November 2014 the valleyonline by The Valley Newspaper

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. 11

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The Valley, November 2014

by Debbie Howe Have you ever wished the magic of the holiday season never had to end? Imagine a place that captures the magic of the holiday season every day of the year! You can experience a Christmas wonderland at Snowflakes on the Square, located in the heart of Lewistown in the old Montgomery Ward Building on Monument Square, a place that brings those wonderful feelings to life every day of the year. Donna Snook, one of Santa’s favorite elves, opened Snowflakes on October 8, 1994. Nearing the end of a 41 year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, she was looking for something

Snowflake’s on the Square! Stop and visit, it will soon become your “happy place!”

Snowflakes has some of the most unique ornaments that you just can’t find anywhere else, stop in and be amazed!

Unique collectable Christmas decorations sure to raise your spirit!

that would keep her busy. Having worked at both jobs for 10 years, retirement offered the opportunity to share her love of the holiday season all year long. “Every day I get to be at Snowflakes is a gift,” says Snook. “My mission for Snowflakes has always been to provide the best service and a cozy magical place to shop for quality Christmas collectibles at affordable prices. Holiday traditions have always meant a great deal to me and I hope that I can help families make cherished memories for tomorrow.” Being invited to bring Snowflakes to the Monument Square Center was like a gift from God. Snowflake’s is a perfect fit for downtown Lewistown. We are so happy to be a part of the growth of our wonderful small town. Snowflakes is not an ordinary Christmas store. Tucked in every nook and cranny you’ll find unique items unlike the big

Continued on page 30

A peek inside our pantry room at Snowflakes.

Lighting Brush Fires in People’s Minds

The Valley, November 2014

Editor’s Corner

The Pawpaws grew! Lot’s of them! The Wayne Stottlar Persimmons were likewise The leaves are falling, the simmons and thirty or so Medloaded with fruit nights are cool enough for a fire lars (which the mice got into this season, and in the wood stove, familiar tastes while they were “bletting” in the the Medlar tree, excite your palette as seasonal cellar.) The Pawpaws flowered, has hundreds of golf ball size foods begin to show up on tables. but never produced any fruit last fruits, which will produce a jelly We were fortunate enough to add season. So, aside from a couple particularly suited to meat dishes, some new seasonal tastes to our loaves of Persimmon bread, we once they “blet” (this time in a life this year. Many may rememwere basically disappointed. But, screened cage.) ber me talking about Pawpaws, as any farmer knows, We had Persimmons and Medlars a few there is always next year. enough years ago when we planted our This season the Pawpaw Pawpaws trees. Last year we got a few Pertrees were loaded with to give to flowers, so rather friends than take a chance who were that the natural interested, pollinators for the and still had Pawpaw, flies, enough for would do their job, fresh eating I carefully took an and I was artist’s brush and able to make collected pollen three difWith a taste all their own, Perhaps not the most visually appealing from each tree, and Pawpaws are something you will ferent kinds fruit, but like bananas, it is at its sweetest then transferred the long for once you have had the of Pawpaw when brown spots start appearing. pollen to the other. pleasure. sauce and jams. One recipe said the spread would taste just like banana’s Foster that you get in New Orleans!. Mmmmmm. Just last night we had our first batch of candied sweet potatoes. They were outstanding, and as with most of our produce, they came from Hostetler’s Naturals out on East Back Mountain Rd. in Milroy. Lynn was

first to notice, “something different” when she was preparing them, and once we tasted them, both of us exclaimed, “Wow, are they awesome!” Hostetler’s Naturals has spent many years improving their soils to bring you the best organically grown produce, and you can really appreciate that fact when trying something from their farm for the first time. I like the fact that I know no synthetic chemicals have been used and that THIS

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.

“Fair & Balanced” means Spin gets Equal Time

food is safe to eat! The fact that in our experience, organic just plain tastes better, has not been lost on folks who have started using organic foods in place of commercially produced food that use “science” to produce more profit per square foot, regardless of long term health issues involved. Knowing WHO is growing your food has never been more important as food lobbyists push

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The Valley, November 2014

Back Talk by Dr. Joseph Kauffman

Not Only Am I the Owner, I am a Member! Last month’s column, I mentioned that our office is taking a much needed step in the right direction. I am going to illustrate what that means in this month’s column. Our country spends more money on the current healthcare system than other countries produce for their gross national product, yet our healthcare system ranks 38th in the world! What we are doing is not working, and yet we continue to do it, year after year. The definition of insanity is doing the same exact thing and expecting different results. A few weeks ago, I listened to a patient complain that their medical doctor only seems to either prescribe them medication or refer them to someone else. The problem with this complaint is that is all they can do. Unless a medical doctor is a specialist in a certain field, the only option they have is to prescribe medication, order lab work or other diagnostic testing, or refer out to someone else. Yet, have you tried to get in to see a medical doctor? Many times you cannot call and get an appointment the same day. Why? Because what do people do? They go to the medical doctor when they have symptoms. And, this does not work. Taking medication is not treating the cause of your issue, it’s treating the symptoms. Why do people get sick? Is it because they are around

sick people? Is it because they leave the house without a coat? Is it a lack of medication, or vaccine, or not getting the flu shot? The answer is simple; it’s due to an immune system that is not functioning at 100%. Repeated exposure to sick people can make it hard on the immune system as can setting the body up to be weaker, such as being outside without a coat, but if the immune system is functioning properly, those things won’t matter. Not every nurse in a hospital is ill and they are around sick people all the time. Many people who go outside without proper clothing never get sick. The reason illness occurs is not a lack of medication in the body. When’s the last time you heard of someone getting ill due to a lack of Nyquil? Many people, who get the flu shot, do indeed, get the flu, so that’s not the answer. If it were, everybody who gets the flu shot would never get the flu, but isn’t that why they make the shot? Vaccinations are proving to do more harm than good, lately. Have you been paying attention to the news? This is the way we currently do healthcare, and it is not working. So, what is the answer? In order to answer that, you have to know the answer to what the problem really is. The problem is the subluxation. Period.

A what? The subluxation is the problem. A subluxation is a bone in the spine (vertebra) out of place and pinching on a nerve. Oh, you’re a chiropractor so of course that’s the problem. Well, I don’t have lower back pain. Subluxations do cause back pain, but they also cause so much more than just aches or pains. Everything inside the body is controlled by the brain. The brain is connected to everything via the spinal cord and spinal nerves. The spine is designed to protect the spinal cord, but also enable your body to move. Protection plus movement capabilities are achieved by vertebrae stacked on top of each other separated by discs for cushion and spacing. Stress causes the subluxations, (vertebrae) to misalign and pinch on the nerves between the vertebrae. The pinching of the nerve is what causes the interference between the brain and the body, resulting in problems. Since the brain is connected to everything and controls everything, this interference due to the pinched nerve is the CAUSE of the problem. If there is interference between the brain and the immune system, the immune system cannot function properly, and you get sick. If the brain is Point A and any/every other body part (muscle, organ or blood vessel) is Point B and there is interference between Points A & B, you are going to have problems. You may not have pain, but there will be an issue. What percentage of nerve fibers in the body detects feeling of pleasure or pain? Out of all of the nerves inside the body, the percentage detecting feeling is only 10%!

The Truth Has No Agenda

So, judging one’s health based on how much/little pain one has is foolish. Ninety percent (90%) of the nerves inside the body are for the functioning of wherever the nerve goes. So, you could have a pinched nerve and not know it due to a lack of pain. Waiting for pain to show up to identify a problem could be waiting too late. The first symptom of a heart attack is chest/ back/jaw pain. If you wait for this type of pain to show up, you are probably having a heart attack and it may be too late. This is why you need to be in control of your own health. This is why you need to be proactive rather than reactive. Medication helps you deal with symptoms, while your body heals itself. God gave our body the ability to heal itself. You do not have any control over your systems: digestive, reproductive, circulatory, endocrine to name a few, yet they function due to being connected to the brain and the Innate Intelligence that we all possess. Do you trust the power of a pill over the power of the body? Stress to the spine causes subluxations. Subluxations are the cause of the problems. Stress comes in three forms: Physical, Chemical and Emotional. Physical stress can be as severe as an automobile accident, a fall or childbirth, or as minor as sleeping poorly in bed. Chemical stresses are pharmaceuticals, smoking, eating processed foods, and not drinking enough water, just to name a few. Emotional stresses are guilt, grief, anxiety, depression, family, finances and are too many to name them all. We all have these stresses on a daily basis and as a result the body

must adapt to them as efficiently as possible. When the spine is not in proper alignment, the nervous system cannot function at 100%, and the body cannot adapt as efficiently and you end up having problems. The only job of the chiropractor is to find and correct the subluxation. That’s it. It’s not to treat your lower back pain, neck pain, headaches, or middle/upper back pain. That is what medical doctors do, treat pain. Our job is to find and fix the subluxation. By fixing them, the symptoms should go away, but that is not our focus. The only way to fix subluxation is by getting an adjustment by a chiropractor, not by your buddy or a wannabe chiropractor. Doctors of Chiropractic locate and correct subluxations. Because of the daily stress everyone has, getting regular chiropractic care is a necessity. Asking the body to hold an adjustment for 30 days when you have stress every day, is asking too much of the body. Stress tightens muscles and muscles pull on bones via tendons. One chiropractic adjustment versus 30, 90 or 365 days of stress is no match. So, what do I recommend? I recommend treating patients like family, and I adjust my family once per week, minimum, due to daily stress. Asking the body to hold the adjustment versus only 7 days of stress is much better. How can people afford to see a chiropractor every week when the insurance copay is $40 per visit? That’s $160 per month. Plus, the insurance company only allows 15 visits per year, that is

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The Valley, November 2014

“Fair & Balanced” means Spin gets Equal Time

The Valley, November 2014 a 5 gallon plastic bucket and fill it with water. The stems, chaff, and bits of straw are lighter than the grain itself. Stir the mixture, allowing the grains to settle to the bottom of the bucket. Then, skim off the other debris and toss it into your compost pile. Do not let it go down your drain. I read a few horror stories about germinated grain seeds clogging pipes during my research. You do not want that to happen! Now you are ready to steep the grain. Steeping the Grain Steep the grain for a total of 72 hours in the bucket. Cover the grain with at least ½ gallon of water that is around 50 degrees F. Then, use the bucket with the holes in it to strain the grains from the water by placing the bucket with the holes into another bucket and pouring out the steeped grain. Then place the grain back into the bucket, and cover with water again. You will change out the water once after the first 2 hours, but since you are going to use the air pump and stone to aerate the grains, you will only need to change out the water every 24 hours opposed to every 12 hours without this set up. Then after 72 hours of steeping the grains, it’s time to germinate the grains. Germinating the Grain Drain the bucket thoroughly into the bucket with the holes in it.

Let’s Get To Malting! Part 1

The crisp air of fall has returned to our region. That means the leaves are falling, the crops are harvested, and it’s the perfect time of the year to malt your barley. The perfect temperature for your malting area should be around 50 degrees F, so that makes my brew room the perfect location for some malting over the next few months. It stays between 50 to 60 degrees F around this time of the year. Warm temperatures cause the germinating barley to bolt, or grow very rapidly into a green shoot. Timing is essential for producing good quality malted barley, so slowing down the rate of germinating is critical. What is taking place is that by malting the barley, this develops the enzymes required to modify the grain’s starches into sugars. As we know, if you do not breakdown these starches, there will be nothing for the yeast to consume to turn into

alcohol. I am going to break this down into two separate articles. This month I will tackle cleaning, steeping, and germinating the grain. Next month, I will discuss couching the malt and kilning the malt. You are going to need a few pieces of equipment in order to malt your barley. First, you need to get a food grade bucket and drill multiple 1/8 holes in it (See picture). Make sure this bucket has a firmly fitting lid. Second, you need a small aquarium pump with an air stone. You can do this without these two pieces of equipment, but from what I’ve read, they help with getting a higher quality product. Cleaning the Grain Before you clean the grain, weigh it. You’ll need to know the dry weight in order to tell when the grain is dry in the kilning process. Then pour the grain into

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The Truth Has No Agenda

My homemade Malting Bucket.

