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The Valley, June 2018
Pennsylvania Leads the Nation In Lyme Disease Cases
by Wayne Stottlar
It has been 40 years since Lyme Disease was first described after researchers identified it while investigating arthritis in children living near Lyme, Connecticut. Yet still after all this time, very little is known about it. Fortunately, the medical community has gotten us up to speed as funding allows and in areas where Lyme is well-known, testing has become commonplace, catching many cases early where treatment with antibiotics seems to be effective. Being someone who has been dealing with health issues related to my own case of Lyme that I contracted back in 1996, when even less was known, I can tell you it is not something you want to chance. Because I was not diagnosed for almost a full year afterward, I have what is called post-treatment Lyme disease or Chronic Lyme Disease. For this, there is no cure and I and many others are destined to deal with it for the rest of our lives, cyclic low grade fevers, fatigue, stiff or sore joints and muscles, digestive issues, depression, etc. It is hard to deal with. In some locations with consistently high cases of Lyme Disease, the disease seems to have leveled off or even slightly decreased in a number of cases;
still the CDC says that the number of cases actually confirmed may be only 10% of the actual cases due to misdiagnosis or one of many other factors including the fact that some people have been known to have a strong enough immune system to keep the disease at bay. But as I mentioned, facts about the disease are still pitifully lacking. In 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 8,988 CONFIRMED cases of Lyme Disease to the CDC. It was only a few years ago that Pennsylvania had less than 5,000 cases per year. The disease is on the rise. With almost 13,000 cases tentatively for 2017, the bar graphs present a shocking rise in numbers. Pennsylvania has been holder of the dubious number #1 spot for several years in a row, accounting for fully 1/4 of all cases nationwide! Remember, estimates are that this is only representative of 10%
of total actual cases. How many people are suffering due to not knowing. Some of this ignorance is due to the fact that current testing is only 56% accurate! That tells me there are a lot of people dealing with this issue, but have convinced themselves that it is something else. All indicies point to Pennsylvania being ground zero for Lyme
and other Tick Bourne Diseases for some time to come. We have great numbers of the needed
Veritas vos Liberabit
hosts—deer and field mice and ticks—and we have more than one species of tick that is going to be a problem in transmitting disease. The two organisms we Pennsylvanians need to be worried about are Spirohetes, which cause Lyme Disease and Rickettsias responsible for Rocky Mountain Spotted fever. Black-Legged Ticks are well known carriers of Lyme Disease and the Lone Star tick is known for transmitting Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Both ticks are abundant and Pennsylvanians would be smart to use due caution. There is also another NEW tick bourne disease to be aware of these last few years. Powassen Virus has been found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in recent years. There is no cure for Powassen Virus and those stricken can require hospitalization due to needing respiratory support and medication to reduce swelling of the brain. I wish I could say that this is all we have to worry
about, but it isn’t. Very recently the Lone Star Tick has become known for spreading alpha-galactose, which is an allergy to meat and other mammal products. Ticks are bad news in case this wasn’t enough already. There is a LOT of misinformation out there concerning these potentially deadly diseases. As soon as I hear some Facebook expert spouting off about how they had “Lymes” ....no, you didn’t! There is no such disease called “Lymes!” If you are about to impart your total lack of intelligence on the world at least get the name right. This disease is not one where you want some knownothing diagnosing your problem. See a REAL doctor, those in our area seem to have a good grasp on the protocol. Folks who venture into the woods, of course, need to take some common sense precautions each and every time they go into the woods. Insect repellent containing Deet is used by many, and even though the FDA said normal applications of Deet should be ok, I am not a big fan of applying anything to my skin, which will be absorbed transdermically into my bloodstream. Maybe I am going a bit far here, but being a lot more elderly than I was, I am trying to do as many things as pos-
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The Valley, June 2018
