their nests, and nettles have grown up to your chest. Then, Japanese beetles start to attack roses and ferns. Azalea bark scale eggs hatch, too.

June 10: Chances for highs in the 40s and 50s now recede from the probability until late August, except in the mountains. The sunniest June days usually occur between now and the 26th, and the first major heat wave often develops across the Gulf states and the central states.

June 11: Virginia Creeper, Poison Ivy, Purple Coneflower, carnation, blueweed, pokeweed, tiger lilies and hollyhocks all bloom this week.

June 12: Pollen from grasses reaches its peak in the central portions of the United States, as bluegrass, orchard grass, timothy, red top and Bermuda grass all continue to flower. In the northern forests, pines, spruce, hemlock, arbor vitae, alders, and birch reach the height of their blossoming which began in May. June 13: When elderberry bushes come into full flower and cottonwood cotton floats in the wind, then the first chiggers bite in the woods and garden.

June 14: Quail whistle and mate in the woods when tent caterpillars emerge in the trees, and the

first Canadian thistles go to seed.

June 15: Virginia creeper is flowering. Canadian thistles and nodding thistles are at their best.

Blackberries have set fruit. The very first trumpet vines sport bright red-orange trumpets, and the first Deptford pink and first great mullein come into bloom.

June 16: Along the roadsides, white sweet clover and yellow flowering sow thistles announce the center of early summer.

June 17: In the gardens of town and country, lily season deepens as Asiatic and Oriental lilies join the day lilies in a crescendo of color that peaks in four to five weeks.

June 18: Cattails are showing their pollen as they grow in ditches and wetlands throughout the area.

June 19: Between June 19 and 23, the sun remains at its solstice declination of 23 degrees 26 minutes, and the day’s length remains virtually unchanged.

June 20: Along rivers and the shores of ponds and lakes, lizard’s tail blooms, a sign that fireflies are peaking in summers with average rainfall.

June 21: . Sycamore bark starts to shed, and thistle flowers change to down. Hemlock season is complete, stalks collapsing into the tall grasses.

June 22: When the wheat harvest begins, then bright orange butterfly weed reaches full bloom, and acorns become fully formed June 23: Poison ivy has green berries. The first touch-me-nots and the first thimble plants are flowering. Wild garlic and euonymus atropurpureus, the burning bush, are blooming. Rugosa roses are in full flower, accompanied by black-eyed Susans, wild petunias, and hobblebush. Staghorns have pushed out on the sumacs June 24: Katydids are silent but roving. The first woolly bear caterpillars, harbingers of winter, cross the road. Some baby snappers and mud turtles are hatching.

June 25: Cattails are almost fully developed. May apples should be ready to harvest in the woods.

Blackberries have always set fruit, even in the coldest years. Black walnuts are at least half their full size.

June 26: Middle summer typically begins near this date and lasts through August 10. In those 45 days, approximately an hour is lost from the day’s length along the 40th Parallel, and the year turns toward autumn. Even though night lengthens in this middle season, the amount of possible sunshine reaches its zenith, and the percentage of totally

sunny days is the highest of the year.

June 27: The canola harvest starts near this date in the Lower Midwest. Winter wheat is usually a third ripe, five percent cut. Cabbage gathering ends in most of Great Lakes area. Summer blueberries are being picked. Earliest cornfields start tasseling. Cottony maple scale eggs hatch on the silver maples.

June 28: Coneflowers, white vervain, oxeye, horseweed, germander, teasel and wild lettuce blossom in the fields; tall bell flowers open in the woods. Thimble plants set thimbles.

June 29: June’s berries are disappearing: black raspberries decline quickly in warmer years; the best mulberries have always fallen.

July’s wild cherries are ripening, and elderberries are setting fruit.

Thistledown lies across the pastures in the windless afternoons.

June 30: The oats ripens and the first tier of soybeans blooms.

Maroon seedpods have formed on the locusts. Some green-hulled walnuts are already on the ground.

The earliest cicadas start to chant.

This year’s ducklings and goslings are nearly full grown..

In the Field and Garden June 1: Slugs are causing problems if the land is wet. Alfalfa weevil infestations become more common just as pickle planting is completed and the earliest zucchini and squash harvests are underway.

June 2: Bean leaf beetles are in the fields; flies are bothering the cattle; hot weather often stresses poultry and livestock. Corn is almost all planted, and some stalks of corn have six to eight leaves.

Processing tomatoes are threefourth transplanted. Soybeans are usually 60 percent planted, winter wheat 60 percent headed. The oats crop is starting to head. Tobacco is often one fourth transplanted. The first cut of alfalfa hay is typically a third complete, and strawberries are ten percent picked.

June 3: Placing blackberries and raspberries along your hedgerows offers a simple way to offer healthful browsing material for your livestock. Since these shrubs propagate themselves, you may not ever need to think about them again. Other medicinal herbs you may already be growing include dill (the seed is said to increase milk yields), fennel (for fevers, and constipation and all eye ailments), anise (for digestive ailments).

June 4: The waxing moon favors the continuing harvest of strawberries and spring vegetables.

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The first crop of alfalfa should be gaining a little more moisture, too.

June 5: Stabilize the feed schedule of the animals that you’ll show this summer, increasing the grain in their rations in order to add quality to their coats and overall condition.

June 6: . Side-dress the corn.

Harvest canola, commercial broccoli and squash. Consider putting in double-crop soybeans after the wheat is cut.

June 7: June is the month during which insect infestations typically reach the economic threshold.

Look out for rose chafers and twospotted spider mites on your rose bushes. Cucumber beetles appear in the cucumbers and melons.

June 8: Gather cherries, mulberries, and black raspberries in the mild June days. Fertilize asparagus and rhubarb as their seasons end June 9: Heat stress can slow the rate of gain in your lambs and kids. Protection from the weather, plenty of water and adequate supplements may help to reduce weight loss.

June 10: Crown vetch blossoms.

Cherries, mulberries, and the earliest black raspberries ripen.

Mums should be pinched back for the second time. Fertilize roses, asparagus and rhubarb.

June 11: In an average year, soybeans are often 80 percent planted, 60 percent emerged. A third of the oats is heading as half of the tobacco gets set out in the fields. Cucumber beetles reach the economic threshold. Cherries ripen as crown vetch flowers.

Wheat is almost all headed and about three out of ten fields are turning. The first cut of alfalfa hay is 70 percent complete as sow thistles bloom.

June 12: The extra water that you put out for your flock helps maintain wildlife on your land: especially birds which reduce the insect population June 13: Check the nutrient content of your livestock’s forage.

The more you know about what your animals eat, the more you will be able to improve their overall condition by adjusting their diet. That works for people, too.

June 14: Next week’s dark moon time is recommended for weeding and hunting insects. Get the thistles dug before they go to seed.

Also put in turnips for fall harvest.

Get ready to seed collards, kale and Brussels sprouts directly in the garden after the moon turns new.

June 15: Father’s Day: Heat up the grill and fix Dad a lamb barbeque. Get your early sweet corn and tomatoes to the roadside

stand.

June 16: The waning moon and the dry days of late June are especially favorable for beginning the winter wheat harvest, for completing the first cut of alfalfa and beginning the second cut.

June 17: The darkening Moon is also favorable for pruning shrubs and trees that flowered earlier in the year June 18: Flea beetles, damselflies and leafhoppers become active and crickets sing as locust trees flower and snapping turtles lay their eggs.

June 19: Ninety percent of the soybeans are typically in the ground this week as Japanese beetles begin to threaten all kinds of crops and flowers. Six to eight leaves have emerged on field corn.

June 20: When long seedpods have formed on the locust trees, then annual cicadas start to chant.

When you see the first black walnuts on the ground, then you know that this year’s ducklings and goslings are nearly full grown.

June 21: Strawberry season ends as domestic red raspberries and wild black raspberries ripen.

Commercial broccoli and squash harvests as well as the cherry picking are underway as ten percent of the winter wheat is ripe.

Thistles go to seed as corn borers eat the corn and the very earliest soybeans bloom.

June 22: If you time your maintenance activities to coincide with an obvious changes in nature, routine procedures become more closely linked to the season.

June 23: The June 23rd highpressure system is typically cool and dry, and it is often followed by some of the sunniest days of all the year. As the next June front approaches, however, stability can be expected to give way to storms.

June 24: Watch for mold in the hay stall in the feed storage area when humidity levels rise dramatically toward the end of the month. Be sure grain is kept in clean containers and secure from summer rodents and marauding goats.

June 25: The dark moon is especially favorable for detasseling corn, for beginning the winter wheat harvest, for completing the first cut of alfalfa and for starting the second cut.

June 26: The darkening moon is also right for all kinds of animal care (especially worming and spraying for external parasites), for weeding and mulching as well as insect hunting.

June 27: The Cicada Moon is

Continued on page 14

The Valley, June 2014

20

Fifty Years Ago June 1964 It was a stormy month. Gale-like winds blew over the barn of Noah Shoop near Belleville. It didn’t take long for 150 friends and neighbors of the Shoop family to have another barn under construction. A barn raising was held and a full day of labor was donated by 120 men, who worked an the barn, while 30 women cooked meals for the workers. One witness observed “the workers were busy as bees swarming over it!”

George Zeigler, New Lancaster Valley correspondent for the Lewistown Sentinel reported on a new addition to that part of the county. “Taking a look as to how the Reeds Gap State Park swimming pool was progressing since the sidewalls are cemented, first impression was that it looked like an old-fashioned stage coach, which had split in half. The pool so far does not run parallel with the creek, but just the opposite.

Seems like the pool won’t be large enough for the amount of money which it will cost. “

One Hundred Years ago June 1914 A special session of court was conducted in order to receive the plea of guilty made by Peter VanKortick, alias “Baltimore Pete,” accused of selling liquor illegally.

VanKortick is one of three alleged liquor sellers arrested in a raid of suspected houses near the Burnham freight station some weeks ago. Upon receiving the plea, Judge J. M. Woods pronounced a sentence of three months in county jail and inflected a $500 fine plus costs of prosecution. It’s expected he will appeal in the next session of court for his freedom on the basis of the Insolvency Act.

Fire raged in Shrader, Armagh Township in the early morning hours of June 14. The Evangelical church and buildings of the National Limestone Company were involved. The fire started, it was believed, from the overheated kiln at that place, and was discovered at its height when the kiln and church were ablaze.

The neighborhood was quickly roused and a volunteer bucket

brigade formed. After a strenuous fire fighting session the church was saved, with damage mainly confined to the roof.

Civil War Echoes June 1864 The Granville School District’s financial report by Jacob Rittenhouse showed that total expenses for the previous year had been $1,877.43, including the pay of eight teachers at $25 per month.

Tax for the year had amounted to $1,366.31, State appropriation was $373.73, and receipts from other districts, $11.

The editor of the Gazette compared June 1863 with June 1864. A year earlier the Confederates were invading Pennsylvania. In 1864 the Union flag was within sight of the Confederate capital of Richmond.

Local Funds Provide Free Wigs and Head Coverings to Cancer Patients The American Cancer Society, in partnership with, E.J. Campbell of Stylin Hair and Nail Salon in Huntingdon has free, brand-new wigs and head coverings available to those with cancer, regardless of income at our local American Cancer Society office.

Funds raised at the local Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Blair event, helped make these wigs and head coverings free to local cancer patients.

The free wig program has human hair wigs with modern styles and highlights, synthetic wigs, and all types of head coverings such as cotton scarves.

To make an appointment to get a wig or head coverings, please call 1-800-227-2345.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events are scheduled for October 2014.

FORD-Found on Road Dead continued from page 8

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

sure gauge like the old days? I think these systems were designed by mechanics who are looking for income. Many people I have talked to say that they’ve had to replace sensors, etc. My vehicle is giving me a “tire monitor fault” and “tire sensor fault” one right after another that goes off every couple days. The Dealership said they would take care of it, but I have to get it to a mechanic while the lights are still on so they can diagnose it, and so far it’s coming on between home and work and by the time I get to one of those places, the mechanic is either closed or the light has gone out. It also goes out if I turn the vehicle off. Another thing I‘ve got to get figured out soon.

5) I’ve been pleasantly

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surprised by the gas mileage. I feared 14 and 15 mpg while going back and forth to work (over Seven Mts. every day), but I’ve been averaging 19.2 - 20.2...which goes higher when I’m traveling on flat highway. This is better than I was able to get out of the Jeep Liberty. Sure, I’d like even better mileage considering the gas prices these days, but as long as I’m not getting worse than I got with the Liberty, I’m ok with it.

6) So far it’s ok owning a Ford, as Wayne has washed it for me twice already. :-) (Although, maybe this is why his back is all flared up!)

So far, I think I’ll keep it, but time will tell. I mean, if Wayne keeps washing it, I don’t see how I can possibly get rid of it. a

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The Valley, June 2014

Modern Energy and Alternative Heating with Curt Bierly Natural Gas - Propane Gas and Renewable Energy

As you are aware there is a Natural Gas (Nat Gas) boom in the United States. The price of Nat Gas has decreased because of supply and demand ,and at this time there is more supply than demand. The sudden increase in the supply of Nat Gas is due to the discovery of the Marcellus Shale Formation (PA, NY, WV, OH, VA) and other shale formations in the U.S., the use of horizontal drilling and the controversial “hydrofracking” process – so – it “appears” we will have an abundant supply of “domestic” Natural Gas for the foreseeable future.

What the price structure will be in the coming years is anyone’s guess, as there is much discussion by the “drillers” relative to export-

ing Nat Gas to other countries that are currently paying much higher prices. In addition, there is a big push to move electric power generating plants from coal to Nat Gas, which would tap heavily on Natural Gas supplies. All said, it will most likely be a number of years until it all settles out.

Propane gas is derived from heating oil or Nat Gas. Since Nat Gas is currently less expensive, more propane is being extracted from Nat Gas than oil. As a result, the price of propane has been steady for the most part, and declining some. As opposed to Nat Gas and propane, the price of heating oil has increased in the same time period.