The best germinating temperature is around 55 degrees F, and the temperature of the germinating mass should be between 59 to 65 degrees F. This process is much easier to control if you use the air pump and the air stone. First, pour one gallon of water into a 5 gallon bucket. Then, put the air stone into the water and then place the bucket with the holes that is holding the grain into the 5 gallon bucket. Make sure you do not crimp the air hose that is going from your air pump to your air stone. This arrangement prevents the grain from drying out, scrubs the grain of carbon dioxide, and prevents heat buildup in the germinating mass. If you do not use this set up, then you are going to

have to turn the grain often. After three days of germination, rootlets and the acrospire (or shoot) should be visible as a bulge under the hush. Once the acrospire has grown to 2/3 the length of the grain, it’s time to couch and kiln the malt. I will pick it up here next month so until then, Happy Thanksgiving. He was a wise man who invented beer- Plato

The Valley, November 2014

Peace I leave with you

Encouragement from the Book of Revelation by Pastor J. C. Reese It won’t be long and folks will be sitting around their Thanksgiving meal and thanking God for things. In a world that is broken, it is often easier to be fearful than grateful. Some years back, I attended a Thanksgiving Eve service in the Midwest and the Pastor asked the crowd to raise their hand if they would like to give thanks to God for anything. A little girl, not more than six, quickly lifted her hand and she said, “I thank God for gas!” Intrigued by this, the minister asked her “Why?” to which she replied, “Because without gas we couldn’t be here in church tonight!” A collective “Awww” issued from the congregation, but it reminded us to not overlook the obvious in our lives and find a gratitude attitude. If you know your Bible even slightly, you understand Satan will be defeated in God’s time and terms. And this is blatently obvious in Revelation 15. Three visions comprise the chapter and in the first, John sees seven angels each carrying a plague to begin to judge Satan and his followers. In these plagues we’re told is “filled up the wrath of God.” Have you ever thought when you see evil in the world, “Where is God?” or “Why isn’t He correcting it?” Ahh, but He IS. He is a God of preparation and will make things right in His time and way. Our problem is we’re only looking at things temporally and not as God. Paul used the same word translated “filled” here when he spoke of his soon martyrdom in that he had finished his course of life so that the idea is God too is in a process of completion. He allows time for the unbeliever to repent, but even that has limits, for if the sinner delays in this life, God will have to judge him. Yet God has prepared a way out through Christ and here He’s prepared the AntiChrist’s demise. Evil will never

go unpunished, just as the good you do for Jesus as a believer will be judged with a great reward! The next vision shows God’s provision in that John sees an area akin to a sea, yet mingled with fire, which depicts God’s judgment about to occur. On this “sea of glass” stand the victors over the Anti-Christ (tribulation martyrs) and they sing and play music triumphantly. The harps they hold is a rare word in the Bible used mainly in Revelation and speaks of a harp used in heaven. These musicians were down, but they will not be out! Remember Christian, you may suffer here, but you’re on the winning team! No matter what this old world may throw at you, God has made ample provision for you through His Son and one day YOU will be joining the happy throng and the cares of this old world will be long gone. Finally, vision three shows God’s power. Verse five calls us back to the Tabernacle, that tent structure in the Old Testament where God met with His people. Here it’s the heavenly one John sees. And the happenings there clearly testify to God’s power as the angels have their bowls filled with God’s wrath, the curtain parts and they proceed out and the temple is filled with smoke billowing forth from God’s glory and power symbolically portraying God is about to lower the boom on evil! Imagine if you could actually see what John describes here. You would be in total awe at the power of the Almighty. He can do whatever He desires and its always good and always right. Your life at times may seem chaotic, your strength anemic, but when you give your heart to the Almighty, His power, which is obvious in the Bible, can be very real in your life. For these facts about God, we can be grateful even when the world is so frightful. a

by Sarah Hurlburt “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace...” (I Corinthians 14:33) “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (I Corinthians 1:25) “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, “He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the reasoning’s of the wise, that they are useless…” (I Corinthians 3:19-20) In recent weeks, Ebola has been at the forefront of every newscast, invoking fear and panic in Americans. How can something as tiny as a virus only visible under a microscope cause death and destruction and not be stopped by all of us highly intelligent, scientifically advanced humans? News media has questioned and criticized the CDC, the health care providers willing to risk their lives, and scientists trying to explain Ebola, what it is and how it’s spread. People are acting as though these mere humans should have all the answers to things that are much bigger than us, and should never be allowed a mishap or to explain something inadequately. We often make the mistake of forgetting that even though developed countries have made many scientific discoveries about the human body and the world

around us, we are still as worms compared to our Creator. We can so quickly forget that whatever knowledge we are allowed to discover is simply given to us from God as His Story progresses along. It does seem that he allows different things in different generations to be realized and used in the advancement of His Plan, but that still does not mean a scientist will now have the understanding and knowledge of God. Certain knowledge is still “veiled” and will not be revealed until “we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”(2 Corinthians 3:18) “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair …for which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day…look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (scriptures taken from 2 Corinthians 4) Let’s listen to the reminders of these ancient words that can span across thousands of years and mean something to us in

our very own culture as we face trials and tribulations all around us. Ebola, terrorism, a crumbling democracy—it’s all real but it’s also all temporal. We live in a fallen world where evil things exist, disease and terrorism are very real proof of it, but we must remember Jesus’ words “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. It is not as the world gives that I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, and do not let it be afraid.” All these things will come to pass if we have trusted Christ with our lives; there is nothing to fear because as Paul once said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) We should never be so afraid of dying, that we miss out on living. We will never understand all the aspects of why bad things happen and why things are the way they are in the world, but we can most certainly be assured that we can trust the Writer of the grand Story. He already knows the ending and it’s good! We won’t be disappointed. As Thanksgiving approaches, remember Psalm 107:1 and “give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” a

OBSERVATIONS . . . of an OLD MAN

We are living in divisive times, challenged daily to discern. Do we understand issues, the views of others? Is our thinking Positive or Negative? POSITIVES Love Sharing Light Understand Compassion Joy Good Trust

vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs. vs.

God is: Love, Caring, Sharing

NEGATIVES Hate Greed Darkness Ridicule 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”

“Fair & Balanced” means Spin gets Equal Time

Peter J. Moses

The Valley, November 2014

Welcome To Vedic Spa

Dave Wilson

Coins, Precious Metal and a Little of this and That

by Tatyana Vdov

Silver Looks Cheap - Cheap - Cheap Since September of 2011, when GOLD was topping out at about $1935.00 an ounce, and SILVER somewhere just over $48.00, we have seen some “very unusual” happenings in the precious metals markets. There is widespread belief that precious metals (PM), especially Gold and Silver, have been purposefully (and most viciously) attacked and crushed for a number of especially nefarious reasons. These “attacks,” as we will call them, occurred in September of 2011, June of 2012, in both April then June/

L i f ti

July of 2013, and most recently in August of 2014. Spot Silver prices were knocked down a whopping 65% from $48 to just below $17. The purpose of these manipulations was to STOP “PM” investors in their tracks, to crush their spirits, and to discourage everyone from wanting to accumulate Gold and Silver as their main source of investment. To that end, they have been MOST successful. When 1-Ounce Silver Eagle coins were selling for $965.00 per 20coin roll, we couldn’t order them fast enough. Now, with 20-coin

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rolls selling for $435.00, sales are still good, but nowhere NEAR as good as they had been at the higher levels. At this point, however, it would appear as if “something” is about to happen, that could launch the metals (especially Silver) into an unstoppable Bull Market that “could” push prices even higher than those achieved just a few, short years ago. That something is called SUPPLY. It is common knowledge that the average cost to MINE an ounce of silver is between $25 and $28 per ounce. How then, can Spot silver be priced (on 10/20/14) at $17.50? An excellent question, but one that would take far too much time to explain here. Suffice to say that as prices have been pushed lower, demand for Silver, and actual sales, have gone through the roof. (On Monday, August 29th, the U.S. Mint, in ONE DAY sold One-MILLIONOne Hundred-Seventy Five-Thousand Silver Eagles. 1,175,000. Certainly a record. Sales, in general, have increased dramatically, to the point where analysts are questioning just how much silver can possibly still be out there, especially at the artificially LOW prices we see today. When supplies run out (and it is expected that with current demand, it could happen at almost any time), we will see new capital controls enacted to attempt to strangle PM sales. Those controls may work briefly, but will not be able to stop the coming BullMarket freight train that will carry the metals (especially Silver) to exciting new highs. At current (dramatically lower) prices, Silver could end up being the investment opportunity of a lifetime. Besides potential profit, holding real money, recognized as such for thousands of years, just might end up being exactly what you need to save your family’s financial future. a

The Truth Has No Agenda

In May of this year, my sister Nadya, who is also a massage therapist, and I moved our practices to a joint location. Since massage therapy is an art and the character of each practice depends on the therapist, we decided to keep our individual business names and added a name that would reflect our mutual massage therapy philosophy. ‘Vedic Spa’ exactly describes our philosophy. ‘Vedic’ is an adjective that comes from the Sanskrit word Veda which means: knowledge, understanding, awareness, to know. Our goal is not only to acquire more knowledge and awareness of effective healing techniques, but also, to help you, our client, become aware and understand how and why your body functions in the patterns it does. Besides massage therapy, our goal is to provide affordable, convenient resources for achieving and maintaining optimal health. One easy and inexpensive way is to incorporate essential oils into your daily life. I am pleased to announce that we now sell high quality essential oils from Young Living and Eco Oil. We also sell aroma therapy diffusers, which can help you easily incorporate the healing power of oils into your everyday life. A few things to remember about your session: • Please come 5-10 minutes before your appointment time, this gives you a chance to relax and mentally prepare for your session. If you can’t be early, at least be on time. • If you are running late, please give us a call and let us know that you are running late. • Turn your phone off before the session whenever possible. Remember, this is your session, your time to focus on YOU, your chance to become aware of what’s going on with your body. • Talking during your session is perfectly ok, but you don’t have to! If you relax better while talking there’s no problem with that, but if you prefer silence, that’s great! I personally think that if talking is kept to a minimum, with comments and questions directly related to the session, it allows the client to relax more deeply. It also allows me to focus more on what I’m doing. • Drink plenty of water before and after the session. (I know,

The beautifully decorated new location.

some of you heard me say that a THOUSAND TIMES!!!!) I also would like to address something that has become an issue in the past few months. I am aware of the fact that MANY people read this newspaper, and that’s awesome! I also understand that we all come from various backgrounds and one person’s idea of therapeutic massage may greatly differ from that of another. Therapeutic massage is: the intentional and systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to enhance health and healing. Therapeutic massage does not include any types of sexual favors. Things such as, trying to grab your therapist, “accidentally” throwing off the drape or making inappropriate comments, are all considered as sexual misconduct. Any type of sexual misconduct will result in the termination of the session with the client responsible for payment of the scheduled session. If you happen to be the type of person looking for “massage with a happy ending” please, don’t waste your time and money by coming to Vedic Spa. We would like to thank all our loyal clients for choosing us as your source for alternative, preventative and maintenance healthcare. We value and appreciate each one of you. We wish you success and happiness in life, remember to drink enough water! Cheerio, Tatyana If you have any questions or comments feel free to call, text or email us! tanyamassage@live.com (814)937-0375 nadyasmassage@live.com (814)933-9379 a

