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The Valley, June 2017
An Old Friend Gets A New Name!
Since 2004, Stone Arch Real Estate has been known in the Mifflin County area as a name that is a “Symbol of Quality.” Today, the business has taken on a new name and a new brand affiliation— we are now Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate - Stone Arch Realty. This new affiliation with a well-known brand that has been in American homes since 1924 came about due to a desire to grow and expand our business and services to our clients. Owner Kim Rickert was looking for ways to keep up with the needs of their clients who are not only expecting quality service, but also expect the best in technology from their agents. Sellers want their homes to be professionally represented on the internet, social media and in print. Buyers want an agent that offers help with their home search, not just in Mif-
flin County, but nearby Centre County, Juniata County and Blaire County, to name just a few. Rickert felt the best way to provide all of these things would be to partner with a real estate office in Centre County, and as a result Stone Arch Real Estate has merged with GSA Realty in State College, owned by Chuck Gambone and Tommy Songer III. Together, the two separate companies are now joined together and can provide service at their offices in Lewistown, State College and Tyrone. WHY MAKE THE CHANGE? In the past few years, more franchise real estate companies
are springing up in the area, and many of our clients feel that they can be better represented by a “brand name.” The fact is, a franchise can offer more coverage to a home seller by providing networking with agents in other areas. Working with agents in other counties has become more important as transportation makes it feasible to live in one county and work in the next one. With our affiliation with a State College office, our buyer clients can be sure that their agent will have the resources to inform the buyer about neighborhoods, school districts, ordinances or any information they need to make a decision
on a home. WHY BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE? It’s all about being a “lifestyle” brand. Generations of people have turned to Better Homes and Gardens every day for the latest in design trends, recipes, outdoor style and information to help create a more rich and stylish life. As such, we are the only brand in real estate that is a relevant, meaningful part of consumers’ lives 365 days a year—not just when they are thinking about buying or selling a home. An award-winning lifestyle
website, bhgrealestate.com, offers an innovative listing and community search, real estate trend information, planning tools and unique lifestyle content. Our agents have exclusive access to PinPoint, a database of 100 million consumers that allow them to conduct direct marketing campaigns to top consumer segments including first-time home-buyers, empty nesters, and many other segments of buyers or sellers. CORE VALUES “One of the things that struck me immediately was that the Core Values of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate lined up with the values of Stone Arch Real Estate,” broker Kim Rickert says. Those values are known by the acronym: PAIGE
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Veritas vos Liberabit
The Valley, June 2017
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Editor’s Corner Wayne Stottlar Wow! What gorgeous weather we have been having. Not those two days when it was close to 90s, but since then, perfect New Hampshire summer weather—mid 70s, rain often enough to keep everything growing well, cool nights for sleeping—perfect by my standards. It could stay like this until October for all I care. The persistent rain has managed to give us a great Locust bloom for my bees! Oh I will complain about having to mow grass every five days, but old guys get a pass on that kind of thing. You know early summer is here for sure when strawberries are available from local fields. We have been through six quarts already in the last week. We buy our strawberries up at Hostetler’s Naturals at 260 Stage Road in Milroy, off of Back Mountain Rd. In fact, we buy a lot of things
up there as we appreciate the labor he puts in to give us healthful, nutritious, organically grown food. He would never admit it, but we think his strawberries are something special. Our salads always taste better as well when we get our greens there. Everything there is NONGMO and chemical free! It helps our cause when we support those doing the right thing. It is also very cool when friends and others who read The Valley actually respond to our efforts with honeybees. We have had
Below: A small portion of the swarm we saved from Wm Penn’s Courtyard, the swarm went up the whole tree— thanks Corinna!
many readers call us over the last couple years concerning swarms. Sometimes the stars "WALK" in to Walker & Waker Equipment II align and we have been able to safely for ALL your lawn, garden and landscape equipment needs! hive the swarm and give them a safe place to live. Last We have trailer, used equipment and rentals too! Tuesday the 30th of May, a friend at William Penn contacted me saying she had a huge swarm of bees there in their courtyard. My first question to anyone is always, “are they honeybees”? Most say I don’t know for sure, which is com-
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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.
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
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The Valley, June 2017 you’ll have to copy the link of my source and look it up on your own.
Back Talk by Dr. Joseph Kauffman
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is When the topic of whether to vaccinate comes up, I have stayed silent these days. From the different viewpoints people have, it seems that each has their own opinion. Expressing personal points of view causes many people to get offended to the point of friendships being ruined. Our society has become a generation of people who have no skin let alone rough skin. Hurt feelings tend to absolve relationships. What happened to our society? Why can we not agree to disagree and move on? If you do not agree with a certain topic that I write about and it offends you, move on and read something else. If you wish to discuss it, whether you agree or disagree, feel free to email me. I always post my email address at the end of each column. But, don’t be personally offended. Everyone has an opinion and are entitled to that opinion. Taking this into consideration, I came across something that those who are on the fence concerning vaccinations might be interested in learning and hopefully it’s thought-provoking enough that each person who finds it intriguing will look up the cited source and research it on his/her own. I’d even go as far as thinking that those who are staunch in their view of being pro-vaccine might be intrigued enough to look it up, also. When I am involved in a discussion on the topic of vaccinations, one of the points that those who are for vaccines likes
to use is that all vaccines are safe and effective. Even when I point out that no amount of formaldehyde or mercury in a vaccine is a good amount, they are very quick to try to argue the fact. Upon looking at topics today, I found a law office that prosecutes vaccine manufacturers for injuries caused by vaccines. Over the past three years, they have had 483 cases tried! FOUR HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE CASES!!! The winnings from those cases totaled over $200 MILLION!!! “Our attorneys have recovered more than $200 million dollars for vaccine injured clients over the past 3 years. In fact, we obtained the highest single compensation award in Vaccine Act history for one of our clients.” There are two tabs on the webpage to click to read more information about two of their biggest cases: 1) a $61 million settlement 2) a $14 million settlement over a lifetime. Below these tabs are the list of each case dating back three years where you can click on the settlement to read more about each case. The vaccines being sued for include: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Influenza, Pneumococcal, Meningococcal, Tdap, Tetanus, MMR, HPV, Rotavirus, Pneumonia, and the Flu Shot. The $61 million case was for a vaccine given to all babies twice within the first 6 months of life, unless the parents choose otherwise. The $14 million case was for a shot given to many Americans every year. To find out which ones were sued AND won,
sate the claim from the vaccine trust fund. 3. If the government agencies do not agree to compensation, the Court of Federal Claims decides whether compensation of the injured person from the vaccine trust fund is appropriate.
“What is the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program?
Who Can File a Claim? •You may file a claim if you received a vaccine covered by the NVICP and believe that you were injured by this vaccine. •You may also file a claim if you are a parent or legal guardian of a child or disabled adult who received a vaccine covered by the VICP and believe that the person was injured by this vaccine. •You may file a claim if you are the legal representative of the estate of a deceased person who received a vaccine covered by the VICP and believe that the person’s death resulted from the vaccine injury. •It is not necessary to be a United States citizen to be eligible for compensation. •Some people who receive vaccines outside of the U.S. may be eligible for compensation. In addition, to be eligible to file a claim, the effects of the person’s injury must have: 1. Lasted for more than 6 months after the vaccine was given; or 2. Resulted in a hospital stay and
Vaccine reactions are extremely rare, but like with all pharmaceuticals, unexpected side effects can occur. When a vaccination triggers a severe reaction in an adult or a child, help is available. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP) was created by Congress in 1986 after a series of lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers threatened to create vaccine shortages. Now, decades later, this federal trust fund has paid out billions of dollars in damages to thousands of people suffering from adverse reactions to vaccinations. How does the NVICP work? If a vaccine caused a severe injury, compensation is available from the $3 billion vaccine trust fund. Eligibility is decided by the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, DC. 1.First, a lawsuit must be brought in the United States Court of Federal Claims against the Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services. 2.Second, Department of Justice attorneys and Department of Health & Human Services physicians decide whether to compen-
surgery; or 3. Resulted in death. There is no age restriction on who may file a claim. Anyone who got a vaccine that’s covered by the NVICP, no matter their age, can file a claim . Which Vaccines are Covered? Tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines (DTaP, Tdap, DTP-Hib, DT, Td, TT) Pertussis antigen-containing vaccines (DTaP, Tdap, DTP, P, DTP-Hib) Measles, mumps and rubella virus-containing vaccines in any combination (MMR, MR, M, R) Rubella virus-containing vaccines (MMR, MR, R) Measles virus-containing vaccines (MMR, MR, M) Polio live virus vaccines (OPV) Hepatitis B antigen-containing vaccines (Engerix-B, Recombivax HB, Twinrix) Hemophilus influenzae (type b polysaccharide conjugate vaccines) Varicella vaccine (Varivax chickenpox virus vaccine and ProQuad) Rotavirus vaccine (Rota Teq) Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (Prevnar) Hepatitis A vaccines (Havrix, VAQTA, and Twinrix) Trivalent influenza vaccines (Flu vaccines including FluMist, a
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The Valley, June 2017
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Summer Gardening Someone recently asked me if I liked to garden, and the answer was, Yes! But after a little thought, I added a disclaimer. I like to garden when the weather is cool or comfortable and not when it’s 90 degrees and humid! That being said, this spring and early summer have been great for gardening. Over Memorial Day weekend I planted my window boxes and planters and some other annuals Million Gold Melampodim around the oak tree in (June 3-4), we had a gorgeous my front yard, and I also Saturday that I could have spent spread a little mulch. It was a trimming dead daffodils out of the perfect day to be outside enjoyflowerbeds, or pulling yet more ing the gorgeous weather with weeds, but here I am working on temps in the upper 70s. Even at the newspaper. that temperature though, I found Last month, I helped Wayne myself breaking a sweat a couple get ready to plant the vegetable times and that’s not my favorite garden by removing last year’s thing! dead crops and pulling the weeds Once again this weekend
that decided to take over in the early spring. I enjoy spending time in the dirt and seeing the fruits of my labor when the vegetable plants start to produce their bounty. I also enjoy watching the flowers multiply and provide a colorful display for me and the bees to enjoy all summer long. What I don’t enjoy is the daily watering in the dog days of summer when rain seems to take a long
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All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
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The Valley, June 2017
Journal Entry Holy Land Trip by Mike Rybacki
While we were lodging in the south Sinai Peninsula on a recent trip to the Middle East on February 9th, we unknowingly escaped a near miss when four rockets were fired (ISIS claim) from the north Sinai (Gaza vicinity) towards Israel’s southern Red Sea city of Eilat a mere day before our tour group passed through it. When we did safely pass through Eilat, we witnessed an awesome site to behold: a multi-billion dollar desalinization plant along the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. The plant is part of a system which tags Israel as the world’s leader in this area. This trip also included visits to the top two possible sites of Jesus’ crucifixion and burial,
ries of this trip was experiencing the traffic patterns in and around Cairo, Egypt. Imagine a city of 18 million souls (plus another 3.5 million more for the adjacent area of Giza just across the Nile). Add to that some 4.5 million vehicles (equal to half of all registered passenger cars in Pennsylvania) in that same general area. Add again streets and highways filled with pedestrians, horses, and animal drawn carts, motorcycles (some having 3-people on board!), motor scooters too many to count, TukTuks (little three-wheeled contrivances), buses, trucks of all sizes, and a wide variety of cars. Then, take away stop signs, pavement markings, and traffic signals (I
business. Putting my energy cap on and pondering this situation a bit fur-
ther, it struck me how much of a noninsignificant energy issue it is for many municipalities struggling to figure out ways to reduce their electric-
Nightime traffic wasn’t much different; we never saw a fender bender the entire two days spent there.
Traffic in Egypt can best be described as semi-organized chaos, but it seems to work.