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Editor’s Corner Wayne Stottlar The constant rain has had me chained to the lawn mower every three or four days since the weather warmed enough to grow grass. To say that I am sick of it already would be an understatement. And usually, I like mowing the lawn, but once a week or so is plenty. This year has been ridiculous. I was late getting the garden tilled and planted because of the rain as well. But, after shedding 90 lbs since last season, I am moving a little quicker and gaining on it, and I’m able to recover just over night and go at it again. I am enjoying work a lot more without lugging that extra 90 lbs around for sure. The perennial beds greatly enjoyed this rainy spring, the flowers have been blooming non-stop since the progression started with our crocus’, daffodils and tulips and now starting with
our Stargazer lillies, coneflower, and daylillies. The berries have also produced well with all of the moisture, soon we will be gorging on blackberries and raspberries! With the wet and windy spring I also missed the opportunity to hand pollinate my Pawpaw’s at the proper time and was fearing a season without any fruit. Apparently some type of fly lended a helping hand and did it for me. I am sure I won’t get the 100+ fruit count I had last season, but there are clusters of tiny pawpaws all over the two trees. Thanks for the help! Saturday June 30th will be a great day for families interested in learning about how our health is affected by what we eat. “Health Connections Day on the Farm” is a family-friendly day of learning with speakers and workshops throughout the day and a
HEALTHY organic farm lunch that will be enjoyed by all. Hostetler’s Naturals Organic Farm in Milroy at 260 Stage Road is hosting this event. They live what they teach, and trust me, you will have a great time if you can attend. See their ad on page 17 for more info. I am so looking forward to a trip up to NH this month for a little R&R as well as some maintenance work on our property. If we do not keep our road clear and cut back, the forest will reclaim it in just a few short years. Daily use would keep it in good shape, but since we are only there a couple times a year, we need to spend time on maintenance, which will be followed by a swim in our lake if it is warm enough. Spending time at the property is always satisfying, whether we are working, or just listening to the silence broken by the sounds of the forest. This trip we are staying close to the property a few nights so we can get more of a “living there” experience. The last few years have been spent going there, doing our tasks and heading back to a friends house 1 1/2 hours away. We are going to spend a few days right there this trip, so maybe that will be what it takes to push Lynn over the edge and decide that we have waited long enough. In the meantime, however, I need to go cut grass again, yay me! Have a great month and enjoy everything our area has to offer!
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.
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The Valley, June 2018
Editors note: A shamelessly stolen column title from a friend and fellow publisher up north. My friend Bryan Flagg published The Northcountry News in NH for many, many years and we often traded emails during his time. I was sad to see him sell out last year, and I still follow the paper. I noticed some time ago that the new owner dropped Bryan’s editorial column and I thought in his honor, we would steal his title and resurrect it here in The Valley as a place for readers to sound off if they choose. It probably won’t appear every month as we seem to go through cycles with reader letters. We have seen an uptick in correspondence lately and sadly didn’t have a way to share them, so with this first letter by Jack Troy we are “officially” providing a space for reader involvement. We, of course, will not print every letter we receive and admittedly, they kinda have to fit into our general flow. Jack hit the nail squarely on the head with his letter. Last Thursday’s letter (5/3/2018) to the editor in the Huntingdon Daily News in praise of “developing” the Hawn’s
Bridge peninsula reminded one reader of its similarity to projects proposed by politicians whose shortsightedness coincides with the length of their term in office. In this case, the writer lists how boat slips closer to her home would save her and her husband a 30-minute drive to Lake Raystown Resort and Marina, where they keep their craft, and that owning a cabin at Terrace Mountain Property Associates might privilege them to a long-term mooring at the proposed 150-slip marina. (“… it would be nice to have a preference for those who live locally.”) Our hearts go out to professional leisureists suffering such indignities while aspiring for entitlements more in keeping with a gated community than public-access facilities provide. Surely, those who endure a half hour’s drive to and from their boat deserve our sympathy, particularly when they can see the very marina from their mountaintop redoubt. The hardship! The irony! Such hubris shouldn’t further any cause of despoiling the 400acre Hawn’s Bridge peninsula. Other writers have addressed the sound reasoning behind protect-