The Valley, November 2014

Gratitude

In the Hebrew culture, thanks is rendered after the meal, not before. This is based on the scripture passage from Deuteronomy that says: When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God…otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.’ But

you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Think about this. When do we usually run to the LORD in prayer? Typically when things are not going well. Yet, The Almighty has given us a pattern to follow that emphasizes turning to Him at all times, particularly and including when things are going well; in other words, whenever our bellies are full and we are satisfied, expressing our gratitude to Him for His provision and sustenance in our daily lives. In the presidential proclamation establishing Thanksgiving, Abraham Lincoln in 1863 stated: “The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and

healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God… No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father

Continued on page 14

“Fair & Balanced” means Spin gets Equal Time

The Valley, November 2014

Can another holiday season really be upon us? Where did 2014 go? It amazes me, especially now that I am older, how quickly a year can speed by. I just finished my 26th year working for Penn State, and it seems like only yesterday I looked upon a 25 year milestone as something I would “never” reach. Now that I reflect, just when I stopped thinking about it all the time, it was here and gone in a flash. I can say though, without a doubt, I’m very aware of age creeping up on me at an alarming rate. I’ve gained weight, my knees ache, and I can’t seem to ever feel rested and relaxed. Now, if only that could be gone in a flash! They say that you are only as old as you feel, and a couple years ago, I felt 29, but this year, I feel every bit my age. OK, enough whining about the half century I am approaching, let’s talk about the upcoming holiday season. I enjoy scanning through Pinterest to look at all the DIY crafts and ideas. Let’s get creative with decorating for the upcoming holiday—Thanksgiving and the fall season. I love anything in jars—jars just make everything pretty in

my humble opinion. Find some acorns, small pine cones, or even corn, and layer it in jars. Spray paint your pine cones pretty metallic colors and throw them in a

Adding natural items to a pretty jar makes a unique Thanksgiving or fall table display.

big jar, add a candle, and you have a very pretty centerpiece. How about framing some pretty fall leaves to put in place of your every day pictures for the fall season? Wayne helped me locate some bittersweet this year, so I’m going to incorporate that into my decorating this fall. Before you tell me that the “cinnamon stick” candle idea is too expensive, consider replacing the cinnamon sticks with regular twigs, or check out www.spicebarn. com where you can get cinnamon sticks by the bag for what you can pay for a little bottle in the grocery store! Twine, burlap, and raffia all blend well with natural decorating. Get creative this Thanksgiving and

The Truth Has No Agenda

deck your table and house out with minimum effort. Go natural and enjoy the products of Fall until it’s time to replace them with the colors of winter and Christmas! a

The Valley, November 2014

The Rope Halter I often see people having problems leading, handling or tying their horses. One training aid that I like to use is the Rope Halter. In my opinion, the Rope Halter is better than using a chain to gain control over your horse. The pressure of the rope and knots on the horse’s face easily gets their attention. With the Rope halter, the horse feels the pressure only when they pull against the halter. Not all Rope halters are of equal quality. They can be too mild to the point of not being effective or they can be very harsh. Halters can be made from many different types of material. Some Rope Halters available are made from soft lightweight rope. They may come in pretty colors, but they are not an effective training tool. Cheap nylon halters can burn or fray. I prefer a medium weight stiffer rope or cord, either with or without knots on the nose. The 1/4” accessory cord with 4 knots on the nose is useful for Dynamite the donkey when he thinks he should drag me to where he wants to go. I currently am using a 5/16”

medium firm braided rope from Silvertip Halters that I bought from East Gate on my horses. This halter fulfills most of what I need including control, ease of use and pretty colors. Yacht rope is another very popular type of rope used in these halters. Most rope halters come with a 7-12ft lead attached. You can buy just the halters if you want to snap or clip a lead on it. I prefer the lead tied to the halter because it will not break if a horse pulls back. Some people do not like to use the rope halter for a horse that pulls back, however I feel that it is a very good training tool, especially with the knotted noseband. Before tying a horse that pulls back, you Properly tying the knot should work to of a Rope Halter

teach it to give to the pressure of the halter. A horse that has never felt the pressure of a rope halter may panic more. Most horses can be easily taught to give to the pressure of the rope halter. The rope halter should be properly adjusted to work correctly. Many people fail to have their halter properly adjusted. It must sit high up on the horse’s nose. It should be no more than an inch beneath the cheekbone. The throat knot should be right at the horse’s throatlatch. The halter should be snug to set the halter at the proper pressure points. Rope halters are frequently tied incorrectly. The crownpiece should come over the horse’s head

and through the loop, around the right side of the loop and under, coming around the left side of the loop and back under. Then pull the knot snug and tuck the free end underneath the jaw piece. I enjoy riding Crockett in a plain rope halter tied under the chin, but many manufacturers make a loping halter with reins connected to the halter. Rope halters with bronc (wide leather) nosebands have become popular in the last few years. These are a fad, but not necessarily the best for training. Rope halters can range in price from $15-$40 or more, but remember you often get what you pay for. If you are going to use a Rope halter on your horse, invest

in a quality one and make sure it is properly fitted to your horse. a

Crockett wearing a Rope Halter

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Traditional Values Rooted in Faith

The Valley, November 2014

Hillside Orchard News and Comments

UNITED NATIONS ARMS TRADE TREATY by Dave Molek

by Iddo M. Hostetler Hello to all The Valley readers from Hillside Orchard, where the leaves are falling, the geese are calling, and the people are hauling...Wood! Well, hunting season is upon us, which also means we will have to bear colder weather soon, but there is still a lot of deer things to enjoy, like husking corn with ambition. Some things are funny, other times you have to bow down to get to difficult arrows and grab it, before it squirrels away. Sometimes it still doves away quickly that’s just how it goose sometimes. Oh yeah, it’s time to mess with the clocks again for those of us that can’t keep track which is which, here’s a tip, “fall back, spring ahead.” Black Walnuts and Hickory nuts are falling and the squirrels that didn’t make it to the stew pot yet are busy putting their winter food supply away, some people are as well. Sure you don’t get much out of the wild nuts, but it’s highly nutritious what you do get. I also had a chance to taste a Pawpaw this fall and after that, I have been trying to figure out why hardly anyone raises them around here. My friend that has white hair, but looks like a young man otherwise, was the generous giver, thanks Wayne. With the 2014 fruit season in the tank it’s time to sit back and review the statistics. All in all, even though we lost our cherry crop, it was still our most

successful production year so far. Disease and insect pressure were less intense, and we had an abundance of moisture. As for the two invasive pests from Asia, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and the Spotted Wing Fruit Fly, 2012 was our worst year with the stink bug. It is still around, but population seems to have declined since then. The spotted wing fruit fly seems to be as rampant as ever with berries being their number one choice, but we also had some damage in our peaches. There is research going on in some universities with clear netting that has tiny enough holes to keep the fruit fly out of blueberries with promising results. If it keeps the fruit flies out, it most certainly should keep other insects and birds out. Well, with it being November, the farmers work should be over right? While it is true that the work load might lessen a little, the fact still remains that a farmer always has something to do. Here in the orchard, fall is time to put guards on small trees and mow one last time before winter. Fall is also a good time to fertilize and prepare the soil for another season. Lime is important in apple orchards in the fall after leaf drop to help prevent apple scab, a common apple disease. The disease over winters on fallen leaves. Lime helps to compost the leaves quicker and lessen the disease pressure. Auf Weidersehen! a

Plain Talk

Solar Explained by Steven Yoder Greetings from Honey Creek Road! I sure hope this finds you all well. It’s this time of year when you should double check your solar system and prepare for winter. Now is the time to upgrade your system to M.P.P.T. because P.W.M. controllers are less efficient with higher open current volts, which is directly affected by the cold weather. However, M.P.P.T. are still effective and a good choice in the summer or when higher temperatures are common, due to simpler wiring.

They also work well in shaded areas to which its true name comes into effect, Maximum Power Point Tracking. If considering a new system, it is very well worth every effort to check out M.P.P.T. controllers that are only a few dollars more. You will be sure to be pleased with the additional features on the plus side. We now have all of the M.P.P.T. in stock, Tracer 40 amp, Tracer 20 amp and at times Midnite Kid, and all of these are available Next Day! For an additional charg,e we can have Midnite Kid 30 amp, Midnite

Article VI of our Constitution establishes the laws and treaties of our United States made in accordance with it as the supreme law of the land. Article II, section 2, clause 2 includes the treaty clause, which empowers the President to propose and chiefly negotiate agreements between the US and other countries, which can become treaties only after the advice and consent of a supermajority of our Senate. Supermajority means in this case a two-thirds vote. This is different from normal legislation which requires approval by simple majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Neither the President nor the Senate, solely, can complete a treaty. They are checks on each other and intended by our framers to balance power and provide security to the people. The Senate does not ratify treaties – the Senate approves or rejects a resolution of ratification. In some cases, a treaty will conflict with our Constitution. Such is the situation of the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. No foreign country or organization has the power to alter, override, supersede, or revoke the fundamental principles in our Constitution. Any treaty being made must not conflict with our Bill of Rights or our Constitution. Specifically, a treaty cannot override our Second Amendment. So, neither our President nor the United Nations has the authority to require compliance or enactment of such an intolerable treaty such as the UN’s Arms Trade Treaty. Secretary of State John Kerry signed this Arms Trade Treaty in September, 2013. President Obama’s speech at the United Nations on September 24, 2014 indicated he believes the U.S. should “observe and enforce international

norms”. These are so-called “norms” of the international community, not our country’s norms. However, this treaty does not bind us until we agree to it by formal process. That treaty needs to be submitted to the Senate, receiving the Senate’s advice and consent, which requires a twothirds majority, and passing the necessary implementing legislation through both the House and the Senate. `For now, 50 Senators are standing together to protect the right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment. They wrote a letter on September 25, 2014 to President Obama and objected to the treaty based on its ambiguity and its outright grant to foreign sources of authority the power to impose judgment or control on the United States. Just think about the consequences of my prior sentence. Article 2 of the treaty defines the scope of the treaty’s prohibitions. The right to own, buy, sell, trade or transfer all means of armed resistance, including handguns, is denied to civilians by this section of the treaty. Article 3 places ammunition of conventional arms within the scope of the treaty’s prohibitions. Article 4 places all parts and components of weapons also within the scheme. Article 5 mandates that all countries participating in the treaty shall establish and maintain a national control system, including a national control list applying to the broadest range of conventional arms. In very clear terms, ratification of this treaty would require the United States government to force gun owners’ names on this registry. Citizens would be required to report the number and type of all firearms and ammuni-

tion they possess.. The treaty also requires governments to take “appropriate measures” to enforce the terms of the treaty. This includes civilian disarmament. To add further insult to injury, Article 16 provides for UN assistance for enforcement, and mentions “disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programs”. Such a treaty totally eliminates our Second Amendment right to bear arms. What happened to “shall not infringe”? Obama supports the seizure of guns and ammunition from lawabiding Americans. Just about half our Senate has come out against the treaty and in defense of the Second Amendment. That in itself is noteworthy and disappointing. Obama is using his infamous rule-making pen and asserting that what he terms international norms are binding on the United States. That treaty takes away our right to govern ourselves. That treaty which controls everything from rifle scopes to battleships would be unenforceable without a very significant expansion of federal authority. On Christmas eve this year, the treaty will be binding on the countries that have ratified it (approximately 50) and no one else….including the United States. Fortunately, thus far, two-thirds of our Senators are not inclined to vote for ratification. But who knows what federal politicians will do! Obama, the self-professed former constitutional law professor, has forgotten or ignored the text of our Second Amendment. I find it difficult to believe he truly read any of our founding documents. Stay aware of what is continuing to happen to our Constitution. a