Mike visiting Giza on the preferred method of transportation.
yet alas, did not solve the still existing quandary: was it the Garden Tomb or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher? With our own eyes, after climbing to the top of Mt. Nebo in the hills of Moab on the east side of the river in Jordan, I saw the promised land, a panoramic vista including a line of site to the Dead Sea, the caves of Qumran, Masada, the hills before the land of Galilee, and Jerusalem off in to the distance – vistas which seem to have changed little since the time of Moses. I witnessed the beauty of the area of the three springs that create the Jordan River’s living waters beyond the hills of Lebanon in the Golan Heights at the base of 9,232 foot high Mt. Hermon, which is a handful of miles from the Syrian border. Yet after accounting for all this, one of my most vivid memo-
only saw one traffic signal during a 2 ½-day period and even that was only an amber blinker). What really blows my mind is that, somehow, it works. Our tour group witnessed no accidents, no fender benders, no persons or animals hit or otherwise run over, and seemingly a lower frequency of sirens than those heard on a typical State College day. After about the second day, it occurred to me that each days’ traffic movement was akin to weaving a new carpet. The warf of the parallel movements of traffic undulated left and right, up and down as each individual thread made its way to its final destination. Similarly, all the while the woof of the cross traffic did its own thing. The crossing threads did not destroy each other. Everything just, well, blended together, creating anew during the course of each day’s
The Truth Has No Agenda
ity costs of running traffic signals (whether they be LED networks or solar powered battery back-up mechanisms). In conclusion, while our local governments scurry about in their own attempts to fund the powering of our traffic signaling
infrastructure, places like Cairo have already figured it out, the zero energy way. Epilogue: My eyes may have seen the last of this cultural enigma, for, alas, although our Egyptian guide explained that within the guise of their country’s modernization agenda, on the chopping block is to replace old systems such as these – ones to which most of us, here in the western world, are accustomed. A price, however, comes with it. a
The Valley, June 2017
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burg College, affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, in a pre ministerial course of study. Upon graduation, I enrolled in Western Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, and Carol was employed as a secretary to the credit manager of Gimbel’s Department Store, downtown. Her earnings provided our living support and some scholarship funds were available to ministerial students. Her secretarial skills continued to assist my education as she typed all of my themes and papers through college and seminary. One seminary professor required that every student submit a ‘Church History Notebook,” which consumed (I kid you not), a whole ream of typing paper. Then, as we began our ministry in the field, as it was called, for the next twelve years, she was the unpaid secretary for our first two parishes, consisting of eight individual congregations. Our first formal ministry was a five church parish, served by myself and two seminary students. Our older son, now employed by Bucknell University was born there while we lived in a nearly two hundred year old, and drafty, parsonage. After two years, I had the opportunity to be called to be the sole pastor of a three church parish right here in Mifflin County. After ten years of the three Sunday morning services, (9:00, 10:00, and 11:15) and the
birth of another son, Paul, and our daughter, Laurel, we relocated to Lake Erie Presbytery. Rev. William Parsons was the Presbytery Executive there at that time. Two congregations in a yoked field occupied my time and ministry there. Carol’s secretarial skills continued to be utilized by the local “K-12” public school as secretary to the principal. We both retired in 1993. (Carol took leave reluctantly, having spent many years in the company of nearly 300 young people and teachers). Now we live in our log house out here in Treaster Valley. Carol is continuing with her painting in oils, acrylic, and water colors. I have been invited to join the staff of the Lewistown Presbyterian Church as visitation minister. One would think that at this point in this article, I should begin to relate some statistics and numbers: such as how many sermons, baptisms, confirmations (and unfortunately funerals) that have been recorded. Instead, I believe that it is more important to remember the blessings we have received from those to whom we have hoped to minister. May I list a few? In our first parish, I remember a parishioner who came to our door in my absence and handed Carol a pair of nice fryers (chickens) with the wish that we may enjoy them on our menu. It was not discovered until some later that they were still alive. Carol pardoned them from ever reaching our dinner table. There also comes to mind a young couple whom I had united in marriage who entrusted me to have a memorial service for their first-born child who had lived only
a day.. Another family invited me to pray and affirm eternity at the graveside of their 102 old Grandmother. We are grateful for the many people who have shown us the way to: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep” -Romans 12:15 In a less ecclesiastical vein, we have been privileged to participate in the arts and crafts world. Carol, with her paints, brings the canvas to life. I, in woodwork, try to uncover the beauty in a piece of wood. A most memorial event was being asked to construct a centerpiece for the inaugural dinner of a new president of Geneva College. With Carol’s design and my tools, we accomplished the task. If I may boast, Carol’s flowers and my turnings have found favor far and wide. Everyone has something to share. In sharing, we are rewarded. The words of The Apostle Paul, “Remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive’” Acts 20:35 a
or hurt by another. Often when words seem cruel they are actually coming from a place of pain or sadness. It is important for us to have heart checks on a regular basis. We can monitor our “heart health” very easily by listening to what comes out of our mouths. Sadly, many of us are not paying close attention to our words and in turn we are hurting those that we should be loving the most. It is crucial that we take care of the things that may be causing us heart problems. If we are listening to lies or entertaining things that are wrong or impure, if we are focusing on the “ugly side” of life, we are compromising our heart health. Bitter or angry words
may come out of our mouths and people around us will be hurt. In Philippians 4:8 it says, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Always remember what fills our minds flows to our hearts and from our hearts we communicate what we are feeling. For us to speak positive words of affirmation, we need to focus on our “inner talk.” I read the following little paragraph in a book by Brett Blumenthal, and although it has been said many times in many ways, if we would
do what it says, we would be a lot better off. “Resist self-defeating habits such as perfectionism, self-criticism and negative self-talk, instead, focus on positive talk and behaviors.” Of course, that is a lot easier said than done! But it sure is a worthy goal for all of us to strive towards. We can always try to be a little better today than we were yesterday; even if we are making small strides, it’s better than none at all. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
About Faith
by Rev. Robert Zorn, Visitation Minister, Lewistown Presbyterian Church Allow me to begin my “socalled” biography with several words of tribute. First on my list of such would be to my wife, Carol. She is the one who put the “Bi” (2) into my ography. Also, high on my list of benefactors are the co-publishers of The Valley Newspaper, who have given me the opportunity to jump feet first into the Fourth Estate (so to speak). With that in mind, I would share some of the following: If you have been a regular reader of this paper you may have already deduced that I have come from a decidedly rural background. These lines will undoubtedly confirm that, and tell you more than you
could ever want to know about me. I was born the sixth in line of the seven offspring of Frank and Bess Zorn on a small farm in western Pennsylvania. At this writing, three of us still survive and are generally in good health. Accompanying this article is a photograph of myself and my dog on the morning of the day on which Carol and I were wed, September 5, 1953. A second photograph shows Carol and myself (minus old Bo) on the lawn of Miller Hall at Waynesburg College on graduation day. Read on please, Carol did the work and I got the diploma. We had similar backgrounds. Both were members of small Presbyterian Churches. We were active in Sunday School and youth organizations. As campers, we met at a Redstone Presbytery’s summer church camp at Laurel Hill State Park. A few years later we were to serve as co-counselors in the same camping program. (Big Valley’s own, Sam Strohm was one of our charges.) Post high school educational pursuits led Carol to a secretarial and business college, and myself to Waynes-
Words
by Sarah Hurlburt Recently my pastor shared a lesson about our words and how they affect those around us. He also reminded us that sometimes we use way too many words to say what needs to be said. Which often results in things being said that shouldn’t have been said. It was one of those times when I felt so compelled to challenge myself to really evaluate what I am saying and how I am saying it. The Bible shares a lot of wisdom with
us about words and how powerful they are. Not only are they powerful, but they come from our hearts so sometimes they really tell us things about ourselves that may not be easy to admit. If words come from our hearts and our words are hurting those around us, then we have a heart problem. Most times when harsh words are spoken it comes from a broken heart. A heart left feeling unnoticed or unloved
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
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The Valley, June 2017 (11) Continuing, large and outof-control monthly trade deficits.
Dave Wilson
(12) Accelerating attacks on our 1st and 2nd amendment rights.
Coins, Precious Metal and a Little of this and That
(13) Faltering and dying retail stores and sales. (14) An underfunded, exhausted and spread WAY too thin military.
America Prepare to Awaken! First, if you really do not want to read anything troubling, that might not sit well with folks who enjoy viewing life in these United States with rose-colored glasses, and who know “things” are just not right, but choose to “look the other way,” then you would be well advised to skip the rest of this, and go on to another (less controversial, but enjoyable) Valley article! OK, since you are still with us, we will ask a very simple question. At what point will you come to the conclusion, as have many others, that the United States is over ripe for a serious financial and social meltdown? Since 2008, when we were within hours of a complete and total worldwide financial collapse and saved only by a Federal Reserve that printed trillions of new, fiat (backed by nothing) dollars, economic conditions have only worsened. It is widely expected that a repeat of such a cataclysmic event is imminent, and this time the cavalry will not be able to ride
to our rescue! If you keep your eyes open, her are just some of the wonderful events that are happening as you read this! (1) Unbelievable instability in ALL financial, metals and commodities markets. (2) Massive (and widening) geopolitical tensions.
(8) Huge debt bubbles in bonds, car loans, housing, college loans, stocks and more. (9) Private, State and Federal pension funds that are massively underfunded. (10) A US Treasury that has not permitted an audit of its (alleged) gold inventory since 1956 (Hmmmm).
(3) An anticipated revival of excessive inflation (perhaps even hyper-inflation). (4) A Federal Reserve that is directionless and totally trapped. (5) A 21-trillion dollar National Debt, with current cash reserves set to expire in early September. (6) A horribly politically embattled Federal Government. (7) California and New York (enough said).
The Truth Has No Agenda
(15) A nightmarish exposure to derivatives that could topple every bank and insurance company almost overnight. (16) A completely collapsing national healthcare plan. (17) Insolvent, near bankrupt (or fully bankrupt) municipal and sate governments. (18) a banking industry that
recently explained that the money in OUR accounts actually belongs to THEM, and that, should it become necessary, they are entitled to confiscate these funds (via bank bail-ins)! These 18 items merely scratch the surface of the difficulties we are all facing right now! That some Black Swan event (some major event that would jump-start a financial catastrophe) has not yet occurred is nothing less than miraculous! There are so many dangerous possibilities, that when the first Black Swan domino falls, it could instigate a horrific mess almost impossible for anyone to contain or clean up!
The Valley, June 2017
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Seasons
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Brought to radio waves by Pete Seeger (Turn, Turn, Turn) To Everything There is A Season. After the first full year of homesteading and embracing the
rural lifestyle, the most striking change in the day-to-day (vs. city and town life), is unquestionably the mandatory reliance on the weather. It used to be that barring the summer and weekend activities, the weather was just a side note. If it was a mild winter, great, if it was brutal, oh well, more coal to load into the boiler. If spring was late, it was only a matter of annoyance and delaying swapping out wardrobes. If it was 98 degrees out, just stay cool inside, if it was -2 degrees, easy, stay warm inside. If there was a drought, there were no measurable effects. If the ground was saturated after a week of non-stop
rain, I only noted the abundance of earthworms on the pavement. And this general indifference was pretty par for the course for most people I knew. Now, the luxury of indifference is gone. The weather doesn’t just make or break your day, it determines if/how certain crops will grow, when to till up plots, how much water is in the well, how much wood to chop, when new chicks can be introduced to the flock, when to put up the greenhouse and when to transplant, when to empty rain barrels, when to close in the animals at night, and when to let them out in morning, when to go to the livestock auction and when to utilize a clear sunny day for projects and maintenance. The weather can now
make or break the whole season or an entire year. Our lives used to be ruled under the law of man and his clocks, now we are under the law of the land and whims of nature. A trade from known monotony to loosely regulated chaos. Also, more apparent is the natural cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Never before have I observed so many instances of lives being created and destroyed. And while the sting of death fades, the good news is that the joy of new birth never seems to be dulled. When our entire flock (13) of chickens we hand-raised and were just beginning to give us a good, reliable, steady output of eggs, were all slaughtered by a (likely) mink in one night, it was a little disheartening, to say the least. I couldn’t help but imagine how to an early settler in Penn’s Woods, losing such a significant amount of livestock in a few hours on a fall night, that which took, by contrast, months to raise, could have been a near-deadly occurrence. Now, taking it to the opposite end of the spectrum, the day I opened up the barn in the morning to discover two newly born kids, was without a doubt the most rewarding occurrence here thus far. I tore in the house to wake my daughter and husband with more garnered enthusiasm than a garde-schooler
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
for Christmas morning. Then, comes the occasion when death is a choice, made by you. Anyone who has raised chickens knows that there is a good chance you’ll end up with more than one unplanned rooster. Chicks are difficult to correctly sex, even when carried out by the experts. One too many can result in added aggression, violent square-offs, and uncomfortable hens. In such cases, one must decide who will go, and when they will go, and have the mental fortitude to carry out the sentence and go on to pluck, skin, cut, and clean the bird. For someone who spent 11 years a vegetarian, the transition didn’t come easy. Though I have come to understand, (note: this is a personal assessment and not a generalization) that to fully appreciate any one component of the cyclical nature of life, you must be fully present and accepting of each and all aspects and be willing to assist in maintaining the balance. For everything, there is a time. Even if we hate that thing and hate that the hour has come. Only engaging in the warm and fuzzy comes with a high price tag, overheads most rural homesteaders just can’t foot. Though fortunately, that logic
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The Valley, June 2017 An Old Friend Gets a New Name from front page
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Social Media Training Professionally produced property flyers, mailings and P- Passion: to stimulate energy to postcards a higher level of inspiration and • The latest industry news via emotion our blog A-Authenticity: being exactly • Zillow agent preference what we claim to be exclusive I-Inclusion; being inclusive of All of these resources and people and ideas support allow your agent at Stone G-Growth: to have increasing Arch Realty to provide you with influence service second to NONE! E- Excellence: to consistently WHAT WILL NEVER exceed expectations CHANGE is the committment of “To be part of a national the people that you have become accustomed to working with at Stone Arch Realty. We will remain the same caring, professional agency with an emphasis on treating our clients with respect. In fact, we like to think of our clients as family. Just ask any of our past clients who have participated in our annual events such as a Night at the Barnyard, Movie Matinee, Spikes The Johnston family at our Barnyard event. Baseball game and our Holiday Pie Give Away. (what?—your agent doesn’t company that feels so strongly do that?!) about having Core Values that Our service will remain the they make it part of their marketsame and we hope to offer more ing and promise to the agents and resources for both buyers and sellclients is very exciting!” ers on our website and in person. So if you are thinking about buyPROFESSIONALISM ing or selling, you know what to Part of the Realtor’s Code of do! Call Stone Arch at 717-248Ethics is to be “knowledgeable 6400! a and competent in the fields of practice in which we ordinarily engage.” To deliver this promise, an agent must continually learn about issues and regulations that may affect their clients. Today’s agents must also be competent in using negotiating skills, technology and marketing skills. As part of the tools provided by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, our agents have access to many resources including: • “Be Better University”- a 24/7 Tami Slick and Delaynie Newlen learning portal
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The Truth Has No Agenda
The Valley, June 2017
10
Thieves Essential Oil Story after Story after Story
Have you ever heard of the blend of essential oils known as Thieves®? It is made by Young Living and I often get inquiries as to if we make it and does it work. Quite frankly the name intrigued me so I decided to do some research to see why this oil was called Thieves. As it turns out, as a lot of times, there are different versions and questions as to the truth of this story. This blend of oils originally was a different blend of spices and herbs and normally mixed in vinegar. There seem to be three prevalent stories as to how this recipe came to be. All three stories are centered around the Bubonic Plague. The Bubonic Plague wreaked havoc in Europe off and on for about 600 years before peaking in the 1300s. Outbreaks claimed up to one half the population! Story #1. The story that is least popular is that a man named Richard Forthave developed and sold a preparation that was to be taken during the bubonic plague as a cure, and that the ‘medicine’ was originally referred to as Forthave’s. However, with the passing of time, his surname became corrupted to Four Thieves.