It appears to be a very good

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can connect your phone n to the newest Hearing Devices

Elise Uhring, Au. D., Doctor of Audiology Invites you call an office near you: 611 University Dr. State College, PA

the “Keystone Help” program at www.keystonehelp.com for possible financing.

So what about renewable energy? We’re all looking forward to a future date when a large part of our power is produced from renewable energy. Currently only about 12% of our electricity is derived from renewable sources (hydroelectric, wind, wood, organic waste, and solar), so it looks like we’re going to need an interim fuel if we want to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

We’re hopeful our governments will not be deterred by cheap Nat Gas and will continue to provide incentives to encourage businesses and the public to install

time to change out your current oil furnace or boiler for a high efficiency Nat Gas or propane furnace or boiler. If you have Nat Gas available in your neighborhood, your investment in a system now could save you enough money to pay for the installation in less then 5 years (see the attached oil boiler to high efficiency NG condensing boiler savings analysis). An oil to propane switch out could save you enough to pay for the install in less then 10 years. Add a heat pump if you install a gas furnace, and realize more savings and thus a quicker payback! Check out

1130 w 4th St. Lewistown, PA

renewable energy sources so we can arrive at using lots of renewable energy sooner rather than later. In the meantime, it appears that installing high efficiency Natural Gas heating equipment in your home or business is a wise investment.

Curt Bierly is president of the bierly group incorporated of which Stanley C. Bierly is a division. He graduated from Penn State with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and is the chair of the Penn College HVAC Advisory Board. You can contact him at cbierly@bierlygroup.com.

We offer the Following Services: * Hearing evaluations for adults, children, and infants * Hearing aid evaluations, fittings and repairs * Auditory Processing Evaluations and Therapy * Evaluations for Balance Disorders (Huntingdon)

Let us develop the right hearing healthcare solution for you. Following a thorough hearing evaluation, we will assist you in selecting a hearing device that addresses both your hearing loss and lifestyle. Our hearing aids cover a wide spectrum of hearing impairments and utilize utili the latest digital technologies www.uhrings.com

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Huntingdon, PA

1-877-643-4327 The Truth Has No Agenda

The Valley, June 2014

22

LIbrary Lines Your Mifflin County Library

Summer Activities for Kids at the Library

by Susan Miriello Children’s Librarian

Summer is here and school is over. There are so many activities parents and important adults can share with their children during the summer but please remember the library. The library’s summer reading program has been offered since I was a child. When you read together with your child or when your child reads alone, come in to the library at Lewistown, Belleville (Kish) or McVeytown (Rothrock) for a special incentive. The summer reading program is for children of all ages, birth through high school.

In addition to prizes, the library offers a variety of programs, including the following: Lego League: Build Simple Machines: The library received a LEGO grant to teach students the principles of using LEGOS to build simple machines. Working in pairs, we will create simple machines to problem solve. Please do not bring your own LEGOS, we will be using “special library LEGOS.” Class size is limited to 12—please do not sign up unless you intend to show up as we need to work IN PAIRS. Lego League will meet on Tuesday June 10 @ 6pm. With the same class offered again on Tuesday June 17 @ 10am. If this is well received, Lego League will be offered quarterly. For children going into grade 2 and up.

Butterfly Day on Thursday June 19 @ 10am. (Rain date = June 20) We will hear a story and make a craft, look at pollinators with a microscope, then release our butterflies to celebrate bees, butterflies and Pollinator Week. Limited to 25, please register beginning June 10. For ages 2 and up. Sponsored by Community Partnerships RC&D. The Best Nest: What are bird nests made of? Are they all alike?

Come take a closer look at bird nests and how they are made.

Take some nest making materials home with you. Tuesday, June 24 at 10am in the Community Room.

Children of all ages welcome!

Registration is not necessary.

Sponsored by Rose Massie of Children’s Work Box.

Young Author’s Workshop: Young Author’s Workshop is a writing class for students going into grade 2 through grade 6.

The student’s finished book will be cataloged for library use if wanted.

—At Rothrock Library: Wednesday, June 25 @ 9:30am. Lasts for 5 weeks. Please register starting June 2— call Rothrock Library at 899-6851.

—At Lewistown Library: Wednesday June 18 @ 10am.

Lasts for 6 weeks. Registration not necessary but space is limited.

This means you must come the first day.

Adam Swartz Puppets presenting The Great Bug-tacular Game Show: a puppet show for all ages.

Are you as busy as a bee? Hardworking as an ant? Are you an aspiring entomologist? Do you want to know what an entomologist is? Help puppet contestants and audience volunteers play a variety of exciting rounds of games about bugs. Meet new friends and learn interesting bug facts.

—At the Lewistown Library on Tuesday, July 8 @ 6pm. Registration not necessary but space is limited to 80.

—At the Kish Library in Belleville on Monday, July 7th @ 6:30pm. Registration preferred but not necessary. Space is limited.

Call Kish Library at 935-2880 for more information.

Sock Puppet Workshop: Adam Swartz will teach us how to make sock puppets. Leave with your own creation. Materials provided.

For students age 5 and up. Sorry – you must be at least 5 years old!

Limited to 20 students.

—At the Lewistown Library on Tuesday July 8 @ 2:30pm. Registration not necessary but space is limited to 20. Sponsored by the PA Council on the Arts

These are just a few of the amazing activities available this summer at your library. For more information, please visit our website www.mifcolib.org or visit our FaceBook page or email kidsroom@mifcolib.org. a

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23

The Valley, June 2014 contentedly with other gorillas.

He was known for his paintings, which were often “signed” with his thumbprint. Ivan died on August 20, 2012 at the age of 50. © 2013 Katherine Applegate -

Mail Pouch Books

by Carleen B. Grossman

With the beginning of summer, my focus for this month is on books for children! I have included books that the family can enjoy together for some good summer reading.

THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN

By Katherine Applegate Copyright 2012

This Newbery Award novel deals with Ivan, a gorilla and a baby elephant who live in a circus in the state of Washington. The animals are portrayed in this narrative, which is told

by Ivan. Ivan hardly ever misses his natural jungle life because he was captured very young and has grown up living with the circus

owner. His life is the same each day when some art work that he does is sold at the circus.

Through his friendship with the new baby elephant, Ivan begins to see the downside of living with the circus. He takes action to help rescue the baby elephant and provide a better life for her.

He encounters many obstacles in doing this and has to use his art skills to help with this rescue, which is much more work than he expected!

This is a story of friendship, art, and hope that will teach us about our humanity and our possibilities in life! The book includes an author’s note about the inspiration for this tale.

WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR:

The One and Only Ivan is a work of fiction, but the inspiration for this novel lies with a true story.

Ivan, a real gorilla, lived at Zoo Atlanta, but on the way to that happy ending, he spent almost three decades without seeing another of his own kind before being moved to Zoo Atlanta in 1994.

After being captured as in infant in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivan was raised in a home until he became unmanageable. At that point, he was added to an odd collection of animals housed at a

WEATHER!

By Rebecca Rupp Copyright 2003

circus in Washington state.

Ivan spent 27 years of his life alone in a cage. Over time, public discomfort with Ivan’s lonely state grew, particularly after he was featured in a National Geographic special entitled “The Urban Gorilla.” Public outcry followed, including heartfelt letters from children. When the circus where Ivan lived went bankrupt, he was placed on permanent loan to Zoo Atlanta, which houses the largest group of captive western lowland gorillas in the nation.

Ivan became a beloved celebrity at Zoo Atlanta, where he lived

The Truth Has No Agenda

This book includes 20 weather experiments for you to try! Also, there are irresistible facts and lore included. The book is a Teachers’ Choice Award for children’s books.

CATCH THE WIND, HARNESS THE SUN

By Michael Caduto Copyright 2011

Kids 8-10 will love these 22 fun activities and experiments that teach about renewable energy.

This is a a Teachers’ Choice Award for the classroom.

THE FAMILY BUTTERFLY BOOK

By Rick Mikula Copyright 2000

Explanations of how to identify, care for and raise butterflies in your own backyard are given in this fantastic book! It is a Garden Writers Association Award book with full color photographs and illustrations throughout. a

24

The Valley, June 2014

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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25

The Valley, June 2014

Summer Specials!

The summer is finally arriving, along with allergies and some other less than wonderful symptoms and other health challenges. But relief is available and desirable! At Simply Health Salt Spa, we are addressing MANY of the summer “challenges.” So take some time to relax and pamper yourself. Plan a few hours with a friend, spouse, or family member at the Salt Spa to get rejuvenated for summer!

Our June Spa Packages are all priced at $49!!

THE SUMMER SENSATION *5-10 minutes of our Whole Body Vibration to get your circulation moving, your lymphatics stimulated, and your muscles relaxed. *20-30 minute Far Infrared sauna. Our sauna has the ability to systemically eliminate internal chemical and heavy metal toxins, including mercury. The Infrared sauna burns 500-700 calories in a 30 minute session. It is also great for stress relief, improving cardiovascular conditioning, and enhancing your immune system. *30 minutes on the Jade Infrared Massage Bed OR 30 minutes on the Amythest BioMat * Hot Butter Hand Treatment during the 30 minute Jade Infrared Massage or Amythest BioMat session. This treatment begins with a salt scrub exfoliation to remove dead cell and open pores before the warm melted butters are drawn into the skin. The hands are then tucked into warm Himalayan salt mitts until butters are delivered deep into skin layers.

ALLERGY RELIEVER PLUS *45 minutes in a Himalayan Salt Room in which negative ions are absorbed into the body by breathing the saturated air into the lungs.

The salt is anti-bacterial, antiinflammatory, anti-viral, and antifungal. You will be breathing air

that is saturated with 84 minerals and trace elements. *15 minutes on the Amythest BioMat. The deep penetrating Far Infrared rays and negative ions helps reduce stress, tension and aches and pains and is capable of stimulating the cells of our nervous and musculoskeletal systems. *Medium salt lamp to take home and continue therapy in your home. Himalayan Salt Lamps produce negative ions naturally.

These negative ions are known to help alleviate symptoms caused by allergies, sleep disorders, migraine headaches and depression.

They also help to eliminate common indoor air pollutants such as dust, mildew, electromagnetic fields from TVs, computers and other electronic devices.

SLIMMER SUMMER *5-10 minutes of our Whole Body Vibration to get your circulation moving, your lymphatics stimulated, and your muscles relaxed.

* 20 minutes on the Amethyst BioMat with the Jewelry Belt The deep penetrating Far Infrared rays and negative ions helps reduce stress, tension and aches and pains and is capable of stimulating the cells of our Nervous and Musculoskeletal systems.

You will wear the Jewelry Belt around your waist, arms, legs or lay it on top of yourself as you lay on the larger Amythest BioMat. Our “center” is important to our over-all health more so than other parts of the body. The belt is excellent to help with digestion, back pain, stomach aches, cramping as well as hundreds of other ailments. Weight loss around the abdomen is something a lot of people have problems with and the Jewelry Belt helps to focus on this problem.

WHAT IS YOUR BODY TRYING TO TELL YOU *30 minute Detox Footbath to pull toxins out of the body and identify where the body is releasing the toxins. This naturally stimulating

*20-30 minute Far Infrared sauna. Our sauna has the ability to systemically eliminate internal chemical and heavy metal toxins, including mercury. The Infrared sauna burns 500-700 calories in a 30 minute session. It is also great for stress relief, improving cardiovascular conditioning, and enhancing your immune system.

The Truth Has No Agenda

and relaxing session is based on ionization of water and osmosis to draw toxins from the body. * Hot Butter Hand Treatment during the 30 minute detox Footbath.

This treatment begins with a salt scrub exfoliation to remove dead cell and open pores before the warm melted butters are drawn into the skin. The hands are then tucked into warm Himalayan salt mitts until butters are delivered deep into skin layers. *The BioScan will help determine out of range markers and key supplements or nutrients to help create a more balanced body.

While relaxing at the Salt Spa for one of our June Spa Packages, be sure to check out our full skin

care line and full line of Himalayan Salt Lamps, bath salts and gift sets.

Please check out our website for more details on these packages plus other information: www. simplyhealth-calm.com. You may also call us at (717-248-2000) or (814-954-7731) to schedule an appointment. Remember we are open 6 days a week… resting on Sunday! See you soon and have a happy healthy summer! a

Give Dad a Relaxing Gift on Father’s Day Salt Spa Gift Certificates Available

The Valley, June 2014

26

Greetings to all. Hopefully, by the time you are reading this, the weather has warmed up enough for us to get our warm weather crops into the ground.

But let’s not forget that the cooler spring weather has given us extra time to enjoy our fresh spring greens. It’s good not to worry much about the weather when it doesn’t act like we think it should.

One thing’s for sure, it will soon change!

We’ve been talking over the past few months about some of the problems farming folks face from the use of man-made chemicals and genetically modified organisms, also known as GMOs. Pesticide drift, chemicals destroying the soil and the healthfulness of the food grown in that soil, chemicals staying in the soil and in the water and rain for many years longer than the companies claim they do, are all issues that make it hard for natural farmers to keep their land and crops safe.

Scientists, doctors, and many farmers have been speaking out about the dangers of pesticides for more than seventy years, but they were ignored or accused of being old-fashioned. Many years ago, these people warned that using these chemicals would make plants (weeds), insects, and diseases stronger.

They were right; that has come to pass. What is the answer from the chemical companies to the farmers? They say, “Here, we will give you stronger chemicals, some that we have been told not to use because they are too dangerous, and this will fix your problems with Super Weeds and Super Bugs.”

Really? Do they think that we cannot see that they are thinking about profits and not about feeding people safely or protecting the world in which we live?

Genes from other plants and even animals being put into the genes of food crops are causing an increase in health problems, even though the companies that make them and the people who help those companies, claim that there is no problem. But when the courts forced Monsanto to give

them papers from the 1990s that showed that their own scientists warned them that the tests were indicating that GMO foods may not be safe, the truth came out.