Classic 90 amp, Outback Flexmax 60 amp, and Outback Flexmax 80 amp. We can also get a few more brands including Samlex Inverters, Magnum Inverters and chargers and optional Whizbang Junior 25 are also available. Midnite Controllers are available for only $89, which used to be a $209 option for Magnum inverters/chargers. What is a Whizbang? It is a State of Charge meter based on true amp using a shunt in negative cable to batteries. Now is also the time to add Battery Equalizer to your batteries

if you have not done so already, to be sure it kicks in before sub zero temperatures arrive. We use this product ourselves and recommend it. A 12 ounce bottle is only $19.99 and 5% off if you mention this article. It is also excellent to use in your vehicle battery year round to avoid and remove sulfation from your battery. Deer hunters, are you ready for hunting season? If you don’t want to run a generator for light, give us a call or stop in evenings. We can show you how to run lights cheaply without having to

pay for gas. You can also charge cell phones, 2-way radios and more on a small solar system available from $30. You can get a 1000 watt system made up to suit your needs or ready to make kits available from us or Valley Sports and Outdoors for the same price of $399.00 for a 230 watt with Tracer or a 30 Watt for little more than $130.00. Have a great hunt! a

The Truth Has No Agenda

Steven M Yoder 717-667-0330 1731 Honey Creek Rd Reedsville PA 17084

The Valley, November 2014

“Fair & Balanced” means Spin gets Equal Time

The Valley, November 2014

Understanding the Constitution by David Molek

Judicial Tyranny I read many court cases during the course of my job and along with my constitutional/conservative research. Sometimes, a case just screams of idiocy. Such a case from the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is one such case. The full slate of 9th Circuit judges has agreed with a lower district court that officials at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, California could censor students who wanted to wear American flag t-shirts on Cinco de Mayo. As you know, Cinco de Mayo is Spanish for the 5th of May, which is a celebration of an 1862 victory of the Mexican army over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. It is not Mexican Independence Day, which occurs September 16. However it is a Mexican holiday. School administrators called the American flag t-shirts incendi-

ary and worried they would cause Mexican or Latino students to fight. The assistant principal told the students to turn their American flag t-shirts inside out. This limited the students’ freedom of expression so they sued the school district. You would be amazed and appalled if you read the court’s opinion, Dariano et al v Morgan Hill School District et al, No 1117858 from San Francisco. This civil rights action was brought by students because they were not permitted to wear American flag t-shirts to school that day. The entire judicial panel held that school officials did not violate the students’ rights to freedom of expression, due process or equal protection. Supposedly, the reason for the prohibition was the potential threat of race-related

violence from the Mexican or Latino students. The assistantprincipal’s name was Miguel Rodriquez. There was no evidence of students wearing Mexican flags being targeted for violence, but there was evidence that students wearing American flags were. Therefore, because Mexican students threatened violence, the court decided to eliminate other students’ freedom of expression of wearing American flag t-shirts. The school’s position was supposedly based upon safety and disruption caused by Mexican students upset with American students wearing American flag t-shirts. The real question is why courts don’t protect the rights of Americans. In this case, federal judges have, in my opinion, abused their

authority to restrict the content of speech in a frightening manner for an even-more frightening reason. The government’s justification should be profound before the content of free speech liberties can be impaired. The First Amendment says “Congress shall make no law….abridging the freedom of speech”. This Amendment has come under fire from judges, not Congress. But Congress does not act to correct such tyranny. At first, I was alarmed by the continuing ascent of judicial tyranny. Liberty once lost is rarely recovered. The judiciary has seized for itself the most dominant role in interpreting our Constitution. It seems like these liberal judges from California are doing what they believe is right under their political views, not following our Constitution. These judges will let the law catch up under a progressive, socialist agenda.

This is like the tail wagging the dog. Conservative beliefs in individual freedoms stand for liberty for all Americans. Judicial activism in such cases are robbing these freedoms and lead to the breakdown of civilized society, and to tyranny. This is similar to DOMA/gay marriage activism, immigration enforcement selectivity and voter ID issues and decisions. Speaking of tyranny, I feel some words should be shared regarding the resignation of US Attorney General Eric Holder. Holder is the only Attorney General ever held in Contempt of Congress. I see him as the least faithful ever of any Attorney General to our Constitution and he supported President Barack Hussein Obama in his continuing endeavors to weaken our rule of law. Holder politicized justice, held ideology above respect of the law of the land and practiced truly selective enforcement and prosecution. I see his department of Justice more focused on politics than justice. We lovers of the rule of law have little to be optimistic about as to the character or political ideology of Holder’s successor. I can see our President appointing

Continued on page 14

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The Valley, November 2014

Dairy Connection by Kelly Beck

Centre Count y Dair y Princess

Fifty Years Ago November 1964 When all the votes were counted, a Democratic landslide for the re-election of Lyndon B. Johnson swept over Mifflin County, this perceived bastion of Republicanism. Johnson won the county by almost 3,000 votes over Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona. With an 80% voter turnout, over 14,000 ballots were cast out of 17, 800 registered voters county-wide. Republicans deserted Goldwater in droves, the Sentinel reported, since he garnered 8,548 votes to Goldwater’s 5809. Considering there were 8,317 total registered Democrats, there were many Republican defectors, the newspaper added. The total number of votes cast was 500 shy of the all-time record turnout of the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon election when 85% of registered voters went to the polls. One Hundred Years Ago November 1914 E. E. McMeen Department Store of Lewistown held a Thanksgiving sale, with a special message to the readers of the Lewistown Democrat & Sentinel. “Once again we announce the greatest annual sales and never was it more important for you to supply your linen needs than now…In view of the present situation in Europe, where linens

Gratitude from page 8 who dwelleth in the heavens. And I recommend to them that, while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners, or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation, and to restore it, as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes, to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and union.” Indeed, even amidst these

come from and the fact that about 80 % of the world’s flax is grown in Russia and Belgium, it would seem altogether out of reason to expect many lines once the present supply is exhausted…Buy while you have the opportunity and choice.” Linen table sets with napkins from $4.50 to $8.50, sizes from 65x65 in. to 72x90 in. Civil War Echoes November 1864 “Go and vote early and take your neighbor with you,” the Gazette editor urged his readers as the presidential election drew near. The list of Union electors was printed under an appeal and voters instructed to “clip it” and take it along to the polls. A tabulation of the official election returns appeared in the November 14, 1864 edition of the Gazette. McClellan carried Mifflin County by 87 votes over Lincoln. Only Lewistown’s East and West Wards, Newton Hamilton, Old Armagh and Union districts gave Lincoln majorities. The court directed that indictments be made out against sundry parties in McVeytown for “rioting and disturbing the election polls.” The editor commented that the rioters were “Peace party men,” supporting McClellan. Across the state, Lincoln carried Pennsylvania with a majority of 10,198 votes over McClellan, and won the national days of Ebola, corruption, war, and adversity, there is much for which we can be thankful. Consider, we have breath in our lungs, light at the touch of a finger, hot and cold running water at the flick of our wrists. We are blessed. Let us, therefore, embrace one another with grace, as much grace has been given unto us, and bless The Almighty from whom we receive blessings uncountable. May your Thanksgiving be a time of introspection, gratitude and love. C. Mark Ostrowski, MSFS, is the Founder and President of The Stewardship Group in Belleville. His articles ponder various contemporary topics evaluating them from a political, economic and scriptural point of view. a

election by a comfortable margin.

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

Not Only Am I the Owner, I am a Member from page 3 only about once a month. The answer is to make regular chiropractic care affordable for all. And, that is why we are getting out of the insurance conundrum. By participating with insurance plans, we have to let them dictate care that we give to you. That is not right. And, it is not working. We are opening the area’s first membership practice. That means that by paying a certain amount, you get unlimited access to our office and can get a chiropractic adjustment 3-5 times per week, every week if you like. Our certain amount is $70 per month, per patient for unlimited access to our office. And, add $40 for

As the holiday season comes around, it is important to remember where we come from and the traditions that we follow. Many of us celebrate Thanksgiving and other holidays during this time. Whether it is eating a roasted turkey you got up and started at five this morning, or going over to a relative’s house for a family get together, it is something we all enjoy. One of my own family traditions is baking pumpkin pies the day before Thanksgiving and then getting up in the morning to start the turkey and eating with our family. The traditions that we all have though are also the traditions of those that make it possible to enjoy the bounty of the season. Farmers work every day to provide the food we eat and make sure that the food we enjoy and eat, and the milk we drink, comes from a good place. Here is a family favorite recipe to have on a cold autumn evening.

Old Fashion Holiday Hot Chocolate Ingredients: 6 cups skim milk 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 3 tablespoons white sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves Directions: Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium low heat until lukewarm; stir the cocoa powder and sugar into the warmed milk until dissolved. Add the vanilla, cinnamon, chili powder, nutmeg, and cloves. Heat another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. a

Judicial Tyranny from page 13

Those progressives who call our Constitution a “living and breathing” document give the go-ahead to such arbitrary and lawless activism, both judicial and otherwise. Where our Constitution is silent, states and individuals need not be and should not be. But judicial tyranny should not preempt our rights. When will states and the People act? a

the significant other; and we do have plans for the whole family to attain care as well. Becoming a practice member is the most cost-effective way to achieve and maintain optimum health of your spine and your body. By changing to this type of practice, we do not have to follow insurance guidelines and can, therefore, cut out the middleman who does nothing for your health. Approximately eight percent of the population in the United States gets chiropractic adjustments, and yet our healthcare system is 38th in the world. See the pattern? The medical paradigm is not working. Taking medications, getting flu shots, vaccinating children, everything we are doing as a whole is not working! Eight percent are getting adjusted, only eight! If you have

a spine and you have stress, you have subluxations! Chiropractors are the only doctors who correct subluxations. This is the problem and that is the solution. Everyone needs regular chiropractic care. Our office is introducing the way to attain it. Check out our website at www.assistinginnate.com or email me at drjosephkauffman@ comcast.net or call us at 717-2482506 to find out how chiropractic can help you. I am doing a chiropractic orientation every Monday afternoon at 12:15pm and every Wednesday evening at 6:15pm to explain this further. Contact us today if you wish to attend one to learn more about what we are doing. Dr. Joseph Kauffman Kauffman-Hummel Chiropractic Clinic a

Holder to a US Supreme Court justice slot, which is even more detrimental to the survival of our rule of law. Federal power needs to be confined to that which is specifically enumerated in our Constitution and no more. That power is further limited by being dispersed among the three federal branches of legislative, executive and judicial. The power remained with the states and ultimately We the People.