length, had 2 small vent holes, and its shape was very similar to a bird’s beak. At the peak were stored dried herbs, spices and essential oils. This story goes that the recipe was similar to a horrid sounding brew known as “Marseilles Vinegar” or “Four Thieves Vinegar.” A variety of versions of this recipe floated around, but the most popular is one recalled in a publication called Scientific American in 1910. This publication says that this “medicated vinegar was invented by four thieves of Marseilles who successfully employed it as a prophylactic during a visitation of pestilence.” Pestilence was the medieval term for Bubonic Plague.
secret of immunity against the plague if their lives were spared. So, came the recipe. The versions of this recipe that I was able to find was not a blend of essential oils, but a vinegar that was steeped with dried herbs and garlic. So, how did it become a
blend of just essential oils, you ask? Fast forward to 1992. The following is an excerpt taken
Story #3. This story is the one that has been made most popular by the Young Living brand of essential oils. It has a few versions, but goes mostly like this: There were four thieves that were robbing those inflicted with the Bubonic Plague. Some say they even robbed their graves. When caught, they were sentenced to die. They supposedly struck a deal that they would reveal their
Story #2. The doctors during the time of the Bubonic Plague were very fearful of contracting this terrible disease. They invented a whole suit to wear to protect themselves. Long robes, boots and covering for the hands; their whole bodies were covered. Part of the suit was a mask to protect themselves from “bad air” and prevent contagion. These masks have lenses on the eyes and a long cavity in the nose, which was filled with drugs and aromatic items. This cavity meaPlague Doctor suring about half foot in
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
directly from a blog were Gary Young (founder of Young Liv-
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The Valley, June 2017
R. O. F. F.
Rescue Our Furry Friends by Patricia Lawson
Remember the April article about the rescued dogs from a meat farm in South Korea? Well who can forget, Camo, who had 3 pounds of matted fur removed? As a refresher, Humane Society International (HSI) rescued them from a South Korean dog meat farm after the dog meat farmer contacted them to take the dogs and find them homes. This was the 7th farm the HSI has helped shut down since we also took from farm #5 last May. Since ROFF is an Emergency Placement Partner (EPP) with the HSUS, we agreed to take five this time. Well, now say hello to these two, Alexander and Talia, who were included in the five lucky dogs. Alexander is a handsome 4 year old Miniature Alexander Pinscher and Talia is a 1 year old Chihuahua mix. Both have tested positive for level 2 heartworm, which is treatable and they are handling the injections quite well. The sad aspect is that they need to be crate confined until they are 100% and ROFF is confident that by mid-July they will be ready for their “fur”ever homes. So, now is
Talia
the time to get your applications filled out! Please note: They will require a fenced in area. Before we meet Oliver it’s time for a commercial break. If you haven’t already, be sure to mark these upcoming events on your calendars: • Saturday, June 17th - Yard Sale in Burnham at 133 North Walnut Street; 8am-3pm • Saturday, July 8th – Rabies Clinic; 10am until noon; at the City Hook and Ladder; Attending vet will be Pleasant View Vet Clinic; Call 1-877-933-ROFF (7633) for prices and additional information • Saturday, September 23rd – Cash Nite Hey there! I’m Oliver and I am a 3 year old lad that has been in rescue for 2 years, Boy am I ready for a home to call my own. Just to be upfront, I was tested for leukemia, but I don’t have any of the symptoms. My wonderful
caretaker says I’m super, super sweet and just a great cat and she has known a lot of cats! I do love attention (who doesn’t), but I also have a laid back personality. Please visit me soon and you’ll see what a “purr”fect addition I would be to your family. If you are unable to adopt please consider a donation to ROFF. Check may be mailed to: ROFF, 133 North Walnut Street, Burnham, PA 17009. Thank you so much! Until they all have homes www.roffrescue.com; rescueourfurryfriends@yahoo.com; 1-877933-ROFF (7633) a
We cannot make events. Our business is wisely to improve them. Samuel Adams
USDA Accepting Applications for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Funding Rural Development Acting Undersecretary Roger Glendenning announced today that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), is accepting applications for Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. DLT grants are designed to provide access to education, training, and health care resources for rural Americans. The DLT Program supports telemedicine and distance learning services in rural areas through the use of telecom-
munications, computer networks, and advanced technologies that benefit rural communities. A minimum grant amount of $50,000 and a maximum grant amount of $500,000 will be awarded through a competitive process for FY 2017, based on requirements that can be found at 7 CFR part 1703, including details on the July 17, 2017 deadline for applying for DLT grant funding. Of the funds made available this year, $1.6 million will be prioritized to provide for communica-
tion upgrades between ambulances, emergency transportation vehicles and medical facilities. Applicants are encouraged to review the FY 2017 application guide and sample material that is available online at: https://www. rd.usda.gov/programs-services/ distance-learning-telemedicinegrants. More information on how to apply for funding is available on pages 22477-22482 of the May 16, 2017 Federal Register. a
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is from page 3
alleged injury. In fact: Almost 80 percent of all compensation awarded by the VICP comes as result of a negotiated settlement between the parties in which HHS has not concluded, based upon review of the evidence, that the alleged vaccine(s) caused the alleged injury. Attorneys are eligible for reasonable attorneys’ fees, whether the petitioner is awarded compensation by the Court, if certain minimal requirements are met. In those circumstances, attorneys are paid by the VICP directly. By statute, attorneys may not charge any other fee, including a contingency fee, for his or her services in representing a petitioner in the VICP.
was compensated.” https://www. hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/ data/vicpmonthlyreporttemplate5_1_17.pdf One in a million are not very good odds, unless you’re that one person. And, I highly doubt the cases in which someone was awarded over a million dollars, the plaintiff only suffered an allergic reaction. Some of these cases were awarded to compensate for lifetime care. And, in that law office alone, 483 cases were tried and won and in the past three years, which is more recent than the statistics provided by the HRSA. The least amount settled was $15,000 and the most was the $61 million. Almost every case was due to the injury being much worse than an allergic reaction, although an allergic reaction can be fatal. “Almost 80 percent of all compensation awarded by the VICP comes as result of a negotiated settlement between the parties in which HHS has not concluded, based upon review of the evidence, that the alleged vaccine(s) caused the alleged injury.” Isn’t that convenient? Well, we’re not responsible for your reaction and this doesn’t prove that our vaccine was to blame, but here’s $3 million dollars for your treatment over your lifespan and pain and suffering. Hmmm…. all vaccinations are safe, you say?? Ok. Hopefully, those on the fence are looking these real-life cases up. Dr. Joseph Kauffman Kauffman-Hummel Chiropractic Clinic drjosephkauffman@comcast.net a
live attenuated influenza virus vaccine; and injectable influenza vaccines FluShield, Fluvirin, Fluzone, and Afluria) Meningococcal vaccines (meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine (MPSV4) and meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4), Menactra) Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) Polio inactivated virus (IPV) Vaccines NOT Covered by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program •Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV, PPV) •Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine” The source is: https://www. mctlawyers.com/vaccine-injury/ cases/ Please check it out on your own. According to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) website: “The United States has the safest, most effective vaccine supply in history. In many cases, vaccines cause no side effects, however they can occur, as with any medication—but most are mild. Very rarely, people experience more serious side effects, like allergic reactions. In those instances, the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) allows individuals to file a petition for compensation. What does it mean to be awarded compensation? Being awarded compensation for a petition does not necessarily mean that the vaccine caused the
The Truth Has No Agenda
What reasons might a petition result in a negotiated settlement? • Consideration of prior U.S. Court of Federal Claims decisions, both parties decide to minimize risk of loss through settlement. • A desire to minimize the time and expense of litigating a case • The desire to resolve a petition quickly How many petitions have been awarded compensation? According to the CDC, from 2006 to 2015 over 2.8 billion doses of covered vaccines were distributed in the U.S. For petitions filed in this period, 4,460 petitions were adjudicated by the Court, and of those 2,911 were compensated. This means for every 1 million doses of vaccine that were distributed, 1 individual
The Valley, June 2017
12 Essential Oils from page 10 ing) recounts the history of his formula. Young Living Blog: July 27, 2016: “I must tell you that I have read 17 different versions of the Thieves story,” says Gary, “Some that claim there were four thieves and others that claim there were 40! Many of these legends took
place in the 15th century, but still others put the date in the 18th century. The formulas also varied from one story to the next, but through my research, I was led to four key botanicals that were mentioned again and again. Those ingredients were clove, cinnamon, rosemary, and lemon—four of the same ingredients that make up Young Living’s Thieves essential oil blend today. “The legends speculate that the thieves believed that wearing this special combination of botanicals provided protection while they were stealing. French authorities recognized that there was such value in this mixture that upon the thieves’ capture, they received a more merciful punishment on condition that they divulge the ingredients in their secret formula to the king.” “To round out my modern Thieves formula and add another element of protection, I included eucalyptus radiata, which would have been rare to find in those
days.” So, which story is correct and is this four thieves story truth or just a great marketing ploy? AND… does this blend really work? Most herbalists and essential oil experts will agree that there is merit to this blend of essential oils. There are a lot of great essential oil brands out there that are using a blend of essential oils that come from this story.
They are not called Thieves however, well, because Young Living has it trademarked. Below is a recipe for the essential oil blend and a vinegar. Essential oil blend: 40 drops Clove Bud essential oil 35 drops Lemon essential oil 20 drops Cinnamon Bark essential oil 15 drops Eucalyptus essential oil 10 drops Rosemary essential oil These oils are all available at Shade Mountain in organic! We will even mix up this blend for you! Essential oils should be applied via aromatherapy or topically using safety guidelines and not ingested. But if you prefer to make the Marseilles or Four Thieves vinegar that can be consumed orally or applied topically, you can use this modern version I found: 2 tbsp. chopped fresh lavender flowers 2 tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 2 tbsp. chopped fresh mint 2 tbsp. chopped fresh sage
2 tbsp. chopped fresh marjoram 2 tbsp. chopped fresh anise hyssop 4 cloves garlic, (peeled and crushed) 1quart white wine or apple cider vinegar, (preferably raw) Place the herbs in a jar and fill to the top with gently warmed (not boiling) apple cider vinegar. Close with a plastic lid or place a piece of natural parchment paper under a metal lid. Allow to extract for four weeks, gently shaking occasionally. Strain the vinegar into a clean glass jar. Store in a cool, dark area. How to use your Four Thieves vinegar: As an insect repellent: This is a popular use. Put1/4 cup into a spray bottle that you fill with water. Then it can be sprayed on skin and/or clothes to keep the “skeeters” away. Topical treatments: It should be diluted somewhat to use as a foot soak for toenail fungus or athlete’s foot. You can also dilute the solution to treat dandruff. Disinfect surface areas: Dilute it and spray on surfaces. The month of seasoning reduces it’s acidity enough to use on delicate surfaces. For infectious illnesses: It has been recommended to take one or two tablespoons with honey often throughout the day. To avoid illnesses that are “going around;” it’s sufficient for one dose daily to use as an immune boosting tonic. Interested in learning more
about essential oils? We now give classes! Call us for dates. 717248-8847 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 visitors! We create all our products on site, FRESH! We make soaps, crèmes, lip balms, bath bombs and hair and facial products, to name a few. We also sell raw oils that I write about: like tamanu, jojoba, and carrot seed! Smells are unlimited and encouraged! We will even give you a free sample. Our hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays 9-4, Thursdays and Fridays 9-6 and Saturdays 10-2. We are located at 45 Serenity Lane (off
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
Jack’s Creek Road) in Lewistown, PA. Also, visit our newest location: The Barn at Lemont. You can also check us out online at www.shade-mountain.com. Hope to see you soon! - Tamela a
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The Valley, June 2017
Home at the Grange by Patricia L. Bird Community Service In The Grange What is Community Service? In the dictionary it is defined as the following: “voluntary work intended to help people in a particular area” or “unpaid work, intended to be of social use, that an offender is required to do instead of going to prison.” When
it comes to how it applies to Grange, the first definition is the right one. Approximately five years ago I was asked by the Pomona Grange Master Barb Gates, if I would become the Chairman of the Deaf and Community Service
Younger Granger volunteers Caleb Davidson and Isabella Boone learning about and sitting in the Boal Family Stagecoach during the Community Service Day for Centre County Pomona Grange #13.
