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The Valley, February 2017

Is All Milk Created Equal?

For those who have been reading The Valley for some time, you are well aware of my advocacy for raw dairy products.

Pasteurization in my opinion, ruins a perfect product intended to be used raw. So this is not another raw milk vs. pasteurized milk story. In our mind at least, we have already proven to ourselves that raw milk is superior. This article, instead, will focus on what is in the milk—as in genetic make-up.

As you will see, it makes a difference.

I first heard the term A2 milk in 2010 when my Amish buddy, Moses Hostetler, told me about research that he had been doing on food and milk in an effort to help his daughter Ketura to thrive.

At the time she seemed very frail and somewhat sickly. Moses explained that she had allergies to some foods and especially dairy products. He also said they never knew when she was going to have an attack. I could only imagine what that was like until one night, Lynn and I decided to bring pizza to their house kind of as a thank you for their friendship. I inadvertantly was going to be the cause of an episode that broke my heart.

Within 30 minutes of consuming the pizza Ketura’s eyes became red and watery, and it was obvious she was having to work at breathing. Seeing her go through that really focused my attention

on what Moses had told me and I started reading and researching on my own.

Without getting too technical, the difference between A1 milk, which most of us have access to, and A2 milk is the protein called beta-casein.

Originally, all cow’s milk was A2.

Human, goat and water buffalo milk is all A2. It is thought that the genetic mutation (to A1) took place in a few herds in Europe long before America was settled.

Some breeds were affected more than others.

Through the process of breeding

for certain traits, this mutation unknowingly was passed on. The Holstein cow, our cow of choice

Veritas vos Liberabit

for production here in America, is almost totally producing A1 milk, while the Jersey cows are almost 65% A2 milk producers.

Another homestead or small farm favorite ,the Guernsey cow, is typically 80% A2. After realizing that commercial milk is mostly comingled— that is, mixed with milk from other cows, you are never getting completely A2 milk unless you are getting your milk from a single cow that you know is A2 or from a farm that has had their animals tested and has a 100% A2 herd. Many Amish farms

have been quietly changing over to A2 herds over the last 8 years or so.

What is the big deal over two different proteins?

There are many differences that affect different people in different ways. Studies have shown that 25% of people who have been identified as lactose intolerant are actually unable to digest the A1 protein, and once they switch to A2 milk, many had remarkable results and were once again able to enjoy dairy. This was the case with my friend’s daughter Ketura.

Now several years later after switching to A2 dairy, as well as a few other strict guidelines on food, you would be unable to tell how she suffered at one time. Her once frail body is now strong and her attacks have ceased.

Aside from the digestive issues that the A1 protein has been identified as releasing is BCM7, beta-casomorphin7 ,which is an opioid that has been identified as being a cause for many other problems, including potentially a trigger for autism. Blood from autism patients typically shows higher levels of BCM7. Different studies even point to A1 proteins causing immune regulators to be overly produced causing autoimmune conditions like eczema and asthma, as well as arthritis and

Continued on page 26

The Valley, February 2017

2

Editor’s Corner Wayne Stottlar

I know a lot of you folks are getting all wound up over President Trump’s inauguration and resulting follow through on his promise to voters. A shock for sure to many, since we haven’t ever seen a politician actually keep his promises before. Am I behind him 100%, no, he wasn’t my guy, but by the same token, I am not going to get all worked up and manipulated by the media before I see the results of the policies he is instituting. By now most of you should realize that the network “experts” are not experts, but are rather paid propagandists to further the vision their employers wish. The experts, don’t forget, were horribly wrong in the lead up to the election—they were either incompetent or lying, you can decide that. The media could start by using the proper term for those causing trouble, they are

rioters, NOT protestors. They are the children of parents that chose not to discipline their children and force them to learn frustration, because that could hurt their feelings. Those participation trophy brats of the 90s are having kids now and the problem is compounding itself and coming out in what you see taking place around the country. Intolerant, whining, misfits who believe a tantrum will somehow transform reality. Confront these idiots wherever you see them, they can’t handle a debate and that exposes their fraud to anyone watching. Don’t be shy, take them on. No, unlike these manipulated, useless idiots, I will wait for judgement until I see the results of the policies, then, and only then, can I make an informed decision and be informed enough to speak. What we have witnessed up to this point are crybabies,

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nothing more.

If, however, you wish there was even more choice come election time, join our local Libertarian group.

The Libertarian Party made great strides in the last election garnering 4.5 million votes—the bell of Liberty is tolling! The Libertarian Party also just won a decisive suit against the debate commission; it was ruled that Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson should have indeed been on the stage for the debates. Next election this will come in real handy. As you know, however, it isn’t just every four years that things happen and people get elected. There are local elections always coming up that need Libertarian representation.

If you are unsure, join us the last Sunday of every month at 6:00pm for a social gathering. Get to know people and offer your ideas.

Meeting places are posted on the group’s Facebook page “Libertarian Party of Mifflin County.” We need local people who might be interested in running II for office to step forward—it is time to change things around. People that have been serving more than a couple terms need to step down and allow fresh blood and minds to take over.

A small group of committed individuals can indeed bring change, regardless of whether the incumbents like it.

There is work to do, join us! a

Contact Info Editor/Publisher Wayne Stottlar Graphic Artist/ Co-Publisher Lynn Persing 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.

Less Government means more Liberty

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The Valley, February 2017

Back Talk

by Dr. Joseph Kauffman

Refreshments

February is a refreshing month. It is usually our last month for getting a heavy snow.

While March may bring us a few snowy days, it’s rare that any snowstorm in March will shut us down.

Speaking on refreshing, I happened upon an article earlier last month that I’d like to share with all of you. I barely caught it in time for this month’s publication, but when I did, I knew I found a good one to share with you. It is nice and refreshing to find a medical doctor who is bold enough to think just a bit outside the box and at least question the safety and efficacy of vaccinations. It kind of gives me some support and encouragement to know that even medical doctors are starting to question a few things and think for themselves.

But, this doctor’s opinion and publication created quite a stir amongst his colleagues and backlash ensued. The doctor’s name is Dr. Daniel Neides. He is a family doctor at the Cleveland Clinic.

Check out his post to see for yourself: “Make 2017 the year to avoid toxins (good luck) and master your domain: Words on Wellness

By Dr. Daniel Neides, Cleveland Clinic

On January 06, 2017 at 3:14 PM, updated January 10, 2017 at 5:21 PM

LYNDHURST, Ohio--I am tired of all the nonsense we as American citizens are being fed while big business - and the government - continue to ignore the health and well-being of the fine people in this country. Why am I all fired up, you ask?

I, like everyone else, took the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - the government - and received a flu shot. I chose to receive the preservative free vaccine, thinking I did not want any thimerosal (i.e. mercury) that the “regular” flu vaccine contains.

Makes sense, right? Why would any of us want to be injected with mercury if it can potentially cause harm? However, what I did not realize is that the preservative-free vaccine contains formaldehyde.

WHAT? How can you call it preservative-free, yet still put a preservative in it? And worse yet, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. Yet, here we are, being lined up like cattle and injected with an unsafe product. Within 12 hours of receiving the vaccine, I was in bed feeling miserable and missed two days of work with a terrible cough and body aches.

My anger actually stems from a constant toxic burden that is contributing to the chronic disease epidemic. And yet the government continues to talk out of both sides of its mouth. We want our citizens to be healthy and take full advantage of the best healthcare system in the world (so we think), yet we don’t treat our bodies with the love and attention they deserve.

New Year, new resolve

If we don’t look out...we can expect to hear about more cancers, more autism, and more auto-immune diseases.

Our air, water, and food supplies are completely compromised and so it is time for us to take matters into our own hands. This year, I am committing to providing you with the educational resources to make you the best YOU. It may get confusing and frustrating at times, but stressing out over this won’t help. Take three deep belly breaths and let’s get started.

We live in a toxic soup. There are over 80,000 chemicals used in various industries country-wide.

There are over 2,000 new chemicals being introduced annually.

We breathe in these chemicals through exhaust, eat them in our processed foods (just look at the labels that have 20 or 30 ingredients and good luck pronouncing their names), textiles (clothing, bedding, furniture), and personal care products, including make-up, deodorant, shampoos, and soaps.

Toxins accumulate in our fat cells if they are not eliminated and interrupt normal bodily functions.

Your body should be a finely tuned machine with all of the organ systems working in concert together. But when toxins disrupt normal function, problems can occur. Those problems include cancers, auto-immune diseases, neurologic problems like autism,

ADHD, and Parvice. Does the vaccine burden - as

So let me be clear - vaccines kinson’s disease, has been debated for years - cause can be helpful when used properand the most autism? I don’t know and will not ly. But the vaccination timing and prevalent chronic debate that here. What I will stand understanding one’s epigenetics diseases like obeup and scream is that newborns (how your genes interact with sity, diabetes, and without intact immune systems the environment) are all critical heart disease. and detoxification systems are beto our risk of developing chronic Why are we ing over-burdened with PRESERdisease. Please talk to your docso sick in 2017 despite the best VATIVES AND ADJUVANTS IN tor about the optimal timing of access to healthcare? The body THE VACCINES. vaccinations for your children, has wonderful built-in systems

The adjuvants, like aluand therefore reduce your risk of to help us detoxify. The liver and minum - used to stimulate the raising a child with a neurologic kidneys try to do an exceptional immune system to create antibodcomplication. job keeping up with filtering out ies - can be incredibly harmful to

For those who want to dive the “stuff” (toxins included) we the developing nervous system. in further, help me understand don’t need. Our skin - the largest Some of the vaccines have helped why we vaccinate newborns for organ in the body - will release reduce the incidence of childhepatitis B - a sexually transmittoxins in the form of perspiration. hood communicable diseases, like ted disease. Any exposure to this Our breath will release toxins with meningitis and pneumonia. That is virus is unlikely to happen before each exhalation. When our gut is great news. But not at the expense our second decade of life, but we healthy and our microbiome (100 of neurologic diseases like autism expose our precious newborns to trillion organisms that live in our and ADHD increasing at alarming toxic aluminum (an adjuvant in intestinal tract, within our airway, rates. the vaccine) at one day of life. and on our skin) intact, our bowel

When I was in medical

And when they actually need movements help rid unwanted school in the late 1980s, the rate the protection, many who have retoxins. of autism was 1 in 1,000 children. ceived this three-shot series in the

I like to think of our detoxifiFor those born in the 1950’s and first year of life will lack antibody cation system as a big bucket. As 60’s, do you recall a single student protection--as immunity may not long as the toxic soup stays within in your grade with an Individuallast. Perhaps delaying the series the bucket, our body can naturally ized Education Program (IEP) for until the immune system is more eliminate what we don’t need and ADHD or someone with a diagno- mature would reduce the risk of help us live at the highest quality sis of autism? I do not. neurologic complications. of life. But what happens when

As of 2010, the rate of autism To help your family, start the bucket starts to overflow in the U.S. escalated to 1 in 68 with yourself which is exactly what many of us children. The deniers will simply

My goal is to help you think have been facing our entire lives? state that we do a better job of diabout your total body burden The body may not have the capac- agnosing this “disorder.” Really? related to toxic exposures. The ity to eliminate our current expoSomething(s) are over-burdening more mindful you are at readsures and THAT IS WHEN BAD our ability to detoxify, and that is Continued on page 7 THINGS START TO OCCUR. when the problems begin.

Link to autism?

We must wake up and really, truly realize that we are the masters of our domain. If we don’t look out for ourselves and each other, we can expect to hear about more cancers, more autism, and more auto-immune diseases. As a doctor, I should be thinking - great, this is perfect for • Reliable Propane & Heating Oil Delivery business. I am a primary care doctor • Budget Payment Plan Call today with a three month to learn about our • 24/7 Emergency Service wait to get in. That is unacceptable.

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The Truth Has No Agenda

The Valley, February 2017

4

blog/14-expressions-with-crazyorigins-that-you-would-neverhave-guessed/.

What does it really mean?

During a recent conversation on Facebook, some common idioms started to be tossed around.

A discussion ensued on what “curiosity killed the cat” really meant and then whether “It takes two to tangle” was really supposed to be “It takes two to tango.” That left me pondering what some of these common phrases meant and how they originated. Well, curiosity did kill the cat, and I had to head to Google to investigate.

According to The Free Dictionary (idioms.freedictionary. com), the saying, “It takes two to tango,” means that “the active cooperation of both parties is needed for some enterprises, as in ‘We’ll never pass this bill unless both parties work out a compromise-it takes two to tango.’” The dictionary lists a slightly different

interpretaton as well, “both people involved in a bad situation are responsible for it.” Also according to the dictionary, this expression dates from the 1920s, when the Latin American tango became a very popular dance. It was popularized by the singer Pearl Bailey in her 1952 hit song of that name written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning.

So what about “curiosity killed the cat.” What does that really mean? The Free Dictionary says that “being curious can get you into trouble” and that the phrase is often said to warn people not to pry into other’s affairs. The dictionary goes on to say that although it sounds like some moral to a fable or fairy tale, it’s origin has been lost. The first recorded use was in O. Henry’s Schools and Schools (1909).

Let’s look at a few more, taken from www.grammarly.com/

Bite the bullet Meaning: To accept something difficult or unpleasant.

Origin: In the olden days, when doctors were short on anesthesia or time during a battle, they would ask the patient to bite down on a bullet to distract from the pain.

The first recorded use of the phrase was in 1891 in The Light that Failed.

Break the ice Meaning: To break off a conflict or commence a friendship.

Origin: Back when road transportation was not developed, ships would be the only transportation and means of trade. At times, the ships would get stuck during the winter because of ice formation.

The receiving country would send small ships to “break the ice” to clear a way for the trade ships.

This gesture showed affiliation and understanding between two territories.

Butter someone up Meaning: To impress someone with flattery Origin: This was a customary

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Less Government means more Liberty

religious act in ancient India. The devout would throw butter balls at the statues of their gods to seek favor and forgiveness.

Cat got your tongue?

Meaning: Asked to a person who is at loss for words Origin: The English Navy used to use a whip called “Cat-o’-ninetails” for flogging. The pain was so severe that it caused the victim to stay quiet for a long time.

Another possible source could be from ancient Egypt, where liars’ and blasphemers’ tongues were cut out and fed to the cats.

(YIKES!!!!)

Barking up the wrong tree Meaning: To have misguided thoughts about an event or situation, a false lead Origin: This refers to hunting dogs that may have chased their prey up a tree. The dogs bark, assuming that the prey is still in the tree, when the prey is actually no longer there.

Bury the hatchet Meaning: To stop a conflict and make peace Origins: This one dates back to the early times in North America when the Puritans were in conflict

with the Native Americans. When negotiating peace, the Native Americans would bury all their hatchets, knives, clubs, and tomahawks. Weapons literally were buried and made inaccessible.

Caught red-handed Meaning: To be caught in the act of doing something wrong Origin: This originates from an old English law that ordered any person to be punished for butchering an animal that wasn’t his own.

The only way the person could be convicted is if he was caught with the animal’s blood still on his hands.

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater Meaning: Don’t get rid of valuable things along with the unnecessary ones.

Origin: You won’t believe this one! In the early 1500s, people only bathed once a year. Not only that, but they also bathed in the same water without changing it!

The adult males would bath first, then the females, leaving the children and babies to go last. By the time the babies got in, the water was clouded with filth. The poor mothers had to take extra care that their babies were not thrown out with the bathwater. a

5

The Valley, February 2017

Common Crop Chemical Leaves Bees Susceptible To Deadly Viruses

by Sara LaJeunesse

Story courtesy Penn State Public Information.

A chemical that is thought to be safe and is, therefore, widely used on crops — such as almonds, wine grapes and tree fruits — to boost the performance of pesticides, makes honey bee larvae significantly more susceptible to a deadly virus, according to researchers at Penn State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“In the lab, we found that the commonly used organosilicone adjuvant, Sylgard 309, negatively impacts the health of honey bee larvae by increasing their susceptibility to a common bee pathogen, the Black Queen Cell Virus,” said Julia Fine, graduate student in entomology, Penn State.

“These results mirror the symptoms observed in hives following almond pollination, when bees are exposed to organosilicone adjuvant residues in pollen, and viral pathogen prevalence is known to increase. In recent years, beekeepers have reported missing, dead and dying brood in their hives following almond pollination, and exposure to agrochemicals, like adjuvants, applied during bloom, has been suggested as a cause.”