ing back and forth to Mt. Union to http://protecthawnspeninsula. ing this piece of land, but it won’t fly it. com/ and, by raising funding for hurt to reference the Huntingdon billboards and other educational Like it or not, the transition County Natural Heritage Area means, are furthering this worthfrom property held in public trust Inventory. In addition to listing while project. It is also gratifying to private, for-profit ownership threatened varieties of plants and to learn that through the democreates a clubby elitism. Just invertebrate species, my favorite cratic process, we can register that sort of thing happened not one in particular, is mentioned: our concern by “voting” through so long ago when a clubby sort Macaria promiscuata, or the letters to the U. S. Army Corps of gentleman sought to control a Promiscuous Angle Moth (whose of Engineers via this e-access stretch of the Little Juniata River name seems more like a Latinate by hanging a cable across it below address: RaystownMPrevision@ description on Presidential beusace.army.mil. the Spruce Creek bridge, charging havior) also deserves a dedicated other clubby sorts to fish, and for The U.S. Army Corps is now territory to carry on its suspect bidding kayaks, canoes, inner-tube taking public comments regardways. A salient quote from the floaters, and other water-borne ing revision of the master plan for inventory reads: “Disturbances “invaders” access to “his” stretch Raystown Lake. Please also leave that can lead to the introduction of water until a judge, citing case your comments opposing developof exotic and aggressive species law, ruled that he should pay his ment at this link: http://www.nab. are one of the largest threats.” We attorneys and go home, dragging usace.army.mil/Raystown-Mastershould include aggressive human behind the deflated balloon of his Plan-Revision/. species, with their marinas, rescockamamie dream – to make our When the poet E. E. Cumtaurants, and cabins as threats to mings wrote, “Progress is a comthis pristine area, with some of the waterway his. Traveling in Vermont has alfortable disease,” he might have most prized striped bass fishing in ways been especially pleasurable been describing a wealthy Texan’s the entire 26-mile long lake. Sometimes our better judgbecause it was the first of four dream in central Pennsylvania. ment calls for acting on behalf of states to ban billboards, but when Another writer, William Morthose who aren’t even born yet, I saw the ones in our area urging ris, was more hopeful when he who might ask their parents and support for the Hawn’s Bridge wrote, “The Past is not dead, it is grandparents, “What was it like Coalition, I nearly put a joyful fist living in us, and will be alive in here before the resort?” Instead of through the roof of my truck. I’m the future we are now helping to looking at a picture album of bull- psyched that enough people care make.” dozers making a Texan’s dream so much about this endangered, come true, families could experibeautiful, location that volunteers Jack Troy ence what real “development” would establish a fine web site: Huntingdon a is – by witnessing the natural world first-hand as a gift left by those they never had a chance to meet, which is to say, “Us. We, the people.” Future generations might, instead, look at plans to Henry David Thoreau convert public property to private real estate; plans that were sensibly abandoned, like the one rumored a , inc. couple of generations YOur mEtal rOOfiNg & ago, to build sidiNg suPPlY cENtEr an airport along the Petersburg Pike by a Roll Forming Metal Roofing gentleman & siding in smooth & textured from town who owned snap-loc standing seam in smooth a plane and & textured disliked driv-
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The Valley, June 2018
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Lilac
...Home Decor and more!
In my article this month, I’d like to promote a new little gem that has opened in our area. It’s not entirely new, but it’s been “re-born” so to speak. Lilac [Home Decor] is a gift shop at the intersection of Loop Road and Old Rte. 22 in Lewistown—just a short distance from Tractor Supply and Harbor Frieght and on the same side of the road. You may know it as the former Bushmen at Home gift shop, which also includes Bushmen Landscaping. Lilac is carrying many of the items you would expect to find when decorating in the farmhouse style. If you’ve ever watched Fixer Upper on HGTV with Chip and Joanna Gaines, you have the general idea of the decor you will find at Lilac. Then throw in some items for children, some locally made hygeine products from Shade Mountain Naturals, as well as garden and pond landscaping, and you have a very special gift shop. We are truly lucky to have such unique places to shop in our
area and since farmhouse decor is becoming so popular, I expect page of some of the beautiful things you will find there, but remember there are no guarantees these specific items are still available. I just wanted to give you a flavor of the shop. At Lilac you will find things like succulents (real and artificial) enamelware, galvanized tins and windmills, Magnolia candles, wreaths and greenery, lanterns, Shade Mountain soaps and cremes, tobacco baskets, large clocks, and much, much more! So, take some much needed “me” time and get out to Lilac to do some browsing and LOCAL
shopping to make your house a “home.” You won’t regret your visit! a
Lilac to do well. I’ve included a few photos from their Facebook