We have been lied to. Not just the farmers, but all of us have been lied to.

The chart that was in last month’s column showed how the number of children who developed autism from 2000 to 2010 has increased greatly compared to the ten years before. It also showed that this increase was almost exactly the same as the increase in the use of glysophate, the pesticide that GMO crops are grown with. The same kinds of charts, showing the same increases in both illnesses and glysophate use can be found for cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, dementia, allergies and other health problems that are becoming all too common. This is a very real threat to us and especially to our children.

So what do we do? And when I say “we,” I mean all of us, not just the farmers, the scientists, or the doctors. How do we stop the big companies and the chemical farming ideas that have been in place for decades?

Start to educate yourself. Listen to or read the work of people like Dr. Don Huber or Dr. Arden Anderson, or farmer and writer Joel Salatin. You will learn the facts and you will understand why some of us are very worried and even angry that this situation has been allowed to happen.

Then use what you learn to begin to change to a more healthy lifestyle. Ask questions about the food you eat, especially if you buy most of it in stores.

Every dollar that you spend is like a vote for the product that you buy. If we don’t buy the products that are made from GMOs, grown with pesticides, or processed to last on the shelves for years, we will get the message across in a way that companies understand.

This has worked with other situations. When some farmers started to give hormones to cows to increase their milk production, farmers, doctors, and other people

saw problems and they protested to the companies. The so-called “pink-slime” meat filler that was being washed with ammonia and then used to mix with other ground meat, was reported in the news and people spoke out again.

Both of these products have been gradually disappearing from the store shelves because people refused buy these products.

Recently, Coca-cola was influenced by public demand when it announced that it was taking brominated vegetable oil out of its sports drinks. After many people protested, Subway has agreed to start to remove azodicarbonamide from the ingredients that they make their bread from. If I understand it right, this is a chemical that is also used in exercise mats.

Yuck! Like writer Michael Pollan says,” If you can’t say the name of an ingredient, you shouldn’t be eating it.”

All of these changes have happened because of regular people like you and me, who learned the facts and spoke out with their voices and their money.

It may be hard at first to get back to cooking from scratch, or eating only what is in season from your own garden or local markets, but it can be done. Do small things at first. If you have a family, it’s important to do it as a family. Getting young Johnny or Jane to work at your side and learn to enjoy it, will give them strong, healthy life skills to carry with them their whole lives. And they will be able to pass them on to their children.

We don’t need more laws or dozens of regulations. We need to use common sense and be willing to do things for ourselves. Then we can make a difference for ourselves, for each other, for our children and for the world in which we live. a

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27

The Valley, June 2014 Who’s Your Daddy from page 6 The family seems to be the core of God’s amazing creation. A man and a woman love one another, offering their strengths to each other as one’s strength sustains the other’s weakness.

I think everyone is afraid to even admit anymore that men and women are totally different for fear that they might be pegged as “old fashioned” or judgmental.

Well, I am not. A man should be tough and strong and lead his family with love and dignity, caring for them, providing for them and protecting them at all costs. I cannot imagine finding a woman who would not agree, if she was truly honest with herself, that deep inside that is what she wants her man to be. A woman should be a gentle, beautiful, and confident person who leads her family with compassion and tenderness and should never be ashamed of

saying her “career” is running a household and raising a family, which is a more than full time job when it’s done right. Find a man that wouldn’t be happy to call her his wife.

Our “progressive” society has made the mistake of defining success in new ways from being open-minded to obtaining that great education that costs you $100,000 so you can get that high paying job and everybody can work, work, work and accomplish what? It’s a fair question. Is success really accomplishing all that, or is it understanding the deeper beauty in life by living in the moment remembering it might be your last? When it all comes down to it, the fact is, we are all dying and we don’t know when our time is up. We should be sure we are taking plenty of time to appreciate our husbands and wives and children. We should be realizing the core design of humanity; the beautiful, wonderful family can-

not be thrown away.

Last month we celebrated Mother’s Day and this month we will celebrate Father’s Day. I am glad we celebrate Dad and Mom and their importance. Yes, a kid does need a Daddy and a Mommy—that is the best case scenario! Does it always happen that way? No. But it is still the right way and the best way. We should do everything we can to make our families strong and secure and never give up on the amazing design of that unity.

Our great nation is crumbling, and I wonder if the progressive thinkers realize that as the family crumbles, so will our nation, so will any nation that throws God’s design away pretending it isn’t necessary. Father’s, be the best Daddy you can be and make sure your kid knows who their Daddy is and show them what a real man looks like! Happy Fathers Day. a

Pine Bark Substance Could Be Potent Melanoma Drug

By Matthew Solovey

Story reprinted courtesy of Penn State Public Information

A substance that comes from pine bark is a potential source for a new treatment of melanoma, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers.

Current melanoma drugs targeting single proteins can initially be effective, but resistance develops relatively quickly and the disease recurs. In those instances, resistance usually develops when the cancer cell’s circuitry bypasses the protein that the drug acts on, or when the cell uses other pathways to avoid the point on which the drug acts.

“To a cancer cell, resistance is like a traffic problem in its circuitry,” said Gavin Robertson, professor of pharmacology, pathology, dermatology, and surgery and director of the Penn State Hershey Melanoma Center.

“Cancer cells see treatment with a single drug as a road closure and use a detour or other roads to bypass the closure.”

Penn State researchers may have solved this problem by identifying a drug that simultaneously creates many road closures.

The researchers screened 480 natural compounds and identified leelamine, derived from the bark

of pine trees, as a drug that can cause this major traffic jam in the cancer cell’s circuitry.

“Natural products can be a source of effective cancer drugs, and several are being used for treating a variety of cancers,” said Robertson. “Over 60 percent of anti-cancer agents are derived from plants, animals, marine sources or microorganisms. However, leelamine is unique in the way that it acts.”

Leelamine could be the first of a new unique class of drugs that will simultaneously target several protein pathways. Researchers found that this drug shuts down multiple protein pathways, such as PI3K, MAPK and STAT3, at the same time in melanoma cells. Thpse pathways are involved in the development of up to 70 percent of melanomas.

Protein pathways like these help cancer cells multiply and spread, so shutting them down helps kill the cells.

“The cancer cell is addicted to these pathways,” Robertson said. “And when they are shut down, the bypass routes cannot be used. The result is the cancer cells die.”

Leelamine works by shutting down cholesterol transport and its movement around the cancer

cell. By shutting down cholesterol transport and movement, the exceptionally active survival communication that cancer cells require is shut down. The end result is death of the cancer cell. Since normal cells are not addicted to the same high levels of activity in these pathways, the drug has a negligible effect on them.

“The cholesterol in a cancer cell is not like the cholesterol in our blood that causes heart disease,” said Robertson. “The cancer cells need it for the high protein pathway activity and it cannot be shut down by statins, like Lipitor, that lower serum cholesterol.”

The researchers showed the results of this unique drug on cells growing in culture dishes and in tumors growing in mice.

Leelamine inhibited tumor development in mice with no detectable side effects.

Researchers report their results in two back-to-back articles in a recent issue of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.

Leelamine is the first of a new class of potentially viable drugs for the treatment of melanoma. More research must be completed before it can be tested in humans. Penn State has a patent for this discovery and has licensed

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it to Melanovus Oncology for the next series of experiments to enable it to be tested in humans.

Melanovus Oncology is partly owned by Penn State and Robertson.

Other researchers who participated in these studies are Raghavendra Gowda, research associate; SubbaRao V. Madhunapantula, research associate; Omer F. Kuzu, graduate student; and Arati Sharma, assistant professor of pharmacology.

The National Institutes of

Health, The Foreman Foundation for Melanoma Research and H.G. Barsumian, M.D. Memorial Fund funded this work. a

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid -Benjamin Franklin

The Valley, June 2014

28

Savvy Cents & Sensibility

by JoAnn Wills-Kline MBA

Hunger Happening Here

A silent epidemic is happening in our communities. It may be happening within your family… affecting your parents, brothers, sisters, and children. It may be sweeping through your friends and coworkers… and you may not even realize it. It is dangerous… a destroyer… affecting people’s well-being, personal, and professional lives; so many suffer in silence. The epidemic is hunger.

We all have associated “hunger” with third world countries… places far, far from our backyard and communities. Sadly though, hunger actually exists in our backyards, and is rampant in many of our communities. Hunger doesn’t discriminate. It exists at various socio-economic levels.

The face of hunger is always evolving. It no longer represents only the poorest of the poor.

Hunger and food insecurity is seeping into the middle class.

It’s trickling into the multiple earner families. It’s filtering into the highly educated households.

Children - and parents – are going to bed hungry at night. The lack of sustenance zaps one’s energy, dulls mental sharpness, and dampens one’s spirit.

Food dominates the lives of individuals who are food insecure.

It takes an enormous amount of energy to plan meals - to plan to eat - and where the next meal is going to come from. People who are food insecure often suffer in silence. They suffer behind closed doors of their homes, and they suffer silently, and publicly - at work as they plow through lunch time to get a jump on that project, and at the market holding the near empty grocery basket.

They suffer from embarrassment of their food insecure position.

They suffer for the fear of being chastised. Perhaps they suffer be-

cause they have been “sentenced” to the noise of judgment and criticisms from those who do not understand… or are unwilling to try to understand. They suffer not only from the physical discomfort of hunger, but also from the boneweary, red hot burning branding of judgment multiple times. They suffer from the echo of “What have you done wrong?… How did you end up in this shape?... You must have poor money management skills!”

The matter of hunger and the humiliation associated with it will be the focus of this column for upcoming issues. It is my intention to dive deep into the topic in hopes of offering viable options to reduce food insecurities. I plan to examine many facets of food insecurities, such as working hard while earning hardly anything; debt to income ratio imbalances; survival mode – holding steady on very basic needs; food purchases on a super small budget; and recipes to prep quick nutritious meals for very little money.

I encourage you to follow the hunger series. It may open your eyes to truly “see” who hunger affects in your backyard. It may serve as a lifeboat out of a tumultuous circumstance that you or a loved one is enduring. It may even empower you with the strength and wisdom to weather a future condition. Until next month, may you be filled and sustained physically, emotionally, and spiritually. a

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The Valley, June 2014

Spring Foraging

I was just too busy to get an article in last month. Planting season and late season harvest are by far the toughest part of the year to get everything done. This year I have expanded the amount of food I’m trying to produce by renting a ½ acre to plant. So I was waist deep in prepping the beds, tending to seedlings, and starting plants from seed. Many nights I would not get home until after the sun went down. Then I had to take care of my chickens and tend to my new fodder system. The great news is that with this extra parcel of land, I was able to plant a 50 x 5 foot bed of malting barley. By my calculations, that should be enough for another 20 gallons of beer. The

barley I planted by the chicken coop in early April is already almost up to my knees. But enough about my endeavors, let’s revisit gathering wild ingredients for the brew kettle.

I wrote about this topic a couple of years ago and talked about what you can find on the landscape to add to the kettle to sweeten or bitter a brew. I also gave out a recipe for dandelion ale. I wanted to revisit this subject because there are endless plants you can use to brew with, you just need to have the knowledge of how to identify the plant and what it does to the brew.

This time I’m going to introduce a plant that is more than likely growing right next to that dande-

lion—Yarrow.

Achillea millefolium, known commonly as yarrow or common yarrow, it is native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere in Asia, Europe, and North America. It is easily identified due to its featherlike leaf. You can purchase different cultivars from nurseries in the area, but it grows wild everywhere—you just need to look. It produces a clustered flower head that is typically white, but can be pinkish, purplish, or have a red hue. This plant has been used to treat cuts and Native Americans would chew it to ease a toothache. They would also use it to make a tea to reduce fever or treat a stomachache. So it’s not just a good brew plant, but a useful plant to be able to identify period.

You want to use dried flowers in the brew pot and steep them after the boil for about 30 minutes. The flower or leaves add a sage-like bitterness to a brew.

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From what I have read, the flowers give a crisper taste compared to the leaves. Use between ¼ to ½ ounce of dried flowers per 5 gallon batch.

Here is a recipe for using this plant in a brew.

Yarrow Pale Ale (5 gallon brew) Ingredients: • 2 lbs. pale malt • 0.5 lb. medium crystal malt • 6 lbs. light dry malt extract • 1 oz. Fuggle hops for 60 mins.

• 1 oz. Cascade hops 45 mins.

• 0.5 oz. dried fresh yarrow flowers • 1/8 oz. dried rosemary • 1/8 oz. dried fresh thyme • Ale Yeast • 1/2 cup corn sugar for priming • 1/3 cup brown sugar for priming Step by Step: Heat 2 gallons of water to 165°F, crush your grains, and add them to this water. Hold the mash at 152°F for 75 min. Sparge with 2 gallons of water at 170°F. To the partial mash in the kettle, add the dry malt extract, then heat to boiling. Total boil is 60 min. Add the Fuggle hops and boil 15 mins.

Add the Northern Brewer hops and boil 45 mins. more. Turn off the heat and add the yarrow, rosemary, and thyme. Steep 30 mins. as the wort begins to cool. Remove the herbs and reduce temp to 70°F. Place it in the primary fermenter along with enough cold pre-boiled water to make 5 gallons. Pitch the yeast culture.

Yarrow

Ferment for 10 days, then rack to secondary and age an additional 10 to 15 days. Prime mixture with corn sugar and brown sugar.

So get out there and start to look for this plant—it’s blooming this time of the year. Next month we will get back into the malting grain I have planted. Until then, get out outside and get some plants in the ground and some beer in your belly.