According to Chris Mullin, professor of entomology, Penn State, adjuvants in general greatly improve the efficacy of pesticides by enhancing their toxicities.

“Organosilicone adjuvants are the most potent adjuvants available to growers,” he said.

“Based on the California Department of Pesticide Regulation data for agrochemical applications to almonds, there has been increasing use of organosilicone adjuvants during crop blooming periods, when two-thirds of the U.S. honey bee colonies are present.”

Fine noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies organosilicone adjuvants as biologically inert, meaning they do not cause a reaction in living things.

“As a result,” she said, “there are no federally regulated restrictions on their use.”

To conduct their study, the researchers reared honey bee larvae under controlled conditions in the laboratory. During the initial stages of larval development, they exposed the larvae to a low chronic dose of Sylgard 309 in their diets. They also exposed some of the larvae to viral pathogens in their diets on the first day of the experiment.

“We found that bees exposed to the organosilicone adjuvant had higher levels of Black Queen Cell Virus,” said Fine. “Not only that, when they were exposed to the virus and the organosilicone adjuvant simultaneously, the effect on their mortality was synergistic rather than additive, meaning that the mortality was higher from the simultaneous application of adjuvant and virus than from exposure to either the organosilicone adju-

vant or the viral pathogen alone, even if those two mortalities were added together,” said Fine.

“This suggests that the adjuvant is enhancing the damaging effects of the virus.”

The researchers also found that a particular gene involved in immunity — called 18-wheeler — had reduced expression in bees treated with the adjuvant and the virus, compared to bees in the control groups.

“Taken together, these findings suggest that exposure to organosilicone adjuvants negatively influences immunity in honey bee larvae, resulting in enhanced pathogenicity and mortality,” said Fine.

The results appear in the January 16 2017 issue of Scientific Reports.

Mullin noted that the team’s results suggest that recent honey bee declines in the United States may, in part, be due to the increased use of organosilicone adjuvants.

“Billions of pounds of formulation and tank adjuvants, including organosilicone adjuvants, are released into U.S. environments each year, making them an important component of the chemical landscape

Healthy larva on day 6 Image: Tonilynn Baranowski

The Truth Has No Agenda

Dead Bee pupa Image: Tonilynn Baranowski

CONTACTS: to which bees are exposed,” he A’ndrea Elyse Messer said. “We now know that at least Sylgard 309, when combined at a aem1@psu.edu field-relevant concentration with Work Phone: 814-865-9481 Black Queen Cell Virus, causes Matt Swayne synergistic mortality in honey bee mls29@psu.edu larvae.”

Work Phone: 814-865-9481

Other authors on the paper include Diana Cox-Foster, USDA-ARSPWA Pollinating Insect Research Unit.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture supported this research. a Healthy Larva on the day of grafting.

Image: Tonilynn Baranowski

The Valley, February 2017

6

The Roman Jew Series

About Faith

by Rev. Robert Zorn, Visitation Minister, Lewistown Presbyterian Church

by Chris Linton

Hope in the Darkness

As you will remember, this year (2017) began with New Years Day falling on Sunday.

Such a configuration of the calendar had no particular special meaning. It is just a happenstance, which provides that each day of the week takes its turn to be 1/1.

However, it does jog my memory of my earlier youth when then, as this year, 1/1 was a Sunday.

My age at that time was an early teen. Our small country church did not have a regular custodian.

Individual families took turns on Saturday nights in winter to go to the church and start a fire in the big furnace in the cellar. While the fire was “catching” to the point at which the coal fire could be banked, the substitute janitor was expected to sweep the aisles of the sanctuary, wind the big wall clock, and empty the waste baskets. I knew the routine well and fulfilled the expected responsibilities. Then I pulled the secretary’s chair over the heater register and promptly fell asleep.

It was a rather warm night outside with remnants of snow still dotting the landscape. It had been almost dark as I had finished my home chores and had set off to the church. After my tasks of building the fire, sweeping the aisles, emptying the baskets, and my unplanned sleep, it was nearing 11:00 P.M. I decided that it was time to start home because I did not want to miss the traditional radio broadcast of Guy Lombardo from New York City at midnight. However, my delay had allowed a heavy fog cover to creep up from the Youghagheny River and obliterate any near or distant house lights that would lead me toward home.

Now, I knew the way perfectly well during the daylight hours.

I could picture the gap in the barbwire fence which bordered the neighbor’s pasture field, and the place where the little stream of water would not be deep enough to flood my boots. Then, if I could find the township road that

climbed up Clark’s hill, I would be safe because my bare feet of summer knew the location of every slippery-sided mud hole and toe stubbing stone along the way.

So, setting my memory compass, I started out for home. All I had to do was to walk straight across Mr. Cochran’s stubbled hay field and to find some point of reference at the other end of the field. The field was at least a half mile long because Mr. Cochran’s son had purchased a Piper Cub airplane and used the edge of the field as a landing strip.

After trudging along through the darkness with my Eveready flashlight, which was useless against the thick fog, I finally found a fence and ditch that indicated that I had found the road.

Indeed it was a road, but closer examination found me just a few yards from the place where I had entered the field. I had just walked in an almost perfect circle. So, I was still lost and it was getting very late. I knew that my parents would begin to worry, but they could not help me because they had no idea of the route I had taken toward the church. I am sure that I didn’t know much about prayer in those early days, yet I hoped that someone or something would help me.

Maybe what happened next could be called a minor miracle.

Suddenly, things began to happen that certainly rescued me from

what seemed to be interminable darkness. As I trudged along, somewhere just ahead and to my right there came the quick double shotgun blast. I recognized that sound that had to be Charlie Clark’s old double barreled 12 gauge. Then there was the sound of my Uncle Shorty’s little 16 gauge. Then beyond and at a longer distance, I heard the Hagerman boys, Tom and Pete saluting the new year with their guns in the tradition of such country folk. Their home was the closest to our own home, so I knew I was traveling in the right direction. But there was more.

Beyond our homestead there was the small village of Dawson, our home town. From the fire station in town there came the wail of the fire siren. Then the bells in the steeples of all the churches started to ring. Also to be heard, was the whistle of the steam locomotive hauling its midnight string of gondola cars back to the mines up the river.

I found comfort in the noise of the night, and knew that I would soon be home. The point of this story may well be that even in the darkness in which we seem to be living, there is still comfort and hope to be found. As long as families still gather in the fellowship of our homes; as long as public servants such as police and firemen continue to watch over our communities; as long as Christians still gather in worship and mission; as long as there is productive labor and industry; as long as there is a continuing effort for good by us and among us all. Where faith, hope, and love abides, we need not fear the darkness. May Jesus, the light of the world, lead us out of societal and personal darkness into the light of a happy and blessed new year and beyond.

“He has shown you, o man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 a

Less Government means more Liberty

The fall has turned to winter and just like the ancients we have experienced the ”rebirth” of the Invincible Sun as the days begin to lengthen. Thanks to Emperor Constantine, we celebrate the birth of the Invincible Son on the same day as the Roman Festival celebrated—December 25th.

His new Roman calendar also switched the Lord’s Day from Saturday to Sunday further increasing Paganism and eliminating Jewish tradition from Christianity. This would be the religion preached in his new capitol city Constantinople (modern day Istanbul)—the gateway of trade into Europe.

God, that is the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Paul tells us that it is his duty to act as mediator between us gentiles and God. We need to sit in little pews all directed towards a podium listening, not collaborating, especially if you are a woman. Nowadays you may be listening to someone who has gained their theological training

Roman coin with Constantine adorning his solar crown

The sun was a mysterious God to ancient people; warming and feeding them. Today, we know that it is an incredibly dense ball of gas mostly composed of Hydrogen and Helium. Smaller amounts of other elements including Carbon, Oxygen and Nitrogen are formed by fusion releasing heat and light as a by-product. The sun is no longer considered a God, and becoming less mysterious every year as we apply science and engineering to understand its composition and function.

People love a good mystery!

Tarsus was a bustling Roman city far from the Holy Land. As a Hellenist Jew raised in the Diaspora, Saul, renamed Paul (volume 4 of our study), would have been exposed to all forms of Greco Roman pagan worship. The “Jewishness” of Jesus and his teachings are nearly eradicated from the letters he penned in Greek. The Jesus created by Saul of Tarsus, like the sun, becomes a grand mystery.

Colossians 1:25-27 says, “Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I may fully carry out the preaching of the word of

from mail order! Paul tells us that we are unable to hear and understand the soft voice of God, which I believe is inside us all.

Paul was a shrewd operator retaining the parts of Judaism that appealed to the Roman world, while eliminating the less savory components. The Law of Liberty was down played and the door of Paganism was opened, a door that Constantine would gladly walk thru a few centuries later. A Roman could subscribe to Christian ideals without becoming one of the “peculiar people.”

Jesus taught us in his parable of the Rich Young Ruler; everlasting life is achieved by abiding by the Law and giving away what you are most worried about giving. Additionally, he simplifies the law in two major themes; love God and treat your neighbor like you wish to be treated. It is easy to forget that our closest neighbors are our spouses and children.

These are the words of Jesus of Nazareth, a strong charismatic Tekton from the rebellious mountains of the Galilee. A hero nailed to a tree because he had the courage to fight against the tyranny

Continued on page 22

7

The Valley, February 2017

Dave Wilson

Coins, Precious Metal and a Little of this and That

How Safe Are Your Bank Deposits?

When I was a youngster (many moons ago in the late 1950s), one of the more educational rituals we experienced in elementary school was “Classroom Banking.” These were designed to teach young Americans HOW to save, and to watch their (small) weekly deposits grow into larger sums. Saving was GOOD, and students were encouraged to participate, even if they could only afford 5 cents a week.

I remember one incident, where my sister (always the perfect angel) had been given 25 cents each week to put into her classroom savings account.

When updated pupil reports were sent home, her account showed a gigantic GOOSE EGG, instead of the amount my parents expected.

My mother was in shock, to learn that her sweet little darling had spent all her money on candy and trinkets. She was flabbergasted.

FINALLY, “I” was off the hook, but...only for a little while. (My sister and I have a wonderful relationship, which I hope remains

after she finds out about my leaking her little secret.)

Even back then, we were all told that this was OUR MONEY, that we could withdrawal at ANY time.

That generalization continued in force until very recently.

Now, we are told that when we deposit money into bank accounts, it is no longer OUR money, but the banks. As depositors, we are now classified as Unsecured Creditors, or Individuals (or institutions) that chose to lend their bank money, without obtaining specified assets as collateral.

If your bank fails, depositors would be grouped together with other Non-Secured lenders should any funds remain to be distributed.

Yes, the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) DOES insure deposits (presently) up to a maximum of $250,000.

There, you can all breathe a sigh of relief. Or, can you?

While your savings “may” be insured by the FDIC, they do not

tell you how LONG it will take for them to return your deposits.

They also do not guarantee what your money will be WORTH, when they finally cough up your cash. (If they need to “Print,” or create, 8 to 10 TRILLION new dollars to do the job, do you think that just MIGHT be a “bit” inflationary?)

Ever heard of bank “BailIns?” This is where banks (with the aid of many new regulations) can seize a portion of YOUR accounts, and give you “Equity Shares” in place of your hardearned cash. There are regulations on the books now that allow American banks to activate BailIns in the event of a widespread financial disaster (which many people feel is just around the corner). Such Bail-Ins have already been activated in other countries, and many analysts feel that similar actions are not at all out of the question right here in the good ole USA.

Incidentally, Bail-Ins are not the only danger to your bank accounts. There have been an increasing (large) number of “Hacks” that have officials nearly

The Truth Has No Agenda

terrified. It is entirely possible for the entire banking system to be shut down overnight, and every cent you THINK you have, could disappear.

Have you ever walked into your bank, only to find that their “computers” are down and they can do nothing to help you? I

have, several times. What would they do if their computers never came back on line, or, had been wiped clean before being reactivated? Honestly? I would rather NOT even contemplate what would happen should such an event take place. a

Refreshments from page 3

lyndhurst-south-euclid/index. ssf/2017/01/make_2017_the_ year_to_avoid_to.html

While I don’t agree with everything that he stated, I do appreciate his honesty, skepticism, and boldness to print his opinions. And, of course, after much backlash and certain pressure and threatened discipline by his employer, a retractor piece was published in response, “Cleveland Clinic doc apologizes for anti-vax column, hospital promises discipline

Dr. Daniel Neides of the Cleveland Clinic will be “appropriately disciplined” by the hospital system for a guest column he penned on cleveland.com this week that questioned the safety of vaccines and espoused antiscientific views on flu, childhood vaccines, and other health topics.

Neides is the COO of the Clinic’s Wellness Institute and a family physician. He apologized for the column Sunday and said he supports vaccination and was trying to open a conversation about vaccination safety.

By Brie Zeltner, The Plain Dealer on January 08, 2017 at 12:48 PM, updated January 10, 2017 at 9:42 AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio-- The Cleveland Clinic wellness doctor who posted a column on cleveland.com Friday bashing vaccines apologized today for the uproar his comments caused, and the hospital system promised “appropriate discipline.”

Dr. Daniel Neides, medical director and chief operating officer of the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute, said Sunday that he “fully supports vaccination” and was trying to open a conversation about their safety, not question their use.

Through a hospital spokeswoman, Neides released this statement:

“I apologize and regret publishing a blog that has caused so much concern and confusion for the public and medical community. I fully support vaccinations and my concern was meant to be positive around the safety of them.”

The hospital says the doctor’s words do not reflect the Clinic’s

ing labels, thinking about what you are ingesting, and how you manage your stress will go a long way toward living a life free from chronic disease. Never assume that products are safe just because they are on a store shelf.

Together we will learn what to stay away from and what to consume. Become a voice for yourself and your family. Blind faith must become a thing of the past. And by educating your loved ones, you will actually help society reduce the chronic disease burden.

In a 2015 article in U.S. News and World Report, Jessica Hutchins, M.D., IFM certified practitioner, states, “Information on eating toxin-free food and pushing food manufacturers to stop using harmful ingredients can be found at foodbabe.com.

When we vote with our dollars by choosing to buy products that are sustainably produced and chemical-free, we actively shape the market place. Help change the way [loved ones] nourish their precious bodies, starting with you as an example.”

I cannot think of a better way to start off the New Year (Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy 2017!). Together we will uncover the exposures that can make us sick and discover ways to assist our bodies to optimally detoxify. This is how we will truly achieve the highest quality of life.

Until next time, really open your eyes, and be well.”

Dr. Daniel Neides is the Medical Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Cleveland Clinic Wellness Institute.

Please note: This column was removed from cleveland.com for a few hours, but has now been restored in its entirety.

This column’s discussion about vaccines has caused international controversy.

The Cleveland Clinic has disavowed this column, and the author has apologized for the uproar it caused.

The Clinic says it will take “appropriate disciplinary action” against Neides for his guest column that bashed vaccines.” http://www.cleveland.com/

Continued on page 18

The Valley, February 2017

8

Common Homeschooling Critiques and Rebuttals

The following are a selected fraction of the questions, concerns, and veiled admonishment I have encountered thus far, and I’ve only just gotten my feet wet. For those of you who have been soaking in the pool for awhile now, I extend my deepest sympathies for having to front, curtail, and defend the continual onslaught of buzz-worded “critiques.” But, but, where’s the.... socialization, structure, organization, authority?! And for those of you who have yet to suit up, here is a brief preview for preemptive counter measures.

How will you ensure your child is getting adequate socialization?

To this I respond: “How is having children remain in one large room with 30 other children of the same birth year (give or take), very similar socioeconomic backgrounds (typically), and routine and scheduled interactions considered a backdrop for adequate socialization?” If public school supporters are so terribly concerned with “real world dynamics,” isn’t that a poor representation of life after institutionalized schooling? Isn’t

it more typical and likely that they will encounter and work with people of varied ages, sexes, regions, religions, races, and economics, once in the adult realm of the workforce and in recreational endeavors? So, unless a home-schooled child spends the majority of their time in isolation, this seems like a rather flimsy critique. On the contrary, many home-schooled children are out in the general public often, and in various settings (markets, auctions, cookouts, play dates, clubs, sports, parks). They have not been taught to base friendships

Less Government means more Liberty

on common qualifiers such as age and sex, but rather common interests and a healthy curiosity of “otherness.” They have also often encountered a wider variety of adults and are more likely to engage in conversation versus assuming adults merely fulfill authoritarian roles in the lives of children, leaving them freer to ask questions about the world around them rather than feeling intimidated. Obviously, there are still instances where home-schooled children will be placed in groups of similarly aged children for the sake of logical practicality, though the doses of which will be much more palatable.