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The Valley, June 2018
No One Likes Doing Chores
“I need to clean them?” That question has stopped me midsentence while explaining that one of the features on a new feeder is how much easier it is to clean. The short answer is, yes. A longer answer is, absolutely. Usually more often than we already do. It’s very easy to put off cleaning feeders, feeder areas, and bird baths to another day. A great recipe for salmonella is a moldy feeder tray and decomposing seed with a good helping of bird droppings. Another highly contagious disease spread at feed-
ers is Finch Eye Disease. Comparable to human pink-eye, this disease has killed billions (yes, billions) of House Finches over the past decade or so. The disease peaked a few years ago, but has now been able to cross over to Goldfinches. It’s pretty nasty looking and if you’ve ever seen it, you’d be even more motivated to keep your feeders clean. Seed feeders should be cleaned at least every two weeks. Take your feeder apart and give each piece a good scrubbing with hot soapy water. Or, you can use a 1 part bleach to 9 parts water solution. It’s important to rinse thoroughly. It’s not just the feeders. Seed buildup on the ground area Finch Eye Disease is responsible for the deaths of BILLIONS of finches. under
the feeder should be raked up every few days also. In addition to keeping the area cleaner, it will also keep down potential rodent visitors. How about your hummingbird feeders? Sugar water should be changed every 3-5 days, depending on if it’s in the sun or in the shade. Really now, how long would you leave a Coke out in the hot sun before you wouldn’t drink it? The feeders themselves should be cleaned weekly. Using your hot water and bleach solution works best for that job. Once again, make sure to rinse thoroughly. If your bird bath is popular and anything like mine, it looks like poop soup every evening when I get home. It needs to be hosed out and refilled daily. And if a good scrubbing every week or two doesn’t keep the algae off, don’t be afraid to bring out the pressure washer. I love those things. It might not sound like it, but this article was intended to be encouraging, not discouraging. You wouldn’t do any less for your cat or dog. Your birds will be healthier and you’ll be happier, knowing they have the cleanest hot spot on the block. So do your chores, and don’t make me call your mother. Honey Creek Bill & Beak has a great variety of easier to clean feeders, with a lot of them warranted for life. a
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The Valley, June 2018
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My Percyving Eye by Percy R. Wilson, Jr. Evangelist, The Church of Christ at Milroy
Fathers: The Spiritual Leaders Men are to be the spiritual leaders of the home. Our fathers have been given a great and awesome responsibility by God. They, not the government, are to instruct and teach their children. The apostle Paul writes, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4, NKJV) And, “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21, NKJV) These passages make it clear that God will hold the father accountable for the training and upbringing of his children. This means first and foremost he is to teach his children about God. This teaching and training will be
done with the involvement of the mother and other family members as well. Note the words of Moses shortly before Israel entered the Promised Land. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6–9, NKJV) The father has to know the words of the Lord and be diligently looking for every opportunity to teach them to his children.
That could be done by some combination of discussion, example, and having those words posted where the children can read them. The parents and grandparents were to make extended effort to teach their children and grandchildren. This would also require fathers to ensure that the environment for their children is suitable for their learning. God has made the family, and especially the father, directly responsible for the training of the child about God. As to other education, the father and family will have to choose how to best educate their children. There will be some subjects that necessitate some “outside” expertise be utilized. The father may decide that a public school, private school, home school, or other method is best
About Faith
by Rev. Robert Zorn, Visitation Minister, Lewistown Presbyterian Church Hamilton
Several weeks ago I visited with a lady who was a resident in a care facility in State College. She was a person whom we have known for many years, and one of the few persons from our former parish who has visited us in our home out here in Treaster Valley. The village where I saw her in my most recent visit is near the home of her daughter and son-in-law. She did not acknowledge my visit, nor realize that I had been her former pastor. She has been under Hospice Care for two years and is practically bedfast. She must be fed every bit of nourishment that sustains her frail, ninety six year old body. Her daughter and son-in-law visit her daily and try