Update: I have been drinking that Gruit that I wrote about a few months ago. It started off as overwhelmingly bitter/tart, but as it has aged the herbs in the brew have blended well together. It is definitely not for everyone, but I dig it after working in the garden. a

The Valley, June 2014

30

Common de Core ed

Like any single bad apple, there are always new and improved ways that the Federal Government brings new meaning to rotten. Here, we are going to touch on the good, the bad, and the unacceptable of the Common Core State Standards Initiative (Common Core). This initiative has a history starting with a single person and former governor of Arizona, Janet Napolitano, who decided she would fix the failing education system. This history gets very blurry from that point forward, where the people who created the system were not educators, nor analysts, nor professionals on educational development in any manner. Then it happened, while we were sleeping, the Government was sold on a concept that is being mandated to all states under the premise that this is a voluntary state-based initiative.

I am sure you have heard that Common Core, as defined by the proponents, is an initiative to prepare America’s students for college, career, and success.

It even states that on their front page.

However, I am going to show you that Common Core is a complete and total infringement of

parental rights, individual rights, many basic civil rights, and most importantly, it is Education without Representation.

Most of you who have heard the bad about Common Core are probably familiar with the simple subtraction problem that turns into a three-page process. No? Let me give a quick example direct from a first and second grade math worksheet: The question is, “What is 14 - 4?” The process to solve this through Common Core is as follows:

This process requires multiple grid based boxes broken into two rows of five and three sets of rows.

“Step 1: Find the greatest number. Step 2: Look at the greatest number. Step 2, Sub-step 1: How many tens in the number? Step 2, Sub-step 2: How many ones?

Step 2 Sub-step 3: Write the tens and the ones in a number bond.

Step 3: Check your number bond.

Step 3, Sub-step 1: Is it true?

Step 3, Sub-step 2: Will the two parts make the whole greatest number? Step 4: Join the ones together. Step 4, Sub-step 1: How many ones are there now? Step 4, Sub-step 2: Write the equation to add the ones. Step 5: Write your new equation. 10 + __ = __.

at least one formal agent in all schools throughout the entire nation to oversee and ensure that the Common Core Initiative is being implemented correctly and that all are following the federal guidelines, processes, and procedures.

Get this, they call their federal agents, “Principal Ambassadors Fellowship,” a title that would place them above the superintendent of a school district. So now, the educators of our children will not just be cautious about saying negative things in front of the boss, but will be in fear for their career and longevity as a citizen by saying something opposing the Common Core.

There you have it, education without representation, punishment for non-participation, abolishment to freedom of choice, socialistic reporting of the “bad citizen” or “dissident,” and a fully managed policed state within the education system. Hey, at least your child, who may have otherwise excelled in education, will be equal to and never better than the slowest and least cognitive child peer. I mean, why would we ever want our children to be smarter than another child in their age or grade? They might be able to do something with their life that could improve humanity or save the world as we know it, and that would be bad, right? a

As you ponder these questions and what the Common Core is really about, think about this; How is it that an individual was able to mandate a program, and yes it is a mandate, that affects the education level of our children to a point of absolute stupefaction and inability to think for themselves or logically deduce anything with reason? Perhaps this all ties into the creation of a serf society managed by an Oligarchy (small group of powerful or rich people) as formally outlined in the U.N. sanction called Agenda 21.

An agenda seeking to depopulate the world and simplify the persons. An agenda that is being pushed on the U.S. right now and shows it’s ugly head through the recent BLM initiated land grabs like the Cliven Bundy ranch.

More on that in the next article.

Step 5, Sub-step 1: The second number will be the ones from step 4 (“part” that is left from the number bond). Step 6: Answer the original equation. Step 6, Substep 1: It should be understood that the two equations are equal.

Here’s a secret, 14 + 4 is the same as 10 + 8.”

Do you understand this?

Yeah, me neither. Apparently, most people do not understand this process, and that is why they are fighting it from reaching their schools. Reality is, the Federal Government states you must implement the Common Core. If you read articles, the Feds will assure you they have no involvement, but let’s put that to bed right here, right now. Recently, because of the absurdity of Common Core methodologies, the state of Indiana voted “NO” to implementing the initiative. They were immediately met with a retort from the U.S. Department of Education in a letter stating, “Because the IDOE (Indiana Department of Education) will no longer implement those standards...” they will no longer receive federal funding from the • Reliable Propane & Heating Oil Delivery “No Child Left • Budget Payment Plan Behind” law or Call today other available to learn about our • 24/7 Emergency Service grants. So much NEw CustOmER • Heating Equipment Service Plans for non-Federal sPECiAls! intervention, but • Safety Trained Professionals wait, there is • Over 80 Years Experience more...

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The Valley, June 2014

A new idea, a new approach a new technique, and creative breakthroughs can come like a bolt of lightning, or in the whisper of a muse. Creativity is the ability to give the world something it didn’t know it was missing, create something fundamentally new, like the iPod. You have tens of millions of people now who carry around an iPod. Eight years ago

I don’t think they knew they were missing an iPod.

While this next product is not an electronic device, it is something that is marketable to everyone of any age. I would like to introduce you to Suzy Batiz, a small town girl with dreams as big as Texas. Suzy’s big “a-ha moment” was “what if you could stop bathroom odors before they begin?” After nine months of formulating and testing on family members, a winner was born— “POO-POURRI.” No this is not a misspelling, and no this is nothing like potpourri. Poo- Pourri is the before-you-go toilet spray.

This product is a secret blend of essential oils and other natural compounds that virtually eliminate bathroom odors by creating a protective film pn the toilet’s water surface, which leaves the

A perfect Fathers Day gift!

bathroom smelling better than you found it. Seriously!! Compared to regular bathroom sprays that you spray in the air you breathe, Poo-Pourri has no harsh chemicals, no parabens, no phthalates, no aerosols, and no formaldehyde, Only stink fightin’ good stuff.

Suzy, now CEO of Addisonbased Poo-Pourri, has been working since 2006 to erase offensive bathroom odor. What spurred her passion to start her own company focused on developing products that stifle the stink?

“I have a husband and two boys,” she says matterof-factly. “We have a serious issue at our house.”

After nearly a year of testing homemade smell-busting formulas on friends and family members, Batiz finally struck gold in spring of 2007.

She has turned a taboo topic into a money-making machine.

Consumers can’t get enough of the company’s witty, if not a little gross, product lines, and the company expects to bring in between $15 to $20 million in revenue this year.

“I probably could have created it sooner, but my testing opportunities were only so often, whenever anyone went to the bathroom,” Batiz said.

Batiz shipped her first wholesale order of Poo-Pourri, a line of all-natural bathroom odor neutralizers, in May of 2007.

With that first sale, Poo-Pourri declared war on smelly bathrooms, and its fleets haven’t rested since. The product’s tagline, “Spritz the bowl before you go and no one else will ever know,” describes the company’s line of attack.

Poo-Pourri has grown organically. In addition to being investor- and debt-free, the company has been profitable since its second month of business, Batiz said.

The Poo-Pourri product line has made its way into 8,000 boutiques across the United States and onto QVC’s top customerrated products list.

As Co-owner of Dutch Pantry Gifts, I can personally state that customers that have bought Poo-Pourri have come back for more.

Because it’s such a good product, all my customers that use it once end up consistently keeping it in their homes.

A lot of people initially buy them as gifts and then come back to get some for themselves after they realize how well the gift was received.

“I grew the business on purpose in boutiques so that we could create a good solid cult following,” Batiz said.

The Poo-Pourri product line has expanded to include 19 scents to fit every person’s potty personality.

“Guys would email me saying ‘Come on, (Poo-Pourri) is too feminine,’” Batiz said. “So we created Royal Flush. And when my daughter was 13, she was like ‘I’m not carrying around Poo-Pourri.’ She was traumatized.

So we created Number 2. It’s just evolved over time.”

Batiz’ husband says Trap-A-Crap is his go-to odor extinguisher.

“I knew it was a taboo topic, so I had to make the product a little bit witty or funny,” Batiz said.

Made in America and marketed to other small businesses, Suzy stands by supporting small businesses and creating jobs here in America.

Dutch

The Truth Has No Agenda

Pantry Gifts currently has the largest selection in the area of Poo-Pourri products. Orignal (a fresh clean blend of bergamont, lemongrass and grapefruit), Party Pooper (a fresh crisp floral blend of mandarin, tangerine and lily), Deja Poo (a soft sweet blend of white flowers and citrus), Royal Flush (a fresh masculine blend of eucalyptus and spearmint), Heavy Doody (a fresh woodsy blend of neroli, sandalwood and sea salt), Pootonium (a powerful and clean woodsy blend of basil, bay

Also now available is Shoe-Pourri (an effective fresh blend of cedar wood, eucalyptus and grapefruit). This item breaks down the enzymes that cause foot odor and eliminates them completely.

The newest member of the family is Little Stinker made for soiled diapers. With Little stinker. you just spray the soiled diaper before throwing it away and there will be no reminder that your little angel was once a little stinker.

Dutch Pantry Gifts is located right off the Milroy exit across

and fir), No#2 (a sweet refreshing blend of berries and peaches) and Lavender Vanilla (a warm blend of lavender and vanilla). We also have The master crapsman gift sets for Father’s Day, boxed in a small tool chest.

from Tom’s gas station/convenience store and next to Subway and the Best Western Hotel. We will have all Poo Pourri items on sale through Father’s Day. See our ad on this page for store hours and contact information. a

The Valley, June 2014

32

Blossom Hill Homes Are Springing Up!

by Kim Rickert

Are you wishing for a new NOT an over 55 community, but home, but think it’s not affordwe do appeal to those buyers who able? Just jump in your car and are looking for less maintenance, drive out Green Avenue Extended convenience and the peace of past Geisinger Medical Group mind that comes with owning (GMG) and you will find new a new home. These homes are homes springing up everywhere! It’s Blossom Hill, the planned community of new construction homes built by Berks Homes.

Begun in 2007, the original model home, a Bluebell plan, and several duplexes Your NEW HOME? Call us at Stone Arch—let’s find out. and 8 town homes were the first buildings behind built to Energy Bright standards GMG. Since then 17 single family with premier products such as homes, including ranch and two Energy Star Whirlpool applistories, plus a total of 16 duplex ances, energy saving light fixtures, homes have been built. Just last energy efficient gas water heaters, year alone there were twelve new and a state-of-the-art Manabloc homes put under contract, and five Plumbing System. With the new homes have been completed natural gas heating and central air this year with four more currently systems, these homes will defiunder construction. nitely cost less to heat and cool

So what is the attraction? than your older home!

Why are so many people build We have seven one level floor ing at Blossom Hill? Is it just for plans, ranging from about 1300 older folks? square feet to about 1750 square

First of all, the community is feet, with optional additions such

as a sunroom or expanded family room. The newest plan is the Oriole ,which has a first floor master bedroom and bath, plus a second floor with two bedrooms and full bath. One of these models will be Our kitchens feature Energy Star appliances to help manage your utility costs.

under construction soon. Some of these homes can be built on a slab if preferred, but most include a

full basement with poured foundation.

For those looking for more space, there are two plans with two stories, the Aberdeen and the Bellwoode, which have 2100 and 1800 square feet respectively.

Both plans have a choice of three or four bedrooms, a study or dining room, and the open floor plan family room and country kitchen that is in demand with today’s buyers.

One of the most popular floor plans for homeowners looking for an inclusive maintenance plan, are the duplexes. The Morgan and Tyler are both surprisingly roomy, especially if one adds the sunroom to the plan. The Tyler includes a second floor with bedroom, bath and loft in the base price. This plan also has a dining room/study and first floor master.

Beautiful exteriors create excellent “curb appeal.”

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All of our homes include a first floor laundry and full or half bath.

Planning your new home couldn’t be easier with the help of Stone Arch Real Estate agents Tami Slick and Kim Rickert.

Representing Berks Homes, Tami and Kim are trained to guide you through the process from the initial pricing scenarios to writing the sales contract and keeping you abreast of the progress on your home. They are available anytime by appointment or you can stop by our Sales Center on Thursdays and Fridays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Contact them at Stone Arch Real Estate or on their cell phones. (see ad below) But most importantly, stop “wondering” if you can afford a new home. Call us and find out! a

33

The Valley, June 2014 dogs and other products (again, check the label) Gross-out factor: High

Back Talk

by Dr. Joseph Kauffman

You Are What You Eat

The saying goes, “you are what you eat.” If this is truly the case, this month’s column should be a big wake-up call for all of us.

I am as guilty as the next person for putting “convenience foods” into my system, but after writing this column, I can assure you that I am thinking twice about what I am putting into my body and I hope you do too! Check out this information by Amanda Gardner from Health.com: http:// www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20588763,00.html Gross stuff in food

News about gross-out ingredients like pink slime and ammonia (more about both later) got us thinking: What other surprises lurk in the food we eat? We put that question to food safety as well as food manufacturing experts, and it turns out all kinds of things go into refined and processed foods that you wouldn’t willingly put in your mouth.

Here’s a few...read at your own risk!

That’s not to say it isn’t safe to eat. The Food and Drug Administration and other agencies spend lots of time and energy to make sure you’re not eating stuff that will kill you. But the idea that something seems “just plain wrong” often isn’t part of the calculation.

Here’s a list of food ingredients that rate high in the yuck factor.

Gelatin

What it is: Vegetarians prepare to be shocked! The same stuff that puts the jiggle in Jello and other gelatin-based products is derived from collagen, a protein often collected from animal skins.

The source varies depending on the type of food, says Andrew L. Milkowsi, PhD, adjunct professor of animal sciences at the University of Wisconsin Madison. The gelatin in desserts, for instance,

comes mainly from pig skin.

Where you’ll find it: Gelatin, which is a thickening agent, can also be found in frosted cereals, yogurt, candy, and some types of sour cream. (Check the label.)

Gross-out factor: High for vegetarians, low for everyone else.

Mechanically separated meat What it is: Mechanically separated meat is what’s left over after the meat clinging to the bones of chicken or pork are forced through a sieve-like structure using high pressure. “It looks like a paste or batter,” says Sarah A. Klein, a staff attorney with the Food Safety Program at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “You have crushed bits of bone and cartilage and other things that can end up in that final paste.”