Are you spending enough time on ‘schoolwork’ throughout the day?

If people see you make a 1:55 pm post on social media, run into you out at the produce market at 11 am, or, God Forbid, come to find you took a day off for a family outing or project, they will be very quick to shake a finger at your whole operation. The truth is, many home-schooled children, at least those I’ve personally encountered, spend less than the standard 7 hours on planned and scheduled school work. This cannot be deduced simply to lack of

Continued on page 19

9

The Valley, February 2017

Heads Up To New Entrepreneurs

Many of us have a dream of managing our own company, setting our own work hours and following our passion in life. Very few, in fact, act on their dreams.

Those who dare to step outside of their comfort zone evolve and become the manifestation of their dream. Maybe some of you have put forth your best intentions and accumulated determination to take the next step and transition yourselves into a new life. Many companies start out with good financial capital and burn through it quickly. Expensive rent, renovations, and marketing efforts eat up leftovers of a once grandiose capital. I hope this short article will help you as a new business owner avoid some of the most common mistakes that can jeopardize your business.

Have you ever wondered why the majority of big companies usually started up in basements, garages or in rental apartment buildings? That’s because entrepreneurs value every dollar. They know that their business endeavor is very precious in its juvenile

stage. If money was to be spent unwisely, they might just lose everything they got. Over many years we were conditioned by the corporate world to be a consumer society. Implications are that we won’t think twice to spend our hard-earned money on a new gadget. In order to be successful in business, we need to step back, un-program ourselves from “Spending Mode” and put our mind into “Production Mode.” We need to produce goods now, not consume them. This very first step for many can be a big challenge.

Every successful endeavor needs to be sustainable right from the very start. I firmly believe that we need to invest into business only when we know for sure that we will be making profit on our investment. If the territory isn’t clearly defined, I wouldn’t venture into it. Yet, so many seminars explicitly state that you need to take risks, you need to spend money and you need to buy some product to succeed. Now maybe you can see what’s wrong with such statements. They want you to take risk

and buy into their product, into their seminar, into their marketing campaign. Again this is “Spending Mode.”.A mind working in “Production Mode” will realize that it doesn’t have time for seminars right now. In “Production Mode” thinking will be along the lines of: I need to find a client, sign a contract to protect my assets, produce X amount of widgets as per contract terms and deliver on agreement.

Marketing… If you had a lot of clients, it wouldn’t be difficult to get your business off the ground. If I had a lot of clients with my Web Development business, I probably wouldn’t be spending money on Yellow Pages advertisement, doing massive distribution of articles across Facebook, and spending hours attending different business devel-

The Truth Has No Agenda

opment groups and associations.

However, life is not all that easy.

To help us with the difficult task of marketing, there are numerous advertisement companies out there. Many charge very large sums of money and lock you into a contract. Do your best to not fall into intricate webs of marketing companies. By definition, they know how to market their services, but statistically speaking, the majority of them will fail to bring you positive return on investment. When your business is starting up, the best marketing agent is yourself, and the best marketing company is your own.

Apart from that, there are a few other good practices that will help you get your word across to the public. Some of these practices I’ve already mentioned.

Personally, I would highly recom-

mend writing articles to local newspapers, posting them up on social platforms. Join the local Chamber of Commerce. To get your business started, you’ll need business cards. Call us up; we will be able to design and print your cards. When you generate good profit off your startup company, you can minimize the amount of time you spend talking to your clients by directing them to your website. That is when building a website for your business is most appropriate. A website is not a marketing tool, instead it is your passive agent that answers common questions and describes in detail the services that you provide. When you are ready for a website call us at: 717-543-8020 and we’ll build it for you. a

The Valley, February 2017

10

Tamanu for a New You!

Tamanu oil….a very odd name for a very amazing oil! I have used tamanu oil in the past, but have recently researched more and want to share its amazing benefits.

The tamanu (TAW-man-oo) tree grows in Southeast Asia. The Natives believe that the tree was a gift from nature and that gods hid in its branches. The tamanu blooms twice a year with fragrant, white flowers. These flowers will then yield clusters of yellowskinned fruit. Inside the appletasting fruit is a large nut. The nut is cracked open to reveal a kernel.

This inedible kernel seems very hard, odorless and dry. BUT, when it is left on a rack in the sun for two months, it becomes sticky with a dark, thick, rich oil with a very pleasant, but distinct smell.

The oil is then pressed out with a simple screw press.

Tamanu oil has an unusually high capacity for absorption by your skin. It also has a very sweet, nutty aroma that I have grown to crave! But there is something that makes this oil very different and valuable. Tamanu oil is known to be one of the most active oils of all carrier oils.

Tamanu oil contains constituents that are scientifically proven to promote the formation of new tissue, thereby accelerating wound healing and the growth of healthy skin. This process is known as cicatrization. This makes it one of the best choices for inflammatory skin conditions. Use it for acne and acne scars, eczema, psoriasis, stretch marks, skin rashes, general scarring and dermatitis! Tamanu oil is also massaged into the skin to relieve neuralgia, rheumatism and sciatica. This oil is amazing for dry, irritated skin. Tamanu oil

is employed by Polynesian women for promoting healthy, clear, blemish-free skin, and is also used on babies to prevent diaper rash and skin eruptions.

On a more scientific note, besides its cicatrization abilities, oil of tamanu contains three basic classes of lipids. They are neutral lipids, glycolipids, and phospholipids. The oil also contains a unique fatty acid called calophyllic acid, and a novel antibiotic lactone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent called calophyllolide. These and other components of tamanu oil, including anti-inflammatory coumarins, account for some of the oil’s beneficial activity.

Because of its heavy aroma, we at Shade Mountain Naturals do not use tamanu in our cremes, and it is not used as a carrier oil for aromatherapy. We do use it as a main ingredient in our facial serum and we do sell tamanu oil as a raw product. Pick some up—you will not be disappointed!

Tamanu oil was our purposeful ingredient in our January’s monthly subscription box—purp-ess box— and we got some great feedback from happy customers.

Tamanu oil is a powerful skin regenerator and will create new skin growth. Old skin will be gone and new skin will be revealed. We too can have a newness…a newness in life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

The dry, hard, brittle tamanu kernel needs to lie in the sun for two whole months before it releases thick rich luxurious oil.

Don’t get discouraged when you

feel like you fail in your spiritual walk. We too need time until the old, selfish us is completely

replaced with new things, full of life and the glory of God!

Also, as always, I would like to thank you for reading my articles and personally invite you into Shade Mountain Naturals.

We are a small, family owned business who LOVES company!

We create all our products on site—FRESH!!! Soaps, crèmes, lip balms, bath bombs, facial products, and more. We will give you a free sample and, of course, smells are unlimited and encouraged! Our hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9-4, Thursdays

and Fridays 9-6 and every Saturday 10-2. We are located at 45 Serenity Lane (off Jack’s Creek Road) in Lewistown.

Beginning Feb 17, we will be opening a new location in The Barn at Lemont. We will join a few other natural-minded businesses located next to Happy Valley Brewery: 201 Elmwood St., State College, Pa. Read next month’s Valley for more information on The Barn at Lemont!

Hope to see you soon!

Tamela a

I recall a time when we couldn’t get high-speed Internet in these parts.

High speed Internet where you live.

CALL YOUR AUTHORIZED DEALER NOW!

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11

The Valley, February 2017

R. O. F. F.

Rescue Our Furry Friends

by Patricia Lawson

Oh yummy…who doesn’t like Whoopie Pies? Treat yourself and help ROFF raise much needed funds. “Next Generation Bakery” is offering four (4) choices of Whoopie Pies for only $2.00 each: Chocolate w/regular icing, Chocolate w/peanut butter icing,

Vanilla w/chocolate chips, and Spice. Orders and money are due on Sunday, February 13th and the delivery date is Thursday, February 23rd. The contact information is below and don’t forget to get some extras to freeze and give to your friends.

“My name is Hoppy and I bet you’re wondering how I got that name. Well, when I was a kitten I was hit by a car and my back legs were injured, so now I hop when I walk. I don’t think I would be here on Earth if it wasn’t for ROFF who helped me get back on my feet so to speak. I’m just as quick as my roommates and I get around just fine. I’m a 5 year old lad and I’m neutered, declawed, litter trained and I have all my shots. Why don’t you hop in your car and come visit me and I’ll show you unconditional love.”

“Don’t let the words Pit Bull scare you. I was surfing the web the other day (yes, we are a very computer savvy breed) and I found this on pitbull.org: “Pit Bulls are known to steal warm spots on the couch and spread happiness.” So you see, I’m just a loveable two year old female canine that needs a a fur-ever home. I’m only two years old and my first year was so stressful. ROFF saved my life. I was brought in emaciated, I had lost an eye and my eye socket was infected, plus I was living outside all year round. I’m good to go now, so let me warm your heart and home. And remember to buy some Whoopie Pies to help pay for all my medical bills. Thanks!”

For more information and additional photos of all of animals up for adoption, just go to our web site www.roffrescue.com or call 1-877-933ROFF (7633). Thank you and Happy Valentine’s Day! Until they all have homes… www.roffrescue.com; rescueourfurryfriends@yahoo.com; 1-877-933-ROFF (7633) a

Home at the Grange

by Patricia L. Bird

February finds many of us thinking about Valentine’s Day and usually the weather with many of us counting the days until spring. This month I would like to showcase a small, but mighty, Grange located in the hills of Bald Eagle Valley where it might be snowing one minute and the sun shining brightly the next. Meet Bald Eagle Grange #151.

Chartered on March 13, 1874, Bald Eagle Grange #151 is the third oldest Grange in Centre County. If you are driving along state Route 144 in the tiny village of Runville, there stands an old schoolhouse, which is now the home of Bald Eagle Grange.

Members will celebrate 143 years of doing community service this summer.

The meetings were first held in a member’s home, like so many other Granges, until they outgrew them. Later they secured a Grange Hall in Central City, but had to sell it at a public sale on October 12, 1919 when members were unable to raise the $700 balance owed on the mortgage. All the old records and paraphernalia were then lost or scattered and were never fully recovered.

Members of the Grange then rented the Order of Red Men Hall in Milesburg for their meetings and next moved into the Band Hall (which is now the Milesburg

Post Office building). From there, they moved their meetings into the Odd Fellows Building and subsequently, to the Fire Hall.

When the Runville Schoolhouse became available, they purchased it from the Bald Eagle School District of Boggs Township in 1956. After making many renovations to convert it into a Grange Hall from a schoolroom, members officially moved into the building on November 7, 1956.

Bald Eagle Grange continues to meet at this same hall today. Its official address is 1298 Runville Road, Bellefonte, PA 16823.

They are in the process of doing renovations, such as replacing old windows and doors with new, as they can afford to. Even though Bald Eagle Grange is one of the smallest in the county with approximately 15 members, it still boasts that their membership is very active in contributions. They donate to the Veterans Home in Hollidaysburg, purchase an FFA jacket each year, donate to the American Heart Association and American Cancer Society, give food and bedding to Pets Come First, and donate supplies for the Pee Dee Indians along with many, many more philanthropic activities.

Bald Eagle Grange members are also active in the Centre County Pomona Grange. Members of

Bald Eagle Grange can also be found filling the officer positions at Pomona and as part of the Centre County YP of H. You will find them also serving on the Committee of the Centre County Grange Fair and Encampment. They collect canned food for local food banks and help to cook and serve a meal at Junior Grange Camp at Camp Sylvan Hills in Howard, PA each July. They collect box tops for education, eyeglasses for the Lions Club, cancelled stamps and old Christmas and Special Occasion Cards along with soda tabs for the Ronald McDonald House at Geisinger Children’s Hospital in Danville, PA.

Meetings are usually held the first Tuesday of each month at the Grange Hall beginning at 7:00 p.m. (weather permitting). If the weather is inclement, they may move the meeting to a member’s home. Bald Eagle Grange is always looking for new members that would like to “help us make a difference in the lives of others.”

If you are interested in becoming a member of Bald Eagle Grange #151 or finding out more information, please contact Robert Davidson, Master at 355-7734. a

In February we gain 1 hour and 8 minutes of daylight!

The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on Earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but only to have the law of nature for his rule.

Samuel Adams

The Truth Has No Agenda

The Valley, February 2017

12

Real Estate offers a free market analysis for sellers to help determine whether this is a good time to sell, so call our office and speak to an agent today!

2016

Market Update

*Sources: National Association of REALTORS, US Census Bureau, Fannie Mae, Federal Reserve Board a

by Kim Rickert

What’s the current state of the American housing market?

How does our local market compare?

If you are thinking about buying or selling in 2017, these are the facts you should know.

First of all, some interesting overall facts about the real estate market as of the end of 2016.

• 63.5% of Americans own a home • 67% of Americans said that they would buy a home if they were going to move today • 60% of Americans say that now is a good time to buy • 55% of Americans say that now is a good time to sell • 51% of Americans say their homes have increased in value over the past year • 43% expect home values in their neighborhood to increase in the coming year

Specifically, in the Northeast region of USA, existing home sales increased 5.7% to an annual rate of 740,000 units.

Besides inventory, one of the major factors affecting sales are mortgage rates. As you may know, mortgage rates have been at an all time low over the last couple of years, some dipping to 3% or lower. That rate is now starting to inch upward. A conventional loan has already risen 4.25% in most areas. The common belief is that mortgage rates will continue to rise over the next twelve months. As the rate goes up even a percentage, this negatively affects the amount of house that a buyer can purchase.

Home prices over the last five years have been on the rise also. Nationally, the median price for all housing types rose 5.6% from September 2015 to September 2016. The median home price in the Northeast has increased 2.1% in that timeframe.

Locally our average home sale price in 2016 was $120,000.

The reasons for selling can vary greatly, but NAR (National Association of Realtors) resources show that in 2016: • 46% purchased a home that was larger in size • 44% purchased a more expensive home • 56% purchased a newer home

The average days on market for a home was four weeks, overall. Locally our average days on market were 100 days. Many of the sellers in our area are also looking to downsize their home in preparation for retirement.

Who is today’s buyer? The average age of a buyer is 44 years old. Buyers expect to live in their home for 12 years. The average buyer purchased their home at 98% of asking price (good news for sellers!). Important facts for sellers to know are the top factors influencing neighborhood choices:

1. Quality of neighborhood

2. Proximity to job

3. Overall affordability of

homes

4. Proximity to family/friends

5. Quality of the school

district

In other words, the age old saying of “LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION” still applies! But everyone has a different reason for their preferences. As always, condition and updates are always a factor in purchases- but I will leave that for another column!

First-time homebuyers are a large part of the market nationally, as well as locally. In the Northeast, 44% of buyers in 2016 were first-time buyers. The median age of first-time buyers was 32. And this is where a large group is now making waves in the real estate market: the Millenials. Nationally, 26% of homebuyers were between the ages of 25 and 34—the largest share of any age group. These buyers are more likely to spend a significant amount of time finding their home with the help of the internet: 67% of Buyers walked through a home they viewed online as a result of internet search and 51% found the home they purchased through the internet.

The Top 3 Sources of Information Used in a Home Search:

1. Online website

2. Real Estate Agent

3. Mobile or tablet website or application

The reason for buying was a desire to own their own home.

First-time buyers financed 94% oft their home purchase. This is significant to sellers in that property conditions that are acceptable

to a first-time home owner loan program could include certain repairs or upgrades to a property.

The Real Estate Outlook Kim Yoder Rickert, CRS, has been selected as the for 2017 is 2017 Chair of the Pennsylvania Council of Residential positive.