to maintain some communication with her, but most often, even they are strangers to her. It is reported that she sleeps most of the time in her single room, occupied by herself and a large old cat named Hamilton. He is a black and white Maine Coon, or a Ragdoll cat, and is fourteen years old. When his owner makes her travels about the home for meals and activities, Hamilton guards their domain, ever faithfully alert. It was not always so with this fine lady. She and her family lived just a short distance from the Irvine Presbyterian Church, known as “The Little Stone Church.” This is one of the two churches of our last parish where Carol and I
ministered for twenty five years. I cannot remember of her ever missing a worship service or church activity in all of those years. As pastor, I visited often in their home and Carol and myself were invited to share meals with them during our pastorate there. I had the honor of officiating the wedding of their younger daughter in their church. Our warm relationship has continued through all of these years. When widowhood left her alone and far from other family members, she relocated to a high rise apartment in State College. This particular residence was chosen because she was allowed to bring her beloved pet cat with her there. As time took its toll on her mobility and health, she moved
for his children. A father who is concerned about the welfare of his child will make the decision that is best for that child. That may mean that different options or combination of options are chosen for each of his children. If one method is not working for a child, other options will need to be explored by the father and family. The father or family should strive to find those teachers who will reinforce and not denigrate their family and religious values. Discipline will also be required if the child is to learn. Discipline is not to be abusive or only punitive. It should also not be applied inconsistently or only when one is angry with his children. Discipline is to be instructive, and should be individualized to the specific need of each child. We have all seen the erosion of our society in recent decades. Studies have repeatedly shown that when there is no father figure in the home, those children on average are not as well-adjusted as those who have a father in the home. That is because God who ordained the family, not the church nor government with the responsibility of training its own. Fathers need to be involved and accept their God-given responsibilities regarding their children. This is not limited to
financial support, and coaching in a youth baseball league. It is being involved in all aspects of his child’s life. Our children are the future. A generation that knows not God is doomed to failure. Remember children are to be a blessing. As Solomon wrote: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” (Psalm 127:3–5, NKJV) So fathers get involved in your child’s lives. Train them in the ways of the Lord. Remember, fathers, God will hold you accountable on Judgment Day. Percy R. Wilson, Jr. Evangelist, The church of Christ at Milroy preacherpercy@comcast.net 717-667-7346 My Percyving Eye a
to The Village, a care facility on the other side of town. Again, her faithful feline companion moved with her. Hamilton took well to his new surroundings. Accommodations were made for him in the room and were tended to daily by family members and village staff. Visitors to the room would be greeted by a gentle rub against the legs and cute little cat dance as he led the way to the place where his treats were stored. As his mistress rocked in her chair, he kept watch. When she slept on her bed, he lay beside her with her hand resting on his furry body. He was there at 10:30 P.M. Saturday, September 10 when she died. He stayed there until the funeral attendants moved
her out of the room. A memorial service in honor of Mrs. Sue Franklin was held in The Little Stone Church. Hamilton has many offers to find a home with caregivers and friends at the Village. This sad story gives us an opportunity to appreciate the relationships of our lives: of families and friends, of occasions of fellowship - both happy and sad, of blessings shared, of memories and accomplishments. Also, may the story remind us of the abundance of blessings that God has given us in those we love and those who love us, be they human or animal companions. a
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Remember Dad on June 17th
Family Hospice, Part of UPMC Home Nursing Agency, Offers Free Grief Support Group in Lewistown Family Hospice and Palliative Care, Part of UPMC Home Nursing Agency (HNA), is offering a free Grief Support Group on the third Tuesday of each month from April to December. The group will meet from 11 a.m. to noon at Home Nursing Agency’s Mifflin County office, 129 South Main St., Suite T, Lewistown. Facilitated by Family Hospice Social Worker Mark McLaren, this support group is free and open to all members of the community grieving the loss of a loved one. Grief can be very difficult and painful at times, so those grieving are invited to come and share their thoughts, express their feelings and discuss how to work through the grieving process. For more information, please contact McLaren at 1-800-445-6262.