Because of the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease, mechanically separated beef is no longer allowed in human food.

Where you’ll find it: Some hot

Carbon monoxide

What it is: We have carbon monoxide detectors in our homes for a reason: this odorless gas can be deadly. But the same stuff that comes from the exhaust pipe of your vehicle is also used in packaging ground beef and some fish like tilapia and tuna. It helps them retain their youthful blush, says Patty Lovera, assistant director of Food & Water Watch.

Where you’ll find it: Carbon monoxide is injected into plastic wrap after all the air is sucked out to block the process of oxidation that can turn pink meat brown.

The process is considered safe for humans although it isn’t widely used anymore, says Lovera. Consumer groups have objected to the treatment’s potential to mask meat spoilage.

Gross-out factor: Medium Shellac

What it is: Candy lovers, cover your eyes: pretty, shiny treats like jelly beans come at a price. They’re often coated with shellac, a sticky substance derived from secretions of the female Kerria lacca, an insect native to Thailand.

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Where you’ll find it: Shellac makes jelly beans, candy corn, and other hard-coated candy look shiny. It may be called a “confectioner’s glaze” on the packaging.

So sweet, and yet so sick.

Gross-out factor: Low Saltwater injections

What it is: Saltwater is fine in the ocean, but injected into food?

Believe it! Too much salt can contribute to high blood pressure and other health problems, so less is better. But in a practice called plumping, manufacturers inject salt and other ingredients into raw meat (mostly chicken) to enhance flavor and increase the weight of the meat before it’s sold.

Where you’ll find it: In packaged meat, and you should avoid it! Check the fine print and the nutrition facts label. Meat that’s been injected may say “flavored with up to 10% of a solution” or “up to 15% chicken broth.”

Regular chicken has about 40 to 70 mg of sodium per 4-ounce serving, while plumped chicken can contain 5 times or more than that amount, or 300 mg and up.

Gross-out factor: High, for health reasons Viruses

What it is: Don’t viruses

Continued on page 37

The Valley, June 2014

34

Joanne Wills-Kline Contentment Quest

Conduct A Life Audit

The mention of the word “audit” can cause anxiety in most people. Oftentimes, the scenario that comes to mind when people hear the word audit is financial examiners scrutinizing financial reports and records with a microscope, pondering the accuracy of the “books.” The word “audit” can also refer to a “review” or “inventory” such as taking an inventory of your pantry or closet; or a review of your checkbook register. We conduct “audits” in our everyday life so often, and so routinely, that we usually do not comprehend the true value of the little everyday audits. For example, when you glance over or review your checkbook register, it’s usually to get a “snapshot” of your current money balance.

When you leave the house in the morning to head for work, you likely conduct a mini audit – Keys? Lunch? Briefcase? Etc. We all are familiar with little habitual “audits” that we conduct on a

routine basis in our lives… but what about a “life audit?” What if we started conducting little “life audits” on a routine basis? What if we began to “check-in” with ourselves… check in with our deepest truth about our lives?

This month the focus is on “life audits.” Arianna Huffington, the author of the recent book “Thrive,” and the editor of the Huffington Post made a comment about the importance of “life audits.” Huffington mentioned it was essential to “…do some ‘trimming’ in your life so you can put energy into what really matters.” Her book is founded on thriving—moving beyond accomplishments into a new level of flourishing. If you were to conduct a life audit right now, what would your “books” reveal?

Would your life’s reports reveal a level of healthy balance, or perhaps an overdraft or two… if scrutinized deeply enough, maybe even misappropriation of funds?

Now, I’m not talking about your financial life reports. I’m talking about your life energy reports.

What’s the balance of your life’s energy account?

Are you feeling overcommitted and busier than busy? Are you feeling as though you are running against the clock to check off the ‘to-do’ list? Do you feel as though your “no” is broken; therefore you always answer “yes” to the request of a favor? If you can answer a resounding “yes!” to the questions, then perhaps your life energy account is overextended.

On the flipside, if you feel as though you have time in your days to catch your breath, and perhaps move throughout your day with an air of calm, then your life energy account may be balanced. Contrary to what many may think, selfnurturing is NOT selfish. If you are routinely running on empty, follow Arianna Huffington’s advice and “do some trimming in your life so you may put energy into what really matters.”

What really matters to you?

Take the time to do a life inventory.

Consider what the super important things are in your life; write them down in list form.

Next consider what things make the important list and record them too. The ‘things’ of importance may be tangible or intangible… the point is to get them on paper where you can see where stuff ranks in true levels of importance to you. Third, pen the stuff on your schedule that classifies as “so-so” stuff… things that aren’t important, yet don’t fill you with dread either.

The stuff in the “so-so” category might provoke feelings of “fence sitting”… perhaps

the stuff that provokes a neutral feeling in you. Lastly, pen the stuff that makes you feel dread.

Once completed scrutinize your lists… your life audit.

Clear your life of all the things on your list that provoke a feeling of dread – immediately.

You may debate whether you can really axe those items from your life… whether you can “afford” to cut them. You may be concerned about the “true cost” of cutting those items/things/people from your life. In all honesty, the thing to ponder is the cost “to” your life if you don’t cut them. Will you sacrifice the ability to truly thrive in your life... sacrifice the opportunity to live from your highest authentic self if you don’t cut the dread? At the very least, muster the strength to take steps to cut the dread bit-by-bit if you can’t fathom making one swift cut of it all.

Re-examine your audit again.

Proceed to your “so-so” list and mindfully consider where to make cuts – what items should go – follow through intentionally.

You are in the process of adding time and energy back to your life through the process of eliminating what does not make you flourish.

Give yourself some praise… its courageous work to trim “to-do” lists and take charge of one’s time.

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Know that when you take action to “trim” and alter your life lists, you will likely be met with criticisms to some degree. Our social norms seem to praise “busyness.” Oftentimes, people seem to compete for acknowledgement of how “busy” their schedules have become.

Your audit should look much more open and airy… as if you can sense more breathing room on the paper. Two lists should be left at this point on your audit – the important and super important items. The contents of both lists should be revered as the “special reserves” in your life. The lists should be given priority in your life. The super important items should be very guarded. Carefully erect proper boundaries to protect them, and give them first priority in your life. Make no apologies for safeguarding what’s high priority in your life.

Conducting a life audit helps to get priorities in black and white and clutter in the clear. It gives us clear vision as to what monopolizes our time and energy. It also serves as a list style diary of undertakings in our lives at that specific point in time. A life audit is a great strategy to incorporate if you wish to lead a flourishing life. a

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The Valley, June 2014

Life in the East End

by Rebecca Harrop

We are now two months away from the Mifflin County Youth Fair! As I wrote in previous articles, there are lots of exciting events planned. The ribbon cutting ceremony is coming together. The Open Show committee is collecting donations for the Benefit Auction. Open Show is also working on adding a new Back Home Country Fun contest. Instead of doing the Pie Eating contest, we will be having a Watermelon Smashing Relay.

Participants will be in teams of two or three and they will have to go through an obstacle course with a watermelon, and at the end they will smash the watermelon.

The team with the fastest time wins. Participants will have to sign up ahead of time so we know how many watermelons to buy.

The regular contests we do, Skillet Toss, Bale Toss, & Sunflower Seed Spitting, will still be held.

So make sure you get signed up for the contests, they are lots of fun.

There will also be several special anniversary items available to purchase such as T-shirts, afghans, and commemorative crocks, from the 60th Anniversary Committee. Open Show committee will be selling cookbooks and collectors baskets. This year’s basket is a Stadium Basket. It will have red, white & blue weave, blue with white star cloth liner, a lid and a brass plate that says 60th Anniversary.

Don’t forget there are many opportunities for you to enter your homemade goodies and home grown items at the Fair this year.

We are hoping to make this Fair the best one ever, so be thinking of what you can enter. If you have any questions contact the Extension Office or a Fair Committee member for assistance.

We got a lot of rain last month. One night we got 5 inches, and at the barn where we milk cows we had 7 inches! Of course, with all the rain we had some flooding. It was so bad we couldn’t get to the barn where we keep the calves until later in the day. We couldn’t make it through with our trucks until that afternoon. Ben went down with the tractor around 8 am to mix feed for the cows. He said the water was half way up the front tires.

That’s pretty deep!

We now have a big ditch in our garden, so we will have to replant some of it once things start coming up and we know what is still there. I did see onions coming up all over the place. Dad always complains when we don’t have straight rows; I told him its not my fault this time. Mom and I were looking at the garden tonight and it looks like we are going to have peas in the onion row and red beets and carrots in the potato row. We are still looking for the new rhubarb shoots I planted.

The only thing that looks like it is where it should be is the garlic and the asparagus. Oh well, it should be interesting weeding the garden this year.

I planted a new kind of potato this year. They are called fingerling potatoes. Mom sells them at Mifflin Agway. They are long and skinny sort of like a carrot. They

May flooding caused serious damage to gardens that were just sown.

are good for roasted potatoes I guess. We planted two varieties, French and Banana. I’m kind of anxious to see what they are like.

I planted all the usual vegetables we plant this year. It’s kind of funny because I actually had the garden planted earlier this year than we have the last couple of years. We were feeling pretty good about that and then comes 5 inches of rain in a night, and it sure made a mess out of things.

Dad says they will probably have to replant some corn due to all the rain. The planting was going pretty good too. I know he said there was some ground he couldn’t spray because it was too wet to drive over.

Dad always looks on the bright side of things so he said they’ll manage.

April was National Library month. To celebrate, Farm Bureau always donates a farm-related book to the Mifflin County Library and all the grade school libraries in Mifflin County. This year’s book was titled “The Beeman.” It is written from a child’s view of his grandfather’s bee keeping enterprise. The last three years I have had the opportunity to go into the schools and read the book. This year I read it to first graders. I started at the end of April and finished up at the beginning of May. I really enjoy reading to the kids.

It reminds me of my Dairy Princess days.

In May, the Mifflin County Dairy Princess Promotion Committee crowned Blake Yoder as the new Dairy Princess and Paige Spicher is the alternate Dairy

Princess. The committee is ready for an active year with Blake as Princess and her court is ready to promote the Dairy Industry and all the good nutritious products made from dairy’s goodness. If

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you want to schedule the new Princess for an event, please contact Carey Goss or Maria Yoder. They will do their best to set things up.

That’s all from the East End. a

The Valley, June 2014

36

Healthy Soils Are: Well Structured

Does your soil have good structure? How can you tell?

“Soft and crumbly.” “Like cottage cheese.” “Like a sponge.”

“Loose and full of holes.” Those are common descriptions of what healthy soil looks and feels like and these descriptions refer to soils with good structure.

Soil structure is the arrangement of the solid particles of the soil and the pore space between them. Why is soil structure important? Because it is critical to how the soil functions. When the solid particles of the soil – sand, silt and clay particles – cling together as granular aggregates (like “hunks” of cottage cheese), the soil has a good balance of solid parts and pore space.

Soils with good structure allow for easy movement of

both water and air through the soil and provides habitat for soil organisms. While chemical and physical factors of a soil play a prominent role in small aggregate formations, often over-looked biological processes drive the development of large aggregates and macropores. For example, earthworms produce both new aggregates and pores. Other soil microorganisms that break down organic matter secrete a gooey protein called glomalin, a type of organic glue that acts as a cementing agent for large aggregate formation.

Management practices that reduce soil cover, disrupt continuous pore space, compact soil or reduce soil organic matter negatively impact soil structure.

Since tillage negatively affects all

of these properties, it’s high on the list of practices damaging to healthy soils. NRCS Agronomist Ray Archuletta says, “I used to think if I tilled the soil – fluffed it up – it would allow more water in. But that’s just not true. Tilling soil closes pore space and keeps rainfall from infiltrating. You’ve got to have pore space in your soil from top to bottom. Our watersheds have an infiltration problem, not a runoff problem. If we focus on building healthy soils that result in more infiltration, we’ll do what we need to do to eliminate much of the runoff.”

Soils that are not tilled and are covered with diverse high residue crops have better structure, higher levels of organic matter and microorganism activity, higher water holding capacity, higher

infiltration rates and little compaction. If soil health is your goal, till as little as possible. Unlock your farm’s potential by keeping this simple phrase in mind: “do not disturb!”

To learn more about soil conservation, and how you can get help on your land, visit www. nrcs.usda.gov or contact your local office in Mifflintown, located at 146 Stoney Creek Drive, Suite 3, Mifflintown, PA 17059.

About Melissa Erdman: Melissa is a District Conservationist with the USDA’s Natural

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Resources Conservation Service. She works in the agency’s Mifflintown office and can be contacted at (717) 436-8953 x 111 or melissa.erdman@pa.usda.gov.

About NRCS: USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service helps America’s farmers and ranchers conserve the nation’s soil, water, air and other natural resources.

All programs are voluntary and offer science-based solutions that benefit both the landowner and the environment. Learn more at www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov. a

37

The Valley, June 2014 You Are What You Eat from page 33 make us sick? Well yes, but bacteriophages —tiny bacteriakilling viruses—actually help us by making bacteria sick. First approved for use on food in 2006, bacteriophages infect food-contaminating germs, not humans, says Milkowski.

Where you’ll find it: Manufacturers spray these on readyto-eat meat and deli products that are sold in sealed plastic pouches.

The bacteriophage products come in two types: One that combats E. coli and the other Listeria bacteria. (Only the second is used on food; the first is used to spray cattle.) Check the ingredient list for the words “bacteriophage preparation.”

Gross-out factor: Low Ammonia

What it is: Ammonia is a strong smelling chemical found in household cleaning products, but it’s also used as gas to kill germs in low-grade fatty beef trimmings.

“The trim (of animal meat) is prone to having more bacteria on it,” Lovera explains. “They use ammonia as a kill step to deal with the bacteria during processing.”

Where you’ll find it: This controversial practice started around 2001, and the resulting product—sometimes called pink slime—is used as a filler in ground beef.