Specialists, a not-for-profit affiliate of the National Industry Association of Realtors®. As State Chair, Rickert experts see a manages the state’s activities and acts as a liaison rise in home between her regional vice president, the Council’s purchases, leadership team and staff. including new conRickert has been involved in real estate since 2006. struction, Currently, she is the broker/owner of Stone Arch Real in the near Estate] and serves Mifflin and Juniata counties. future. Locally, there The Pennsylvania CRS is one of 45 state groups that is a need provide educational opportunities for REALTORS®, for more promote the Council and the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation, assist saleable inthe Council in achieving its purposes and objectives, plan community service projects ventory, so and provide a forum for the exchange of information. it is a good time to call “I am looking forward to working with Realtors in Pennsylvania and locally to help your real improve the professionalism of our industry,” stated Rickert. estate expert and find out The Council of Residential Specialists is a not-for-profit affiliate of the National Associaif this could tion of Realtors® comprised of more than 32,000 members. It awards the CRS Designabe a good tion to experienced Realtors® who have completed advanced professional training and time to sell. demonstrated outstanding professional achievement in residential real estate.

Stone Arch

Rickert Named 2017 State Chair of the Pennsylvania Council of Residential Specialists

Less Government means more Liberty

The Valley, February 2017

The Truth Has No Agenda

13

The Valley, February 2017

14

When US Presidents Stopped in Mifflin County

By Forest K. Fisher, Mifflin County Historical Society

February is the month we remember the birthdays of Washington and Lincoln. Presidents’ Day, February 20, 2017, is a Federal holiday set for the third Monday of the month that remembers all U.S. presidents. At one time, both Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 and Washington’s on February 22 were separate Federal holidays.

In 1971, President Richard Nixon proclaimed one single Federal holiday to be known as Presidents’ Day.

During this month of presidents, it seems appropriate to recall presidential visits to Mifflin County. Of course, some presidential candidates stopped here, but were never elected or served as president, and a few visited after leaving office. I’ll focus a bit later on one memorable whistlestop by former President Theodore Roosevelt in 1912, an event that drew thousands to Lewistown Junction.

It should be pointed out that every President who came through here was not alive at the time.

Two deceased U.S. presidents passed through Mifflin County on the journey to their burials. First, was 9th President William Henry Harrison who died in office in 1841, just a month after taking the oath. Harrison’s remains passed through Mifflin County on the Pennsylvania Canal for burial in North Bend, Ohio. Although born in Virginia, it was in North Bend in the Ohio frontier where Harrison met and married Anna Symmes. Mourners lined the Canal docks to witness the passing President.

A side note on President

Harrison: Mifflin County native, Richard Smith Elliott, son of Col. William P. Elliot, founder of the Lewistown Gazette, entered politics in 1839. He became the creator of the iconic symbol—the log cabin—used by William Henry Harrison’s campaign for president. It is considered the first use of a symbol to shape a candidate for president. Democrat Martin Van Buren’s reelection campaign portrayed Harrison as a bumbling, mostly drunken, backwoodsman.

Harrison’s campaign jumped on this idea and flooded the electorate with posters and badges using the log cabin designed by Elliott.

Historians suggest that it became the first presidential campaign that shaped a candidate through images. Harrison was actually an aristocratic plantation owner, although his campaign portrayed him as born in a log cabin, and a cider-drinking common man.

The electorate loved the idea and Harrison won in a landslide...of course, the old war hero died in office having served the shortest term of any elected president. But the concept is still used in modern politics, now adapted to today’s media forms, and it was all started

by Mifflin County native, Richard Elliott.

In September 1881, the remains of assassinated President James A. Garfield were returned to Cleveland, Ohio on a special Funeral Train traveling on the Pennsylvania Railroad. The train passed through Lewistown Junction without a stop. Lewistown’s Square and the Mifflin County Courthouse were draped in black crepe out of respect for the murdered President.

Fifty years earlier, Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky, and a candidate for president in 1832, helped open the Pennsylvania canal here in 1829, delivering speeches and hearing patri-

Next Issue of The Valley: March 7th

otic music at Mifflin, in what would become Juniata County, and at Lewistown.

Abraham Lincoln passed through Mifflin County in 1847, also on the Pennsylvania Canal, after his election to Congress. While serving as US President, he was asked by a reporter about his knowledge of this part of Pennsylvania, and replied, “I know well the valley of the Juniata...” and went on to describe his trip by packet boat through Central Pennsylvania, passing through Lewistown along the way.

It should be added that Lincoln’s funeral train did not pass through Lewistown in 1865; a question often asked.

William Howard Taft came to Lewistown in 1919 and spoke at the old Lewistown High School.

He addressed a gathering of the State Chamber of Commerce meeting in Lewistown.

Once the railroad was established here in 1849 and then to points west, U.S. Presidents or those seeking the office, frequently visited Mifflin County by rail, quite a convenient method of seeing and speaking to the public, in that 20th Century mode of campaigning known as the whistlestop.

Harry Truman whistlestopped during the election of 1948. This was the famous “Dewey Defeats Truman” election. In both 1952 and 1956, Adlai Stevenson whistle-stopped at Lewistown during both unsuccessful runs against Dwight Eisenhower.

Dwight D. Eisenhower (known as “Ike”) visited his brother, Milton S. Eisenhower, a number of times, when Milton was president at Penn State University from 1950-1956. “Ike” actually made his first visit -- before becoming president of the United States -- in October 1950 to attend Milton’s inauguration. Ike also visited on several occasions in the 1960s, after he had left the White House.

As President, Eisenhower passed through here four times during his presidency (1953-1961) and was the only president to stay overnight, at brother Milton’s official residence on the Penn State campus.

Eisenhower first visited as president in May 1953. He arrived by special train over the Belle-

Less Government means more Liberty

fonte Central Railroad. His wife, Mamie, presided over opening ceremonies of “Spring Week” on campus. Ike also went fishing. In July 1954, he attended the funeral of Milton’s wife, Helen. In September 1956, he attended the dedication of Penn State’s Helen Eakin Eisenhower Chapel, named in her honor.

At the 1955 commencement, held at then Beaver Field, Ike gave a major policy address -- his famous “Atoms for Peace” speech, in which he committed the nation to finding non-military uses for atomic energy. Penn State awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the commencement.

The President’s limousine often stopped for a fill-up in Mifflin County while coming or going to Penn State. A favorite gas station was located along old Route 322 in the vicinity of Pot Licker Flats near Milroy. Locals remember passing the time of day with President Eisenhower.

Richard Nixon as Vice President with Mrs. Nixon campaigned here Nov 2, 1956 and spoke for about 20 minutes at Lewistown Junction. The 11 car train was called the Dick Nixon Campaign Special. Between 1,500 and 1,800 people jammed the Junction.

Candidates Barry Goldwater whistle-stopped here in 1964, speaking to a crowd of about 2000 at Lewistown Junction. The Chief Logan High School Band played, high school students attended as well as civic groups. Goldwater came down the rope line and shook hands with scores of high school students that day. Mifflin County voted overwhelmingly for Barry Goldwater, but he lost the state and the election to Lyndon Johnson, who had a historic landslide victory.

Truman’s Vice President, Alben Barkley, came to Lewistown on July 27, 1951 and spoke at the 50th Anniversary of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at the Grace Brethern Church.

Although Dwight Eisenhower and Herbert Hoover were considered serious fly fishermen, Jimmy Carter actually made unannounced visits to the Kish Valley while on fly fishing trips to Spruce Creek in Blair County in the late 1970s. Carter was securing fly fishing lure feathers from Metz Hatchery in Belleville.

William Jefferson Clinton came to Lewistown on March 27, 2008. The former President was campaigning for wife Hillary, U.S. Senator from New York, during the 2008 primary season when she was challenging then Illinois

Senator and future President, Barack Obama. Bill Clinton filled the former Lewistown Area High School gymnasium with an enthusiastic crowd.

THEODORE ROOSEVELT VISITS MIFFLIN COUNTY Let’s go back 104 years…to the election year of 1912. In the spring of that year, former President Theodore Roosevelt was campaigning for the Republican nomination for President. He was whistle-stopping across Pennsylvania.

Headlines for the Daily Sentinel announced…CROWDS SEE ROOSEVELT…COLONEL’S TRAIN STOPS AT JUNCTION… CHEERS GREET EX-PRESIDENT AS HE SPEAKS.

The former president was given a rousing ovation as Roosevelt’s special train pulled into the Junction. En-route from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia, “Teddy” spoke for just a few minutes, according to the newspaper.

A hour before the train arrived, the throngs began to gather along the east and west-bound tracks. “When the train pulled in on exactly the scheduled time, fully 2,500 persons had congregated,” The Daily Sentinel reported.

After the train stopped, Col. Roosevelt appeared on the platform of the rear passenger coach and a mighty shout arose from the multitude, the repeated volleys of cheers being followed by yells for a speech. The crowd hushed and the President spoke…

Friends, it gives me great pleasure to see you all and greet you all, as fellow citizens. In greeting you as citizens, I do not overlook the many small children I see before me. I revere these little folks more than anybody else.

As more cheers arose from the gathering, mothers in the crowd took the opportunity to hoist their little ones high in the air for the President to see and greet. Had he stayed longer at the Junction, pictures of the President holding babies would have surely survived.

After a few more moments, the train began to move. The sudden lurch of the train cars cut Roosevelt off in mid-sentence.

Audible expressions of disappointment could be heard across the crowd as he waved to the people. The train would stop in Mifflin, Harrisburg, Lancaster and Coatesville. Roosevelt drew crowds in Jeannette, Greensburg,

continued on page 30

The Valley, February 2017

Short Hike Galbraith Run

If you are looking for a short hike in Rothrock State Forest access area starting at Galbraith Gap, then this is an ideal circuit hike. There is some road walking involved with this hike and caution should be exercised. This circuit hike is presented with trail hiking first, followed by road walking, but it can be done in the opposite direction if you desire.

This is a great hike to do during the snowy days of winter.

The trailhead for this hike is located about 0.5 miles beyond the Tussey Mountain Family Fun Center on Bear Meadows Road.

To reach the trailhead, you will need to get on route US 322.

Traveling east, you will see Bear Meadows Road on your right, just after passing Boalsburg. The four lane highway will reduce to two lanes with Bear Meadows Road being 0.65 miles beyond this point, on your right. If you are heading west, you will see Bear Meadows Road on your left, directly across from the Mountain View Country Club. Once you get on Bear Meadows Road, drive for 1 mile. You will see a stone road as well as a sign to your left. Pull

back onto this road and park here: there is additional parking located farther back in a second parking area.

From the parking area, cross Bear Meadows Road and turn left on the Galbraith Gap Trail. This short single-track merges with a wider trail at the point where the paved Bear Meadows road turns to the left and crosses over Galbraith Run. At 0.3 miles the trail comes to an end as it crosses Laurel Run Road. Cross the road and begin a gradual climb on the Lonberger Path, formerly known as the Chute Trail.

In the past, the Chute Trail was quite eroded and used by many mountain bikers as they made their way into Rothrock State Forest. Rework and improvement of the trail includes some rerouting, the addition of switchbacks, and impressive rock work to the trail as well as the renaming of the trail to be an extension of the Lonberger Path.

You’ll notice nice rock work once you cross Laurel Run Road and begin the short ascent. You will hike this section of trail for an additional 0.3 miles, climbing with a

number of switchbacks to make the ascent easier. The Lonberger Path will make a sharp left at the intersection with Spruce Gap Trail.

Turning right on Spruce Gap Trail, it is soon followed by a sharp left as you begin a gradual ascent. In a short distance you will soon make another turn off Spruce Gap Trail onto the Three Bridges Trail.

Continued on page 30

The Truth Has No Agenda

15

The Valley, February 2017

16

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love cheese! Although we don’t really know for sure how, when or where cheese was invented, many of us are thankful for it. Thousands of years ago, it is said that milk was transported and stored in the stomachs of sheep. (Ew! I’m so glad technology has improved since then!)

When it sat in the sheep’s stomach for a few days the protein would separate into curds and whey.

From there, it is said that people preserved it with salt, which was a delicacy then. The earliest record of cheese making is dated back to 5500 BCE in what is now known as Poland. Today, we know of over 2,000 varieties of cheese made from cow milk, goat milk, and many other mammal’s milk.

The basic principal of cheese making has carried through even from BCE times when milk was carried in sheep’s stomachs. Letting the milk sour (coagulate casein protein), separating the curds (solid) from the whey (liquid), from there the curds are salted

and left to age. In some types of cheeses bacteria, enzymes or fungi are added to create a different taste, flavor or variety. Other factors that affect the taste are the type of milk, temperature of storage, time, and moisture.

All of the varieties of cheese have different nutritional values.

Cottage cheese and mozzarella are the lower end of the fat scale, while cream cheese is at the top for fat content. Whatever type of cheese you prefer, you can rest assured that they all contain milk’s nine essential nutrients.

Have you ever wondered how the dairy industry began? We all know that “back in the day” farmers would simply go out to their barns, milk their 2-3 cows, and bring the milk back in for their family. But what happened when America began to industrialize? How did dairy farmers go from 2-3 cows to 200-300 cows?

How did schools go from children bringing their own milk, to milk being provided to them? Here is a short timeline of how it all hap-

Storyteller

by Pennsylvania Dairy Princess

Halee Wasson

“Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go.” This saying used to roll through my mind every other Sunday as my family and I made a trip to my grandparent’s farm. I always loved Sunday visits over to their Valley. It was nice to see where my mother grew up as a child, but it was even better to see what my grandparents had built together in 63 years. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I would like to share with you a love story that I have admired throughout my life.

I couldn’t have picked a better setting for my grandparent’s love story. Surrounded by corn stalks and fertilizer, young love took root in 1953 and grew into a field of dreams. When they share

their love story, it has a typical beginning. Lewis and Shirley Corman attended rival high schools in Centre County, but were introduced to each other through mutual friends at the fireman’s carnival in Rebersburg. Although they did not ride on the ferris wheel with each other, love began as a farmer’s son fell head-overheels for a small town girl. From there on, their summer adventure consisted of barn dances, drivein movies and picnics. These adventures together grew their love stronger, so that following spring in March of 1954, Lewis and Shirley married.

Lewis and Shirley settled down on the Corman family farm in the quaint town of Millheim.

Lewis began working with his

pened.

In the early 1600’s, Europeans brought the first few breeds of cattle across the ocean, They included many breeds; some of which were Ayrshires and Jerseys that we still recognize as strong dairy breeds today. It wasn’t until the 1800’s that cattle breeds were categorized as beef or dairy animals. Shortly after, we realized as Americans that a mass production of dairy products was needed, instead of the small scale operations that were currently happening. Many people were moving off of their small farms to try out the big city life. American dairy farmers had to accommodate for those who were moving away, so that they could still enjoy the freshness and nutritional value of milk. In the 1800’s dairy farmers faced difficult times whenever people started to question their cleanliness. They began to work harder to keep their barns clean, their animals healthier and the dust out of the milking parlors.

It just-so-happened that Louis Pasteur invented the process of pasteurization by accident around this same time period as well!

This process is used in many ways today to ensure the safety of our foods.

As the theory of germs progressed, Americans found that bottling milk in glass containers made the pasteurization process even more beneficial. One of the first patents on milk bottles was in 1884, presented by Dr. Henry

Thatcher, after seeing a milkman deliver milk to a home where a young child dropped their dirty rag doll into the pale of milk he was serving from. I don’t know about you, but I’m glad this patent happened! All of these things that happened in the 1800s meant that milk was being produced in a healthier, cleaner way and that pasteurized milk was being bottled, making a safer product.

1914 was the first year that milk trucks were introduced to haul milk from the farm to the processing plants. Farmers were producing enough milk that they could not simply put it in metal buckets and transport it to the plant themselves anymore. So they had to create a more efficient way of getting the milk from point A to point B. Then, in 1917 it became mandatory to pasteurize all milk that was sold. This was due to a few disease outbreaks that were blamed on the dairy industry.

Soon after (1919), educational milk campaigns began to take off in large cities. These were similar to what a dairy princess does on a small scale today. The results of the campaigns were astounding! Consumption of milk and dairy products increased immensely. Before these campaigns, it seemed that people in large cities didn’t trust their dairy producers (which is a struggle that has continued for dairy farmers up to this point).

In the 50’s and 60’s, milk be-

gan to be displayed in paper cartons. These were similar to what we enjoyed as elementary school students in the lunch room, or out of the Ritchey’s truck at a county fair. This allowed more milk to be stored in the same amount of space that a glass bottle took up.