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The Valley, June 2018
Dave Wilson
Coins, Precious Metal and a Little of this and That
What Else Is There? Think about it. Other than cash, what can you own that will protect your worldly wealth? Cash is fine, for now, but what if cash lost most (or all) of it’s purchasing power? What would we do then? What could we buy or own that would replace cash in a hyper-inflationary economic environment? Yes, I’m sure you guessed my answer. Gold and/ or silver. The “powers-that-are” have continuously manipulated
the prices of precious metals lower, as they are a prime indicator of the health of the US dollar. The lower they can drive the metals, the stronger they make the US dollar appear. The manipulations have been so blatant, that the entire investment community is fully aware of what “they” are doing. Sadly, prices have been crushed for so long, that even the most enthusiastic Gold and Silver bugs have started to lose interest
in adding to their holdings. But, back to our original question. What can you buy to protect your lifetime savings? Land and Real Estate are fine, but terribly illiquid (hard to sell quickly, especially in an economic panic.). Crypto-currencies “may” be an avenue, but not for some time to come. They also have the same problem as currency, in that they are backed by nothing. Unusual collectibles like stamps, antiques, beaniebabies, matchbook cars, baseball cards, etc. are also very hard to turn into cash in tough times. (Even expensive “ART” will be
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a difficult sale during a severe economic downturn. Gold and silver remain a time-tested, exceptional method of storing wealth. And, with current prices that have been smashed down and suppressed for nearly two decades, they represent a wonderful investment opportunity for even the smallest investor. “Bubbles” exist in nearly every area of our economy. The Stock market, Bond Market, Auto Loans, Student Loans, per capita healthcare costs, unfunded state and corporate pensions, plus a huge (and growing) national debt of 21 trillion dollars. A mere 150 trillion dollars in US unfunded liabilities is also a “bit” worrisome. Precious metals have a 5,000 year+ history of being used as real, tangible money. Physical gold and silver, the kind you can hold in your hands, have no counter-party risk. They are
honest and widely recognized stores of valuable wealth. Prices for gold, silver and the other precious metals are presently at ridiculously low levels. Hundreds of economists and savvy money managers are touting hard assets as the only way to assure your family’s future economic wellbeing. When the (225+ trillion dollar) worldwide debt tsunami comes crashing down, only those people who have gold and silver will benefit because when the tide recedes, panicking owners of devalued cash will not be able to locate an inexpensive ounce of anything, anywhere! The price suppression team is giving us all a wonderful opportunity to protect our lifetime savings. However, gold and silver are not able to purchase themselves! a
The Valley, June 2018
8 Pennsylvania Leads Nation in Lyme Disease from front page sible the right way, so no chemicals directly on my skin, but if you are fine with it, by all means, it is said to help in warding off the little nasties. My way to ensure protection is to apply Permethrin to a couple sets of clothes that get used just for going into the woods. I treat a whole set, socks, shirt, pants and even my hiking boots. Permethrin is marketed by many companies, but I have had
great luck with Sawyers Brand. You do NOT want to get permethrin on your skin, so care must be taken during application. The product comes in a pump spray bottle, and each bottle can do two sets of clothes. Once the product is dry on the clothing, it bonds with the material and there is no transference through your skin. I have been using this product for almost 10 years, as I spend a lot of my outside time in the woods. I had to find something that would allow me to do so without getting skeeved out every time I set foot
in the forest. Permethrin IS my security blanket, I have not had one tick on me while using it—it works! If you are not the type to be crawling through the woods at all, but want to be safe in your own yard, you can of course go through the same procedure and you will be protected, but even I admit, it is a pain to have to be cognizant of which clothes you are wearing to go out. So if protecting your space around your house is in order to protect your children and pets as well as yourself, there is an inexpensive solution. A local company that we have had treating our yard for three years now, Premier Lawn Solutions, comes out once a month and sprays an all-natural, organic flea and tick repellent that has passed our test with flying colors. 30 minutes after application the product is dry and safe for the dogs and people. It smells wonderful due to one of the ingredients being cedar oil. It only needs to be reapplied every 30 days, and the peace of mind knowing everything that you love is protected is well worth the small cost. I know they make flea and tick medicine that can be given orally or squirted on the animals skin, but they are chemicals, and I do not think they are
Chris Peachey of Premier Lawn Solutions (see ad page 31) applies the safe, all-natural flea and tick treatment.