Committee (it has since become just the Community Service Committee). Her reasoning was that as the Pomona Treasurer and the person responsible for sending out the donation checks, it would be a good fit as both duties go hand-inhand. However, since the time I accepted the assignment, it has evolved into a much more active position. Not only do I send out the checks for donations, I am also one of the contacts with the local high schools about handing out our senior awards. I work hand-in-hand with the Family Activities Committee on collecting our items for donation like, box tops for education, Campbell’s soup labels, soda can tabs that are sent to Geisinger’s Children’s Hospital for the Ronald McDonald House, used greeting cards like those sent for Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries and get well wishes and used books to be
The Truth Has No Agenda
Centre County Pomona Grange #13 members pose with Boal Mansion Curator Bob Cameron doing cleanup of the grounds. L-R row 1 Caleb Davidson, row 2, Art Reede, Annie Reede Melanie Melius, Suzanne Davidson Isabella Boone, row 3, Merle Eyer, Bob Cameron, Bob Davidson and Ashley Furman. Missing from photo are Dale Vonada, Ruth Vonada, Mark Tressler, Jim Artley and Patty Bird.
resold at the PA State Grange Session with funds used for donations like dogs for the blind. Each fall I then need to do the official report to the State Grange about what all the Subordinate Granges and their members have done in the county along with the individual things that the Centre County Pomona Grange #13 has done. For the past four years there has been a new event, that has been planned and executed by Pomona Grange—a hands-on Community Service Project. Our first year we cut weeds, pulled grass
and generally spruced up Meyers Cemetery outside of Bellefonte on Route 550. It was a rainy day and just a few die hard helpers were there. The next year we did much the same kind of work along with painting stain and sealer on picnic tables at the Old Gregg School Community Building in Spring Mills, PA. It was a much better weather day and our volunteers doubled in size. Last year, after much debate on what we should do, we helped at Centre Crest
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The Valley, June 2017
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The Deadly Viscose Blast of 1951 JUNE 2017 June 1, 1951 dawned as just another quiet day along the Juniata River at Lewistown. It had been a rainy weekend with 1 to 2 inches of rain across most of Pennsylvania, but Monday began with clearing skies. The radio weatherman reported the morning temperature in town was 58°; a pleasant, but cool day was forecast. The tranquility of the day was shattered at 10:30 AM, as a blast rocked portions of the American Viscose plant along Bell Avenue in Lewistown. Residents of the street felt the effects of the explosion. One businessman along that street ran outside to see what had happened, fearing a vehicle had actually hit his building. Many other residents later declared that the blast shook their houses. The Lewistown Sentinel reported the disaster under the banner headline, THREE DEAD IN VISCOSE BLAST - EXPLODING ACETYLENE TANK IN CAKE WASH DEPARTMENT INJURES 20 OTHERS. The newspaper noted: Fame and Brooklyn fire company ambulances, one colored cream and the other dark red, flash forward and backward through the city on their errands of mercy, the newspaper explained, assisted by the light green vehicle from Newtown fire company. At one time all three of the ambulances were lined up at the receiving platform of the Lewistown Hospital, discharging their loads of workers whose bodies were shattered by the explosion. Detail regarding the catastrophe were not obtainable at first. The company was withholding the names of the injured persons until the next of kin were notified in all cases, not only the fatalities, but
the survivors as well. The accident was at first reported to have occurred in several different points within the plant. First reports were that an acetylene tank head exploded, causing the roof cave-in, which supposedly accounted for the head and body cuts received by so many. Ambulance crewmen who were interviewed on delivering their loads of victims, differed in their stories. One crew indicated the accident happened in the cake wash department, while a man who was engaged in a contracting job within the plant said the explosion was in the processing department. Thousands of relatives, on hearing reports of the explosion, besieged the plant and also the hospital with anxious calls as to the identity of those hurt, fearing that their loved ones had been included. Heavy telephone communications bogged down at times. Members of the active medical staff, including surgeons, we’re hastily summoned by the hospital. Scenes in and around the hospital resembled a disaster episode from television, the Sentinel reported, with doctors and nurses hastening here and there, transporting the injured to the hospital proper as fast as they were released from the dispensary where emergency treatment is rendered. Two of the men were dead upon arrival at Lewistown Hospital. Five others were admitted for further treatment. One of the five admittedly has only a 50-50 chance of recovery, medical personnel reported. John Ewing, one of the surviving victims, when asked about explosion details while he was being wheeled into the hospital on an ambulance stretcher, answered: “I don’t know what happened.” Ewing, who was
Next Issue of The Valley: July 5th
employed in the engineering department, said he could not tell whether he was struck by a fragment of something or whether a wall or roof overhead caved in on him. I simply don’t know what it was, he told Sentinel reporters. Samuel Crider, who assisted one of the ambulance crews in transporting victims from the plant, said that he was not certain of the cause either, but he believed that the trouble occurred in the processing department. Crider was employed on a construction job at the rayon mill. Picture the scene: Market and Valley streets make up the main route through Lewistown. Ambulances from the three fire departments made quick and uninterrupted runs between the Viscose plant to the hospital, as borough and fire police officers cleared the streets of cars to facilitate the handling of injured men. Curious morning shoppers and householders alike, all along the Market - Valley Street route rushed to the sidewalk to get a glimpse of the emergency vehicles in an effort to learn what had happened. At Lewistown Hospital, little groups of people had already collected after the explosion; most of them had husbands, brothers or sons working at the plant. The Sentinel reported that anxious families were eagerly seeking information about “their men-folk” and if any had been injured in the explosion. Wives, children and other near relatives of some of the injured men were at the hospital or were standing tearfully about the corridor near the Dispensary in the older part of the building. Early reports revealed that seven injured men were known to have been transported to the Lewistown Hospital for treatment. Members of the Lewistown Fire Police appeared on downtown Lewistown streets immediately and directed traffic. Coincidentally, the accident followed hard on the heels of a two day meeting held at the Lewistown Viscose plant just the week before to consider safety measures. Safety supervisors from all of the Viscose Corporation’s
plants attended to discuss a system of uniform safety regulations for all the corporation’s facilities. In 1951, about 3,300 persons were employed at the Lewistown facility, located on the bank of the Juniata River opposite Lewistown. On Tuesday, June 12, 1951, the Lewistown Sentinel reported the death toll in the blast had risen to four. This edition of the newspaper also revealed the determined cause of the blast. An announcement made that afternoon by Viscose management, indicated that a spark from an electrically propelled truck set off the explosion, which toppled over a 7 foot high wall composed of concrete and brick. The wall fell on the heads and bodies of the
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
crew of eight engineers working on the other side, causing the death of four workers and serious injuries to four others. A total of 26 were hurt and 18 received minor injuries. This was the first major calamity that befell the plant since the actual production of yarn began on July 17, 1921. Three of the engineers were killed instantly, the fourth died five hours later at Lewistown Hospital. Many of the minor injuries were caused from broken glass in flying missiles from the explosion. Viscose Corporation further reported: As a direct result of the accident, four employees were killed, they were: William M. Brindel, Jr.,
Continued on page 30
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The Valley, June 2017
Dairy - Good - Truth by Gretchen Little
Greetings from Centre County! My name is Gretchen Little; I am the newly crowned 2017-2018 Centre County Dairy Princess. Joining me this year on my court as Junior Representatives are Halie Gummo (Dairy Maid), Bailey Little (Dairy Maid), Emmalin Pringle (Dairy Maid), Abbey Wolfe (Dairy Maid), and Paylin Little (Dairy Miss). Currently my court and I face the challenge of bridging the gap between farmers and consumers. Today, consumers are becoming more invested and interested in the production of their food. Therefore, I feel it is important to educate about dairy products and dairy producers. This column will provide a chance for me, to help share the truth about practices Pennsylvania dairy farmers and processors do to ensure safety and quality. This year, I am paying
tribute to the hard work and effort put forth by the 60,000 individuals employed in the dairy industry that contribute to the care of our state’s dairy cows, environment and products. Some of these individuals are my family members, and I am proud to share the truth about their livelihood. Currently, I live on my family’s first generation dairy farm in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania with my parents Kris and Karen Little, and my younger brother Aaron Little. On our farm we care for 90 head of dairy cows. Growing up on a dairy farm, I can attest that my family, along with many other farm families, work tirelessly to ensure that dairy cows are healthy, happy, and producing the best milk possible. On my farm, we work alongside local veterinarians, nutritionists, and inspectors to support the health of
On May 6th, 2017, the Huntingdon County Dairy Promotion team held their annual pageant. The pageant was held at the Bethel Presbyterian Church in Petersburg. The team honored the outgoing royalty team, crowned their new princess and recognized the hard work of their junior ambassadors during the 2016-2017 promotion year. The outgoing royalty team included alternate princesses Eliana Powell and Katrina Bliss as well as Huntingdon County and Pennsylvania Alternate dairy princess, Katie Anderson. The team worked together through the year to promote Pennsylvania’s number one agriculture industry, dairy. The team was pleased to welcome Katrina Bliss back for another year of promotions as the 2017-2018 Huntingdon County dairy princess. Katrina will work with her team through the year including Dairy Ambassador Mikara Anderson, Diary Maid Katerina Kauffman, Dairy Misses: Mindy Anderson, Shelly and Kelly Bliss, Addie Brower, Charlotte Simpson,
McKenzie Kauffman, Madison Mowrer and Lil’ Dairy Misses: Lydia Couch, and Natalie and Marissa Yutzy. Each year the dairy princess is asked to present a skit geared toward children, a speech presentation for an adult audience, a 30 second radio spot and answer an impromptu question. This year Katrina’s skit was about milk’s magic nine essential nutrients and their importance to good bone health and a functioning body. Her speech presentation caught everyone’s attention, because she compared farmers to super heroes. She explained the hard work that dairy farmers complete daily to provide us with nutritious foods to supplement our health. Katrina’s
our herd and the product they produce. Unfortunately, the consumer often doesn’t see this side of production, and I hope to be able to use my role as the county Dairy Princess to bring light to the hard work the men and women put into this wholesome product. Overall, I am very excited to spend the next year presenting the truth to the community about the dairy industry and dairy products. a
The Truth Has No Agenda
radio spot targeted spring athletes and the importance of replenishing your body after a hard workout with dairy products. Katrina was asked to answer the question: “If you were asked to present to a group of students living in a city, who had never been on a dairy farm, how would you explain the process of milk’s production and the importance of consuming dairy products to them.” Katrina answered by saying that she would first invite the students to a local dairy to see how the process works. She explained the detailed process that milk goes through, emphasizing that it never touches human hands and is tested to
ensure it’s safety. During the pageant the team also thanked Jodi Keith, the coordinator, for her service and welcomed the new coordinator, Rebecca Couch. Thanks was given to the outgoing team for their service to the Huntingdon County dairy community. Katrina and all the members of the Huntingdon County promotion team are excited to promote together this year. If you have an event that you would like the dairy princess to attend, please contact our booking chair, Carrie Anderson at (814)-448-3854 or waynencarrie@embarqmail.com. a
The Valley, June 2017
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Chronic Wasting Disease Research Becomes More Crucial as Cases Grow in PA Deer by Jeff Mulhollem
Story courtesy of Penn State Public Information With fatal deer disease on the rise, Penn State researchers hunt for answers to help limit CWD’s spread The recent announcement by the Pennsylvania Game Commission that it found 25 more wild deer with chronic wasting disease last year underlines the importance of studies being conducted
Sciences. With the overarching goal of determining how the always-fatalto-cervids disease will disburse through the state’s free-ranging white-tailed deer herd, the research is aimed at informing the commission’s efforts to slow or limit the spread of the disease, according to David Walter, adjunct assistant professor of wildlife ecology. Often referred to as CWD,
Testing road-killed deer for chronic wasting disease has revealed that not just older deer are affected. Most of the road-killed deer tested in Pennsylvania have been yearling males and females. Image: Jake Dingle/PGC
by a team of researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural
chronic wasting disease infects the brain and nervous system
of cervids. The illness, which belongs to a group of diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or prion diseases, eventually produces enough damage to the brains of affected animals to result in death. While CWD is similar to socalled mad cow disease in cattle and scrapie in sheep, there is no known relationship between them. There is no strong evidence, either, that humans can contract CWD, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although the disease is similar to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare, fatal syndrome that afflicts people. Walter, who is assistant unit leader of the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Penn State, conducted research from 2007 to 2011 on the spread of the disease in Colorado and Nebraska in free-ranging mule deer and white-tailed deer. Since coming to Penn State in 2012, he has concentrated on the CWD outbreak spreading through deer herds in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. Working under Walter’s guidance in 2013-14, master’s degree student Tyler Evans, now a wildlife biologist with the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, investigated the geographic coordinates where deer testing positive for CWD were found, and he modeled the likely future spread of the disease in Pennsylvania. “That research looked at what environmental variables were associated with the presence or absence of chronic wasting disease in the Northeast,” Walter said. “We obtained the geographic coordinates of hunter-killed deer that tested positive for CWD and overlaid them on a map showing a variety of habitat and landscape features. The analysis showed a high prevalence of CWD in deer sampled from low-lying open and developed landscapes.” Now, Walter’s advisee Will Miller, a doctoral degree candidate in the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, is continuing to study the spread of CWD in Pennsylvania. But he is
Will Miller, a doctoral degree candidate in the Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, is studying the spread of chronic wasting disease in Pennsylvania deer by focusing on whether some animals might be susceptible to the disease because of their genes. Image: Penn State
focusing on whether some deer might be susceptible to the disease because of their genes, and how genetic variation in deer might influence where and how fast the disease spreads. “It appears that deer in Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier are less related to those in Maryland and in southern Pennsylvania,” Walter said. “That may well have implications for how CWD spreads.” Walter and Miller are slated to travel to Edinburgh, Scotland, in late May to attend an international conference focused on prions and diseases the mysterious proteins cause. At the conference, Miller will present findings of his research focusing on genetic susceptibility of some deer in Pennsylvania to chronic wasting disease. Detected in captive and freeranging deer and elk in 23 states and two Canadian provinces, CWD was found last year in reindeer in Norway, Walter pointed out. “The Europeans are eager to learn what we know about the disease, based on our experience in North America,” he said. “But despite all that we are learning about the disease, there is much we still don’t know.” In the case of the outbreak in Pennsylvania’s wild deer, that includes how the disease infected free-ranging deer in Pennsylvania. Among the possible sources, two include captive deer and wild deer moving from Maryland. Although researchers have seen evidence
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
that deer may carry the disease over the border with Maryland, the Pennsylvania counties of Blair and Bedford, where CWD originally was found in 2012, also had the highest inventories of captive cervids in Pennsylvania. The location of the original outbreak, which was more than 40 miles from the Maryland border, makes it difficult to confirm the actual source of infection. “In southern Fulton and Bedford counties, we have seen more CWD-positive deer along the border,” Walter said. “We have seen over time that it is likely the disease is moving into this area from the West Virginia-Maryland outbreak.” The Game Commission tests both hunter-killed deer and animals killed on highways in parts of the state for CWD to assess the dimensions of the outbreak, Walter noted. The dual approach addresses sampling bias built into testing hunter harvests. Because hunters are restricted by antler regulations from killing young male deer, and they mostly pass on taking young females and button bucks, some reached the mistaken conclusion that the disease primarily infects older deer. But road kills show that is not the case, Walter explained. “It is a chronic disease, so it takes a while for the animal to succumb, but there is a fallacy out there that young deer can’t get it
Continued on next page
17
The Valley, June 2017
Solar Power To The People by Chris Spallino
Story Courtesy of Penn State Public Information
Enhanced efficiency of simple, inexpensive solar cells could transform billions of lives in energy-starved communities Tonight, try this: Turn the main fuse in the house off and see
by Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Charles Godfrey Binder Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State. These solar cells could provide electricity for every home in underdeveloped and emerging economies; they could also light the way to more sustainable economic and social growth across the globe.