Gross-out factor: High Pink slime

What it is: Pink slime is a product derived from the bits of meat clinging to fat, which are separated out by melting the fat away and spinning in a centrifuge.

The result is a pinkish substance called lean finely textured beef that’s treated with ammonia gas to kill germs, and then added to ground beef as a filler. Lots of ground beef, as in 10 billion pounds per year.

Where you’ll find it: Recent furor over the concoction has caused companies like Wendy’s and McDonald’s to report that their hamburgers are pink slimefree and some supermarkets like Safeway and Wegmans to say they will no longer carry it. Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program now have the option of ordering beef without it, according to the USDA. Gross-out factor: High Bisphenol A

What it is: Though the chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, has been

removed from most hard plastics (including baby bottles and sippy cups), it can still be found in the sealant in the lining of some cans, says Lovera.

Where you’ll find it: “This can be especially problematic with acidic foods like tomatoes,” she says. “The concern is that it leaks into foods.”

BPA has been linked to brain, behavior and prostate problems, especially in fetuses and children.

Gross-out factor: High Castoreum

What it is: Brace yourself— this food flavoring is extracted from the castor sac scent glands of the male or female beaver, which are located near the anus. According to Milkowski, the substance is pretty expensive (think about what it probably takes to obtain it) and is more common in perfume than in actual foods.

Where you’ll find it: While it sounds downright disgusting, the FDA says it’s GRAS, meaning it’s “generally recognized as safe.”

You won’t see this one on the food label because it’s generally listed as “natural flavoring.” It’s natural all right—naturally icky.

Gross-out factor: Medium Sodium benzoate

What it is: Did you ever take a slug of soda or juice and feel a tingling sensation in your throat?

That may be sodium benzoate.

This common preservative is also generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, meaning it shouldn’t pose a hazard. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t avoid it: a 2007 study published in The Lancet found that a mixture of sodium benzoate and food dyes was linked to hyperactive behavior in children, although it was hard to tell if the dyes or the preservative were to blame.

Where you’ll find it: Soft drinks and other carbonated beverages, fruit juices and jams, salad dressings, condiments, and pickles.

Gross-out factor: Medium Antibiotics

What it is: People take antibiotics to kill germs. Livestock get antibiotics because they grow bigger and faster—and thus are more lucrative.

Where you’ll find it: “The main concern about overuse of antibiotics in livestock production is the growing problem of antibiotic resistance,” says Lovera.

Researchers are concerned about antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the overall environment and in livestock facilities.

But foodborne illnesses can result from resistant bacteria in food, including a ground turkey recall in 2011 (resistant salmonella) as well as a 2012 ground beef recall (also salmonella).

Gross-out factor: High Silicon dioxide

What it is: Silicon dioxide is what gets in your bathing suit and your hair at the beach. Affectionately known as sand, it’s also found in food. “It’s used in a lot of things as a flow agent and partly because it does a nice job of absorbing a little bit of atmospheric humidity that would cause clumping in a variety of things,” says Milkowski. Swallowing a little sand at the shore probably never hurt you and it probably won’t hurt you at the dinner table either.

Where you’ll find it: Salts, soups, and coffee creamer.

Gross-out factor: Low

Milkowski, “it’s a very, very safe material.” In fact, it’s much safer than a kissing cousin, ethylene glycol, which is particularly toxic to dogs.

Propylene glycol has lubricating properties which aid in making spice concentrates, not to mention condoms. And if you need good mixing in food, this is your compound. “You’ll find things that don’t mix well in water do disperse well in propylene glycol,” says Milkowski.

Where you’ll find it: Sodas, salad dressing, and beer Gross-out factor: Medium Cellulose

What it is: Cellulose, derived mainly from wood pulp and cotton, is used in paper ­manufacturing—and sometimes added to food.

Where you’ll find it: Cellulose is added to shredded cheese to keep the strands from sticking together, and also can be found in ice cream. It’s found naturally in corn. Cellulose “is a very innocuous material,” says Milkowsi.

“Humans can’t digest it.”

weed, carrageenan is a gel used as a thickening agent and emulsifier (keeps food from separating.)

Where you’ll find it: May be injected into raw chicken or other meat as a way to retain water, as well as in dairy products like cottage cheese and ice cream.

Chocolate milk often contains carrageenan to keep the cocoa from separating from the milk.

Gross-out factor: Low Liquid smoke

What it is: We worry about smoking and eating too much smoky barbecue. We also wonder, what exactly is liquid smoke, anyway? Liquid smoke is made by burning sawdust and capturing the components in either water or a vegetable oil, explains Milkowski.

Where you’ll find it: The resulting product can be purchased and added to sauces and other foods to give it that—yes—smoky flavor. If you’re used to cooking on an open fire, this might not seem all that gross to you, and manufacturers certainly don’t shy away from it. Liquid Smoke is also added to barbecue products, baked beans, hot dogs, bacon, and beef jerky, among others.

Gross-out factor: Low

Carmine

What it is: Yup, insects again.

In your food. When it comes to food, insects are handy for other things besides their shine. They’re Carrageenan good for color too, especially red.

What it is: Do you eat seaCarmine is a red food-coloring weed? If you said no, prepare for that comes from boiled cochineal a surprise, because carageenan is bugs, which are a type of beetle.

Continued on page 44 everywhere. Extracted from seaThere have been reports that the bug-based coloring can cause severe allergic reactions in some people, including potentially life-threatening Modalities: anaphylactic Ashiatsu reactions, so the FDA now Cupping requires that Prenatal the ingredient be listed clearly Deep Tissue on food and cosSwedish Massage metic labels.

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The Valley, June 2014

38

Ed’s Railroading News

by Ed Forsythe

Hello everyone. We just finished with the Artsfest in downtown Lewistown and although it was a much smaller event this year than in the past, it was indeed a really nice event. In years past, the Mifflin County Arts Council has had a rather large Arts Festival. but due to necessary changes, this year’s event was different and gave the Mifflin County Model Railroad Club an opportunity for an Open House. This was not our typical day of running trains, but rather we just ran a few trains and had a Scavenger Hunt for artistic scenes that are on our layouts.

Our visitors received a list when they arrived and were able to look for many different details in the scenery. One could look for the cabin with the moonshine still, the Statue of Liberty, a road-killed deer with crows, wash day & feeding the chickens on the farm, a policeman doing a pat-down, a

lake with a spillway, picnickers and many more interesting details to assist folks to see not only the trains running, but the art work that goes into building a layout of this magnitude. This was the first time we have incorporated a scavenger hunt into an event, but you can be sure it will not be the last time. For those who did the scavenger hunt, we will also be making up several new lists so visitors can have fun looking for other artistic details. The idea has also been given to us to add temporary things to find. I’m not sure if this would be possible, but one thing for sure, we will consider it along with adding a figurine for a “Where’s Waldo?” search.

I hope from this article you’ve gotten the idea that we felt that being a part of the Artsfest day was indeed fun and successful. It certainly was and we highly recommend that others also get

involved with the event in the future. Remember, as I’ve said in the past, art is not only paintings and sculpture, but art can be found in everything.

Recently Cathy and I visited a little private outdoor railroad in Ickesburg and got to ride behind a coal fired live steam engine pulling about ten 7 foot cars. This railroad rides on 7 1/2 inch wide track and goes about a mile and a half around the owners yard.

There is a car barn that houses additional cars and equipment and another barn that houses the engines and other ride-on cars.

We both got to drive the owner’s Pennsy diesel engine around the railroad and really had a great time doing it. We’re both hooked on this hobby and can hardly wait until we can have one of these babies of our own. Another gentleman got out his trolley engine and we got to ride behind it and then I got to drive it around the yard tracks and up the loading ramp for him to load it into his vehicle to take to Ohio to run it on tracks out there. In talking with these men, we found out that there is a huge yearly operation in Oregon that owners of these little trains travel to and run their equipment together. I’ve checked out this little railroad on-line at TMRR. org, and it looks like great times can be had there.

‘I think we will just have to plan a trip to South Dakota to see Andrew and family and then travel to this railroad in Oregon before heading over to Japan to spend time with Edo and family.

Does anyone want to buy a toy train business, so we can start this new adventure soon? Well anyway, we can at least

dream of the possibilities of having one sometime. I think it would be great to have a fun railroad

running around the farms of Vira.

Happy Railroading, Ed a

Editors Corner from page 2

made him very happy. Founded in 1989, the original investment has been paid many times over.

I guess I am hoping that because of all the heartfelt compliments we receive each month, that there is someone out there who wants to take a leap of faith to keep us moving forward, I have lots of ideas, but have only been able to implement a few due to funding, we started this with nothing but God’s hand on our back, only he knows if we will continue to do what we love. a

I remember reading about the trials of our friends at Backwoods Home Magazine when they first got started. The Publisher Dave Duffy approached an acquaintence about investing in his dream.

It seems that after working out the particulars, he was able to offer a percentage of profits for the life of the magazine. Both men still work together and the magazine continues to grow. What may have been a leap of faith for the investor has

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The Valley, June 2014

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The Valley, June 2014

Rehabilitation after your illness, injury, or surgery.

Better Outcomes.

Quality Care.

PASA’s Bike Fresh Bike Local Trio of PA Events Begins Ride to support sustainable, local food PASA, the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, is organizing three Bike Fresh Bike Local rides, the first of which will be held in Allegheny County, PA on June 1, 2014. Bike Fresh Bike Local is a fundraiser to benefit PASA’s work supporting sustainable agriculture and local foods systems through farmer education, community outreach and advocacy. Each Bike Fresh ride features a choice of route options on some of Pennsylvania’s most beautiful rural roads, detailed cue sheets, and well-stocked rest stops, culminating with a delicious local foods lunch prepared by regional event partners.

Bike Fresh Bike Local gives PASA a fun opportunity to highlight the tremendous local food bounty growing in Pennsylvania. Our rides take cyclists soaring along country roads next to family farms that are caring for the land – it’s a cyclist’s dream! Bike Fresh Bike Local references the Pennsylvania “Buy Fresh Buy Local” campaign, a program devoted to connecting consumers to locally grown foods and rebuilding local food systems. Bike Fresh Bike Local began as a ride in eastern PA, Chester County, 7 years ago in 2008. Last year the events expanded to three rides covering the state with the addition of Bike Fresh Bike Local Allegheny County in the west, and Bike Fresh Bike Local Centre County in the central region. This winning combination of local foods and great cycling drew over 1,500 riders statewide last year.

This season, Bike Fresh Bike Local is off to a strong start and hopes to draw many riders who support a sustainable future. The first ride in Allegheny County on June 1 begins at the North Park recreation area, north of Pittsburgh, and features 25- and 50-mile route options along rolling country roads. PASA members’ family farms will be marked along the scenic route. Event partners North Country Brewing and Whole Foods Market will team up to provide a local foods lunch and craft brew following the ride.

On August 3rd, Bike Fresh kicks off Centre County’s Local Foods Week, and will be held at the PASA headquarters in Millheim. The Centre County ride offers a choice of three routes (25, 50, and 75 miles) through the scenic Penns, Brush, and Sugar Valleys. Event partners Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks, Ecovents, and Lady Moon Farms will provide the celebratory local foods lunch to cap-off this great cycling event.

The season closes in Chester County, home of the original Bike Fresh, on September 21. Route choices of 10, 25, 50 and 75 miles will be available for all levels of riders. The event begins and ends in Downingtown at Victory Brewing Co., longtime event partner and provider of the delicious post-ride meal and beer. Victory Brewing is also the recipient of PASA’s 2014 Sustainable Ag Business Leader award!

A Higher Level of Care®

This trio of Bike Fresh events promise to be a fun and healthy way to engage consumers in supporting the sustainable local foods movement. For more information, see www.bikefresh.org

Event Details June 1, 2014: Bike Fresh Bike Local Allegheny County Ice Rink at North Park, Allison Park, PA Event Partners: North Country Brewing, Whole Foods Market Website: http://pasafarming.org/events/pasa-events/bike-fresh-allegheny-county Registration Cost: $40.00 before 5/29/2014, $50.00 walk-in, registrations capped at 400

550 West College Avenue Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 814 359-3421 NittanyValleyRehab.com ©2013:HealthSouth Corporation:636927-11

August 3, 2014: Bike Fresh Bike Local Centre County Millheim, PA Event Partners: Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks, Ecovents, Lady Moon Farms Website: http://pasafarming.org/events/pasa-events/bike-fresh-centre-county Registration Cost: $40.00 before 7/31/2014, $50.00 walk-in, registrations capped at 400 September 21, 2014: Bike Fresh Bike Local Chester County Downingtown, PA Event Partner: Victory Brewing Company Website: http://pasafarming.org/events/pasa-events/bike-fresh-bike-local Registration Cost: $40.00 before 9/7/2014, then $45.00 until pre-reg. closes on 9/15/2014. Walk-ins $50.00, registrations capped at 900.

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The Valley, June 2014

Get Vocal - Buy Local

Support Local Business! www.thevalleynewspaper.com

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The Valley, June 2014

42

Green Drake

Plein Air Paintout June 5-7

So, what is plein air painting?

It’s from the French term, “en plein air”, meaning “in the open air” and it means outdoor painting from life. The French impressionists like Monet started a movement toward getting out of the studio and painting fast, on-site landscapes and even subjects like people directly from life. Today, this contrasts with the common (and perfectly acceptable) practice of working in the studio from pho-

tographs. A plein air piece is often looser and less detailed, but may capture more of the essence of the light and textures of the scene. A good plein air piece makes you feel like you can almost hear the birds the artist heard as he or she painted.

One June 5-7, the Green Drake Gallery will sponsor its second annual Pein Air Paintout, with up to twenty artists painting in and around Millheim.