This new idea also lowered the cost of milk due to the disposable nature of the carton.

In 1966, the SMP (Special Milk Program) was introduced to the school system. Children would be provided with low cost or free milk depending on the income of the area of the school district. This was a federally funded program!

1974 was the first year that milk had a nutrition label, and then in 1992 it was added to the newly invented food guide pyramid made by the USDA.

As you can see, milk has had a long, hard history. It wasn’t as simple as dairy farmers purchasing a few extra cows. Dairy producers had to adapt to make a living. The dairy industry has had to accommodate to the new ideas of society. The newest being the desire for products to be all natural and organic. We in the dairy industry have been on a mission to give consumers what they want and need out of the dairy products that we provide since the day that dairy cattle first set foot on American soil in the early 1600’s.

We will continue this tradition for many years to come! a

grew from the love they had for each other and the livelihood they grew up in. This love grew from the time spent caring for a family and a herd of dairy cows.

In 1996, this love continued when the oldest son, Lewis Jr. ,took over the family farm Lewis and Shirley married in 1954 and started a family tradition that lives on to this day, dairy and grew farming.

The author’s grandparents when they first started the herd to dating barn dances that turn into a waltz 55 head. down the aisle. To sitting by each father on the farm, and eventuAlthough the heard size other in beat up truck bed and ally took over in 1979. With time has changed throughout time, it rocking by each other on the front and love for a herd of dairy cows, is evident how love continues to porch sixty years after. May your Lewis grew a herd from 14 cows build a family and livelihood. love grow stronger with your time to a herd of 36. Also throughout

Here is to love everywhere… together! Happy Valentine’s Day that time, Lewis and Shirley welTo the high school rivals and the to all the love stories! a comed an ever-growing family to county sweethearts. To drive-in their old farmhouse. Their family movies and summer picnics. To

Less Government means more Liberty

17

The Valley, February 2017

Some interesting things have happened in Gregg Township in the last month. The Board of Supervisors appointed a new Solicitor. Rather than appointing Doug Bierly as “Assistant Secretary” as in years past, he was appointed “OGS Building Manager/Assistant Secretary.”

In the last issue of The Valley, I mentioned a secret meeting between the two supervisors who raised Gregg Township taxes by 40% (Doug Bierly and Joel Myers). I submitted a Right-to-Know request for the security footage proving that meeting took place.

I recently received a response to that request.

I submitted the request in person while the meeting was still taking place, in an effort to preserve the footage. If you read the last issue of The Valley, you know that I have had access to

security footage in the recent past. My request for this footage was denied, for several reasons: “First, the requested record does not exist.” “Gregg Township does not maintain the referenced security footage in the manner and segments referenced by your request.” “Disclosing the security footage of the Old Gregg School would require disclosure of sensitive information relating to the public safety aspects of the facility and thereby publicize information that is currently confidential, for security reasons.”

“Disclosing the security footage of the Old Gregg School would require disclosure of the manner and methods by which Gregg Township ensures the safety of its facilities.” The Right-to-Know officer quotes exemptions in the law intended for the military, homeland security, national defense,

law enforcement, classified information, trade secrets, and confidential proprietary information. I filed an appeal to the Office of Open Records..

On January 24th, I attended the Old Gregg School Advisory Board meeting. At that meeting, they discussed the lack of security in the building. When the township office closes at 2:30pm, there is no one there to ensure people are paying to use the facilities until it is time to close up. Doug Bierly also discussed some quotes he received for replacing the roof, which is not in the budget. He wants to get started on that project as soon as possible. The board discussed charging tenants for a portion of the internet which recently increased in price by 12x, due to switching providers. The tenants do not want to pay for it.

Doug told me a few months ago they would definitely be paying $50/month each, but at the meeting I learned that is not true. I saved my notes from that meeting with Doug.

My husband and I received a response to our Right-to-Know

request for all of the Old Gregg School meeting minutes. Most of the ones that exist are written into a Google Drive document with “view only” privileges. This document is owned by a former board member who does not live in the township. The township does not have custody of these minutes. The last year or so were missing from that response, so my husband appealed. The Right-toKnow Officer, Jen Snyder, signed an Attestation on the 16th claiming that she has “no knowledge of the existence of such additional meeting minutes.” Suddenly, the missing minutes from the last year appeared on the township website.

I asked the board member who wrote the more recent minutes if she had any idea why her minutes were not included. She contacted Jen, who emailed me the following: “When the hard copies were given to me last week by Carol, I realized my error.” Why did Jen sign the Attestation the following Monday, knowing that her statement was false?

We also received a response to our Right-to-Know request for correspondence to/from/regarding PennDot and the Penn’s Cave

Road turnback proposal. Jen sent a bunch of emails and a meeting advertisement. Unknown to the township, we already had some correspondence in our possession that should have been included in that response. It was not. My husband submitted an appeal and a lot more documents magically appeared. Joel Myers sent me an email with the excuse that “there was a misunderstanding.” Unfortunately, the records recently included still do not explain how the initial discussion was made or how it was added to the Agenda in October. It appears as if it was done telepathically. I have a Right-to-Know request submitted to PennDot, so it will be interesting to see what comes back.

Stay tuned for more insanity! Loads of public records and a new Hanky Panky Report blog is available at http://www.greggtownshipunofficial.org. Breaking news and discussion/debate are available in the “Gregg Township Unofficial” Facebook group.

The next Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for February 9th at 6:30 in room 106 of the Old Gregg School. Don’t miss it! a

2017

Dairy Seminar

Please join us for our annual dairy seminar, focusing on future milk and feed prices and practical strategies to overcome obstacles and improve on farm profitability.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Sugar Valley Fire Company-24 West Anthony Street, Loganton PA 17747 RSVP to 717-203-6777

9:30- 10:00- Coffee and Donuts Welcome & Introductions: Brock Stehr, R&J Dairy Consultant 10:00- 10:45- “Using Your Own Numbers: A Closer Look at Dairy Records” Andy Sears- Ruminant Manager, Micronutrients 10:45- 11:30- “Forage Quality Matters” Dr. Eric Reid- Director of Nutrition, Cooperative Feed Dealers 11:30- 12:30- Lunch Provided 12:30- 12:45- “VFD Update: What To Expect” Dr. Eric Reid- Director of Nutrition, Cooperative Feed Dealers 12:45- 1:30- “The ABC’s of Dairying: Simple Improvements= More Milk” Rick Stehr, R.A.S.- Dairy Consultant, R&J Dairy Consultant

The Truth Has No Agenda

The Valley, February 2017

18

Plain Talk

Solar Explained

by S. Yoder

Well, at least we got some snow, but it looks to be all but gone now, and so is January 2017.

Time goes by so fast, I cannot believe the wedding is over as well as deer season, and it looks as if we might be in for longer daylight hours soon.

This month I wanted to give you a few tips on battery care, not that I know everything or even want to make it look like I do, as surely we are all humans and can make mistakes. If we ever do, let us know so we can correct it.

What is the Life Span of my Solar System’s Battery Bank?

Contrary to what you may think, no two sets of batteries of the same model will last exactly the same amount of time. Yearly estimates are no where near the actual lifespan of a deep cycle battery, not even a top brand.

Many different factors come into play on a lead acid battery. To the best of our ability, we will list a few tips so you may better understand how to take care of them.

1. Batteries are never ever near the same temperature.

2. High heat locations speed up the chemical reactions inside of your battery and will deteriorate the battery twice as fast at 90 degrees than they will at 77 degrees.

3. Extremely low temps, 32 or below, will cause you to need more power as only half the power is available at these temps versus summer temps.

4. Batteries that don’t get a full charge will also shorten battery life.

5. Cutting costs on the front end will usually result in costing you on the back end. Put in a charger that is bigger than needed for summer, because you will need it in the winter and when large harvests need to be frozen. Make sure you install a battery monitoring system on your controller.

6. Over/Under charging of batteries will shorten life.

7. Failure to use a hydrometer to test your batteries from time to time can cause a deficit that will shorten battery life.

8. Not having a way to charge

your batteries when the sun doesn’t shine for extended periods of time will shorten battery life.

9. Super fast recharging of batteries will cause a partial charge condition, for solar, the C10 rate is optimal.

10. A brand new battery showing 14 volts does not prove it is at full charge. Again, use a hydrometer to test. This is why buggy batteries sometimes fail too soon. We sell an attachment to correct low gravity, which is a low reading on the battery.

11. Not checking the fluid level in your batteries often enough will cause the plates to dry out even if for just a short period of time; keep them full.

12. Underdischarging and not charging afterwards will shorten the life of the battery. A 12 volt battery should never be taken below 11.8 volts. Multiply that times two for 24 volt and times four for a 48 volt. Doing this will sulphate the plates, which will soon result in crystals that prevent the battery from ever receiving a full charge. Once crystalization takes place, it is hard to reverse, so equalize your batteries often to achieve optimum life.

If you want more information on batteries and how to care for them, we sell a battery book for $10 that will help you understand the best way to care for our sealed batteries. a

Refreshments from page 7 position.

The Clinic responded by doubling down on its disavowal of Neides’ column, saying that the health system is “fully committed to evidence-based medicine,” and promising to take disciplinary action against Neides.

Clinic officials have not yet determined what that action will be, according to a spokeswoman.

The Clinic’s full statement reads:

“Cleveland Clinic is fully committed to evidence-based medicine. Harmful myths and untruths about vaccinations have been scientifically debunked in rigorous ways. We completely support vaccinations to protect people, especially children who are particularly vulnerable. Our physician published his statement without authorization from Cleveland Clinic. His views do not reflect the position of Cleveland Clinic and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.”

Neides has been blogging on cleveland.com’s South EuclidLyndhurst community blog for about two years on a variety of wellness-related topics.

His most recent column, posted on Friday afternoon, quickly sparked outrage when it was discovered by the medical and scientific community on social media sites. The column was removed briefly from the site Sunday afternoon, though it’s not clear if Neides, who had privileges to log into and alter content on the community blog, or someone else removed it. It was restored shortly after.

Neides began Friday’s column with a rant against flu shots and then questioned the safety

Battery Life Saver Battery Reconditioning Off-Grid Solar

Elk Creek Solar Steven Yoder Sales & Service 717-667-0330

Less Government means more Liberty

of the childhood vaccination schedule, suggesting a thoroughly debunked connection between a preservative, thimerosal, and autism.

The column is in stark contrast to one Neides posted only two years ago in which he praised the life-saving power of flu vaccination:

“Having survived the nightmare of the 2009 flu epidemic, you can bet I am the first in line with my sleeve rolled up. I hope many of you will take advantage of the many flu vaccine clinics that Cleveland Clinic has to offer.

With a nod to Benjamin Franklin, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’.”

On Twitter and Facebook, physicians and non-clinicians alike roundly criticized the nonscientific claims Neides made, many of them calling for the Clinic to discipline or dismiss the doctor.

Dr. Paria Hassouri, a pediatrician at Cedars-Sinai in Beverly Hills who trained at the Clinic, called on her former colleagues to fire Neides in a tweet posted today.

The Clinic is facing mounting pressure from doctors and patients alike on social media, as news of the column spreads. Initial news reports about the column linked it directly to the Clinic’s site because of the use of the hospital system’s name and logo in Neides’ byline.

The news site uses the Clinic’s logo for guest columnists.

A Clinic spokeswoman said it’s a practice the hospital system does not prefer, and that the Clinic did not provide the logo for that purpose.

Cleveland Clinic doctors were also quick to disavow Neides’ views on social media.

Amrit Gill, a patient safety officer and hospitalist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s, tweeted: Twitter: Tara Haelle @tarahaelle I wouldn’t trust an ounce of medical advice from the Cleveland Clinic anymore.

Amrit Gill @amritgillmd @tarahaelle one doctor does not represent all of @ClevelandClinic. Overwhelming majority docs support vaccines and evidence based medicine.

10:24 PM - 7 Jan 2017

Dr. Gursimran Kochhar, a Clinic gastroenterologist, also came to the defense of the institution and its leadership: Dr. Cosgrove is himself very big proponent of vaccination and flu shot so definitely not CCF position by any means @tarahaelle @ CleClinicMD

Neides’ columns regularly appear in Sun Newspapers, a chain of weekly community newspapers also owned by Advance, The Plain Dealer’s parent company.

The Clinic is seeking to have the column held from publication this week.

Updated 11:p.m. to reflect the original column’s status on the news site. It has been restored after being removed. http://www.cleveland.com/ healthfit/index.ssf/2017/01/cleveland_clinic_doc_apologizes_for_ anti_vax_column_hospital_promises_discipline.html

The guy had an opinion that he expressed on his blog and published it. Apparently, if you work for the clinic you’re not allowed to express your opinion if it differs from your employer and/or Big Pharma, itself. Do you think he faced much scrutiny and criticism? You’re not supposed to question things. You’re just supposed to keep on keeping on with your blind trust and compliance. Even President Trump has just recently expressed his opinion concerning the flu shot. “’I’ve never had one. And thus far I’ve never had the flu. I don’t like the idea of injecting bad stuff into your body. And that’s basically what they do. And this one (latest flu vaccine) has not been very effective to start off with…. I have friends that religiously get the flu shot and then they get the flu. You know, that helps my thinking. I’ve seen a lot of reports that the last flu shot is virtually totally ineffective.’” http://www.collective-evolution. com/2017/01/28/trump-warnsagainst-flu-shot-for-good-reasoni-dont-like-injecting-bad-stuffinto-your-body/

The President is a bigger fish than an easily controllable medical doctor who works for a Big Pharma-funded medical clinic. It will be interesting to watch how Trump’s admittance plays out not only on a federal level, but on a state level, too. There is another bill in our state government that is trying to strip away vaccination exemptions from parents’ decision to a state-required mandate.

Pro-vaxx or Anti-vaxx, we should all be in agreement that it should be up to the parents to make that decision. Call your representative and senator and tell them not to support any bill that strips parental rights away. What are your thoughts?

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

19

The Valley, February 2017

Ed’s Railroading News

Joanne Wills-Kline “Contentment Quest”

How...In Light of This?

Several years ago I wrote an article in the February edition that examined choosing love in the most unusual and difficult circumstances. Many years ago, life became very tumultuous — it seemed as though the rug had been ripped out from under me, so to speak. Many aspects of my life were in total upheaval. I felt like I was constantly asking the question “Why?” Why did this or that happen… why had things become such an uphill battle? Life as I knew it had vanished, and I found myself at a crossroads with the “gift” of choice to build a new life. A defining moment at that crossroad was a question posed to me that I have never forgotten.

In fact, the question has guided many decisions in my life to this day.

The defining pivot point, began with me lamenting “Why, why, why?” and ended with “A better question is, how will you love in light of this... in light of all that has happened… how can you

love in light of this?” Pondering, and taking action, based on that question changed my life. So as we approach Valentine’s Day this month, perhaps ask yourself that question – How will you love in light of…? Perhaps take an unorthodox look at February 14th, and expand love far beyond the romantic relationships, into every aspect of your life. Would doing so have the potential to change your life?

What if, when we hear the “bad news” of a family member or friend, suffering some sort of loss in their life, we ask ourselves “How can I love in light of this?... How might I best offer my support and love in light of their circumstance?” Perhaps our response to the question may provide the energy to help sustain the friend or family member through their bad news.

What if, when we learn of the “diagnosis” of a family member or friend, we ask the question “How can I love in light of this?”

Homesteading Homeschooling, Libertarian Mom from page 8

teach a wide array of subjects in alternative venues.

motivation and rigidity, but rather the fact that with one or two, or even a few children in small groups, the dynamic and time restraints are very different. A worksheet given to one child will require markedly less time and resources than the same worksheet given out to 30 students, especially if those children are in the 4-6 year old, early learning age bracket. Probably in the realm of 10 minutes vs. 45 minutes.

The same principle applies to any number of activities. Additionally, there are not three 20 minute bathroom breaks per day while each child takes their turn, there is no organized snack times or 40 minute lunch breaks or one hour naps, no line ups, no coat checks, no bag checks, no time loss for every “unruly” child to be disciplined (just your own, on occasion), etc. Add to that that many home schoolers employ “unorthodox” and less rigid learning tools, such as forest exploration or market place dynamics to

Aren’t you concerned the lack of structure will set your child up for an unrealistic view of reality?