opposite directions to generate an electric current. The main problem with this process is recombination, during which an electron recombines with a hole, thus reducing the initially generated current. Lakhtakia and his research team set out to develop a solar cell that could enhance photon absorption,
Genetics research focusing on “microsatellite markers” in white-tailed deer in Pennsylvania and surrounding states has indicated four clusters within deer herds with animal movement more likely within a cluster than between clusters. Image: Penn State
— but they do, and we are detecting it now. Wisconsin has found CWD in fawns,” he said. “Most of the road kills with
Chronic wasting disease infects the brain and nervous system of cervids, and animals cannot be tested while they are alive. Here, researcher Will Miller (left) samples a deer head for the disease. Image: Penn State
Summer Gardening from page 4
vacation. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen again this summer! We have a rain collection barrel that I hope to employ this year for watering my flowers. About five years ago I found a great annual that seems to withstand lots of direct sun, is fairly drought resistant, and produces bright yellow flowers all summer long and into the fall. The common name of the plant is “Million Gold Melampodium” and its formal name is Melampodium leucanthum. I urge you to try it sometime if you are looking for a low maintenance annual that will provide a pretty display of color for the season. I found it to be mostly a “plant it and forget it” kind of annual—the best kind!
CWD are yearling males and females. We don’t see that in hunter harvests, so our data from across the country has been skewed. Collecting and testing road kills has been a great investment of resources, and it has proved to be very valuable in finding this disease in areas we wouldn’t find it otherwise.” Chronic wasting disease is not established in Pennsylvania yet, the way it is in Wisconsin and West Virginia, Walter believes, and he would like to see the Game Commission and state Department of Agriculture take steps, such as targeted culling of deer in CWD hotspots, to keep it at bay. a Another perennial Wayne introduced me to is called Variegated Solomon’s Seal. It only has small white flowers that hang underneath it similar to Lily of the Valley, but it provides a nice display of variegated greens all through late spring, summer, and fall. Use it as a filler in a bed, or perhaps to hide an ugly foundation. It grows about 18-24” tall and has a pleasant fragrance when it blooms. It’s maintenance free and spreads each year— just rake it up after it dies back in the early winter. a
Variegated Solomon’s Seal
Affordable solar cells would power communication devices, provide sterilization of medical equipment and offer hygeinic cooking in underdeveloped economies. Image: Photo © Abbie Trayler-Smith / Panos Pictures / Department for International Development
how it feels to live without elec “The major difference maximize EHP generation and tricity for 24 hours. No lights for between people who are wealthy minimize recombination — and reading, no TV for information, and who are poor is this: The do so inexpensively. no air conditioning to keep you wealthy can afford their energy “The majority of commercial cool, and no stove to heat a meal. sources and have greater access solar cells employ silicon as a Would you survive? Probto them,” said Lakhtakia. “Besemiconductor, which is very effiably. Would you like the expericause poor people can’t afford cient at approximately 25 percent ence? Probably not. Now, imagine their energy resources, they lack and readily available, but also how billions of people around the the wherewithal to improve their very expensive in underdevelworld without electricity, or with economic status. They don’t need oped economies,” said Lakhtakia. poor electricity supply, are living the most efficient sources. They “These cells contain three types — every single of semiconducday. tors, so their “Sometimes, you have to solve societal problems not in the most According to complex strucefficient way but in the most economical way. These solar cells the International ture adds to the could be deployed widely in energy resource-poor areas and provide Energy Agency’s manufacturing enough electricity to help individuals and families meet their most World Energy cost.” basic human needs.” Outlook 2016, During an estimated 1.2 his investiga— Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Charles Godfrey Binder Professor in billion people tion into lessEngineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State — 16 percent of expensive soluthe global poputions, Lakhtakia lation — do not have access to need affordable ones and a helpful came across a solar cell structure electricity. Approximately 2.7 nudge to improve their lives. That called a Schottky-barrier solar billion people — 38 percent of the motivated us in our research.” cell, which is not normally known world’s population — do not have Solar cells are opto-electronic to be efficient, but only requires access to clean, hygienic cooking devices containing multiple layers one type of semiconductor. facilities. of semiconductors that capture “Instead of using silicon with Help could be on the way in and absorb solar radiation (phothe Schottky cell, we explored the form of a simple, inexpensive tons). Every absorbed photon crematerials that could give us some solar cell conceived by a group of ates an electron-hole pair (EHP); Continued on page 20 multi-university researchers led electrons and holes are sent in
The Truth Has No Agenda
The Valley, June 2017
18
In Our Own Words...
By: Andy Laudenklos
Preparing for Fly Season
A
s summer heat rapidly approaches, it’s a good time to review your fly control protocol for the upcoming summer. Fly control should start in early spring for best and most effective results. There are many ways to help with fly prevention and for best results you need to combine your efforts with total farm management practices so farm fly populations can be cut significantly. IDENTIFICATION Horn Flies- These are the small flies that tend to cover the underside of the cow. They do not travel very far from the cow’s side. Horn flies are the easiest to control because they go from cow to manure and back to cow. Horn flies bite! Stable Flies- These are the flies that bite bad! They keep cows bunched in the barn or pasture. Stable flies bite approximately 20-30 times a day, and they are the hardest to control. Face Flies- These are very similar to stable flies however they do not bite. Face flies are the least detrimental to livestock. However they are a nuisance to cows causing an economic impact. House Flies- These larger flies are the worst, they are known to carry up to 65 different diseases especially pinkeye. They do not bite but they can reproduce quickly, anywhere!
T
here are several ways to reduce the fly population on your farm. Good management practices along with feed additives can greatly reduce the amount of flies on your farm, helping better your livestock and the overall ot only are flies a N nuisance to us and our animals they also carry an
perception of your farm. Here are several strategies of lowering fly population on your dairy: •
Proper weed control around manure lagoons, creek beds and buildings is essential to limiting fly reproduction. Flies love tall grasses to reproduce.
•
Grass clippings around barn areas provides excellent breeding facilities. Try to blow grass clippings away from buildings to prevent a breeding location.
•
Place stable fly traps between barn and corn fields/ tall grasses. Stable flies will leave these breeding areas 20-30 times a day to eat, a trap in-between this cycle will help eliminate them.
•
Keep moldy silage piles cleaned up. These warm piles are an excellent breeding location for flies.
•
Fill in any stagnant water in driveways or around buildings. As soon as grass clippings or manure enter this water there will be flies.
•
Routinely/ monthly move any hay racks and clean underneath these areas. Spoiled hay provides a nice warm spot for breeding
•
Keep feed rooms as dry and clean as possible.
• Talk to your nutritionist about feed additive products such as ClariFly to help with fly reproduction. •
Flies have a 20-30 day life cycle. If you add ClariFly to your feed, empty all old manure areas after starting due to that manure not being treated with Clarifly.
•
Introduction of fly predators placed around the farm monthly can help reduce fly populations.
teat damage related to flies.
the skin, especially onto and into the udder and teat ends.
• Causes stress to our animals economic impact that can leading to reduction in dry matter intake. This can • Flies transfer Bovine end up being very costly. reduce daily gain in heifers Leukemia Virus –which • Flies can cause up to 10 lbs. or beef animals as much as effects 80% of all PA dairy 0.5 to 1 lb. /day farms at some prevalence. of lost milk production in New cases can be our dairy cows. • Flies transfer bacteria such transferred by biting flies. • 30-50% of mastitis in as staphylococcus aureus, heifers is contributed from which causes damage to
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
19
The Valley, June 2017
AC only or AC/DC? Well, if your home or business is wired for AC at this time, leave it, unless you might get confused with many new factors coming into play. DC appliances are way more efficient than AC, but cost a little more up front. Most are rated at 12 volts. DC freezers are usually 12/24 volt, however, with less power usage, you can usually realize a small savings up front as you can use a smaller inverter and charging system. These appliances sometimes use only half as much power as AC and this is where your efficiency skyrockets. DC appliances are not usually powerhogs or produce so-called phantom loads, except for occasional remote control devices. Fuses and breakers are just as much, or even more, critical when using DC—just stressing that point. As you could see in last month’s pictures of John’s system, he uses a breaker for each battery, which is the proper way to do this. If you need more information on that system, give me a call, John might also be available to talk as well if needed. Same thing for house wiringm and you may use the Square D QO panels. Do not use Homeline as they aren’t UL approved for 12/24. You could
also use the Midnite Combiner boxes or, we also carry Chiant breaker boxes as well, which are an in-between box as far as pricing. At any rate, when using QO boxes, the proper method is important and here is an idea. Buy a 200 amp box and install a 100 amp main. Then combine the two legs for 200 amps. Use the neutral lugs for the negative side and use ground wire where necessary. Personally, I have load checked the QO breaker and have used most other brands. If you decide to go with DC deep well pumps, you will be pleasantly surprised as these are the most power efficient set-ups you can use along with solar water heaters. Other deep well pumps draw 3600 watts, but this one will peak at about 800 and I have seen them at 400 thru 600 on average. The AC Grundfus will still pump the same amount of water or more with many models above 5 gallons a minute and one that will do 15 gallons a minute. There are more than 10 models of Square Flex pumps, you are sure to find what you may need. There are also other devices out there for cattle watering, stock tank, pressure tanks and these draw about 100-125 watts of DC current 12/24. Shallow well
pumps are easy, call to find out. There are also circulator pumps and several other products available and with DC products you won’t be losing the 20% efficiency that all inverters lose—meaning less panels are needed and less generator run time, a win-win for everyone, with no known down side that I know of. Lights also become more efficient if DC powered, so please before you finish off that off-grid home, get a hold of me and we will shake it up for you. We also have volt meters and amp meters at inexpensive prices so you can get an idea of the battery charge instantly. We have light controls available for just about any set-up. Also available are the new LED bulbs that are all DC internally. Did you know that LED stands for Light Emitting Diode? All diodes are or make DC power. There are also some good CFL bulbs available, but be warned, they all contain Mercury, ALL OF THEM! With CFLS, you can only control one bulb with one switch, with LEDs it doesn’t matter. The ideal off-grid home uses all of the resources available to it, such as going to CM Stoves and buying a wood stove for heating and cooking, and that is pure love in the cooler months. When shopping, remember that nobody makes a small inverter any more efficient than Morning Star at .055 amps at no load. This translates to less than 1 watt, so yes, this is super good as some use up to 15 times that for the same size. It also has a price that is affordable. DC well pumps are around
Editor’s Corner from page 2
us a call (see ad page 26) if you happen to spot a swarm resting. We finally got our garden planted on Memorial Day weekend. I was normally chomping at the bit in March and for several years found myself out covering the garden around Mother’s Day because of frost. After several years of that nonsense, I smartened up just a little and decided Memorial Day was the target for getting the garden in, and this year I actually did it! Judging by the number of small fruits I can now see, my hand pollination of my Pawpaw trees was a success, I think I have between 75 and 100 little fruits growing now. Anticipation will build from now until September when they will be ripe. They are a lot of work, especially now that the trees are getting big. Making sure my paintbrush visits every flower depositing pollen from my other Pawpaw is tedious.