The second and third days will coincide with the Millheim Mayfly Festival, so there will be lots of other things to see and do, as well. On Saturday afternoon, all of the artists will bring their final completed works to the Green Drake for judging and display, with the show/sale from 4:00 to 6:00 PM.. This will be a chance to met many of the artists. The best of the work created will then stay on display through the end of July, joining the work of watercolor artist Brienne Brown of Julian, who will also be joining the paintout. A separate reception will be held for Brienne and potter Jason Bloom, also from Julian, on Friday evening starting at 6:00. There will be live music Friday evening by the Old Time band Gnarled Knuckles as well as street music in front of the gallery on Saturday.

The Millheim Mayfly Festival is Friday evening and all day Saturday, with food vendors, kids’ activities, live street musicians, and lots more. It’ll be a great weekend to spend time in Millheim!

You can find out more about the Paintout and show on the web at greendrakeart. com and about the Mayfly Festival at MillheimPa.com. a

A painting from last year’s Plein Air Paintout by Jeanne McKinney

A painting done on-site inside the IngleBean last year by Karl Eric Leitzel

A plein air painter working near the Coburn train tunnel last year

Visit Millheim The Cultural Center Of Pennsylvania

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43

The Valley, June 2014 YES, I want to join FRIENDS OF JACKS MOUNTAIN support!!

Membership is FREE – we need your

_________________________________________________________________________________ Please Print: First and Last Name __________________________________ _______________________________ Street City State

__( )___________________________ _________________________________ Phone number, including Area Code

Volkswind: What is Next?

Laura Jackson, President www.SaveOurAlleghenyRidges.org

Mifflin County has sent a very clear message to Volkswind: we don’t want your industrial wind turbines on Jacks Mountain!

Union, Granville, and Menno Townships have passed restrictive ordinances to protect steep forested ridges from industrial development. These ordinances also contain setbacks to protect wildlife, water resources, and people from negative environmental impacts that will occur if Volkswind develops their turbine project. It is very clear that residents value Jacks Mountain and don’t want to see it damaged by an inappropriately sited industrial energy project.

Oliver Township is also working on an industrial wind ordinance, which will be incorporated into their updated Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance later this summer. Likewise, Brady Township in Huntingdon County will soon adopt an industrial wind ordinance. It is commendable that the township supervisors understand that industrial wind development will do irreparable harm to Jacks Mountain, its forests, wildlife, and watersheds.

If Volkswind ignores township restrictions and continues with its foolhardy scheme to build on top of Jacks Mountain, the company will have to complete a number of studies this summer. State and federal agencies have a permitting process, called the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit that requires certain studies be completed before Volkswind can obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to start construction. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission have also asked Volkswind to conduct wildlife studies before any construction begins.

Volkswind will have to hire teams of biologists to conduct these wildlife studies. Bat biolo-

gists will set up mist nets on top of Jacks Mountain this summer, other scientists will conduct a habitat assessment of the eastern timber rattlesnakes (a species of special concern in Pennsylvania), and researchers will look for signs of active Allegheny woodrat colonies (a threatened species in Pennsylvania). Any archeological sites will be surveyed and botanists will look for rare plant species. Finding any of these flora and fauna will not stop the project, but if researchers find the federally endangered Indiana bat, especially juvenile Indiana bats, we will put pressure on Volkswind to apply for a federal take permit.

Another bat species, the northern long-eared bat is up for federal listing, so finding this bat will also create problems for Volkswind.

Applying for a federal take permit, which will allow Volkswind to legally kill endangered species, will require more extensive environmental studies and will mean that the project will be delayed while the take permit is analyzed.

In addition, Volkswind will have to develop a mitigation plan to offset the killing of federally endangered bats.

One of the biggest impacts to Jacks Mountain will be all the earth-moving, rock-blasting, and tree removal. Save Our Allegheny Ridges has retained the services of a certified professional hydrogeologist, who has analyzed potential impacts to the steep slopes and thin hydric (wet) soils if such destruction of natural habitat does take place on top of Jacks Mountain.

Although the report is still in draft form, I’d like to share some important conclusions from the study, “Hydrogeological Study Of A Portion Of Jacks Mountain, Mifflin County, PA”:

“It is stated in the “Final Mifflin County Stormwater Management Plan” that steep slopes such as those present on Jacks Mountain are restricted from any development, with the recommended use for recreation and

_____________ Zip code

_____________________________________ Email address (will be kept private)

We really just need your membership, but if you would like to donate, we will appreciate any donations.

Tax-deductible Donations should be Payable to Save Our Allegheny Ridges (SOAR) which is a 501(c)3 partnering with Friends Of Jacks Mountain. You will receive a receipt.

MAIL TO: Darrell Smith

567 Mile Long Lane Martinsburg, PA 16662

watershed protection. Further, recommendations provided in the “Soil Survey of Juniata and Mifflin Counties, Pennsylvania” emphasize that because of the soils present on Jacks Mountain, the area is best suited for woodlands and wildlife habitat. There are special concerns about degradation to: 1) hydric soils, which have the potential to support wetlands on Jacks Mountain; 2) streams designated as cold water fish streams on the northwest side of Jacks Mountain; 3) streams designated as high quality streams on the southeast side of Jacks Mountain; and 4) the karst terrain underlying the lower portions of subwatersheds on the northwest side of Jacks Mountain. The conclusion is that any industrialscale wind turbine construction on Jacks Mountain should be denied because of negative impacts to surface and groundwater resources.

The hydrogeological study points out that there will be significant, detrimental impact to the many watersheds on Jacks Mountain, “The study area encompasses the subwatersheds that would be impacted by Volkswind’s proposed construction of 20 wind turbines along the ridgeline of Jacks Mountain and the substantial access roads which, depending on their location, would impact 12 subwatersheds located on the northwest side of Jacks Mountain and 11 subwatersheds located on the southeast side of Jacks Mountain.”

One of Volkswind’s biggest challenges – and remember, the developers have no experience building wind projects on steep, narrow mountains like Jacks – will be to control stormwater runoff, so it does not degrade the water quality of the watersheds on Jacks Mountain. In fact, I do not know of any wind projects in

Pennsylvania that have been built on steep, narrow mountains like Jacks. No doubt, DEP will take a long, hard look at Volkswind’s plans to control runoff.

A final quote from the hydrogeological report, “As provided in the “Final Mifflin County Stormwater Management Plan”, surface water quality standards for Pennsylvania are covered in “The Pennsylvania Code, Title 25, Chapter 93”, which specify antidegradation requirements for protection of specific types of streams. Subwatersheds delineated within the study area on the northwest side of Jacks Mountain encompass streams with the Chapter 93 designation of “cold water fishes”, with the described protection of maintaining or propagating Salmonidae fish species and additional flora and fauna which are indigenous to a cold water habitat. Subwatersheds delineated within the study area on the southeast side of Jacks Mountain encompass streams

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with the Chapter 93 designation of “high quality”, with the description of receiving special protection because of meeting specific chemical or biological criteria defined in Chapter 93.4b.”

It is clear that Volkswind’s plans to build 20 industrial wind turbines and associated roads, as well as a substation, are totally inappropriate for a site like Jacks Mountain. The streams on Jacks Mountain are high water quality, some of which support native brook trout. These watersheds deserve special protection because they are such high quality.

Hats off to the community for recognizing the importance of Jacks Mountain and for enacting ordinances to protect its many important natural resources. If Volkswind developers take an honest look at what they plan to do on Jacks, how can they not see that industrial wind projects are totally inappropriate on Jacks Mountain? a

The Valley, June 2014

44

R. O. F. F.

Dairy Connection

by Kelly Beck

Rescue Our Furry Friends

Centre Count y Dair y Princess

My name is Kelly Beck and I am the new 2014-15 Centre County Dairy Princess. I have been involved with the program for two years, and while I don’t live on a dairy farm, I enjoy working with my dairy heifers I lease and helping out on the farm where they are housed whenever I can.

Promoting the dairy industry is important to me and the rest of the Dairy promotion court because of this. Because each and everyone of us are connected to the dairy industry in some way, and because not every person knows what the dairy industry does, I hope that over the next year, all of us can teach and learn another important thing about what dairy does for us. One of the most important things to learn is three dairy products every day. By having three dairy products, it is possible to receive all the calcium needed, along with important vitamins

by Patricia Lawson

such as riboflavin and vitamin D. Here are some creative recipes to help get three dairy products everyday.

Bananerberry Smoothie 1 c. fresh strawberries 1 banana, peeled 1 c. fresh peaches 1 c. apples 1 ½ c. vanilla ice cream ½ c. ice cubes ½ c. milk ¼ c. vanilla yogurt

In a blender combine strawberries, banana, peaches, apples and ice cream. Blend until smooth. Add ice, pour in milk and yogurt and blend again until smooth. Serve immediately.

Grape Salad 2 lbs. green seedless grapes 2 lbs. red seedless grapes 8 oz. sour cream 8 oz. cream cheese

½ c. granulated sugar 5 tbsp. milk 1 tsp. vanilla Topping 1 c. brown sugar 1 c. crushed pecans

Wash and stem grapes and set aside. Mix sour cream, cream cheese, white sugar, milk and vanilla by hand until blended. Stir in grapes and pour into large serving bowl. For the topping, mix brown sugar and pecans until blended, sprinkle over top of grapes until covered. Enjoy! a

Now that spring is here, it’s an ideal time to add a furry friend to your family! There are more daylight hours to benefit from a walk with a dog, and enjoy the fresh air. And, a kitten or cat can add a spring to your life with its antics and snuggles.

Speaking of Spring…here she is!

Spring

“I love my name, but it doesn’t come from the greatest reason.

You see, I was sprung from a horrible situation. Would you believe that I was outside tied to a tree without a doghouse or any kind of shelter? Plus, I had no food or water. That was a really a tough time for me, but ROFF came to my rescue. I was so thrilled to have a comfy foster home, but the excitement gave me stomach bloat. So, I was rushed to a hospital in State College where I was taken care of by Dr. Ryder. Thank you, ROFF and Dr. Ryder for saving my life!

Once I’m all better, I’ll be looking for a “fur”ever home, so please keep me in mind. I am a 3 year old female Mastiff lab mix, and I love other dogs and people. And cats are OK, I just ignore them. One more thing…I overheard the humans talking about my hospital bill. Would you believe that it is $1500? If you can help out, please make checks payable to ROFF and they can

You Are What You Eat from page 37

Remember these ingredients are what the FDA allows to be put into your food. So, even though they are Generally Recognized As Safe, are they really? Just like Mercury and Lead, is any

amount of ammonia safe when it is ingested? But, can’t we trust the FDA? The government wouldn’t mislead us or put any additives in our food that might be harmful, would they? This is further proof that the lifestyle of eating homegrown, local foods that are free of all of these ingredients would

be the safest way to go. Utilizing local farmers is a win-win for everyone.

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

thevalleynewspaper@gmail.com

be dropped off or mailed to: 133 North Walnut Street in Burham 17009. Thanks a lot!”

According to the American Humane Society, 12.5 million kittens are born each year, and only 26 percent of those that end up in shelters are adopted. Since June is Adopt-a-Cat Month, check out some of the purrfect kittens and cats at ROFF.

“Look at us! We’re not quite ready to leave Mom yet, but in a few weeks we will be all set for our “furr-ever” homes. Before we leave, we’ll be litter trained and up-to-date on our shots too!”

Applications can be found on www.roff.cc or call 877-9337633.

The next few months are overflowing with activities, so get out your calendars!

• June 7th: Yard Sale at 133 North Walnut Street in Burnham: 7am-3pm • June 20th: Quarter Auction Burnham’s Lions Club at 403 First Avenue starting at 5pm. Pink Zebra, Tastefully Simple, Avon, 21, Scentsy, Stampin’ Up and more will be featured.

• July 19th: Rabies Clinic • September 13th: ROFF is celebrating its 10th Anniversary at Kish Park at the Orange Pavilion We’ll see you there!

Until they all have homes… www.roff.cc a

45

The Valley, June 2014

Dave Wilson

Coins, Precious Metal and a Little of this and That

Going Back In Time

I am probably one of the earliest bloggers around, as we have been sending Coin Comments and Price Lists to several hundred of our better 4-STAR customers since 1988. Naturally, back then, we started out with about fifty, and everything was sent by snailmail, but that number has grown to nearly 400 since that time.

According to quite a few of our clients, one e-mail, sent in June of 2008, just four months before the collapse of LehmanBrothers (and the beginning of a near financial collapse in the US), was one of our best. Several, who are also readers of The Valley, have suggested that I reproduce that e-mail, and I have finally decided to do so.

Please remember, that this article was first written on June 15th of 2008.

Dear 4-STAR-Friends,

For the past several months, I have frequently written about, and have been thinking about, the present state of the US economy, and what has put us in the terribly precarious financial position that we are presently experiencing.

I have concluded that just one group of people are responsible.

P-O-L-I-T-I-C-I-A-N-S!!

When Nixon closed the GOLD window in 1971, it started a free-for-all “Money-Grab” that was every “public servant’s” dream come true. No longer did the US have to practice strict fiscal responsibility, as we could (1) borrow, and (2) CREATE all the money we needed.

After all, we were the most powerful nation on earth, and our currency (the DOLLAR) was the world’s reserve currency unit. We (the US) were the BIG BOYS,

and everyone else bowed to our will, wishes and demands. Life for the “elected” was truly blissful. To be fair, life for ALL Americans was pretty darn good too.

Inexpensive energy, cheap access to world markets, GAZILLIONS of Free (now called Pork-Barrel) projects funded by borrowed money, created a fabulously robust economy. The 1955-2005 halfcentury (especially 1985-2005) was an unbelievable BOOM time for all Americans. Yes, there were a few bumps along the way, but our elected officials never let us suffer for any extended period of time. They would simply turn on the Cheap-Money-Faucet and quickly get us out of any semiserious slump we encountered. It has worked masterfully, until now.

Since the beginning of deficit spending, every governmental official KNEW what WOULD eventually happen IF we continued this free-money fiscal folly, but they just chose to ignore it. After all, we could live like KINGS for DECADES, and we (the elected Politicians) will look like champions, and get re-elected time-after-time-after-time. Their plan worked just that way, and everyone was blissfully content.