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The Valley, November 2014

VSO for One Stop Shopping Valley Sports N Outdoors, For All Your Sports and Outdoor Needs in One Place. That Tag Line fits VSO very well. Let me start with Archery. At VSO we have a full line of Hoyt and Bear archery bows and accessories. Here at VSO, we have all the archery accessories you need to outfit your bow, whether you’re a hunter or you shoot competitive. We can outfit your set up from top to bottom. We tune every bow setup to the archer before it leaves our building. We make sure that your bow is timed, center shot is dead on, and paper tuned. We also offer a 30 day re-tune. That means if you buy a bow at VSO we not only set it up for you for free, we also re-tune your bow for free if you bring it back in with in 30 days. That’s our remarkable customer service that is second to none. Now let’s move onto fishing. In our fishing department we have everything that the angler needs. If you are a trout fisherman, we have a full line of live bait such as fat head minnows, wax worms, red worms, night crawlers, baby night crawlers, maggots, butter worms, and some times rosie reds, when we can get them. We also carry a full line of power bait, salmon eggs, and spinners. And we can’t forget the most important part. Rods, reels, line and hooks for all types of anglers. For the bass, lake and river fisherman, we also carry shiners, suckers, spinner baits, twisters, crankbaits,

tubes, and jig heads. For the fly fisherman, we carry a full line of nymphs, dry flies, fly line, tippets, fly tying accessories, rods, reels, vests, tackle boxes and waders. Team sports is the next thing that VSO can help ya with. We carry softball, baseball, football, volleyball, and field hockey equipment. So if you’re looking for the right ball glove or bat for your slugger, we can help you get the right size that he or she needs. Kayaks and accessories is the next product that VSO can offer to the outdoor enthusiast. We carry Emotion kayaks and accessories. If you’re not sure if you want a sit inside or a sit on top, stop in and try one out. You can rent kayaks from us for $25 for 24 hours. That’s the best way to see if you like the sport. We handle all types of accessories such as paddles, life vests, whistles, kayak vehicle racks, dry bags and boxes. Camping: This is something that my family has done since I was about 12 years old, so I couldn’t have a sporting goods store without having camping. At VSO, you can get cast iron mountain pie irons, burger makers, bread makers, dough boy makers, water proofing for tents and canopies, bug repellent, can cookers, butchering kits, knives and cutting boards. So when you think of Valley Sports N Outdoors, you can think of our tag line stating “For all Your Sports N Outdoor needs in one place.” a

Our new spacious facility is ready to supply your outdoor needs.

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The Valley, November 2014

Expectations VS Reality Perhaps we watched too many fantasy movies and Disney films growing up, coloring our expectations of a “perfect” relationship or a “perfect” partner. Seeking perfection is not in alignment with our soul’s intent. I believe we are all here to play and get the most out of our short human experience. If we place limitations on ourselves and our partners, we cannot fully experience life. Each individual has a unique set of beliefs about how a relationship should be, how they would like their partner to “star” in that romance. This can fuel too many expectations, setting up the relationship for failure and disappointment. What if we could embrace mutual acceptance, with no expectations of who should be doing what? Would we be grant-

ing ourselves the power to BE? Be Aware of Ownership Many times, one or both partners assume a sense of ownership. If we let go of that assumption, would we live more harmoniously? Remember, partners are two separate beings. So many relationshipbuilding programs have evolved over the years – recommending that partners should say, do, and provide certain things. I feel these beliefs, requests, or demands create pressure and stress, often causing one or both to withdraw even more. We all have the right to voice our thoughts and share what brings us joy in our companionship. It’s up to each to decide if and when they will choose to provide acts of service, words

of affection, or other expressed desires. What if We Came From Love & Acceptance? Are you getting what you want and need from your relationship? Have you tried to inform your partner of your feelings? What if you try coming from a place of love rather than expectation? By adding the gift of patience, I can almost guarantee your partner will respond when they feel the time is right, not because you are suggesting it. Do you have thoughts of leaving your relationship, especially when your partner incites feelings of anger or frustration? What if you were to try to work out expectations and understanding first? I truly believe there

are multiple things we can learn, things we don’t fully see while in the fog of anger and frustration. If a relationship is downright abusive, that requires a much different approach, but in most instances, it’s about internal reflection and learning from one another. Your souls have already agreed to be together. Ask yourself what frustrates or angers you. How would your relationship look if you let go of trying to get them to act a certain way? What if you were brought together to understand each other and break down your conflicts? I believe if you leave based on your partner pushing your buttons, your next relationship will be even more challenging – the cycle will con-

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tinue until you learn patience and understanding. To let go and just be is such a simple intent. What if you allowed your partner to just be? I believe you will happily notice shifts in caring. Receive what your partner has to offer as a gift, rather than a requirement. If you want to understand yourself, spouse, or relationship better, call Coach Joanie, ask about her programs and how they may enlighten you. Coachjoanie@joanieyanusas. com 814-777-0410 www. joanieyanusas.com a

The Valley, November 2014

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Joanne Wills-Kline Contentment Quest

Thanksgiving Grace

As the days move closer to the Thanksgiving holiday, I find myself pondering all the happenings within my tiny corner of the world thus far in 2014 – the mundane, miraculous, and maddening of day to day life. Matters of health surfaced multiple times throughout the year for me and my family. As we moved through unexpected circumstances that rattled our day to day living, I kept my eyes and mind wide open in search of the miraculous within the mundane. Honestly, some days were quite hard and gritty; filled with ups and downs. But, those fluctuations experienced amid my search, deepened my faith, and expanded my vision, to perceive day to day miracles

within the trajectory of life. It had also cemented my belief that thanksgiving (finding something to be thankful for within the chaos and complexity) always preceded the miracle – no matter how small the circumstance. Over the course of this year, I have gained an even better understanding and importance of surrounding one’s self with positive influences and erecting healthy boundaries. I have learned the value of choosing to live a life of purpose and fulfillment over a life of obligation. In the words of Emily P. Freeman (author, blogger, speaker, and writer), I too “… choose to live my life like a lyric instead of a list.” It has meant letting go of some possessions,

obligations, and relationships that no longer align with the direction of my life’s journey. By letting go, space was created to welcome transformative opportunities for personal growth. This year, as Thanksgiving Day approaches, I vow to revel in time spent celebrating with family. I vow to celebrate each individual ‘round the holiday table – to give thanks for their presence in my life and the wisdom their presence has offered me. I vow to deeply appreciate that the present moment is all we are truly gifted. And, I vow to carry on my search for the miraculous within the mundane of life. In the words of Martin Luther, I ask you to reflect on a simple question as you approach your Thanksgiving holiday The new landowner has read the wind ordinances and has asked Volkswind to terminate the wind lease. If the lease is terminated, there will be 16 turbines in the project, instead of 20.

Wind Turbine Projects Slated for Jacks and Stone Mountains: Good News and Bad News

Laura Jackson, President of Save Our AlleghenyRidges Contrary to rumor, the wind projects are NOT dead! Members of The Friends of Jacks Mountain group are still working hard to stop the wind projects and we want everyone to know that we still need your support. Here is an update about the two wind projects: What We Know About Volkswind: Plans to build 20 turbines on Jacks Mountain about 2 miles north of the Altar. Turbines will be 436 feet tall when the blade is vertical to the tower. Good News About Volkswind: 1. Volkswind’s test tower was removed last summer and has not been replaced. Companies need 2 years of wind data before they have enough information to build.

Volkswind developers say they have less than 1 year of data. 2. Volkswind tried to gain easements and right-of-ways on Jacks Mountain on the Big Valley side, namely along East Flat Road, but was unable to lease the land. 3. The wildlife studies were not completed last summer, so Volkswind is behind schedule. 4. Volkswind’s permit from the Federal Aviation Administration will expire on May 26, 2015. They will have to apply for an extension if the project is not operating by then. Based on what might happen in the airspace since their first application, the permit extension could be denied. 5. A tract of land was purchased along the top of Jacks Mountain that was already leased to Volkswind. The parcel is located in Granville and Union Townships.

celebrations “What will you do in the mundane days of faithfulness?” As you approach the holiday seasons and year end, perhaps you too may wish to consider how to live your “… life more like a lyric and less like a list.” In closing, I wish you extraordinary abundance and heartwarming celebration among family and friends this Thanksgiving season. I leave you with a Thanksgiving prayer by T.D. Jakes that deeply resonated with me: Dear Lord, I couldn’t move into another year without apologizing for the things I should’ve said earlier and didn’t, and acknowledge the times I could’ve done better but didn’t. Thanks for moving me while I grumbled about the changes you made. And thanks for the things you steered me past that could’ve tripped up my destiny. Thanks for the mountains you sent to give me a place to exercise my faith. I’m sorry I was so worried about who left me that I failed to thank you for who you let stay and I didn’t Good News About E.ON: 1. E.ON did not meet certain milestones required by the PJM Grid, so their project application was “Withdrawn.” E.ON will have to submit an entirely new application, if they decide to continue with the project. 2. A landowner purchased an important property for E.ON’s project on Jacks Mountain. This landowner will not lease it for wind development. 3. E.ON has not submitted an application to the Federal Aviation Administration, so they do not have their permit from the FAA.

even thank you that I am still here. You exposed me beyond my limitations, forced me to grow beyond my stagnation, and moved me from procrastination to a firm dedication to what is ahead! In spite of the blistering cold around me, I am warmed by your presence, kept by your grace, empowered by your faith in me, and strengthened by your patience. I want to thank you that I have known love, tasted laughter and have not had to live life without a touch. As the year closes, leaves change, temperatures plummet, birds migrate south and the freeze matriculates north, I too am now prepared. I have packed what I needed, discarded what restricted me, recycled what I could, and at last in the true spirit of Thanksgiving, I thank you God, I too, am finally ready to move on. Amen. ~ T.D. Jakes a PTC is extended. 2. E.ON may be willing to develop a smaller project on Jacks and Stone Mountains, if they can’t get enough leases for 75 turbines. 3. The test tower is still on Stone Mountain, near Airydale. Why would E.ON continue to gather data if they have ended the project? 4. Lease agreements recorded at the Mifflin Co. Courthouse have not been terminated.

Bad News About Volkswind: 1. The proposed project is still an active queue on the PJM grid: Z1-042 Belleville/New HollandLogan 46kV 2. There is a lot of land leased to Volkswind on the Ferguson What Can You Do? Valley side of Jacks Mountain. Write to your federal legislaIt is possible that Volkswind will tors. Ask them to vote against any attempt to build an access road on extension of the Production Tax that side. Bad News About E.ON: Credit. This vote will likely occur 3. Lease agreements recorded at 1. E.ON may be waiting for the after the November elections. the Mifflin Co. Courthouse have Production Tax Credit (PTC) to be Join Friends of Jacks Mounnot been terminated. extended by Congress. A landtain. It takes a community to 4. There is a push by Congress owner who leased for an E.ON protect what is important! a to extend the Production Tax project in Centre Co. was told that Credit. Volkswind may be waiting the project is “on hold” until the for the extension to pass before continu- YES, I want to join FRIENDS OF JACKS MOUNTAIN Membership is FREE – we need your support!! ing the project. 5. Pennsylvania _________________________________________________________________________________ is offering grant Please Print: First and Last Name money to companies to pay for wind __________________________________ _______________________________ _____________ Street City State Zip code projects. What We Know About E.ON: Plans to build up to 75 wind turbines on Jacks and Stone Mountains.