safe. The all-natural treatment is safe and it works. With it looking like we are in for a very rough ride here in
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Pennsylvania as far as tick bourne illness is concerned, anything that makes sense to me, I am employing, because trust me, you don’t
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The Valley, June 2018
Understanding the Constitution by David Molek
Liberal Culture Control Agenda
A short time ago, former United States Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens called for a repeal of the Second Amendment. He called it a “relic of the 18th century.” However, I do not believe I will see the Second Amendment repealed in my lifetime. I am one of those guys who believe only “from my cold dead hands” will I lose my firearms to protect myself and my family. Unfortunately though, it is a lot easier to pass new federal and state laws rather than to repeal the Second Amendment or amend our Constitution. Liberals are using historical revisionism to try to make our Constitution irrelevant. Justice Stevens claims (without legal or historical precedent) that his liberal conception of gun rights is that it is not an individual Godgiven right. A formal amendment to our
Constitution requires securing two-thirds majorities in both the House of Representatives and the United States Senate; and then three-fourths of the states would have to ratify the Amendment. This process is both difficult and costly. Thank God and our Founders for this process. In practice, however, there is another way to amend our Constitution. This is what has been going on since the New Deal and progressivism. Landmark Supreme Court decisions create “new rights,” or re-interpret our Constitution, or apply its provisions in a new way. The practical effect is to amend our Constitution with liberal, progressive activist judges. The easiest example is the one I have used in Constitutional Law classes on numerous occasions. In 1973, the Supreme Court simply invented a new
federal “right” to an abortion, and one that could be banned or regulated by federal law. There is nothing in our Constitution about abortion and is not listed under the “limited” powers of the federal government. Abortion is truly a matter for state and local governments. The Supreme Court effectively amended our Constitution unilaterally. In addition, New Deal and FDR’s political pressure on the Supreme Court created new federal regulatory schemes which were approved. Delegation of legislative powers by Congress is now almost routinely approved. Our United States Supreme Court, by failing to prevent delegations of legislative authority, foregoes a significant opportunity to maintain the structure of government and separation of powers prescribed by our Constitution. As a result, Senators and Congressmen may and do delegate difficult and divisive legislative issues to agencies in the executive and judicial branches far removed from political accountability. There are many more examples. Efforts by liberals and progressives spend considerable time and money on getting a United
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States president elected who will appoint judges who will follow the “living” constitution theory rather than interpret the original words. These judges make rulings that reflect their political ideologies. Their influence with these rulings and decisions, and resulting change to the government, continue to exercise influence well beyond their lifetimes. President Trump has been working hard to fill judicial slots even with an obstructive Democratic minority and a few RINO senators. Just as the First Amendment protects modern communication, and the Fourth Amendment applies to modern forms of search, the Second Amendment extends to guns that were not in existence at the time of our Founding. Our Founders were well aware that fleeting emotions of the population could erode individual rights. Just look at world history of true democracies. That’s just another reason we are a republic and not a democracy. American citizens do, in fact, have an inherent individual right to protect themselves with firearms. Never once in the founding debates and Federalist papers did a lawmaker arise to argue that gun ownership should be limited. Most states, including Pennsylva-
nia, already feature language to protect that right. Pennsylvania’s language is “the right to bear arms shall not be questioned.” Sometimes, it seems the liberals are controlling our “anti-gun culture.” We need to control the words and we can regain control of our culture. Words have meanings. We need to go back to using plain words and not politically correct terms. There has been no change in the meaning of the words in the Second Amendment that should affect the meaning of the Amendment. The ultimate objective of these liberals is to disarm the American people and demote our constitutional standing as citizens to our ancestors’ standing as subjects. I have owned defense weapons for many years. Liberals created the term “assault weapon.” Taking a page right out of the book, 1984, Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary recently changed the definition of assault rifle to fit pro-gun control talking points, adding “a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle, but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire.” Assault weapon is a politically invented term by liberals to instill fear among the general population. This definition change is a stark reminder of the tide shift towards gun control and culture control. A recent FBI report credits armed citizens with saving lives in 2016 and 2017. This is the first government hard evidence that gun control activists are demonstrably agenda-driven liars. The
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a cotton pad and forming a ‘mask’ with your cupped hands. They are now even making vape pens that hold essential oils: These are controversial because of the added ingredients they are putting in the vapor. When you inhale an essential oil, whether in diffusion or inhalation, there are two areas of contact, or two ways your body processes EOs.