No. Personally, I feel such a large part of free will and selfdetermination has been stripped from our children via early and extended institutionalization. A nine to five is not the concrete, inevitable future. We live in the age of technology, there are endless ways to carve out a life on your own schedule, or at least come to a suitable compromise.

You can become an entrepreneur, work from home, sell goods and services online, negotiate your hours to condense your work week and eliminate a day or two of wasted commuting, farm or homestead and barter with friends and neighbors to generate revenue or resources, and/or maintain a frugal, “small” lifestyle and work less. I see absolutely no reason to assume one must resign themselves to a life on a rigid time frame, unless that’s your preference, of course—different strokes for different folks. And if that is

by Ed Forsythe

rather than avoiding to speak about it, or just offering “so sorry to hear.” What if we “carried” them through the diagnosis?

What if we showed up in the ugliness of it to be “with” them as they journeyed through?

What if we took action to help our fellow man with simple things in life – open a door for someone whose hands are full?

What if we deeply listened to communications, rather than listening just to respond?

What if we starved the judgment ego in ourselves and fed the instinct to act in love? What if, instead of whispering about the addiction, we united to strengthen the addicted? What if we decided to truly love ourselves – the imperfections, the attitudes, the egos – and committed to developing our highest most authentic potentials? What if we chose love in light of it all – everything? What if the only question that ever really matters is “How will you love in light of this?” In the end, how will you have answered the question throughout your lifetime? a the case, adaptability should allow for such. If you notice your child is able to perform better within specific timelines, its your job to conform and contour their curriculum accordingly.

What will you do when you reach the point where you do not have the knowledge on certain subjects to sufficiently teach your child?

Home schooling in no way translates to the parent being the only viable or available teacher.

There are various guided online courses for older students, and tutors are widely available for those of all ages, even in rural areas, for reasonable costs. It is also common for multiple home schoolers in the community to come together and teach subjects they are best versed in to each other’s children, eliminating the cost altogether.

Many people may even have experts in certain subjects within their own extended families

Well, the Christmas holidays are over and slow down time is here. Well, that’s what my mind and body wants, but with end of year repairs to catch up on, inventory to do, taxes to prepare for, etc., I just don’t know which way to turn sometimes, so I’ll start with THANK YOUs from last year.

THANK YOU to everyone who attended any of the Mifflin County Model Railroad Club open house dates and supported our club. We always love to show off our year-long work and we hope you did indeed enjoy everything we’ve done and all the trains that were running.

THANK YOU also to all who attended and supported all the’’Shining Light Through the Darkness’’ work at Kish Park.

We estimate we had in excess of 15,000 people visiting the park to enjoy and relax through all the displays, the food, the entertainment and the winter village and train layout, etc. We also want to say THANK YOU to all who volunteered time to set up and take down all the displays. This past month we completed our 10th year of the “Shining Light’’ project and we are very happy to say that it has increased in size more

and more each and every year.

So again, we say THANK YOU to all involved and may you all have a very good 2017.

At this time, I feel that I need to address an issue that has arisen with “Shining Light Through the Darkness.” Many of you know about the missing money, and I feel that you should know that all of us who are involved in the project are heart sick about what this person has done. This person made a huge mistake, for which payment will be made according to the laws of the land. Several of us are already making plans to continue with the project knowing that to stop the project would be to allow Satan to win by having the project shut down. This project is not now and never has been about any of us, but is about glory to God and Jesus Christ.

We are trying to find forgiveness in our hearts because that is what Jesus Christ is all about. We ask that you try to support us in these endeavors with your prayers and please encourage everyone involved to continue, so that Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father win. Again, THANK YOU to everyone for your past support. May God be with you all, ~Ed & Cathy Happy Railroading, Ed a

and circle of friends that would be happy to help.

refrain from accepting injustice as par for the course, think critically, avoid generalizations, take responsibility for your own actions rather than play into victimization, and live a life according to your innate passions and purpose, then yes, I take full responsibility for that little bundle of weirdness.

Guilty as charged on this count. a

Every home schooled child I’ve met has seemed a bit odd, how are you counteracting this inevitable outcome?

If it is considered “odd” to have a healthy, well-developed sense of self, question the status quo and the world around you,

The Big Valley BIC Church will be showing the Billy Graham Association movie DECISIONS on Sunday evening February 12, 2017 at 7:00 pm. This is a powerful movie about decisions and changed lives. The public is cordially invited for this free event.

The church is located at 81 Wagner St. Belleville, PA. For directions or information please call 717-436-8010

The Truth Has No Agenda

The Valley, February 2017

20

HealthSouth Visitor’s Brush with Death Brings a New Perspective on Life

By Suzanne Irwin

When Robert (Bubba) Zelensky walked into HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital on July 25, he had no idea that the events about to unfold would forever change his perspective on life – and death.

Bubba was visiting his mother, who was a patient at HealthSouth. He was sitting in her wheelchair, talking with her, while she lay in the hospital bed.

Suddenly, his heart stopped, and he became unconscious.

HealthSouth Registered Nurse Elise Howard was the first to find Bubba, and responded immediately with life-saving efforts.

Nurses and staff quickly joined her and a team was in place to keep Bubba alive. “Bubba was in the wheelchair, so we moved him to a bed and started CPR,” says Howard. “We were all working together to save him.”

HealthSouth staff initiated the 911 call and the local EMS (emergency medical services) companies responded swiftly and efficiently. Bubba was transported by ambulance to Mount Nittany Medical Center, and then life-flighted to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville.

Three days had passed, from the time of his sudden cardiac arrest at HealthSouth Nittany Valley, to the moment he fully regained consciousness. “I have flashes of waking up in the hospital, and in the helicopter, with people standing over me, but for the most part, I was unconscious,” Bubba says.

Bubba doesn’t recall anything about the events leading up to his visit at HealthSouth. He has no recollection of the photos that he took with his phone that day, and items that he purchased at the store. “I can’t even remember walking into HealthSouth to see my mom that day,” he adds.

What Bubba does remember is a clear and vivid experience that would forever change his life.

Bubba describes what happened: “My body was zooming towards a brilliant light, and the light was a place that I wanted to be. But something was covering my eyes; I was not able to see clearly,” he explains. “It was kind of like going through tall grass; I wanted to push away whatever was keeping me from seeing what was ahead of me.”

Then, as Bubba looked ahead towards the light, he could see

two people. “They were younger, but I recognized them as soon as I looked into their eyes,” he said.

Bubba saw his father and his

grandmother, both of whom are deceased. “I was excited to see how healthy my dad looked,” he added. “They were both in the

prime of their life!” He continues, “But Dad was ‘shushing’ me away with his hand, as if to say, ‘you’re not supposed to be here.’”

Bubba said that he was “bathing in that

Continued on page 22

The Centre County Chapter of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association recently recognized EMS personnel and HealthSouth Nittany Valley nurses for their rescue of Bubba Zelensky, who experienced sudden cardiac arrest while he was visiting his mother at HealthSouth. The recognition event was held on September 14 at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

Pictured with Bubba, center, are HealthSouth Registered Nurses Elise Howard, Buddie VanHart, Shelby Wellar and Katie Treml. Additional staff involved in the rescue include Natasha Poorman, CRRN; Holly Preslovich, CRRN; Michelle Gray, nurse staffing coordinator; and Lori Flattery-Jarvis, RN, nurse manager.

Did You Know?

The American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association has issued its first guidelines on adult stroke rehabilitation calling for intensive, multidisciplinary treatment.

Before leaving the hospital, patients and caregivers should receive a formal falls-prevention program to prevent accidents at home.

The consistency of the findings in favor of IRF referral suggests that stroke survivors who qualify for IRF services should receive this care in preference to SNF-based care.

IRF - Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, SNF - Skilled Nursing Facility

Other recommendations issued by the AHA/ASA include: 1. Stroke patients who have trouble walking should undergo intense mobility-task training to help relearn how to perform daily activities, such as climbing stairs.

2. Stroke patients who have trouble speaking should undergo speech therapy.

3. Balance training should be offered to stroke survivors at risk for falls.

4. Exercise regimens tailored to individual stroke patients can help them continue to improve their fitness level once their rehabilitation is complete.

Source: American Heart Association, Inc.

As one of the nation’s leading inpatient rehabilitation providers, HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital continues to offer a higher level of stroke care, offering intensive, multidisciplinary treatments to help patients get back into the community sooner.

This specialized care includes: • • • • • • •

Advanced technologies At least three hours of therapy a day, five days a week Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurses® available 24/7 Frequent physician visits* Personalized rehabilitation programs targeting each patient’s specific needs Team approach to achieving goals Weekly team meetings to discuss progress and goals

A Higher Level of Care®

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

* The hospital provides access to independent physicians. ©2016 HealthSouth Corporation: 1233538

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The Valley, February 2017

Modern Energy and Alternative Heating with Curt Bierly The “Mini Split” Heat Pump/ Air Conditioner System

As I reflect back on 2015 (not 2016), I would label it the year of the “Ductless Mini Split Heat Pump/Air Conditioner” which is sometimes referred to as a “Ductless System.” It consists of one quiet high efficiency outdoor compressor unit and one or more super quiet indoor air handler units. The indoor unit(s) and outdoor unit are connected together with two insulated copper tubes, an electrical wire and a thermostat wire, which are all neatly hidden on the outside of the house with a “Duct Hide” cover (three colors available). The desired room temperature is set for each indoor unit using a remote control – so, relative to temperature, you can control each indoor air handler

separately. Nice! Hyper heat outdoor units are offered that will hold the same btu/hr output down to single digit outside temperatures. Mitsubishi systems now offer an indoor air handler with electric backup that can be ducted into rooms like a conventional warm air furnace or heat pump system.

We are fortunate that mini splits HP/AC are being widely accepted today. It wasn’t that long ago that few wanted to consider them for heating and cooling their home. They “didn’t like the indoor unit hanging on the wall” was the usual reply when I mentioned them to a prospective customer. These highly efficient units have been popular in

21

Europe for many years primarily because most homes are heated with a hot water system, so installing a traditional central HP/AC system with duct work is difficult and expensive. In addition, if you lived downtown on one of the upper floors of an apartment building heated with hot water, a traditional central system wouldn’t be feasible.

The mini split systems derive their high efficiency and ability to service multiple zones from the outdoor variable speed compressor. Simply stated, the more indoor air handlers that are running, the faster the outdoor compressor runs. This variable Mini split system with one indoor wall-mounted air handler speed technology is now being used by Trane and Carrier on winter days. And, you only have happy to see the mini split come select high-end models for their one filter to maintain, which is of age. It gives another highly central-ducted systems and I’m recommended twice a year. You efficient tool to use in our quest certain you will see this technolcan also use a high efficiency gas to provide a comfortable home ogy used more and more in the furnace backup in lieu of electric. throughout. So, what is the best future.

A gas backup unit is not available solution to heat and cool your

Traditional ducted systems with a mini split. For a one and home or business? It may just be are ideal for a ranch-style house half or two story home, the ducted a mini split ductless heat pump with a full basement. The duct system installation becomes more system. work can easily be hidden above a complex and the ductless system drop ceiling and there is a supply should be considered.

Curt Bierly is president of the biregister in every room. One care As a general rule, in the erly group incorporated of which fully located thermostat controls simplest system, an indoor wallStanley C. Bierly is a division. the temperature of the single floor hung air handler is located in the He is chair of the Penn College system. Because it’s a central sys- family room and master bedroom.

HVAC Advisory Board. You can tem, an electronic filter or media A third unit can be added in a contact him at 814-349-3000 or filter can be added as can central second bedroom. cbierly@bierlygroup.com. a humidification for those dry

We in the HVAC industry are

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The Valley, February 2017

22

The Library Can Help With That

Happy 175th Anniversary!

That’s right, this year is the 175th anniversary of the Mifflin County Library. This means that the library has been here offering services for 175 years. When you think of the library, the first thing that comes to mind is that you can go to the library to find something to read or to use a computer.

Well, yes of course, the library has patron computers and something for everyone to read, but did you know that the library offers many other services?

The library is here to serve you with a variety of services. If you have a document that needs to be copied, faxed, or laminated, come to the library. If you have a DVD/CD disk that needs to be resurfaced, come to the library.

The library has a copy machine available for patrons to copy black and white documents for $.25 a page. If you need a color copy, don’t worry, we have that too! Color copies are only $.50 a page. Just ask an employee at the circulation desk and someone will happily help.

Do you have something that needs to be faxed? The library can help! Again, just ask an employee at the circulation desk and they will send the fax to the

number you designate for $1 a page. Once your fax is sent, you will receive all of your documents back along with a fax sent receipt.

Do you have something that you would like to have laminated, but not sure where to go? Well, come to the library. The library has laminating sheets that measure 9 by 11.5 inches to hold letter size (8.5 by 11 inches) paper. Items that need to be laminated can be dropped off at the circulation desk and will be ready by the next business day. The charge for each laminated sheet is $1.

The library also offers resurfacing of DVD/CDs. If you have a disk that is not working due to scratches on the surface and needs to be resurfaced, the library offers this service for $1 a disk. Disks can be dropped off to be resurfaced at the circulation desk and will be ready by the next business day.

Now that you have made all of your copies, sent your faxes, had your documents laminated and resurfaced your disks, it is time to check out a good book to read!

Healthsouth Visitor’s Brush with Death brings a new Perspective on Life from page 20

over me,” Bubba explains. “At that moment, a hummingbird hovered in front of him, and he took a photo.” The photo shows a hummingbird, in the perfect shape of an angel. Bubba adds, “I call it ‘my son’s angel,’ and it’s another part of the experience that will stay with me forever.”

Bubba, an instructor in the kitchen at the Houtzdale State Correctional Institution, is fully recovered and enjoying life at home with his family, grateful for the experience.

“I still think about it so much, and I get flashes, like memories, that come back to me,” he says.

“The whole experience sealed the deal for me. I now know what death means and I’m not afraid.” a

light” and that although he was walking towards it, he could not catch up to the light or his family.

His next clear memory is waking up as a patient at Geisinger Medical Center. “This experience gave me a new outlook on life, and a feeling of peace about death,” Bubba says.

“When you go through something like this, it’s humbling, he says. “I was kept alive by the angels at HealthSouth.”

Bubba also cherishes another form of an angel – a hummingbird that appeared to his son while Bubba was in the hospital. “My son was praying to my dad (his grandfather), asking him to watch

Kelly Rodenbaugh, Youth Services Manager Mifflin County Library a

It’s a new year but I won’t know what cleanups we will be doing until next month at our regular meeting. If you would like to join us, we meet at Downtown OIP at 12:00 pm the second Tuesday of the month. We are currently looking for funding grants for this year’s river cleanup. I am writing this month about our totals for the previous river cleanups.

The first report was compiled

by Dan Dunmire who wrote the grant for us. The second report was written by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful in September 2016.

Juniata River Cleanup

In 2013 and 2014, the Mifflin County Conservation District secured grants from the Foundation for PA Watersheds and the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies to conduct River cleanups in Mifflin, Juniata, Perry and Huntingdon counties. Project partners included PACleanWays of Mifflin County. Keep PA Beautiful, Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful, Keep Juniata County Beautiful, and Keep Perry County Beautiful. A total of eight cleanup events were held over the two years, with two in each of the four counties. A total of 264 volunteers contributed 1,364 hours to cleanup approximately 9.5 miles of the Juniata River, removing and properly disposing or recycling

12.48 tons of trash and 1,227 discarded tires.

In 2015, three more cleanups were held in Mifflin, Juniata and Huntingdon counties. A total of 128 volunteers removed 13.31 tons of trash including 500 discarded tires from the bed and banks of the Juniata River.

Keep PA Beautiful Affiliates Remove over 12,000 Pounds of trash from the Juniata River 2016 Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliates, Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful, Keep Juniata County Beautiful, PACleanWays of Mifflin County, and Keep Perry County Beautiful hosted a monthlong cleanup initiative along the Juniata River in August. This was the fourth annual cleanup coordinated by the four affiliates. During this year’s event, over 100 volunteers collected 12,048 pounds of trash and 693 tires, weighing over 20,000 pounds, from sections of the Juniata River.

Waterway cleanups are unique in that there is a neverending accumulation of trash due to floodwaters and storm waters.

Fortunately, there are people willing to give their time and energy to do something about it. “Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful thanks our affiliates for making this an annual event,” expressed Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsyl-

vania Beautiful.