__( )___________________________ _________________________________ Phone number, including Area 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

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The Valley, November 2014

A Son’s Rehab Experience Helps Dad Recover After Stroke Stroke rehabilitation patient Elroy Dixon, 68, is very determined. “I think that’s one reason he’s improving so quickly,” his son, Alfred Dixon, R. N., says. Alfred knows all about rehabilitation. Twenty years ago, he was involved in a motor vehicle accident, leaving him in the hospital in critical condition, with an amputation below the right knee. When Alfred was ready for rehabilitation, he went to HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital in Pleasant Gap. “I had intensive physical and occupational therapy,” he says. My left leg also needed surgery and rehabilitation; I had to learn to walk again.” Alfred’s positive experience with rehabilitation inspired him to become a nurse. “The HealthSouth nurses cared for me in a way that helped me maintain my dignity,” he says. “I wanted to pursue a career in nursing so that I could provide others with that

to know that when Dad leaves same kind of care.” HealthSouth, he’ll be able to go As a registered nurse, Dixon has worked in many healthcare settings, including hospitals and nursing homes. Recently, when his father, Elroy, had a stroke, Alfred encouraged him to go to HealthSouth Nittany Valley for rehabilitation. “When I was a patient there, it was a nice, clean, wellkept place with good nursing care,” Alfred explains. “I remember seeing the stroke patients improving in therapy. I knew it was the best place for HealthSouth Nittany Valley stroke rehabilitation my dad.” patient Elroy Dixon (seated) builds arm strength in When Elroy is disoccupational therapy as his son, Alfred Dixon, R.N., charge to home, he and Darla Dixon, HealthSouth occupational therapy will have the support assistant, offer support. Elroy is getting three hours of his family and his a day of physical, occupational and speech therapy before returning to his home. church. “It’s good

home,” Alfred says. “Dad enjoys making rugs on his loom, and becoming strong again will help him get back to his favorite hobby.” HealthSouth’s Stroke Rehabilitation Program has earned the Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification. For more information, visit www.nitttanyvalleyrehab.com or call 1-800842-6026. a

Regain Strength. Return Home. If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with activities of daily living, consider calling HealthSouth Nittany Valley today for a no-cost rehabilitation assessment. Our rehabilitation nurse liaison comes to you in your home, physician’s office or the hospital to determine if rehabilitation may be right for you. Conditions that can benefit include: • Bathing • Bowel and bladder problems • Chronic pain • Desire to return to previous level of functioning • Difficulty recovering from a recent illness

• Dressing • Increased falls • Walking • Weakness

Call 800 842-6026 and ask for a rehabilitation nurse liaison who will assess your needs, and coordinate with your physician and caregiving team.

Let HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Work for You.

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550 West College Avenue • Pleasant Gap, PA 16823 • 814 359-3421

The Joint Commission DiseaseSpecific Care Certification in Brain Injury Rehabilitation, Heart Failure, Parkinson’s Disease Rehabilitation and Stroke Rehabilitation

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The Valley, November 2014

Modern Energy and Alternative Heating with Curt Bierly

Room Thermostats

For years we had a round gold colored Honeywell thermostat on our wall. Many of you remember these, and I’m sure there are many still in use. When we left home, we reduced the thermostat a few degrees to save energy and then when we returned, we increased the temperature a few degrees to warm up the house. It was a mechanical thermostat with a small amount of liquid mercury sealed in a small glass tube, and that was attached to a coiled bimetal spring that wound or unwound according to room temperature. It had two display windows that you could read— firstly the current room temperature, and secondly, the temperature you selected. If you set it for 70°F and you had a real good one

and the anticipator was set correctly, the heating system would turn on at 68°F and off at 72°F (a 4 degree differential). If you had an electric heat thermostat, it only had a dial that gave you the option of setting the desired temperature, but I suspect they were afraid

The familiar gold-colored Honeywell thermostat that most of us remember, many of which are still in use.

to let you know what the temperature actually was, because there was no actual room temperature shown. Then as the computer age unfolded, Honeywell was offering a Round Electronic Version. So I figured since we were in the business, I should give it a try. I took one home and replaced my gold mechanical model with the new round white electronic model with a single digital display. Normally the room temperature was displayed; then, when you turned the outside ring the display switched to show you the set temperature. It was installed in our hallway to the bathrooms/bedrooms – so – every time I walked by the thermostat, I checked the room temperature on the display. I was sure it was defective because what ever room temperature I set it for, the display would indicate that was the room temperature. After some researc,h I learned this thermostat measured in tenth of a degree – so – if I set it for 70°F and the room temperature dropped to 69.6°F, it turned on the heat. When the room temperature rose to 70.4°F, it would turn the heat off. Thus, the display would always show 70°F (a .8 differential). Amazing!

As you are no doubt aware, currently, digital thermostats are the norm and the days of the wall thermostat only controlling your heating system are history. As heating systems become more energy efficient, and thus more complex, the thermostat is becoming the “brain” of the operation. Heat pumps can be two stage or have variable speed compressors. Air handlers can have variable speed blowers and electric backup elements therein. Furnaces can be two stage or have modulating burners with variable speed blowers. Zoning is another option that is becoming more popular. Plus, you may have a system humidifier to control, or perhaps you want to set back room temperatures while you’re away. Let’s face it, the simple mechanical room thermostat has evolved into a specialized computer. Heating systems now need to be commissioned to be sure the system is programmed to realize maximum efficiency by choosing when to use the heat pump and on what stage and at what compressor speeds, and when to use the gas furnace backup and on what stage and at what fan speed. But there is more. With wifi and a high end cell phone, you can view and set your wall “thermostat” via the internet. There

The new electronic, round thermostat offered better efficiency and an ease of use for me. The low .8 differential floored me!

is even a “thermostat” available that can sense when you are near home and turn up the heat in anticipation of your arrival. Hang onto your hats, as it won’t be long untill you can carry on a conversation with your “thermostat.” a 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.

Let Us All Be Thankful For What We Have And For Hearing That Can be Improved. Call Us Today.

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The Valley, November 2014

22 Editors Corner from page 2 for chemical concentrations to be raised to produce a few more cents per acre. And, when you have the chemical producers tied in with the government, guess who loses, yup, the consumer. This leads me to something else that really hacks me off—the government making life or death decisions with $$$ as one of the deciding factors. I, of course, am talking about the Ebola issue. Since when is it in the “best interest” of our country to allow people from infected areas to freely travel to the US? We have had so called experts (actually just political appointees—that should make you feel safe) tell us that quarantining those countries of origin would make us less safe. WHAT? One thing is a fact, this country had not one case before we started allowing people infected with the disease to come here. What the head of the CDC really meant was that restricting travel to and from the countries infected, would cost some companies a lot of money, so he felt it completely safe and that there was no threat to the public. Really? Of course remember, this moron that is telling you that you will never have a chance to contract the deadly disease (he has now reversed himself on that too, does he really have a clue?), is the same control freak that got the whole trans-fats thing started in NY. He also once referred to smokers as, the filthiest, most deadly people in New York City! In my opinion, this guy should be institutionalized, not the head of such a powerful agency, who consistently GETS IT WRONG! Bottom line is, I am NOT ok with idiots like him making decisions that could potentially kill me. Way too much power exists in Washington DC that DICTATES what you can and can’t do, and what they see as their right to do to you. This needs to change. There is a group that is working on this, they are “The Free State Project” check them out at freestateproject.org Another issue that has me irritated is the Eric Frein issue over in the Poconos. Before anyone says I just hate cops (already happened), nothing could be further from the truth. In my youth, I applied for and was offered a position at the end of the process. It wasn’t enough money, and by that time other circumstances moved me in another direction. I don’t hate cops, what I do hate is the trampling of my Liberty in the name of law enforcement. Got it?

Now, getting back to Frien and the massive effort taking place in the Pocono Mountains. I mean, it has been over four weeks already, millions of dollars, as well as multiple Constitutional violations on area residents. They even have a huge former military vehicle in place. The pictures of militarized police remind you more of what we see reported from the war zone in the Middle East rather than the peaceful woods of northeastern PA. I didn’t see any evidence that he was targeting regular town folk, so why were people kept away from their homes “for their own safety?” To get used to being compliant maybe? Obviously Mr. Frein has an issue with police, but is it any wonder that with all of the videos surfacing of police overstepping their boundaries and people’s rights being violated, that there would be a few less tightlywrapped folks who might have a lower threshold for this type of thing? At any rate, when was the last time you saw this kind of effort and expenditure of money and media over the murder of one of us commoners? Is this effort saying that a cop’s life is somehow more important than anyone else? Because if it is, I vehemently disagree. A police officer willingly accepts the inherent dangers involved in police work. Because the job is inherently dangerous, does NOT give them the right to violate my Liberty for their safety, if they think that, they should find another line of work. It is not right to subject taxpayers to the expense here, if you are not going to do it for everyone. To do this is to create two classes of citizens, the elites and their enforcers, and the rest of us. By the same measure I am not heartless either, the slain officer and his family deserve our prayers. But as far as anything else, I would like to wait until ALL of the facts are out, we have only heard one perspective, that of the police and the media who take their instruction. This full court press in trying the case in public has caused those less thoughtful to forget our founding principles. I heard people calling for him to be shot on sight, and that they hoped he was killed. Is the conditioning to authority working? I thought everyone had presumed innocence until PROVEN guilty. The folks saying those things, were of course, responding out of emotion because of pre-programmed triggers. It just isn’t ok to violate our

Constitution, the law of the land, to favor safety. The principle of Liberty comes with risks and dangers, I prefer that over the safety of slavery to government. Lastly, I hope that this ends in a trial so that both sides can be heard, rather than the way most of these over-expended militarized missions end up, and that is with one story and a dead suspect. The only way these trends end is for Liberty-minded people to stand up and demand it and accept nothing but. Update: Eric Frein was captured by Federal Marshals outside of an abandoned airplane hanger where he had been hiding. Frein was caught out in the open and as reported, was ordered to the ground and he complied. He was then handled over to PSP and while shackled, somehow was booked a bloody mess, with bruises and cuts on his face and head consistent with being beaten. This was quickly followed by the BS symbolism that he had been cuffed with the dead officers cuffs. Really? Does this symbolism mean anything? Or is it further conditioning of a mind-numbed and conditioned population? Perhaps a better question would be, how many troopers does it take to beat a defenseless prisoner? In order for our society to function properly, there has to be an equivalent respect between people and the police, that does not now exist. Since we are the ones writing the checks, we should demand it be fixed or they be trusted with a heck of a lot less authority. I will go out on a limb here and predict that after this last election, (we are still three weeks away as of this writing, but my psychic powers are amazing), we have still entrusted our well being to either the Republicans or the Democrats, the same ones who caused us to be here in the first place. The one thing that I have noticed is the increased intensity and nastiness of both parties in their attacks on Libertarians (can you see me smiling). It must mean they now perceive us as a threat. Good! We are coming for both of you and Liberty never loses, no matter what the odds, and no matter how long it takes.a

LIbrary Lines Your Mifflin County Library

by Dorothy Coffman

Fall is in the air. Daylight hours are shorter, there is a nip in the air and it’s time to find more activities indoors. I stepped out on my porch the other evening and could smell burning leaves and saw that my marigolds are starting to fade. With longer evenings, it is time to find a good book and enjoy one that you didn’t have time to read during the summer months. It is also a good time to start making some Christmas gifts. We have good books on quilting, painting, woodworking, cookbooks, and other arts and craft books. Check us out. We have cookbooks to check out for the holiday season. Try a new dish at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner or holiday gathering. We have been busy with many indoor projects. Baby story time, preschool story time and adult book clubs. In September, we had another successful book sale. All of the prep work, selling of materials and clean up was done by the Mifflin County Retired Employees. They are dedicated workers working all year getting ready for the April and September Book Sales. The Friends of the Library recently

had a Books and Brushes show here in Lewistown. Many local artists displayed their talents. Among the displays were stained glass, photography, wood working, folk art crafts and whittling. The Friends served homemade cookies and cider. It was great to see so many people on a Saturday enjoying our local talent. If you are interested in any of the story times or book clubs, please call Trish at our Kish Branch at 9352880 or Dorothy at Lewistown at 242-2391. The Friends of the Mifflin County Library are constantly working to draw more people to our Libraries. They have purchased two benches that were placed in the gazebo at Lewistown. Many of us are looking forward to having our lunches there next spring. It is adjacent to the play ground in our lawn, so parents can relax there while their children enjoy the playground equipment. Did you know that you can borrow books for your E-reader from the Free Library of Philadelphia. You can pick up an application for their library card at either of our branches. Borrowing books from there is free and they have a large selection of both fiction and non-fiction materials.a