Pawpaws, a native to this area, developed long before this country had honeybees for pollination. Their pollinators are flies, and because of this, pollination was sporadic at best in the wild. I can see a day when I will be forced to find an alternative method— roadkill dragged into the orchard? That will bring flies, right? Oh, or maybe invite a couple politicians over, they draw flies....nah, the roadkill smells better! Many of you know that Trump was not my guy, he still isn’t, that is to say I like some of the things he has done, and dislike others, just like all the others before him. I am sure even Obama did at least one thing I liked. The point is, these guys are just the puppet for the deep state, look how many times candidates say they will do this or that and then don’t. Presidents exist to keep the country divided. a
Plain Talk
Solar Explained by S. Yoder
How Should I Wire My New Solar Home?
mon, but Corinna said, I am pretty sure they are, and boy was she right! She quickly, and bravely I might add, got a picture close enough for a proper ID. My eyeballs must have been wide open when I received the photo. It was the biggest swarm I personally have ever witnessed. I quickly called my buddy Sam and sent him the photo and we met there about 20 minutes later. Corinna and Jeff Duck were graciously accommodating. And about 1 1/2 hours later we managed to get all of the estimated 100,000 bees hived into three boxes. This time thanks to friends with their eyes open, we beat the storm that was coming as well—much less stress on the bees being dry. It is early in swarm season and we will try to save as many as we can during the month of June, so please give
The Truth Has No Agenda
and not only do they save you the 20% that is lost at the inverter using AC, they use up to 4 times less power to pump the same amount of water as an AC pump. These pumps are all rated AC/DC meaning the actual final pump is DC powered. But what if you have a back-up generator? All you do is wire a relay that flips on automatically whenever the generator is making AC power, so your pump doesn’t waste battery power while the generator is making AC power. The generator is running anyway, so now you are making full use of your AC/DC well pump and those up front costs are no longer noticeable. Just a little bit more initially and you have a system that is way more efficient. Also for off-grid homes, it is necessary to know the “true battery state of charge” to save your
valued set of batteries. Other questions from offgridders is how do I run my clothes dryer? For that appliance in an off-grid home, propane is your best bet. You won’t find these at your local Lowes or Sears, but they are out there if you search. Propane is relatively cheap compared to electricity in most instances. Solar heat is also now available and Lowes does sell a book called DIY Solar Projects and in it you will find out in very simple steps how to do this with simple stove pipe and a frame—seriously, it is that easy. Get the book before you get started. Steven Yoder is an authorized salesman and installer for Elk Creek Solar Sales and can be reached at (717) 667-0330 a
The Valley, June 2017
20 Solar Power to the People from page 17 advantage with their semiconducting properties,” said Lakhtakia. “We chose indium gallium nitride, an alloy in which the proportions of indium and gallium can be varied in the thickness direction.” By tailoring that proportion periodically and incorporating a periodically corrugated metallic back reflector, the research team discovered it could increase photon absorption by intensifying the electric field at optical frequencies inside the semiconductor. The team also realized an increased EHP-generation rate and a reduced recombination rate to generate more current. The efficiency rose from 13 percent to 17 percent — an acceptable level for everyday power usage. With this simple architecture, less technical expertise would be required to produce the cells, which would save costs. The reduction in the types of semiconductors would significantly reduce manufacturing costs. The cells could also be deployed and installed with minimal resources. “Sometimes, you have to solve societal problems not in the most efficient way but in the most economical way,” said Lakhtakia. “These solar cells could be deployed widely in energy resourcepoor areas and provide enough electricity to help individuals and families meet their most basic human needs.” Access to clean, reliable, sustainable and affordable modern energy would enhance the lives of the poor in countless ways, enabling them to not merely survive, but also thrive. Nighttime lighting would allow children to extend their study hours. Refrigeration could improve food quality and allow safe storage of medicines. Potable water could reduce incidence of disease, and modern cooking facilities could eliminate the use of solid biomass for cooking, which causes approximately 3.5 million premature deaths per year from indoor air pollution. “The world has reveled in many magnificent feats of engineering,” said Lakhtakia. “Look at the Concorde — it was a technological marvel — but who could afford to fly on it? What good is producing something if very few can afford to use it? “What I’m interested in is providing ‘affordable engineering’ that is respectful of the environment and will enable and empower all people to achieve their full potential. If we can do that as engineers, it will truly be transformative for societies throughout
the world.” Something to think about
while you’re sitting in the dark tonight. a
Children could extend their study hours with nighttime lighting provided by inexpensive solar cells. Image: Photo © Abbie TraylerSmith / Panos Pictures / Department for International Development
Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Charles Godfrey Binder Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics Image: Paul Hazi
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All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
The Valley, June 2017
Modern Energy and Alternative Heating with Curt Bierly Whole House Generators Well, shall we label this spring as wet, and at times, stormy? In fact it was so stormy a few weeks ago that we lost power for three days at our home and business. At our home, we have a whole house propane generator that automatically comes on line when the grid shuts down and runs the essentials in our home (i.e. some lights, some receptacles, refrigerator, hot water propane fired heating system, bathroom lights, TV system and microwave.) We have a propane gas range that can be operated without electricity. The appliances that use a lot of power like a heat pump, electric heat, and electric clothes cryer are not connected to the generator. At our business, we have a gasoline generator that we “fire up” when needed to operate the lights and
cash register so we can be “open for business” in an emergency. It was certainly convenient to have power during the emergency. The US weather is seemingly becoming more severe with damaging hurricanes, tornados, drought, snow storms, and floods. Lately, when the weather is bad it is really bad. The experts say it is because of global warming. Then, of course, you have other experts that say it isn’t. Apparently the global warming experts are winning because there are many steps being taken to reduce our emissions! Without a generator, if you had a private well you are out of water. It rained hard, so if you depended on a sump pump to keep your basement dry, you were “out of luck.”. You could also lose a lot of food in your refrigerator or
freezer. Burning candles for light soon becomes old and is dangerous. All of a sudden a generator seemed like a great idea. Depending how soon you made that decision and how soon you went shopping for one, depends on whether you found one in stock. They were flying off the shelves. If you bought a generator in the past and A Generac Guardian Series Whole House Generator if you hadn’t run tations for whole house generators it periodically, possibly it didn’t since the storm. They are set up start. In addition, most of the to sense when the power goes off; generators for sale were in the then, wait a short period of time 5KW range, which would power before coming on line. There is your sump pump, your well pump, an interior switch box that autoyour boiler/ furnace, a refrigerator matically removes you from the and a few lights. On top of that electrical grid and hooks you up you had to run extension cords to priority circuits in your house. from the generator to the electrical Nice! You can choose a large appliance or lighting fixture and one to power everything in your keep gasoline handy so you could home or a smaller one to power fill the small tank on the generator only circuits that you need. You to keep it running 24/7. program it to start up once a week Enter the whole house and run for a few minutes. If the generator which is propane or unit doesn’t start it will give you natural gas powered and comes on a red fault signal. Nice! Most automatically. Not surprisingly, people install a 10KW unit which we’ve had a few requests for quowill handle most of the priority
The Truth Has No Agenda
21
loads and uses about 1.25 gallons of propane per hour at ½ load and 1.93 gallons at full load. Installed cost is in the $7000 to $8000 range depending primarily on how involved it is to sort out your priority circuits and how big of a generator you want. Curt Bierly is president of the bierly group incorporated of which Stanley C. Bierly is a division. He graduated from Penn State with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and is the chair of the Penn College HVAC Advisory Board. You can contact him at cbierly@bierlygroup.com or call him at 814-349-3000.
The Valley, June 2017
22
Let’s Celebrate!
School is out! Summer is here! It is time to celebrate! Start your summer celebration with the Mifflin County Library while we celebrate our 175th anniversary and summer reading! The library has been celebrating the 175th anniversary since the beginning of the year and now we are adding to the celebration with the summer reading program. Did you know that the library offers a summer reading program for all ages, birth to adults? Throughout the summer the library will offer a wide variety of programs for families, students, and adults. Programs include: For Children (for babies through students going into 5th grade): —Serpents & Claws on June 13 —Alex & the Kaleidoscope on June 28 —Stuffed Animal Summer Camp begins on July 12 —Adam Swartz Puppet Show on July 18 For Teens (for students going into 6th grade through high school): —Friendship Bracelets – learn the art of macramé in Lewistown
on June 27 and at Kish branch on July 13 —Project Play on July 14 create pet toys for local shelter animals For Adults: —Book Arts Camp begins July 10 —Guest Speakers throughout the summer
The library will kick off summer reading fun on June 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Lewistown. The summer reading kick-off party is fun for all where you can enjoy music, games, hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, decorate a quilt square that will later be used to create a library quilt and much more! Along with these fun programs, don’t forget to read! Did you know that reading every day, even if it is just for a few minutes, improves the ability to read and learn all year long? Please join the Mifflin County Library this summer as we celebrate 175 years of continued service to the county and summer reading. Submitted by: Kelly Rodenbaugh Youth Services Manager Mifflin County Library a
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful Local Affiliates Receive Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence The Tire War, hosted annually Award,” an actual gold painted vanians to keep our communities by Keep Pennsylvania Beautitire rim to proudly display, and the clean and beautiful. By coordinatful affiliates Keep Huntingdon bragging rights for the next year. ing annual tire collections, our County Beautiful, Keep Juniata The tires that are collected are affiliates consistently provide County Beautiful, PA CleanWays shipped to a processor where they their residents with a convenient, of Mifflin County and Keep Perry are turned into useful products low cost option for tire disposal, County Beautiful, was selected to like rubber mulch, play and athkeeping them off our public lands receive a Governor’s Award for letic turf, and even crumb rubber where they become an environEnvironmental Excellence. The for road surfaces. mental hazard and are costly to awardees were recognized at an The collections have gathered remove,” stated Shannon Reiter, event hosted by the PA Departand recycled over 35,000 tires President of Keep Pennsylvania ment of Environmental Protection from local County residents since Beautiful. “Since the Tire War and the Pennsylvania Environ2006. These tires are prevented program’s inception, affiliates mental Council on April 25 at the from ending up over the hill or in have reported finding less tires Harrisburg Hilton. waterways where they would pose during illegal dump cleanups. We “The Environmental Excelserious environmental impacts. congratulate them on this welllence Awards show just how many Tires do not biodegrade, but dedeserved recognition.” Pennsylva The nians, from Tire Wars are fourth-grade sponsored in students to part by the factory owners, Department of care deeply Environmental about the Protection’s air, land, and HHW/Small water in their Business Hazcommunities,” ardous Waste said Governor Collection Wolf. “We all Program. benefit, as their About Keep commitment Pennsylvania to tackling Beautiful important Keep Pennsylenvironmental vania Beautichallenges ful’s mission improves our is empowering quality of life Pennsylvanians statewide.” to make our Pictured from left to right: Brent Leach, Keep Juniata County Beautiful; Shan The “Tire non Reiter, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful; Pam Sechrist and Mindy Williams, communiWar” program PA CleanWays of Mifflin County; Sally Tengeres and Kristie Smith, Keep Perry ties clean and began in 2006 County Beautiful; Stacia-Fe Gillen, Keep Huntingdon County Beautiful. beautiful. when the affiliSince 1990, ates decided to turn the otherwise compose and leach toxic chemiKeep Pennsylvania Beautiful and unglamorous tire collections into cals that contaminate soil and its volunteers have removed over a friendly competition to see who water. Tires also provide breeding 126 million pounds of litter from could collect the most tires from grounds for mosquitoes, increasPennsylvania’s roadways, greentheir county’s residents. At the ing the risk of West Nile Virus and ways, parks, forests, and waterend of each event, the county that ways. To learn more about Keep Zika Virus. collected the most tires that year “Our local affiliates share our Pennsylvania Beautiful, visit proudly took home the “Gold Rim mission of empowering Pennsylwww.keeppabeautiful.org.a
Every society, all government, and every kind of civil compact therefore, is or ought to be, calculated for the general good and safety of the community. ~George Mason
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
23
The Valley, June 2017
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The Valley, June 2017
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The Quest to Produce No Waste and Responding to Change The final two principles of permaculture are again common sense principles from a sustainable living standpoint. The first, Produce No Waste, is often described as the “principle for a permaculture lifestyle” as opposed to limiting permaculture to a gardening/homesteading method. In fact, there are many permaculturists, including its founders, who believe that permaculture cannot be adopted unless it’s adopted as a holistic lifestyle endeavor. However, as producing truly zero waste is a very difficult- if not impossible- endeavor in our culture, it can be a pretty discouraging principle to dig into. To evaluate how you can begin to eliminate waste, you can take a two prong approach.