Since the inaugural river cleanup in 2012, the four Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful affiliates have collected over 61,000 pounds of trash and 2500 tires.

Nearly 500 volunteers have participated in the events. The Juniata River is a tributary of the Susquehanna River and is approximately 104 miles in length and provides many recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating and sightseeing.

PACleanWays of Mifflin County, KPB did two cleanups prior to the four county iniatives.

In those cleanups, they did an area near Musser Run and another near Jacks Creek in 2009 and cleaned up over 2200 tires. In 2011, three teams did a cleanup near the Lewistown Boat Ramp. Granville Fire Company Rescue squad cleaned up at the Granville Boat Ramp, and a group cleaned up from the Blind Camp to the Newton Hamilton Boat Ramp, with the Newton Wayne Fire Company Rescue squad in the river with them.

In all, between the two cleanups, volunteers collected nearly 2500 tires and nearly a ton of trash.

We wish to thank all our volunteers we couldn’t do it without them. ~Pam Sechrist, Affiliate Coordinator a

It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds.

The Roman Jew from page 6

Christianity. I find the presence of history and God to be oddly similar. We only see glimpses, but feel their essence and impact each day.

Exodus 34:20 says, “But He said, ‘you cannot see my face, for no man can see me and live!

Then the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand there on a rock; and it will come about, while My glory is passing by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. Then I will take back My hand away and you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen.’”

It seems that God instructs us to understand Him only after He has passed out of clear view, history is much the same. a

Samuel Adams

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of Roman occupation in God’s Land. In comparison, Saul of Tarsus was a sickly, self loathing figure, changing his colors like a chameleon. For better or worse, his letters penned in Greek lived on in Roman society and are the backbone of the modern Christian church in America.

Galatians 1:9 says, “If any man is preaching to you a Gospel other than what you have received (from me), he is to be accursed.”

About the Author

Currently residing in Mifflin County, I work as a material scientist with emphasis on analytical chemistry. I have a particular passion for studying the Roman era with respect to the origins of

23

The Valley, February 2017

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foster parent or adopt...you’ll love it too!

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The Valley, February 2017

24

Obtaining a Yield, Accepting Feedback and Slow, Small Solutions

I’m choosing to combine three principles that are fairly straight forward. The first principle is “Obtain a Yield” and the second is “Use Slow, Small Solutions,” and the third is “Accept Feedback and Respond to Change.”

When we look at permaculture from a gardening perspective, it’s an obvious assumption that we should obtain a yield from our efforts. As gardeners, we expect fruits, vegetables, mulch or some sort of useful end product. However, to look at it from a landscape design perspective, this isn’t necessarily true. Permaculture is differentiated from ecological

landscape design primarily by the assumption that we will be obtaining a yield. In ecological landscape design, the landscape itself is the useful end product. There are many places where this design is actually preferable to permaculture. For example, public spaces don’t have the daily maintenance and knowledgeable staff required to maintain a permaculture landscape, but can easily implement an ecological landscape.

The most notable ecological landscape is Central Park, as it was originally a rocky swampland and was transformed into the beautiful public space that it is now. The park was designed

to mimic landscapes such as the Catskill Mountains and the English countryside. It created an ecological haven for wildlife in the midst of an urban desert. It is, therefore, similar to a permaculture design in its efforts to balance a healthy ecosystem within an entirely manmade landscape. What it lacks, however, is plantings which produce a yield.

Complicating matters further, in permaculture design, you want to try to leave some area to ‘rewild’ if possible, or- if you’re fortunate—retain whatever wilderness you have onsite. The thought behind this is that even minimally visited areas are disturbed by

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humans and will have an impact on wildlife. So, keep in mind that you can choose to re-wild your landscape and create an ecological landscape, but without a yield, it is not permaculture.

The permaculture principle of “Slow, Small Solutions” is incredibly important as the infrastructure of the entire permaculture movement, in my opinion. It is part of the backbone of the ideology and ingrained into the practice so much to be inseparable.

Let me explain. Permaculture operates under the assumption that to do things correctly, you have to manage hundreds of tiny details to bring your landscape back in line with what works in nature.

No one can do this for an immediate, large-scale operation. It’s kind of like that old saying, “You can have it cheap, easy, or fast, but not all three.” Remember, in our

observation step we are to observe and interact. This fits in line perfectly with the next principle “Accept Feedback and Respond to Change.” Quite simply, if something isn’t working, change it.

That’s so much easier said than done, though.

One of my core complaints with environmentalists is that they so often see that there is a disparity between what we are doing and what is ideal, and they stubbornly insist that we make changes to conform to the ideal immediately, often overlooking the considerable economic costs and time that it would take to really implement new ideas. Don’t get me wrong here—I consider myself an environmentalist, too.

I simply want people to take an honest look at the hard work it will take to achieve our goals. It’s nothing to scoff at, and it certainly is not something to be derisive to others about.

In addition, it makes no sense economically to implement large, untested changes. Do not get discouraged that you don’t have the time or money to completely convert your yard right away. There is nothing wrong with taking your time in this process.

So what does this mean for

Continued on page 31

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The Valley, February 2017

The Great Horned Owl Bubo virginanus

The deep hollow hoot of a Great Horned Owl can easily break the silence of a bitter cold February night. Its hoot is an acknowledgment that nocturnal life continues on with the routine of finding food and surviving the harsh winter conditions. Although the landscape of dried joe-pye weed and barren trees seem lifeless, this is the time of high activity for Great Horned Owls. Feathered talons travel from branch to branch scanning the landscape and giving a series of deep hoots that echo through a cold night.

With maintaining a strong hold on a territory, courtship, and finding food for themselves on the side, Great Horned Owls are beginning, or have begun, what many birds are not even thinking about

at this time of year, mating.

Very few have been lucky to see Great Horned Owls perched in a far off tree or in a graceful flight across the roadside. When visiting family for the holidays in southern Lancaster County, I would often take a few hours to step away from the sugar snacks and post meal laziness to walk nearby Lancaster County Central Park. It was then that I encountered my first up-close sighting of a Great Horned Owl perched 30 feet above a nature trail.

This park comprises 544 aces of public recreation, woodland lots, garden plots, baseball fields, wildflower meadows, and a tributary of the Susquehanna River, Conestoga Creek. All these elements support the preferred nest-

ing territories of Great Horned Owls. The banks of the Conestoga have a healthy population of large sycamores that may have hosted breeding Red-tailed Hawks and American Crows from the previous nesting season. The wooded areas encompass wind-snapped dead standing trees and the open fields provide plenty of food to support a family of owls.

Southern Lancaster County is part of the Piedmont Region.

According to the Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas, this region and the Ridge and Valley had the highest density of Great Horned Owls during the eight-year survey. The regions with less frequent detections were deep interior forests of the north central counties, parts of the Poconos,

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This Great Horned Owl is a resident of Shavers Creek Environmental Center

and larger forested areas of the Ridge and Valley and Laurel Highlands. This large owl prefers fragmented areas, but is very adaptable to various habitats.

While working for the Idaho Fish and Game, I would often find a Great Horned Owl in a lone tree of the Bureau of Land Management grasslands or a rocky ledge that exposed the entire contents of the nest, including the fledglings.

They have also been seen taking advantage of old structures such as barns in the Midwest where trees are limited. With a bird of this size and the ability to adapt to many habitats, it is understandable that they are found across North and Central America.

This individual in the park was not detected easily. Its pres-

ence was given away not by the common hoot that one may think, but rather a duck-like squawk that was repeated every 8 to 10 seconds. As we all know, owls are well known for their vocalizations and in many situations it is the only way to identify them. But as sound recording technology has increased and as more researchers and naturalists are observing owl behavior, the more we are learning about the meanings behind each vocalization. Male advertisement, territorial defense, copulation solicitation, agitation, and food-begging are each connected to a unique vocalization.

In a workplace like Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, we are often told of experiences one

Continued on page 30

The Valley, February 2017

26

their cows tested to find out their genetics, but it is a simple test and just involves pulling a single tail diabetes in patients also suffering hair and sending it off to be tested. “leaky gut syndrome” (LGS). In Even though several Amish farms this scenario, tiny tears in the gut have changed over to straight A2 allow the rogue BCM7 protein to genetics, they are small family enter the system causing the body farms and not licensed to sell to to attack these cells with immune the public. Most barely produce cells often resulting in pain and enough for their families, and that inflammation, which starts yet anwas their reasoning for changother chain reaction of bad events ing—the health of their families. in our systems. This happens just So getting this nutritious benefito those adults suffering from cial milk is almost an impossibilLGS. Now consider that babies ity right now, but there is light on are normally afflicted with leaky the horizon. guts under a year old. Ever wit Alvin Peachey of Saddlers ness a formula fed baby doubling Run Farm over in Allensand ville (717winc483-6382) ing in is getting pain close to after being able feedto provide ing? I the valley have. I with fresh, wonorganic, der if A2 milk. breast Knowing fed this story babies Wouldn’t you like to know that the next time you en- would more experi- joy a nice cold glass of milk that it was working with than likely ence your system, not against it? promote an this as avalanche they are getting A2 proteins. of e-mails and phone calls to the

New studies also have shown paper, I thought involving him in a strong relationship between those might be a fun way to get 20 countries that use A1 milk to him to act sooner rather than later. diabetes and heart disease.

As Moses said, “if he starts get Researchers in New Zealand ting flooded with calls about A2 and Australia who first stumbled milk, he might see a good reason onto the A1 mutation have gone to move up his planned date.” on to found the A2 corporation,

As I saw progress in Moses’ which produces A2 dairy on a family and continued to do my recommercial scale and has grabbed search I am convinced, all milk is fully 8% of the Australian dairy NOT created equal. Why not call market and has helped fund studfor all dairy to be changed over ies looking for evidence to supto A2? Producers will produce port the claim of A2 being better what you are willing to pay for milk. and with over-all milk prices be The dairy industry as a ing down to scary levels recently, whole is going to resist change changing to A2 might be of some and may possibly be behind the financial help. In Europe now lack of information here in the people gladly pay 18% more for states about this issue, but the A2 milk. Might this be a profit ininformation is out there as the centive for more on farm sales of controversy has been raging for raw A2 milk? I think once people years in other countries. But the see the results, more will want the industry must see the writing on product. the wall as companies dealing in

A 2007 book authored by Bull semen are already keeping Keith Woodford called Devil in records of the A1/A2 genetics in the Milk: Health, and the Politheir lines, and 100% A2 holsteins tics of A1 and A2 Milk is a great have already been started to meet resource for those wishing to the future demand. So production expand their knowledge on the worries about switching breeds subject, just remember to call are unfounded. In fact, it would Alvin when you are finished readbe an easy feat for the farms using—you are going to want this ing robotic milkers to separate milk. the A2 milk from the A1 milk. A Sources: change-over could be fairly easily http://www.motherjones.com/ accomplished over time without a environment/2014/03/a1-milk-a2production decline. milk-america

I am not sure if any of the http://handpickednation.com/ robotic milking farms in the area what-is-a1-versus-a2-milk/ a would be interested in having

Is all Milk Created Equal from front page

And with the New Year comes New Year’s resolutions.

Most of these begin with getting healthier, eating better, exercising more, and shedding any excess weight and extra sugar gained over the holidays.

Those are all great, but the first step in getting healthy should be detoxifying. We need to rid the body of toxins so that it works easier and more effectively.

Whether you know it or not, your body is under attack daily from sources that you may not even be aware of. We are subjected daily to dangerous chemicals, pesticides, industrial toxins, pharmaceuticals and many other harmful substances that can cause incredible damage to our bodies. From the food you eat to the packaging you bring it home in, your body is accumulating toxins.

Over time they build up in the body and can start to cause life threatening diseases. As these potentially deadly substances build up in your body, it over-taxes your immune system and can possibly have serious consequences. Your lymph system can slow down, and it can put your kidneys on high alert every single day trying to deal with the sheer volume of toxins they have to try and process, and your gut health can start to erode as the digestive system starts to feel the effects.

If these toxins reach the bloodstream, they can become “free radicals” and some doctors believe that an unhealthy gut and digestive system under attack from these “free radicals” are the

basis for most modern chronic disease.

So let’s start the year out lessening your load and getting a CLEAN start to the year.

Every service that we offer has some amount of detoxing to it; some are more intense than others. Choices are:

*Ion cleanse detoxing footbath: The 30 minute Detox Footbath can pull toxins out of the body and identify where the body is releasing the toxins. This naturally stimulating and relaxing session is based on ionization of water and osmosis to draw toxins from the body.

*Far infrared sauna: The 20-30 minute Far Infrared sauna session 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.

*Amethyst BioMat: Thirty minutes on the Amethyst BioMat provides deep penetrating Far Infrared rays and negative ions that help reduce inflammation, stress, tension and aches and pains and is capable of stimulating the cells of our nervous and musculoskeletal systems.

*And of course anytime you use our amazing Salt Room, it’s a great detox for the lungs and respiratory system. Himalayan Salt is rich in negative ions and minerals. These negative ions are necessary for a healthy body. Dur-

ing a salt room session, 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. During your 45 minute session, you will relax in comfortable chairs, listen to soothing music, and breathe air that is saturated with 84 minerals and trace elements. We have created a unique micro-climate rich in minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, bromine, and iodine by importing over 11 tons of therapeutic salt from Pakistan and Poland.

Many people choose to add additional cleanses by using an internal cleanse in combination. We have several take home choices as well!

By doing a full body cleanse, you’ll be jump starting your body’s natural immune system, which has many benefits including giving you more energy.

Call us today for an appointment to get your year started on a healthier path.

From all of us at Simply Health, we wish you the BEST HEALTH in 2017!!!

NOW OFFERING Spa parties Friday evenings 5pm-7pm.

Call for availability!

Minimum 6 people and a maximum of 16.

For more info visit http://simplyhealth-calm.com a

Less Government means more Liberty

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The Valley, February 2017 was also a former writing instructor at Penn State) has written other famous Civil War historical fictions that you may be familiar with [*Stand-alone Novels]---below is a list of ALL of this prolific author’s books:

Mail Pouch Books

by Carleen B. Grossman FATES AND TRAITORS

By Jennifer Chiaverini Copyright September 2016 400 pages Fates and Traitors follows the life of John Wilkes Booth. This novel starts with his childhood, giving background information about his parents, their relationship and family. Then the novel looks at the four women who helped to shape John Wilkes Booth’s life; his mother, his sister, his fiancée and the woman who owned the boarding house where John and his friends plotted to assassinate President Lincoln.

John Wilkes Booth may be one of the most notorious villains in American history, but as a reader you will discover color and life in historical scenes you “think” are already familiar to you. These

instances are helped along by a sense of anticipation about what will ultimately happen! Booth becomes more than a player on the stage of history. He becomes a human that you care about because the novel has drawn you into his life. The author imagines the fate of the traitor’s loved ones and thus pulls the readers into a history they didn’t know they missed.

This historical fiction is well researched and based in fact.

Though many books tell a great deal about the Civil War and

John Wilkes Booth’s sister

Jennifer Chiaverini Books

Abraham Lincoln, the motivations of the President’s assassin are not often discussed. The reader is allowed to imagine the inner thoughts of John Wilkes Booth.

However, the women whose lives Booth affects take center stage.

In her own way, each one of the women loves Booth, yet each one ultimately suffers because of his crime.

The author, Jennifer Chiaverini, had me totally engrossed in this book from the first page; I wanted to know more about John Wilkes Booth and the people connected to him. Chiaverini (who

John Wilkes Booth’s fiance

Home Nursing Agency Announces Growth of Hospice Program, re-branding as Family Hospice and Palliative Care

Home Nursing Agency is pleased to announce the growth of its hospice program and rebranding as Family Hospice and Palliative Care, Part of UPMC HNA. Earlier this year, Family Hospice and Palliative Care, headquartered in Mount Lebanon, PA, was integrated into UPMC as part of Home Nursing Agency, expanding the combined service area for hospice care from 11 to 20 counties in Western and Central Pennsylvania. The combined program serves 4,000 patients annually and is the largest notfor-profit hospice provider in the Commonwealth.

Family Hospice and Palliative Care became one of Western Pennsylvania’s first hospice

providers in 1980 and has a rich history of serving patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families, focusing on optimal quality of life for patients.