Swan Creek Candles In Stock for the Shopping Season! by Jeannie Bush American soy bean wax Drizzle Melts are the best tarts I have yet to find on the market. They are made in the USA and are all natural wax, lead free and intensely fragrant. I am also carrying their burning candles—they burn clean and smell great and are affordable too! So far the most sold in my store is the Pumpkin Vanilla, but my favorite has to be the Roasted Espresso (I love the smell of coffee!) Come in and smell for yourself, there is a scent for everyone! Coming soon are our winter aromas, and as a reminder you can also pick them up at our

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other location at Toots’ Place in Reedsville. I am sure they will be your new favorite candle line, just as they have become many of my loyal customers’ top pick. Also, I have a large selection of tart and candle warmers that are made by Swan Creek as well. You can use the cup provided to melt the Drizzles in, or you can heat the candle on the warming base, which comes in four colors to match any décor. Bushmen at Home 1537 loop road Lewistown (Between Lowes and Walmart) Monday-Friday 10-5 * Saturday 10-3 * Closed Sundays

The Valley, November 2014

The Truth Has No Agenda

The Valley, November 2014

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The Valley, November 2014

THANKFUL FOR HIMALAYAN SALT At Simply Health Salt Spa we have seen amazing results from so many people using the Himalayan salt, and we are so grateful for their improved health. We are celebrating our 3rd year starting this month, and we still are so pleased to hear daily, peoples successes with using our salt rooms, lamps in their home, and other authentic salt products. For example, using Himalayan salt as an edible salt, in sole, or bathing (helps to detoxify) has been known to: increase hydration, balance pH (alkaline/acidity) and help reduce acid reflux, prevent muscle cramping, aid in proper metabolism functioning, strengthen bones, lower blood pressure, help the intestines

absorb nutrients, improve circulation, prevent goiters, and create an electrolyte balance. It has also been reported that Himalayan salt has been able to support libido, reduce signs of aging, and help detoxify the body from heavy metals. Amazing results from people sitting in our salt rooms for a 45 minute session (on a zero-gravity lounge chair with low lights and soft music) continue to excite us. The benefits of sitting in a salt room are cumulative and Himalayan salt is anti-inflammatory, anti- viral, anti-bacterial, and antifungal. I can’t think of any health challenge that does not begin with inflammation. Each time you sit in a salt room the benefits improve and increase. We have had so many people report getting out of pain, increasing lung capacity with COPD (which is pretty much unheard of), with doctors permission getting off of many meds and also oxygen, sleeping better, breathing better, improving skin challenges, to mention just a very few. An authentic salt lamp in your

home extends the benefits of the salt room then into your home. A lamp should be on 24 hours, 7 days a week. The benefits will accumulate in your room. Most people have more than one lamp in their homes. The bedroom is often the first location as a lamp helps people to sleep better (and often reduces snoring!), and a lamp beside your computer is another excellent spot as our computers and other appliances are giving off too many positive ions, and Himalayan salt gives off negative ions, which helps to balance your environment. Don’t forget the HUGE benefit of putting a lamp in children’s and baby’s

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rooms! It helps babies to sleep as well and helps with congestive issues sometimes before medications may be necessary. We stand behind all of our products. In our new location in State College, we are grateful for more space as we are able to combine and offer more services that compliment using a salt room. Please check our website for more details at www.simplyhealth-calm. com or call us at 814-954-7731 or 717-248-2000 to schedule an appointment. Each month we have great Spa Packages that combine several services priced at $49 each. This month we have: Easy Breathing • 5-10 minutes of our Whole Body Vibration to get your circulation moving, your lymphatics stimulated, and your muscles relaxed. • 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, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. You will be breathing air that is saturated with 84 minerals and trace elements. • XLarge Hima-

layan 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 TV’s, computers and other electronic devices. Infrared Detox • 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 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-

Continued on page 30

The Valley, November 2014

Wildlife Photography as Art and for Art My wife, Linda, and I just spent a long weekend in the little island town of Chincoteague, Virginia and on the neighboring island of Assateague. October is a great time for visiting the shore, with the summer crowds largely gone and replaced mostly by birders and photographers and other mellow sorts. The island is protected from development and excessive human damage as part of Assateague Island National Seashore. While it has beautiful undeveloped beaches and the famous wild ponies, its greatest asset is probably the abundant habitat for both wetland and shore birds, as well as migrating waterfowl. There are thousands of acres of both freshwater and saltwater wetlands, with lots of great spots

for seeing the birdlife up close. I took the opportunity on this visit to take hundreds of photos, mostly of the birds, to use as references for studio paintings. The birds that offered the most numerous photo ops this time around were the pure white egrets, particularly the large Great, or American, Egret. The quality of paintings I can create depends directly on the photos I’m able to capture, so I’d like to share some tips that might be helpful to others. 1. Equipment: While a digital SLR camera with big interchangeable lenses and lots of controls does offer some advantages, any digital camera (or film, for old-school purists) with a zoom lens will take some great photos if everything else is right.

A cell phone camera is extremely limited, so try not to make that your only camera option. 2. Timing: Weather is always a factor, and while the soft light of early morning or a cloudy day can still yield some good photos, the intense light of a sunny day offers much more variety of dramatic lighting. On a sunny day, the best times are the first and last hour or two of direct sun. The low angle of light creates more spectacular shadows and depth, and the color of light is warmer at these times, leaning toward orange rather than the colder, bluer light of midday. 3. Angle of light: Most subjects, whether animal, person, flower, or building, will be more dramatically lit if the sun is at a sideways angle or even slightly behind the subject, rather than behind the photographer. This makes the edges of the subject glow, which is particularly dramatic with a pure white subject like an egret. The shadows of a white subject will pick up the indirect blue light of the north sky as well as any brightly lit surroundings. Try to back up bright edges with dark surroundings to bring them out. 4. With bird subjects, be patient. While you’re getting the best photos you can of still or slowly moving subjects, keep an eye out for any taking off, landing, or flying past. If you can get the camera lined up and focused fast enough, flight photos can be spectacular. Shoot multiple frames if you can, because only a small percentage will have really nice wing positions. In order to be able to quickly respond, only use a tripod if low light and slow shutter speeds demand it. A hand-held camera is much more nimble. I saw lots of people using tripods when there wasn’t any good reason to. I hope these hints are helpful to your outdoor photography. Let me know at karlericleitzel@gmail. com! a

Above: Great Egret in flight, by Karl Leitzel 75-300mm lens (at-300mm), Canon Rebel SLR camera Right: Great Egret in morning sunlight, by Karl Leitzel 75-300mm lens (at 300mm), Canon Rebel SLR camera

Don’t forget, 4th Friday Poetry Night at The Green Drake, come experience poetry as song! Also on the 4th Wednesday of every month we feature an Old Time Music Jam. Come play or just come and listen with friends!

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The Valley, November 2014 your dreams. The book is set in a pastoral setting, and will introduce you to a fated couple who exemplifies the quiet beauty and strength of the heartland.

Mail Pouch Books by Carleen B. Grossman This is a month filled with thankfulness! Below are some books that will make you realize a few things for which to be thankful. Enjoy... DEAR MRS. LINDBERGH Kathleen Hughes Copyright 2004 304 pages When an elderly couple from Iowa, disappear mysteriously on their way home from Thanksgiving, their adult children find a crate of letters written to Anne Morrow Lindbergh. In the letters the children read, are the origins of their parents’ passion—how they first met in 1924 and the sacrifices that their mother made for them. The couples’ lives were brought together by a love of flying. This book is about a real love affair, with real people, flawed, and disappointed in each other, and yet still ready to go on loving. This is an emotional story and it gets better as you read it; the ending is unexpected and perfect for this season of thanks.

You will travel with this couple on a journey of love that also encompass the love for their two children, who the mother recognizes as a supreme value in her life, but their being brings a sacrifice to the mother’s other love of flying. Hard choices are made in this book—pregnancy grounds the young mother whose heart is in the clouds; it is then that her letter writing begins to the wife of Charles Lindbergh, Anne Morrow Lindbergh. The mother

Ed’s Railroading News by Ed Forsythe

Twenty minutes, just twenty short minutes was all the time it took. Tears of sadness flowed from many eyes just like the water from the fireman’s hoses did to fight the scorching hot flames that were being fed by the old barns walls, floor & infrastructure, not to mention all the antique furniture, New Holland artifacts, the 1800’s Conestoga Wagon, and much, much more that was to be the fire’s fuel. What is he talking about? This sort of describes the scene on the morning of October 9, 2014, in Allensville, PA. Yes, just last month, and less than a week after the Kishacoquillas Valley Historical Society’s annual Harvest Moon dinner and fundraiser, their museum barn filled with hundreds of artifacts burned, destroying all inside on the upper level. Much that was downstairs was lost also including genealogy records, books, more furniture, etc. What’s this have to do with my topic? This railroad enthusiast may have lost a personal artifact in this tragedy. Many years ago

my grandfather, Robert Forsythe, had asked a man named Brown Wills, who had worked for the old K. V. Railroad, if anything from the old railroad was still laying around. Brown told my grandfather that all he had was an old coal shovel and if he wanted it, he could have it. After Poppops passing, the shovel came to me and after having it for many years, it was loaned to the Kish Valley Historical Society for display in the museum. Since the fire, we’ve been in limbo to learn weather it was lost, damaged or untouched as no one has been given permission to enter the area as of this writing, due to dangers and that the fire inspector hasn’t finished his duties. So for now, we wait. But that’s not the main important issue regarding the barn’s loss. It will take quite some time for all losses to be accounted for, and many of the losses are irreplaceable. Just think, how many people have an 1800’s Conestoga Wagon in their storage area to replace the one lost? Sometimes we take

feels a special affinity to the pilot’s wife because Lindbergh’s wife continues flying even after the birth of her child. Longing for the same freedom, these letters are full of her wishes to fly again. This is a story about trying to weave a path between life and

seeing or knowing about historical items for granted until something like this happens and they are lost for all time. I’ve often said “Without our history being remembered and artifacts saved, we can’t really know just where we come from.” There are hundreds of this type of museum all around our country being operated by volunteers who realize the importance of keeping artifacts for future generations to study and enjoy. So if you’re out and about and see a small museum somewhere, please take some time to stop in and show your support and learn a bit about their subject. Who knows, you just might find something about your family or friends, or something about where you came from. Enjoy, that’s why they are there for us. As for railroading, on November 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Mifflin County Model Railroading Club will be holding a special Open House in conjunction with the National Model Railroad Association members and friends visiting our area to see what’s available locally with model railroads. Our club will also be open during the Ice Festival on December 4th and 5th from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on December 6th, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Also December 7th, 13th,