First, begin looking at what you truly use in your garden or life. Planting only what you will eat, preserve, or gift in a season, for example, will be a “zero waste” planting plan. The second approach is to start thinking about how you can use the waste that you know you must produce. Rather than bagging up the leaves you rake in the fall, perhaps you can use them to mulch your garden. It might not be the prettiest mulch, but it’s free and conserves your resources- either monetary or time. Like with most things in permaculture, as you begin to work towards a zero waste home, some things will come more naturally as time goes on. The final of the twelve
principles is to use and respond to change. Often we get so stuck in what we hope for, we don’t see the new opportunities in front of us. For example, when we first moved to our home, I was so happy that there was an apple tree in our front lawn. Then, a storm came through and these wild Central PA winds knocked the tree down. I was heartbroken, so I replaced it… with another apple tree. That tree, too, was blown down the year after we planted it. Clearly, that particular spot in our yard didn’t work so well for those little saplings. (They were also dwarf trees which have weaker root systems than standard sizes. Those little guys didn’t stand a chance!) So, instead, I planted some apple trees in other places
and reserved that troublesome spot for a native prunus species which I knew was fast rooting. I knew it wouldn’t benefit me but it seemed suited to the spot and it is a great benefit to the wildlife. It has thrived there and I have found a great deal of enjoyment watching bees and birds buzz around it in the summer. As your landscape changestrees grow in and produce more shade, temperatures fluctuate, neighbors come and go- your plans will need to change, too. Ben Faulk, one of my favorite permaculture designers, once talked about what tree varieties to plant for climate change. (Now, whether you believe in climate change or think it’s a hoax, that’s not up to me to debate. I’ll leave
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
that to more scholarly people than myself. I barely passed my college meteorology class!) His issue was what trees we should plant if we knew climate change is coming. Because climate is such a complex issue, we don’t know positively whether it would lead to a drier or wetter climate, for how long and for which seasons. There are several models out there. Though most scholars agree with one particular model, who’s to say they are correct? If they aren’t correct and based on their predictions we all plant trees that thrive in drier soils, what happens if there is no change or worse and we end up in a rain belt? Ben Faulk’s answer was to plan for all scenarios and plant a variety. Whether you agree with his solution in that circumstance or not, that’s the type of decision making that goes into creatively responding to change. It involves thinking about not just the next few seasons, but years down the road, too, as well as being flexible enough to come up with solutions when you’re completely taken off guard. Remember Joel Glanzberg: Stability is not where life happens! Be prepared to make changes and respond to new challenges. a
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Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galathians 6:9 Greetings from Nittany Valley! We had some amazing rain on Thursday and then on Friday morning. As the sun came up over the mountain, we had a chance to see God’s amazing promise high in the sky—the most beautiful full rainbow to the west. Every time I see a rainbow I have to think it was the most beautiful yet. They are all just so awesome! We had a very busy day at Walker Township Fire Hall on Friday. We do a wedding dinner for a fundraiser that goes with our Nittany Valley Benefit Auction. We served 800 some people. It is so amazing to see how it takes each and every one of our church people to make it go. Everybody has a job and then when we are
about at the end of our string, we have this energetic bunch that comes in as the clean-up crew. So it seems we all get a burst of “YAY we are almost done!” If the
saying many hands make light work never made sense to you, well, just come watch it in action. We do this every March, May and September. The March and
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September ones go for our school tax. So if you get hungry for an Amish Wedding Dinner, come on around and you’ll be greeted at the door by some very smiley, happy couples! They will then escort you in to the ones that seat you, and then you’ll have our young folks serve you drinks and coffee. Then you are on your own to enjoy the buffet line of some very delicious food. I would just like to caution you as not to make too many groans and moans as you leave, from eating too much, that is, ha! I will add a phone number in here as we do reservations at different time slots. It is also open to walk-ins, but if you travel a great distance, we want
to make sure you have a seat reserved. Call 814-383-2008 to talk to Katie Beiler. Today is our benefit auction in Hublersburg. That is another event you don’t want to miss in the future. If you have room for more food, that is the place to go. It is held every Memorial Day weekend. Maybe it’s not food you are after, but anything from A-Z. I am sure you will be able to find it there. Well, I will close and wish you all God’s blessings. It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving. See you all in the next month. With Love, Anna Peachey a
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ready, but did not send it until the following Monday evening, after we were in the office. We tried to inspect them the next Monday and we were turned away, despite the records being “ready to go.” At one point, the Secretary wanted to let us see them. Doug Bierly, In the last Hanky Panky at the previous meeting and they the Vice-Chairman and “Assistant Report, I mentioned the Court allocated a period of public comSecretary” would not allow it. of Common Pleas ruling on the ment on it. They did not do this A video of the incident is posted audio recordings my husband when they passed 40% property on our YouTube channel, “Gregg requested in October. His retax increase last October. Instead, Township Unofficial.” quest included the recording of they destroyed the audio recording After that ordeal was over, I the October meeting where they of that meeting and ripped down went to four neighboring townincreased taxes, which they admit our signs informing residents of ships over two days and was they have destroyed. The 30 day the tax increase. allowed to inspect recent bids on window has passed, and the town- After a month and a half of the spot. I also submitted a Rightship has taken no action. waiting to inspect bids, we were to-Know Request for a full year of This is the second lawful finally allowed to look at them. bids from a neighboring townorder to turn over public records The township had a letter drafted ship. It took their secretary one that they have not complied with on a Friday saying they were day to pull them (or appealed), but together for me. they insist they It took Gregg are doing nothing Township one wrong. month to provide At last month’s one single bid Board of Supervi(solar). Gregg sors meeting, the Township has Chairman made a two secretaries. 16.5 minute long The next Board public comment. of SuperviThe township’s sors meeting is policy allows up to scheduled for five minutes for a June 15th at 6:30 public comment. in the Old Gregg An Amusement It took Gregg Township a month and a half to provide bids for inspection. School. a Some of the folders were sealed shut with mold. Others contained items that Tax was passed. should be filed elsewhere. It was discussed
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The Valley, June 2017
Mail Pouch Books by Carleen B. Grossman DOG GONE By Pauls Toutonghi Copyright Paperback 2017 272 pages This “new” non-fiction book about a lost dog is a story that tightens the fabric of a family; it shows how pain and wounds of the past that survive into the present can become brighter due to love. Being loved by a dog can make us better if we allow our souls to accept it!
“Alien Covenant”
I’ve never been the biggest fan of the “Alien” franchise, including the original film from 1979. Maybe it’s because I’ve been raised on movies that rip it off, or maybe it’s because that big surprise scare was spoiled for
The book is essentially about a young man’s dog who goes missing while running loose on a hike along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. This dog, however, has Addison’s disease and must have injections on a regular basis in order to live. The thing that makes this book especially different from other dog stories is that the author has sprinkled nuggets of dog history and legends and even excerpts from famous literary tales throughout the story. The author delves into their family history. The book begins with the son’s mother as a child living with her parents and dog in Japan--the next section fast forwards to her time as a mother living in the state of Virginia with her husband, and her adult son plus his dog. Both the good and the bad things about this family are exposed throughout the story. The techniques of writing style used by the author make for an unusually great read and they make you feel like you have known this dogloving family all of your life! Also, the author does a tre-
me long before I saw it, but I see it as little more than characters skulking around a spaceship waiting to be picked off like in any number of unimaginative horror movies. So I’m probably not the best candidate for “Alien: Covenant,” which, after the misguided highbrow affair that was 2012’s “Prometheus,” gets the franchise back to its glorified-slasher-movie roots. And while I can at least say that the original is a just-average outer space haunted house movie, the new film is so far below average that it borders on incompetent. The story sees a massive spaceship carrying over a thousand stagnant bodies to a new planet run into problems. The ship gets hit by some space debris, which the ship’s android caretaker Walter (Michael Fassbender) can’t handle on his own. The incident
mendous job of building suspense in each chapter once the dog search begins. He also has some chapters where he gets inside the head of this dog and his thought processes. Amidst this fantastic narrative that does at times read like a novel, the author drops little
kills several crew members, including the ship’s captain, and others have to awaken from their cryo-sleep to make manual repairs. New captain Oram (Billy Crudup) notices that they’re near a potentially-habitable planet, and wants to take a look at it in case it’s better than their destination. Despite the objections of Dany (Katherine Waterston), the wife of the old captain, the crew sets down to go exploring. As you can probably guess, the crew finds unpleasant aliens on the new planet. Eggs make their way into the ears of less attentive crew members and then aliens burst through their torsos. One such instance occurs in the excursion ship, which leads to the entire ship blowing up and the team being stranded on a planet with the now-hatched aliens. They’re saved by David
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kernels of wisdom like this one (in a comparison between modern warfare and the “horrors of genocide” and other human atrocities): “But dogs are almost always decent—unchanging, unaltered, predictable. And their attitude toward us is unquestioningly kind. Dogs can make us more human— or more like what we imagine a good human to be. If we listen. Maybe this is why their loss is so heart breaking.” However, you will find this story to be extremely upbeat! Here is a website for you to view photos of the author and the characters from this true-life adventure story [along with some great quotes from the book]: http://gonkerthedog.com In addition, here is some of page 166 from this book, as written by the author---I found this extremely poetic!