“Home Nursing Agency is a trusted provider of home health and hospice services in our region,” explains Phil Freeman, Home Nursing Agency president.

“As our services have expanded through the decades, our focus and expertise on hospice and palliative care have grown stronger.

Aligning our hospice brand with Family Hospice offers the distinct opportunity to feature our commitment to this unique and tremendously important mission, across all of the geographies that we serve.”

As a program of Home Nursing Agency, Family Hospice will continue to serve patients with the same trusted level of care that has been offered in this region since 1983 when Home Nursing Agency

became the first home health agency in Pennsylvania to also be Medicare-certified as a hospice provider. Hospice services will continue to be delivered by the same employees and volunteers as

The Truth Has No Agenda

Publication Order of Elm Creek Quilts Books The Quilter’s Apprentice (1999) Round Robin (2000) The Cross-Country Quilters(2001) The Runaway Quilt (2002) The Quilter’s Legacy (2003) The Master Quilter (2004) The Sugar Camp Quilt (2005) The Christmas Quilt (2005) Circle of Quilters (2006) The Quilter’s Homecoming (2007) The New Year’s Quilt (2007) The Winding Ways Quilt (2008) The Quilter’s Kitchen (2008) The Lost Quilter (2009)

A Quilter’s Holiday (2009) The Aloha Quilt (2010) The Union Quilters (2011) The Wedding Quilt (2011) Sonoma Rose (2012) The Giving Quilt (2012) Publication Order of *Standalone Novels Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker (2013) The Spymistress (2013) Mrs. Lincoln’s Rival (2014) Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule (2015) Christmas Bells (2015) Fates and Traitors (2016) Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books Elm Creek Quilts (2002) Return to Elm Creek (2004) More Elm Creek Quilts (2008) Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts (2009) Traditions from Elm Creek Quilts (2011) a

The boarding house owner

part of the larger HNA continuum of care with no interruption of services. Home Nursing Agency’s home health, behavioral health and other supportive programs continue to be offered under the Home Nursing Agency name.

“As a 30-year employee of Home Nursing Agency, I have seen the organization grow and evolve firsthand,” shares Kathy Baker, vice president of Family Hospice. “We look forward to continuing to provide compassionate care and quality services to the residents of our region. With access to the extensive resources of the UPMC Palliative and Supportive Institute, we are also able to better serve our patients and families as they cope with chronic, life-limiting illnesses.”

About Home Nursing Agency: Serving more than 21,500 individuals of all ages throughout Central Pennsylvania last year, Home Nursing Agency is the region’s premier not-for-profit provider of home healthcare, hospice and community-based services. Founded in 1968, Home Nursing Agency employs nearly 1,000 healthcare professionals who care for families with the highest quality of customer service. Home Nursing Agency’s ability to serve Central PA patients, clients and families was strengthened with the integration as part of UPMC Community Provider Services in 2013. Call Home Nursing Agency at 1-800445-6262 or visit www.homenursingagency.com for more information. Home Nursing Agency is a United Way partner agency in Bedford County, Blair County, Huntingdon County and the Laurel Highlands. a

The Valley, February 2017

28

Life in the East End

him and told him we were contaminated here. She was worried if they came, they would all end up sick too. We really missed him and his family, but we might still be able to

by Rebecca Harrop butcher again this winter, so maybe they can come

January was an interesting Saturday, she put Clorox wipes in then. month in the East End. The the bathroom and Clorox spray in

Mom and I also went month started out pretty quiet then the kitchen and told everyone to to the State Fair ConvenEmily and Nicole got the dreaded wipe and spray everything before tion this year. That was stomach bug that has been going and after they used the bathroom a good experience. We learned around. Poor kids were so sick. and sinks. I think some people some new things for our Fair this Then Ernie and Joann got it. Then thought she was nuts. Ben wasn’t year. There will be some changes Thursday of that week, I got it. feeling that great Saturday and he for our Open Show Baking conOh boy, that stuff was awful. I did get sick that night into Suntests and I will have more on that haven’t been that sick in years! I day, but other than him, I really in my next article. We have to didn’t have much of an appetite don’t think anyone else got sick, work out the details for our rule for a week afterwards and I hurt so I guess her craziness worked. book so I don’t want put it out all over. We were butchering that Honestly, I wouldn’t wish that there until we have it down. I can Saturday and Mom was worried nasty stuff on my worst enemy. It tell you this year’s Quilt Block about getting sick so she didn’t was horrible. contest Theme is Blue & Gold. babysit that Thursday. She was

We did butcher on the The blocks will be used to create running around with this solution 14th. We did three hogs this a quilt honoring the FFA organizashe always keeps, of dawn and year. Mom’s friend, Jimmy from tion. Next year the FFA organizaClorox, wiping the door handles, New Jersey, didn’t get to come tion will celebrate 100 years. The the commode, all the faucets and this year. It was calling for bad quilt will be part of next year’s sinks. Before we butchered on weather that day, plus Mom called Benefit Auction, so if you are an FFA student, alumni or one at The heart, consider entering a couple quilt blocks to make PRESENTS this quilt. You definitely want to be at the sale to bid on the quilt.

On the subject of FFA, there are some major changes coming to our local Ag 830 East Bishop Street, Bellefonte, PA program at the Academy of Mozart Symphony No. 39 Science & Technology. As an Mozart Clarinet Concerto alumni of that Chevalier de Saint Georges, program, I am deeply saddened Symphony No. 2 Op. 11 by the path it Moran Katz appears the Clarinet soloist School Board is Yaniv Attar, Music Director taking. I know it hasn’t always “ I am thrilled to present this season been the best of noteworthy musical intersections: program and classical standards, mixed with there have been lesser known works; our issues over the outstanding musicians, sharing years, but hon$30 at the door estly, I believe it the stage with international $5 for children 16 and is very sad when virtuosos, right here in under with paid adult agriculture plays beautiful, State College.” such a major role in our counties economy, This concert is sponsored by the and we may Arthur J. Curtze Foundation not have an Ag program. I don’t know the For online tickets go to CentreOrchestra.org or call 814-234-8313.

Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra

MOSTLY MOZART Sunday, February 19 at 3:00 pm Bellefonte High School Auditorium

25

$

in advance

Less Government means more Liberty

answer to this situation, but there has to be a better one than what I heard proposed at the School Board meeting a couple weeks ago. I encourage you to call the Administration and School Board members and let them know they need to keep the Ag Program.

It’s that time of year again to be thinking of what seeds to plant in the garden this year. The seed companies have been arriving and packs of seeds are appearing in

the Lawn & Garden stores.

It’s a nice time to check them out in an unhurried fashion. In a couple months they will be picked over, so get in and pick yours now while you have the greatest selection.

I encourage you to enter your flowers and vegetables in the Mifflin County Youth Fair Open Show in August. We have lots of categories for gardeners, bakers and crafters to enter. You can always check the Mifflin County Youth Fair Open Show page on “Facebook” for more details on all the things you can enter at the Mifflin County Youth Fair Open Show.

January was a busy month in the East End and it looks to be just as busy in February. That’s all for now from the East End. a

The Valley, February 2017

The Truth Has No Agenda

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The Valley, February 2017

30 Our Yesteryears from page 14

Latrobe, and Blairsville on his way to Lewistown.

Roosevelt was in an interparty struggle with the Conservative wing of the Republican Party, as he fought for the Republican Nomination. Earlier that day, he told a gathering of 5,000 people in Johnstown to vote their conscience in the Pennsylvania Primary, “You cannot get a square deal from party bosses…I want you to show me as they did in Illinois…that you are able to govern yourselves.”

That election of 1912 proved to be a rare four-way contest.

Incumbent President William Howard Taft was re-nominated by the Republican Party with the support of its conservative wing.

After former President Theodore Roosevelt failed to receive the Republican nomination, he called his own convention and created the Progressive Party (nicknamed the “Bull Moose Party”). It nominated Roosevelt and ran candidates for other offices in major states. Democrat Woodrow Wilson was finally nominated on the 46th ballot of a contentious convention, thanks to the support of William Jennings Bryan, the three-time Democratic presidential candidate who still had a large and loyal following

Great Horned Owl from page 25 may have of a mysterious owl call heard from their bedroom window or hunting camp. Too often an explanation of what they think is a Barn Owl scream, is actually a Great Horned Owl or Barred Owl juvenile food-begging call.

One incident occurred during the Shaver’s Creek annual fundraiser, The Birding Cup. A team had reported a harsh scream from a woodlot, in which the participants immediately identified it as a Barn Owl. The following day, I had spoken with the landowner and he brought to my attention that no Barn Owl or Great Horned Owl have historically nested on their property. It was later confirmed as a young Barred Owl contact call.

The squawking that I heard that day in the park may have indicated a female contacting a mate or its fledglings. Courtships and pair bonding take place in autumn and are known for females initiating the calls and by early winter, vocalizations increase and egg laying may begin. I would have suspected that this individual was a female communicating with its mate and egg laying was not yet started.

If one is lucky enough to

in 1912. It is the last election in which a former, or incumbent, President (Roosevelt) ran for the office without being nominated as either a Democrat or Republican.

It is also the last election in which an incumbent President running for re-election (Taft) failed to finish either first or second in the popular vote count.

Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party carried Mifflin County by a wide margin and won all of Pennsylvania’s electoral votes.

Despite Roosevelt’s loss, his visit here was fondly recalled over the years. There are several photographic views of that visit taken at Lewistown Junction and printed as postcards.

As the special train left Lewistown, Roosevelt, the Old Rough Rider and man who made his mark as a cowboy in the Dakotas in the 1880s, insisted that the train stop in the Lewistown Narrows. Col. Roosevelt wanted to see the spot of the well-known Great Train Robbery of 1909 that occurred between Lewistown and Hawstone, an event that made national news.

NEXT MONTH: The story of Mifflin County’s own United Service Organization or USO during World War II that hosted thousands of service personnel from 1943 to 1946. a observe such behavior, take advantage of the moment. Finding a Great Horned Owl nest is not easy. Revisit the nest with caution and respect. Those moments can give a naturalist or a landowner an opportunity to record intriguing behavior of raising owlets. Write down, draw or journal your observations. Your descriptions may be read for generations down the road and can be a valuable tool in understanding our wildlife.

John Burroughs, a naturalist from New York, spent many years exploring the birds, streams, and trees of the Catskill Mountains.

He discovered that an individual does not need to travel across our continent or explore new trails each day to appreciate our surroundings. Take the same path or sit on the same log. See the changes throughout the week or seasons.

“To learn something new, take the path that you took yesterday.” - John Burroughs Jon Kauffman Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center 814-865-4115 Jvk5019@psu.edu a

It’s time to update your online security What? You don’t have any?

Time to get crackin!

Most of us wouldn’t dream of leaving our car doors or the front door of our homes unlocked. So why would you do the equivalent of that with your computer or home network?

Savvy tech thieves are looking to gain access through any available portal. Just like the bolt on the front door of your house, security software provides a barrier against intrusion and unauthorized use. And, you don’t have to be a computer security expert or spend a lot to protect your computer and the personal information it contains.

Install anti-virus software

Installing a good anti-virus program from a highly rated company is step number one.

Do the research on these yourself, and don’t buy security software that comes to you via a pop-up message or email, even — and especially if — they claim your computer has a problem.

These offers are no different than the unsolicited salesman who comes knocking on the door of your home. Clicking on them opens a door to your precious information.

Thankfully, many companies that make reputable programs offer free versions to home com-

Central PAHikes from page 15

Crossing over the trails namesake, you will reach the end of the trail at 0.9 miles. Continue straight here, following the gravel Laurel Run Road.

Please exercise caution while walking on Laurel Run Road.

The road here is narrow with steep drop-offs on the northern side. There isn’t much room for automobiles to get off the road, so make sure to allow them plenty of space to pass.

At 1.3 miles Laurel Run Road makes a sharp turn to the right at a turn-a-bout. Turn right here and continue following Laurel Run Road. At 1.6 miles you will come upon the trail you hiked in on.

Turn left on Galbraith Gap Trail and retrace your steps back to the parking area. This circuit hike is 2 miles long and will take a bit over an hour to complete. a

Less Government means more Liberty

By Michael A. Buffington puter users. Check out: Avast!

Free Antivirus, AVG Anti-Virus Free, and MSE for starters. Other good options (although not free) are F-Secure and McAfee.

If you already have antivirus software installed, check to be sure it’s updated and set to continue updating automatically.

Use a router with a firewall

Most routers come with an array of security features, including a firewall. As its name implies, a firewall establishes a barrier between a secure internal network and an unknown network, analyzing information to determine whether it should pass through the wall.

Keep in mind that while firewalls may block outside threats, they don’t identify or remove items, and aren’t a substitute for a good anti-virus program.

Software firewalls are included with Windows and Mac operating systems. Be sure yours is turned on, and never turn it off.

Also, be sure to check your router’s operating system (the “firmware”) for updates on occasion.

Be careful what you click on

Many viruses come through email attachments, so exercise

common sense and caution. Don’t click on that “You just won a million bucks!” attachment — delete the whole email immediately! You know your contacts and the type of electronic information they typically send. If an email subject or message doesn’t sound like them, delete it and let them know their account may have been hacked.

Block or unsubscribe your address from unwelcome or suspicious senders.

If you’ve been hacked, you’ve got your work cut out for you. Start by going to the Federal Trade Commission website (www. consumer.ftc.gov), which has a great page on identity theft and how to cope with it.

Back it up!

Finally, back up your files regularly in one or more ways.

Copy them onto a disc or external hard drive, or store them in the cloud. That way you’ll always have access, no matter the security threat.

Michael Buffington is the President of One-Stop Communications in Lewistown, provider of Exede Internet.

Visit their store on Electric Avenue or www.onestop.biz for more information. a

31

The Valley, February 2017 Obtaining a Yield, Accepting Feedback and Slow, Small Solutions from page 24

Quality of Place

permaculture? In my opinion, it means permaculture meets you where you are. If you are a homeowner who has a lawn service come to spray your lawn every week, has only ornamental exotics planted, and relies solely on the community utility supply, maybe you simply start by educating yourself about the impact of broad-spectrum pesticides and herbicides on the overall benefi-

by

Rhonda S. Moore

I recently attended an Economic Development Forum hosted by First Energy. There were several great presenters, but one particular bit of information delivered that day by Dennis Burnside, President of Juniper CRE Solutions, had a profound effect on me.

Mr. Burnside’s company works with both businesses and communities in providing real estate advice and location strategy assistance. He talked about what businesses and industries are looking for when they are searching for a new location. Behind the obvious “bricks and mortar” requirements, they are looking for “quality of place” for their employees. He added that it is difficult to recruit highly-skilled employees to relocate to an area if there is not a high “quality of place.”

How many times have you heard someone question why

money is spent on streetscape improvements, parks, fountains, etc. and not on creating jobs? The answer to that question is twofold.

First of all, most of these projects are grant-funded, and so the money can only be used for those specific purposes. Those that are not grant-funded, are privately funded. The second part of the answer is this—it does help create jobs! Every improvement we see in our area adds to the “quality of place” value seen by those considering our area as their future location.

You may be thinking, so what can I do as a business or individual to help our “quality of place” improve? Did you know that often times a prospective business/industry will send someone into an area they are considering as a future site to talk with unsuspecting residents to see what their opinion is on the area?

If you were asked that question,

Rhonda was recently appointed as the new Chamber Executive Director after working for 13 years as the administrative coordinator. She lives in downtown Lewistown with her husband Tom and dog Finley

what would your answer be? Can you see the positives around you?

Are you doing what you can to make the Juniata River Valley a better place? Take a look at your own property, be sure it is well maintained. Let’s all strive to do our part, we are stronger together!

I will leave you with a quote from Mr. Burnside: “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success!”

Rhonda S. Moore Executive Director Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce a

The Truth Has No Agenda

cial insect and microbiota population. Or, if you are someone who plants a garden each year, perhaps you begin to look for ways to reuse garden waste and set up a rain barrel. If you’re well on your way with your journey, maybe it’s time for you to really dig in and see what you can accomplish.

The point is, as I alluded in a past article, a permaculture landscape is constantly evolving.

Static landscapes are not where life happens! So, start small. See what happens, and make adjustments. a

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The Valley, February 2017

Less Government means more Liberty