True, a few notable people (such as Ross Perot and Ralph Nader) tried to sound the alarms, but Free Money politics was WAY too intoxicating for anyone to take their (sometime in the “future”) catastrophic warnings with much concern. Everyone was having too GOOD a time to think about the “pain” that would have to be endured to correct our mushrooming deficit.

Those “in charge” can be likened to lab rats, that when placed

in a controlled environment with three buttons, (1) for Food, (2) for Water, and (3) for Cocaine, will continuously hit the #3 Cocaine button until their hearts explode and they die. THEY have an excuse. THEY are just animals who do NOT understand what they are doing. Our country’s leaders know EXACTLY what is happening, yet they are so addicted to free-money (and the power and comforts that it brings) that they refuse to acknowledge the obvious (and inevitable) outcome.

Imagine, if you will, a car traveling down a highway. In the front seat are the parents (who represent our “leadership”). In the back seat there are several children (who represent us, the people). The parents have selected this road (a free money road) to travel on because it is perfectly paved and makes for a lovely ride.

THEY know (while the kids in the back do NOT) that 50 miles down this (free money) road there is a dead-end Cliff (representing financial ruin) with a 10-mile drop-off. If they reach that part of the highway, everyone in the car will perish. Still, it is a great ride, and the kids in the back are happy, comfortable and behaving themselves. When they are 25-miles down this road, the EXITS are becoming fewer and further between, but, there

still ARE some, so the vehicle continues smoothly on it’s way.

Now, 40 miles down the road, there are almost NO exits left, and the few that remain are unpaved and fraught with danger, and would probably cause extreme grief and terrible discomfort to the car’s occupants. They still have a “chance” at a return to normalcy, but likely ONLY after a long, terrifying, hard and dangerous return trip. The parents look in the back seat, and see that their children are still happy and content, and the thought of putting them through the expected nightmare of trying to turn the car around and navigate back to safety is just too much for them to contemplate, so they decide to continue on their way (to certain destruction and death), hoping (and praying) all the while, that some MIRACLE will occur to get them off this now terrible path that is leading them to a horrible fate. (Hey, they say, maybe somebody built a bridge at that cliff, and we can just coast right on over. Yea, that’s it, I’ll bet somebody thought to build a bridge. We’re still enjoying the ride, so lets stay the course and just assume the bridge is there, and everything will be OK.)

You can figure out for yourselves how the trip ended.

We (as a nation) are approaching mile 47 of the 50 mile

stretch, and there are, perhaps ONE, possibly TWO exits left.

Turning around now will be almost impossible, because the “kids” in the back seat are WAY too spoiled to have their comfortable ride interrupted, and they MOST LIKELY would not be capable of the discipline that would be required for the VERY long trip back to good fiscal health.

Our political leaders are extremely frightened about the possibility of what COULD happen (it almost DID happen with the Bear-Sterns fiasco in April) but they feel powerless to STOP the car, and they refuse to even think about the likely public backlash to what needs to be done to actually (and successfully) “fix” the system.

So, for now, the car continues on.

UPDATE: Three months after this was written, the country suffered the worst panic and near financial collapse in its history. Had the Federal Reserve not flooded the “system” with TRILLIONS of “created” Dollars, the “car” would certainly have fallen off the cliff, and it’s occupants lost forever.

Now, in 2014, we are faced with the EXACT SAME SITUATION we had encountered back in 2008. What, if anything, will save us THIS time? a

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The Valley, June 2014

46

Progress At The Embassy

by Patricia Lawson

We would like to start with a message from Dwight Kirkland regarding The History of Theater in Downtown Lewistown mural: “Thanks to everyone who donated money for the clear coat! I will start clear coating the theater mural on June 3rd. Stop by and say hello!”

And, remember…The Embassy’s “Let Freedom Ring Fourth of July Concert” that will be held on Thursday, July 3rd and the rain date is Saturday, July 5th in front of The Embassy. Come out and enjoy the Lewistown Community Band and the Let Freedom Ring Chorus.

Now, Paul Fagley, the

President of The Friends of the Embassy, has some important news about the restoration of the Embassy: “Over the past few articles, we have hinted at the Conceptual Master Plan, and what it contains. It is a guiding docu-

Hello everyone! Isn’t it great that summer is almost here?! My name is Liz and I love summer! I have lived in Mifflin county most of my life. I am a wife, mother, artist and I have a part time job.

I try my hardest to make life healthier for my family. I enjoy gardening, cooking and baking, preserving, fermenting, and working with clay and ceramics.

I have been told that I was born into the wrong generation. I really enjoy working in the dirt.

I am comfortable to just stay at home, and I like to can our harvests. I could be a farmer, right?

I think Harvest time is the best, when you finally see all your hard work has paid off. No more watering, pulling weeds, fighting pesky

animals, and now you have plenty of nourishing foods to eat. There is nothing like the taste of a home grown tomato out of your own garden! Our garden is looking great so far. How about yours?

Gardening is only one way we like to save money and ensure quality. I also enjoy making homemade bath products so we can avoid the many harmful chemicals in most products today.

Knowing what all those ingredients on the back of those labels is a task all its own. Not an easy task, for sure! Although some believe convenience is king, I prefer a little research and preparation on my own. There is something so fulfilling to make a safe, nontoxic product that does the job and

The first step is to harvest some dandelions.

ment to the eventual restoration of the theatre, and how to adapt it to modern uses. The Embassy must adapt to 21st century needs in our community. It could no longer survive as a single-screen movie theatre.

This situation is not unique.

Few historic buildings can still serve the purpose for which they were built. It boils down to, how to save as much of the original architectural elements as possible, while finding a new, compatible use. It is seen as a compromise between losing a building because you can’t save it without modi-

keeps my loved ones healthy, too.

I have been experimenting lately with soaps, shampoo bars, and lotions. I’m in the midst of one right now from thenerdywife.com. This lotion bar calls for dandelions, one of those brilliant signs that spring is definitely here! Dandelions are so versatile. Every part of the plant can be used. There are so many creative recipes on the internet.

These lotion bars will be used for those dry, sore, chapped hands we all get when cold weather comes back around. So I gathered the kids and we all picked about a gallon bucket full of flower heads. We put them into a large jar and covered them with olive oil. You can also use hemp, avocado, sweet almond, or sunflower seed oil. This will need to sit for around 4 weeks, covered with a breathable cloth, in a sunny spot. For a faster result, you can heat the jar in a double boiler of sorts on your stove top for a few hours at a simmer. Whichever way is fine, but you will have made a dandelion infused oil! Yay! Next you would need to strain out the solid bits to leave you with just the oil. This will last up to a year, so no need to hurry. We all

fications, or finding a use that requires some changes.

In the case of the Embassy, it is remarkably intact. The architect team told us how few historic closed theatres survive as intact as ours. Many are so gutted that only the façade and shell remain. This is like walking into the Embassy and seeing only brick walls and the metal roof trusses. But to meet modern needs and uses, we will be making changes to the interior. Some changes are driven by building codes, while others are to increase the variety of uses, while minimally affecting the original architecture.

We have a real unique asset in our community. There are many communities that wish they still had their historic theatres.

We as a community need to pull together and bring this gem back to life. The Conceptual Master

A Memory with a Future, a Future Full of Memories! a

Next, let your dandelions sit in your choice of oil for 4 weeks

have that gardening to get to first. The rest is so simple. Take one part of your infused oil, one part of beeswax and one part Shea or mango butter. You can make a bunch or just a little. Heat all three in the same double boiler set up until just melted. If you enjoy essential oils, now would be the best time to add a few drops. Lavender is nice, and so is peppermint, but you can leave this plain

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Plan includes a variety of program ideas that will make the Embassy a magnet for community events.

Future articles will detail these ideas, and how the Embassy will be fitted to accommodate them.

Over the summer, we will be announcing a new initiative to begin work on the interior. Up to date information will be posted on our Facebook page (www. facebook.com/embassyltwn) and on our website (www.embassytheatre.org) when it re-launches in the near future.”

More of Paul’s insightful remarks will continue in July’s article, so stay tuned, and Happy Father’s Day to all those Dads out there!

also. Pour this mixture into any small mold you have. It can be a soap mold, candy mold or even just a canning lid. Let this set up and harden. Keep in a cool place out of the sun. You now have an all natural lotion bar! Rub it on, and let it soak in. Take advantage of one of nature’s useable weeds, and harvest some before they’re gone! a

47

The Valley, June 2014

Get To Know Your Food Get To Know Your Farmer

There is a movement sweeping the nation, and for that matter, the WORLD. As science identifies potential problems with our food supply, whether due to chemical use, GMO crops, or just the multitude of chances that exist for contamination with a food supply that comes from most anywhere in the world. Reason might tell you that the farther a crop comes, and the more hands it passes through, the higher the risk of something you either don’t know about, or don’t desire to ingest when you eat the food being present.

I never used to worry about such things, figuring if the food was for sale in a store, it was safe to eat—how naive. The more interested I became in our food, the more I came to understand that food is our real healthcare. The right kind of food, that pumps up your immune system is your best defense against problems. Think of your body like a automobile— the better, higher octane fuel you put in, the better the car runs.

Same idea with what you eat— food shouldn’t just fill a void, it needs to nourish your body. Eating to get full is not good enough if you expect to maintain a healthy body and a rich, long life. Like I said, I never used to think about this stuff; I was young then, but now that I am old, I think about it a whole lot.

Over the last decade, more and more people are beginning to turn to local alternatives in deciding what to consume. As a result, cooperative farmers markets have sprung up in most every town in close proximity to where food is grown, even in big cities, produce is being trucked in to satisfy the need for fresh, local as possible food can be obtained. This is a great advantage to those folks who otherwise bought at the big store, or went without.

We here in Central Pennsylvania are extremely fortunate to live right where most any food we need is grown or raised. Farmers markets are abundant and wonderful healthy food is readily available—we are actually just a tad spoiled that way. In fact, if you looked into this, I bet you could find farm fresh goods available five or six days out of the week in season.

Farmers markets are great ways to get to know the people who grow the food. It stands to

reason that as you make these relationships with the growers of food, you will find a few favorites. Or you may find that certain crops need to be obtained from certain farms. Dena has the sweetest black raspberries, Bobby has the best goat-milk soap, or the best fresh herbs can be obtained from Mary Anna from Misty Dell Farm. Also don’t forget the Farm Stand such as Fisher’s out on 522 in McClure, these types of places work very hard to bring you the best of each item from many area farms. The folks at these Farm Stands are usually happy to tell you where certain crops came from, all information a smart eater needs to fuel their body with the best available. You can be sure to find fresh goods at all of these types of markets, and as more and more people begin to care about which fuel they are putting in their bodies, a new type of source is emerging.

On Farm Sales is becoming more and more common. I am sure many of you have seen picnic tables, or some other type of elevated platform displaying produce out on the back roads.

Many favorite farmers are discovered this way, and over time can become a tradition with some families.

Lately some enterprising farmers have begun to become retail merchants of THEIR OWN goods. Many of these farmers grow enough crops for their families and their regular customers through the whole growing season from spring greens to root crops and Indian corn.

A new “on farm” stand is located out off of East Back Mountain road in Milroy. Hostetler’s Naturals, operated by Moses and Dorothy Hostetler, has been running their produce to the different Farmer’s Markets for the past several years. Last year they opened their farm up for sales on Fridays and Saturdays (the only days they weren’t

already committed somewhere else, besides Sunday). This year, the Hostetler’s have grown even more produce and have expanded their on farm sales to include a new driveway and a new building that is the farm stand.

I initially knew something was up when I stopped in one day for eggs during the winter and saw the new hoop house. Then sometime in March I saw that same hoop house bursting at the seams with new greens! We were spoiled really early this year and have been having fresh salads for quite a while before greens were available anywhere else, unless of course, you have your own hoop house and grow your own.

A few weeks ago Reuben and Moses started in on the new building and were racing the darkness the night before the first opening to complete everything. Even with challenging weather, they still completed the mission.

Moses also carries a few items from other local farms who grow the same way as Hostetler’s Naturals does, without synthetic chemicals or GMO plants.

When you purchase your food at Hostetler’s Naturals, you can be assured that you are getting the highest quality possible. Moses has been improving the health of the soil every year, which is one of the secrets to growing the most nutritious and best tasting food.

Out-of-Our-Gourd Farm provides their signature Goat Milk Soap and beautiful Bird House

The simple and rustic farm stand provides just the right atmosphere when purchasing “on the farm.”

Gourds and Misty Dell Farm provides fresh herbs and other local hand crafted items. One of the best things about “on farm” sales is that it is possible to buy produce only hours from being picked, and yes, you CAN taste the difference. Many times on farm sales also offer you wonderful prices, as I see it right now, cheaper than I can grow it, in most instances. I love gardening, and will still have a few plants, but for the bulk of my produce that I will preserve, I will buy here, because the only other reason besides price, would be quality.

Future plans include polling their customers to see if there is any interest in providing a CSA, which is common in the bigger cities. A CSA is an acronym for Customer Supported Agriculture. In a CSA, customers pay a lump sum up front and then are treated to a predetermined amount of produce, in season, every other week.. This type of program allows the farmer to use the up-

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front money to buy quality seed and then plant what their customers desire. In this way, you can be assured of receiving fresh produce of the type you want.

So, be sure to consider this option and then let your farmer (Moses) know that you are interested in such a plan for next season. Then, figure out what items you would like to have available, so that they can use the information to plan their crops for next year.

CSA’s have been widely successful in other areas and provide people who might not otherwise be able to obtain fresh, nutrient dense foods, grown right where they live. It also allows them to get to know the people growing their food, which provides “piece of mind” to the consumer.

Hostetler’s Naturals is also interested in working with area restaurants to provide locally grown food.

Stop in some Friday or Saturday and pick up some of the freshest produce around. a

The Valley, June 2014

48

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