(Fassbender again), the android from “Prometheus” who’s been stranded on the planet for years. David invites them to wait for rescue in his “safe” dwelling, safe except for the fact that he wants to kill all humans so perfect androids can rule the world. He’s harnessing the aliens, so they aren’t so much the villains of this movie as they are David’s henchmen. Where to start with what’s wrong with this movie? I guess with the CGI aliens, which wouldn’t be scary even if they were convincing. They’re so fatty and bloblike, I feel like I could kill one with a butter knife. The human characters are useless. I understand the situation making people panicky, but half the dialogue consists of screaming and cursing when I would expect these people to make a little more effort to communicate. I think there are three similar-looking women with short hair and tough-cookie demeanors who I can’t distinguish from one another. In fact, the only crew member who stands out is one played by Danny McBride, and it’s only because his identity is tied up in his cowboy hat. There’s a dumb gag where characters slip and fall on blood twice in quick succession. There’s a
“This is a dog. ... this avatar---an image of something that so many of us love, beyond reason beyond comprehension... If he is wet, he reeks like weekold flower water. If he is frightened, he can bite. If he is hungry, he eats almost anything---living or dead. If he is curious about something, he puts his nose in it. If he is tired, he sleeps where he is tired. If he is happy? He is always happy. Or almost always. If he is lost? He needs---above all else---human kindness. “Dogs, it seems, burrow into the deepest parts of ourselves.” Pauls Toutonghi---[Page 182 of DOG GONE] a
dumber, more tasteless gag where David is unsure of how to commit an unspeakable act. A shower scene is poorly edited to give us the impression of naked bodies without any nudity. Anything approaching a twist toward the end is insulting, especially since we already know the aliens’ attack methods. The only favor that “Alien: Covenant” does for the “Alien” franchise is that it makes the original look better by comparison. I can at least root for Ellen Ripley in that movie, here I was just rooting for the movie to be over. The only reason I don’t relegate the movie to a one-star rating is that after I saw the movie I had a coughing fit and the movie had been scary enough that for a second I thought I might hack up an alien. “Hack,” by the way, is a good way to describe the job that was done making this movie. One and a Half Stars out of Five. “Alien: Covenant” is rated R for sci-fi violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality/ nudity. Its running time is 122 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu. a
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Life in the East End by Rebecca Harrop This month I’d like to talk about GMOs again and correct some of the misinformation I hear when I talk to people about GMOs. First, it is important to understand that genetic modification or GM is not a thing, it is a process for improving crops and animals. In many ways it is similar to traditional crop or animal breeding, but it is much more precise. The processes involves examining a plant or animal’s DNA to find genes (small sections of the DNA) that impart useful traits such as better yields, drought resistance, flood resistance, browning resistance, disease resistance and so on. Once scientists identify this useful gene variant, then they can copy that gene and insert it into the DNA of the plant or animal that needs it, or, with the newest technology, they can edit the sequence of the DNA directly, just like you edit a document on your computer. For example, a type of GM corn, Bt corn, contains one extra gene (the Cry gene) that allows it to resist attack by a major corn pest. Farmers that grow this corn do not have to spray insecticides on the corn to kill the pest, thus reducing the amount of insecticide used. Many people are surprised to hear that GM Bt corn actually reduces use of insecticides. Farmers that choose not to grow this corn, must spray more insecticide or suffer large yield losses. Another example is the herbicide resistance trait which has be added to a number of crops. The addition of this one gene (EPSPS gene) allows the crop to tolerate the herbicide glyphosate (aka Roundup), which kills plants by starving them of three of the amino acid building blocks for protein. Introduction of crops carrying this trait has not reduced the amount of herbicide used, but it has allowed farmers to use this less toxic herbicide and greatly reduced the use of more toxic herbicides. Glyphosate has also helped to accelerate adoption of ‘no-till’ (no plowing the soil) practices which improve soil health and reduce soil erosion. It is important to point out here that both organic and conventional crop production use herbicides and insecticides (pests attack all crops) and in some cases the organic pesticides are as toxic, or more toxic, than those used in
without needing to propagate misinformation about the safety or health of GM foods. And, as more consumers educate themselves about the facts of GM technologies and their benefits, they are learning that there is a clear need
for GM technology to feed a growing population sustainably. Both organic and conventional agriculture will be part of the picture moving forward. People should have the ability to choose with their purchases the types of
conventional production. The only difference is that organic pesticides are chemicals extracted from the environment and conventional pesticides can be chemically synthesized (like most of the medicine people take). As an example, you can get pain relieving effects of aspirin from the bark of the willow tree or you can buy it from your pharmacist. In either case, they are both chemicals and in the case of agricultural pesticides, both natural and synthetic versions are equally toxic to the weed or the insect. There are some people who believe farmers don’t really want to grow GMO crops but do because they are forced to by large agricultural companies that control patents on seeds. However, the results show that farmers adopt these crops because they help them farm in a more sustainable and profitable way. And farmers can choose not to grow these crops. A recent study showed that adoption of GM technology helped crop farmers increase yields by 27% and profits by 67%. Profitable farmers can better care for their land and animals. We should never forget that farmers are very intelligent and independent people. They have families that eat their food and they want to hand down their farms to the next generation. If they truly thought GMOs were dangerous, they wouldn’t use them, it’s a simple as that. With a growing world population and decreasing acres of farmland per person on the planet, farmers will need to use many different technologies to keep up with the demand for high quality, affordable food. Clearly GMOs can help in this regard. That is why we are seeing these technologies being adopted in poor developing countries at a faster rate. Farmers must produce the kinds of food consumers want and increasingly certain consumers want to purchase food grown and raised in a way that protects the environment and provides the highest quality animal care. I truly believe that there is room for both organic and conventional production practices that adopt technologies including GM to meet this need. The organic industry has plenty of strengths to emphasize as they market their product
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
agricultural production practices they support, but food marketers are currently spreading a lot of misinformation that confuses and creates fear among consumers
Continued on page 31
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30 Community Service in the Grange from page 13 Nursing Home in Bellefonte. We cleaned and painted their outdoor furniture. We finished that project just in time before it started to rain. Luckily, everything we painted was under the outdoor patio. After we finished, several of the members then stayed and read the newspaper to residents. It was a very fulfilling morning. Our numbers were again about a dozen. This year when we starting looking for a project to do, it was suggested that I contact the caretaker of the Boal Mansion and Museum, Mr. Bob Cameron. He had done a presentation to another service organization that one of members belonged to and she was impressed with what he has accomplished since taking over and what they still want to accomplish at the Boal grounds. So, as chair, I contacted him and we set up the date of Saturday, April 29, 2017, for the Grange to come and help. He explained that the grounds opening date was going to be April 30, and they could use any help we could give them. We would be working mainly outside, weather permitting, and inside if it was raining. On the morning of April 29, Grange members arrived with their shovels, gloves, pruning shears and the willingness to help do whatever we were assigned. Approximately 13 adult members along with one child attended. Members were given options of what area they would like to work in. Some of the men loaded and moved pallets along with brush that had already been cleared and it was burned in a designated area. Others worked on cleaning debris along with old leaves and weeded the existing flower beds. Several members worked to restore a memorial garden area. As we worked, we all learned a little bit about the history of the mansion,
the Boal Family and how Christopher Columbus and his chapel came to Boalsburg. As we all learned in history, Christopher Columbus is noted as discovering America. Well, maybe and maybe not. That is a discussion that I refuse to get into. However, one thing we did learn was that Christopher Columbus was instrumental in bringing farming techniques to Pennsylvania and the new world. Mr. Cameron gave all of us a small insight into farm life at the mansion and how its board of directors and himself are working to take it back to its original beauty. After we finished working, members were given a tour of the Christopher Columbus chapel. The chapel was inherited and imported from Spain to Boalsburg in 1909 by the Boal family descendants of Columbus. It contains the Admiral’s Desk owned by Columbus, 15th through 18th century paintings and sculptures and two pieces of the True Cross of Jesus. We learned a lot of information about the Boal family history. The Boal mansion has been the home of eight generations of the Boal family for over 200 years with the original furnishings still inside. The fourth generation member Theodore Davis Bold, who was known as Terry, went to Europe in the 1890’s and married Mathilde, who was a descendant of Christopher Columbus, who inherited the Columbus Chapel and brought it back to Boalsburg. We were offered tours of the mansion, but declined since our clothing was soiled and muddy. We were also given a peek at one of the beautiful antiques stored in a barn at the mansion. It is an 1850’s stagecoach. Two of our younger helpers were given the privilege of getting to sit in it and learn a little bit more about its history and get special photos taken. As we finished for the day the discussion turned to next year. It was the consensus of all
Ashley Furman, Melanie Melius, Mark Tressler and Annie Reede work on cleaning a flower bed at the Boal Mansion during the Centre County Pomona Grange #13 Community Service Day.
Our Yesteryears from page 14 26, laborer from 12 Pennsylvania Ave. Harold P. Jenkins, 33, pipefitter’s helper, Lock Ave., Yeagertown. Max Hutchinson, 41, pipefitter, 714 W. 5th St. Richard E. Kimberling, 27, laborer, 539 Valley St. In addition to these, there were four seriously injured as follows: Robert S. Wolfkill, 29, welder, 319 S. Dorcas St., three lacerations of the scalp in fair condition; George Kaiser, 47, foreman, R.D. 3, Lewistown, laceration of the scalp and left eyebrow, condition critical; John Shotsburger, 45, foreman, McVeytown, back injuries and lacerations of the scalp, condition fair; John F. Ewing, 53, foreman, 22 Chestnut St., lacerations of the left eyebrow and left hand and fracture of the right lower leg, condition satisfactory. Some additional details were also reported: Eight employees of the engineering department were working in a cake storage area repairing a 20 inch waterline. Experiencing some difficulty in removing the old line, several foreman were called to the scene to work with the man in making a determination of the best method those attending that this would be a great place to return to next year as our project. We all left tired, but feeling fulfilled with the sense of accomplishment. Since then, Centre County was hit by a major rain and wind storm and it is our understanding the grounds of the Boal Mansion sustained some wind damage and that trees lost many branches and leaves. If you are looking for so something to do or somewhere to volunteer, please think about offering your time to help make any clean up repairs necessary at the Boal Mansion. It is a really neat place to visit. They offer tours and hold plays at the barn. So, think about visiting there. You can contact the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum at 814-466-6210, email at office@boalmuseum. com, or visit their website: http:// boalmuseum.com. The physical address is located off Route 322 in Boalsburg, PA where you can do drop-in tours from May 1, 2017 through October 30, 2017 from 1:30 – 5:00 p.m. The mailing address is PO Box 116, Boalsburg, PA 16827. If you would like to speak with Bob Cameron the curator, his telephone number is 814-876-0129. a
for its removal. There was no welding or cutting taking place in the area at the time. At approximately 10:30 AM Monday, a spinning department employee, reported that he was operating a battery powered truck to place material in an adjoining cabinet of unprocessed yarn. He had opened the door to the storage area and touched the start button of his electric truck. He saw a blue flame or arc, which appeared to come from the truck and a flash towards the open door. An explosion resulted. He immediately ran assuming that his truck exploded. An engineering department employee, who was standing in the immediate area, stated that he also saw the blue flame or arc fly from the battery powered truck just after the driver had taken hold of the handle that is used to operate the truck. From the report of these two eyewitness employees, management believed that the actual explosion was in the adjoining storage cabinet, causing debris of brick, tile and mortar to fall on the eight-man working crew on the other side of the wall. Management had not yet determined the cause of the explosive mixture in the cabinet, but it was reported early that acetylene tanks and welding were involved until employees verified that the welding equipment was not in use and that acetylene was not involved. Funeral services were held by the grieving families later that week in June. The healing of the injured, a long recover for some, went on. Additional safety measures were employed at the plant. The years would go by
All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.
and the Viscose or its successor companies continued until its final closure decades later—but nothing approaching the deadly Blast of 1951 would ever be repeated. NEXT MONTH: In the early years of Mifflin County, making alcohol distilled from locally grown grains was as common as boiling apple butter in the fall or butchering hogs for hams, sausage and bacon. This liquid gold was a farm commodity in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Next month: Whiskey in Local History. If you would like to learn more about Mifflin County’s interesting local history, plan a visit to the 1841 McCoy House Museum, 17 N. Main Street, Lewistown, PA. The museum is the birthplace of Maj. Gen. Frank Ross McCoy, soldier and diplomat, who served nine US Presidents. The museum houses the McCoy Memorial Collection, set period rooms from the Victorian age, American Indian Exhibit with a life-sized wigwam, artifacts from the French and Indian War to the Afghan War in the Military Room and so much more. Open every Tuesday from 11 AM – 2PM just stop in or call the Mifflin County Historical Society Office at 717-242-1022 to arrange a visit at other times. HISTORY IS OUR STORY – PASS IT ON! a
Seasons from page 8 and practicality do little to negate the unfettered whimsy and wonder of living life immersed in that delicate cycle. a
The Valley, June 2017
Ed’s Railroading News by Ed Forsythe
Mother’s Day, always a great day to honor our Mother and the Mother of our children. Last month’s Mother’s Day turned into one of the saddest that I can remember. If you remember or check back through my past articles you will know about the article that I wrote about building a mountain for my friend Mario’s layout. Later I wrote about his layout and his love of Lionel trains that dates way back into the 1940’s. More recently I wrote about our trip with Rose & Mario to Doolittle’s Depot for what turned out to be a very memorable
fun time with good food and great friends. Several weeks before Mother’s Day Mario was diagnosed with liver and bone cancer and on Sunday, May 14th, Mario passed into Heaven to join with his Mother & Father surrounded by Rose and their children and grandchildren. To say that Cathy and I have lost a great friend would indeed be an understatement. We first met Mario and Rose when they came into the train shop for repair service. For some reason we all became good friends immediately and have loved being together over the past four years as often as possible. We would talk about trains and many other subjects and even his phone calls were filled with good friendly banter. When his name came up on my phone, I’d answer it singing ‘’hello,
Life in the East End from page 28
about the money. Farmers farm because they love the way of life and wouldn’t want to do anything else. Certainly, we should all be thankful for all the farmers that work so hard to deliver safe, nutritious and affordable food to our tables – three times a day! If anyone has questions about GMOs a great resource is www. gmoanswers.com. Thank You Dr. Troy Ott for editing this article! Acknowledgments: This article was edited and reviewed for accuracy with the help of Dr. Troy Ott at Penn State. You can follow him on Twitter at @TroyOttAg.a
about safe and sustainable technologies. When all the misinformation is put aside, it is clear that both organic and conventional agriculture have strengths and weaknesses and each can learn from the other. For example, if organic production did not prohibit the use of GM technology, they could greatly reduce the use of insecticides and tillage. Both of these would make organic production more sustainable. Anyone who knows farmers knows that farming is not only or even largely
hello, hellooooo” and he’d always say, “Don’t sing, I hate music” even though his whole life was based in the music that he played on Broadway and around the country. Due to his condition we haven’t been able to talk lately, but through Rose we were kept apprised of his situation until on Mother’s Day we called and Rose gave us the news. Cathy & I attended Mario’s services to say farewell knowing we will meet again someday. Our thanks to God for allowing us to have been a part of his life and part of the lives of Rose and all the members of their family. They have all welcomed us as family and we will be forever grateful. We’ve already talked about still doing some of the things together that we had planned on doing as Mario will still be with us in spirit. Again, may he rest in peace with God forever. Happy Railroading, Ed & Cathy a
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All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.