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THE PERFECT PUMPKIN By Gail Damerow Copyright 1997 224 pages Here are detailed instructions on how to grow and harvest a great pumpkin. This book tells about more than 95 varieties of pumpkins, carving, crafts and recipes for your very own GREAT PUMPKIN. Have fun! HOMEGROWN WHOLE GRAINS By Sara Pitzer Copyright 2009 168 pages

14th, 27th and 28th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. each day. The club is located at 3 West Monument Square in downtown Lewistown, just two doors to the left of the old courthouse. All Open Houses are FREE and we will accept donations to assist us with offsetting our yearly operating expenses. If you remember last year during the Ice Festival we had hard rains both nights and bad weather for most of the other open house dates, so due to low visitor turnout and donations, our little club has been experiencing several shortages in the financial department this year. So if you like seeing trains running and looking at extremely nice detail, come on in and visit with us several days as we run different trains on different days. Also this past year, we had a scavenger hunt where folks can look for specific details on the layouts. This seemed to entice people to look closely and see just how detailed our work has been. At this years shows, we will have several lists available again. As we add things and complete areas,

This tell-how book includes instructions on how to grow, harvest, store, grind and prepare wheat, corn, barley, millet, oats, rice, rye, spelt and quinoa. This is definitely a MUST HAVE RESOURCE BOOK! WILD TURKEYS By John J. Mettler Jr. DVM Copyright 1998 176 pages This book tells you about all the habitat and mating information you will need to hunt or to just plain enjoy these noble birds. Photographs and illustrations are provided for your enjoyment! a

we plan on making up new lists. Just to wet your appetite, think about finding the 1000 year old wood or the local tree bark and the town of Mt. Union with parts of the East Broad Top Railroad in it. These and many, many more are waiting to be found on the layouts. Also coming up in November is the start of the ‘’Shining Light Through the Darkness’’ at Old Kish Park. Although the lighting up part doesn’t start until December, there’s much work to be done in November setting up on weekends, so if you’re interested in getting involved just contact me or Cathy at Ed’s Train Repairs & Sales at 717-248-4862 or Darla Gray at 717-635-0919. As always, Happy Railroading, Ed a

Next Issue of The Valley December 3rd

The Valley, November 2014

Life in the East End by Rebecca Harrop Have you been enjoying the beautiful fall foliage? I think the leaves have been really pretty this year. It’s so pretty looking from our front porch back towards the mountain, especially in the morning with the sun shining. The corn fields and soybean fields are ready for harvest, so they have the gold and brown color. The hay fields are still green because of the rain we’ve been having. It’s like a patchwork of colors until you get to the mountain, then it looks like

a crazy quilt of color. It never gets old looking back there. Next to all the Christmas decorations, I like to see all the Fall decorations people put out. Corn stalks, straw bales, pumpkins, gourds, and fall mums all make such beautiful displays. It’s fun seeing all the different scarecrows and jack-o-lanterns. We got some purple and orange lights to put around our corn stalks on the porch this year. I’m not sure I care for the purple ones, but Mom

loves anything purple, so we have purple. As I shared last month, the Turkey shoots at Blue Rock have started. I have won one turkey so far. I missed a couple shoots, but I’m hoping to make the rest. A couple Sundays ago, my brother Ernie, his wife Joann and I went down to a turkey shoot at the Decatur Sportsman Club. I didn’t win anything there, but it was fun. I was a little late for the barn after that one. So if anyone likes to shoot targets, you should check out the Turkey shoots at Blue Rock Sportsman Club and Decatur Sportsman Club. Muzzle Loader season has started and I’ve been out a couple times for that also. I haven’t had any luck so far, but I hope to. We need some more canned venison and jerky! Dad says if I don’t

soon get a deer, he’s going to have to show me how it’s done. Fall hunting seasons are in progress and are a great opportunity to get out in the fields and woods to hunt and enjoy being outside. I know I am always awed by the beauty and majesty of the world we live in. Dad always says he feels closer to God out in the fields or woods, than anywhere else. I know what he means. When you are sitting there watching that squirrel run up a tree or sitting eating a nut or looking around, waiting for the deer you can hear come closer, or just listening to the quiet, there is a feeling of peace, contentment, and just an awe you don’t feel anywhere else. Hunting season is a great opportunity for you parents to take your kids into the fields and woods to enjoy God’s beauty and bounty. As long as I can remember, I’ve always loved being outside in the fields or woods. Dad and Mom used to take us for walks on Sundays either through the farm fields or the different sections of woods on the farms. As a kid, I know I learned a lot from those times. We learned about wildlife, crops, the different trees, and respecting nature. We also learned about family, which is something more kids should learn. We learned to help and respect each

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other, the importance of working together, and being aware of what’s around you. These things are important for every kid to learn. Maybe we wouldn’t have so many of the problems we have today, if kids learned what I learned. As we are heading towards Thanksgiving, it is a perfect time to again think about all the blessings we have. I still believe we live in the greatest nation on earth. We have problems, but we can fix them with some hard choices. We have the best, safest food supply. We have the most opportunities to pursue whatever our dreams are. From now till Thanksgiving Day, how about if each of you make a list of your blessings. Start today and everyday write down one thing you are grateful for. I doubt you will have too much trouble finding something each day. Just writing this, I already have a dozen things! Happy Hunting and Happy Thanksgiving from the East End! a

The Valley, November 2014

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The Valley, November 2014

Himalayan Salt from page 25

Snowflake Magic from front page

Snowflake’s Holiday Sales and Special Events Nov .1 Home for the Holidays - Candles and Christmas Scents on sale. Nov. 8 German ornaments from Inge-Glas -20% off today only. Nov. 15 Toy Drive/Letters to Santa –Buy a Melissa and Doug toy for our Troy’s Toys from Heaven Toy Drive benefitting Red Bird Mission plus local needs and receive 20% off all your Melissa and Doug toy purchases. Today only. Nov. 22 Village Days – Dept. 56 Villages on sale - Remember it takes a village to keep small shop in town. Nov. 29 Santa Visit from 11 a.m.-3 p.m./Small Business Day Dec. 6 Christmas card sale -Register to win free postage for your purchased cards Dec. 13 Tradition of Caroling -Special Music Dec. 20 Christmas Goodies sale/ Sample Day – all Christmas goodies on sale

box stores whose merchandise is marketed widely. There are handcrafted nutcrackers and nativity sets from Germany, an entire town of Byers Carolers and Department 56 villages, Santas of every size and shape, Snowbabies, and of course, tree trimmings of every description. Snowflakes is proud to have commissioned a beautiful NeQwa Art ornament depicting Big Valley. The store pantry has an array of mixes and goodies to make holiday entertaining a breeze. And Snowflakes has a toy room with a wonderful selection of The Elf on the Shelf and toys and special gifts from Melissa and Doug for the little ones that would even make the elves envious. If this holiday season finds you longing to get in the holiday spirit, a trip to Snowflakes, small-town business at its best, will do just that. Weekly sales and special events are planned including a visit from Santa on November 29. <---See listing! Christmas is more than a day at the end of the year. More than a day of joy and good cheer. Christmas is really God’s pattern for living To be followed each day by unselfish giving. Then Peace on Earth will come to stay When we live Christmas every day.

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. • 4oz Himalayan Salt Scrub to take home Fall Pick • 5-10 minutes of our Whole Body Vibration to get your circulation moving, your lymphatics stimulated, and your muscles relaxed. • 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, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. You will be breathing air that is saturated with 84 minerals and trace elements. • 4oz Himalayan Salt Scrub to take home • Choice of 1 of the following • 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 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. Comes with a Hot Butter Hand Treatment! • 30 minutes on the Jade Massage Bed with a Hot Butter Hand Treatment At Simply Health we are grateful to you for helping us spread the word about Himalayan salt therapy and its benefits to your friends and family. If you have family visiting for the holidays, please bring them to the Spa! On Saturday Nov. 22, we will be open longer hours to help you with your holiday shopping. We have a large array of gifts under $10 for those stocking stuffers, teacher gifts, and many other unique (but healthy!) gift possibilities. Come see our great selection of authentic salt products and experience a salt treatment. Happy Thanksgiving and be well! a

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The Valley, November 2014

Too Early to Think Christmas? Starting Now Makes Sense! by Scott Keys Ah, October! The month brings brisk mornings, fall colors, the kids are in a routine at school… and deck the halls? In a word, yes. Summer’s end and mid-Fall is the perfect time to think ahead to the holiday season; start Christmas planning now, and you’ll reap abundant benefits come December. Here at Dutch Pantry Gifts, we hear a deafening chorus of objection: “But it’s too early to think about Christmas! I can’t get ready until I feel the holiday spirit!” Citing “Christmas creep”— the tendency of retail stores to display holiday merchandise while it’s still summer—many people resist the idea of starting early for an organized Christmas. Yes, the holiday spirit can be magical and can lead to magical thinking. Those who wait until the spirit moves them to plan their holiday season often

find their decisions swept away by the Christmas tide, and not made by their conscious choice. Whether they over-spend, overschedule or over-indulge, they’re dancing to the season’s tune, and not in charge of their own celebration. Result: debt, stress and holiday chaos. Advance Christmas planning puts you—not sentiment—in the driver’s seat. When setting a gift budget, making travel plans, or scheduling your time, you’re more likely to have a realistic view of your limitations and your family’s values when considering the season from a safe—and early—distance. Best of all, planning the holiday season early allows you to enjoy the season fully. Secure that your spending, activities, traditions and celebrations are those that truly reflect your values, you’re free to enter in the spirit of an organized Christmas.

Looking for a unique and cool stocking stuffer? Try out Alpaca Wool Dryer Balls; these little wonders replace dryer sheets by absorbing water for less drying time and Scented Wax Pottery Bowls with fill your homes with pleas- take away static cling. ant aroma’s while adding a touch of color to your decor. These balls At Dutch Pantry Gifts, we want can be used hundreds of times, to make your Christmas shopping saving on the cost of dryer sheets. experience simple and inexpenOur newest addition to our invensive. We have many great gift tory is our all streak-free, dustfree, lint-free and spot-free Holy ideas that are unique to the area, Moly glass cleaning cloths. No and some that are exclusive to cleaner needed, just hot water and Dutch Pantry Gifts. you will have perfectly cleaned Our wax pottery bowls are a great idea; bowls crafted out windows and glass. of scented wax and imprinted Don’t forget about Poo with potpourri. No burning, no Pourri!!! The before you go toilet melting, just sit these bowls out spray!! Spritz the bowl before on a stand and let the room fill you go, and no one will ever with wonderful aromas. Our very know. Available in 9 great scents Popular Kona stackable charm and available in gift boxes. bracelets are a competitor to the Need holiday party ideas? popular Alex Want to put out a spread, but don’t and Ani have all week to prepare for it? bracelets, but Stop by Dutch Pantry Gifts every at a much Saturday and sample great food lower price. ideas and free recipes.

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Kona Stackable Braclets are an inexpensive way to be in fashion without taking out a mortgage.

To help you save on these great items, we will be having a pre-black Friday sales event Friday Nov. 14 11am-9p and Saturday, Nov. 15 11am-7pm that you don’t want to miss. The entire store will be on sale, so stop by for good food and great ideas all on sale before the hustle and bustle of Black Friday. If you can’t make those dates, don’t worry, we will still be running great sales on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday. Dutch Pantry Gifts is located at 15 Commerce Drive, suite 400 in Milroy, Pa. Closed Sunday/Monday. Tues-Thur. 11am-7pm Friday 11am-9pm and Saturday 11am-7pm. a

Dutch Pantry Gifts can be your one stop shopping headquarters!

The Valley, November 2014

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