Inhalation and Diffusion of Essential Oils
I am currently taking an Essential Oil Masterclass given by Robert Tisserand of the Tisserand Institute. I am learning SO much! I want to share with you one of the topics that I found extremely interesting and I hope you do also. That is the topic of Inhalation and Diffusing. Same thing…right? No, not really: read on! Diffusing of essential oils is when you diffuse the oils into a large space. This is more of an environmental exposure and is used to enhance your environment. You may diffuse lavender to have a calming effect, lemon to energize, or cinnamon to create a warm aroma to your home. Studies have shown that using essential oils to create an aroma in your home is much safer than using fragrance oils (more on this later). Another example of an environmental exposure would be using essential oils to clean with. In general,
when you are diffusing essential oils to enhance your environment, large areas are diffused with concentration and exposure at a decreased amount compared to a therapeutic dose as with inhalation
(medicinal). So, when diffusing in this way, risk is minimal (if any at all). Examples of ways of environmental diffusing are: electric room diffusers, essential oils in
wax tart warmers, reed diffusers, terra cotta discs and aroma lamps. Inhalation is different. Inhalation is used for medicinal purposes. The primary goal when inhaling an essential oil is to trigger a direct physical response, such as to increase breathing when you are having sinus issues, to get rid of a headache, or to decrease inflammation in the body. This is done by inhaling essential oils direct and personal. Because you are putting the EO so close to your nose and directly inhaling, you are getting a concentrated large amount in a brief time period so safety parameters need to be in place to decrease adverse effects. Direct inhalation can be accomplished by using an ‘inhaler stick’ (we call these ‘to go inhalers’ at Shade Mountain Naturals), by putting essential oils in hot water and directly breathing in steam, nebulizers with masks, or even putting the EO on
#1: Through the airways (nose to lungs). This affects respiratory function (ie: cough). • A whopping 93% of the EO that you inhale goes into the airways! 50% of that goes into the bloodstream. • It is then processed by the liver where the oil soluble molecules are converted into water soluble molecules. The waste can then pass through the kidneys and out of the body through urination. • Respiratory absorption is extremely effective. Our lungs were designed by our Creator to absorb gases (oxygen). That is just what God created them to do and they are good at it! So the EO vapors are no exception. This is good: except when too much EO is inhaled for too long. We will talk about the adverse reactions…read on! #2: Intranasal delivery: through the brain. This affects you neurologically (how you think and feel), ie: mental focus. • The Olfactory bulb or nerves
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act as a transport route to carry EOs to brain. Only 7% of the EO you inhale, makes its way into the olfactory epithelium. Then only 50% of that (3.5%) makes its way to the brain. Psychological effects Olfactory nerve signaling Odor perception; we like it or we don’t! Emotional response; odors can bring back memories (good or bad) Absorption into the brain Effect on brain cells. This is now being extensively researched and finds application in the area of neurological disease. Effect on neurochemicals (can affect mood)
For safety concerns, I am mostly going to be talking about inhalation, that is directly inhaling concentrated amounts of EOs in a brief time to achieve a therapeutic, physical response. Risk factors are rarely a concern when diffusing because large areas are being diffused with lower concentration and decreased exposure. The risks with inhalation of EOs include: • Sensory and tissue irritation. This is the common way your body is going to warn you that you are going above the dosage that is safe for you and you need to STOP! These include: coughing, runny
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Inhalation and Diffusion of Essential Oils from page 10
Rescue Our Furry Friends by Patricia Lawson
Take a look at these “Three Peas in a Pod.” Here’s their story:
“We 3 lads are only 6 weeks old, and have no momma and no names. Can you think of some cool titles for us, like Moe, Larry and Curly? What do you think? ROFF has come to our rescue and we are so thankful. We don’t want to think about what would have become of us without them. We are in ‘Purr’fect health, litter trained and our human mom tells everyone just how super sweet and affectionate we are. Come on over to the cattery and see for yourself.”
Before we meet Hazel, take a look at this cool fundraiser. “Five Points Screen Printing” at 26 Valley Street in Lewistown has tote bags for sale. There are three different designs and they can be seen at the store or on their Facebook page. Also, for your convenience, their phone number is 717-242-1177. The prices range from only $14-$16 and order forms can be picked up at ROFF Headquarters in Burnham or at Five Points. Money and orders are due by June 12th. And here’s another event you won’t want to miss – the Annual Yard Sale on Wednesday, June 27th from 8-3. Donations will be accepted on June 26th at the rear of Big Valley Beverage in Reedsville and the event is at the same location.
A reminder: ROFF Annual Rabies Clinic; Saturday, July 14th at City Hook & Ladder #14, 317 Valley Street in Lewistown; 10am-12pm. And now it’s Hazel time in the spotlight.
“Hi everyone. I’m Hazel. Once again ROFF has come to the rescue. You see I was found as a stray. I’m a oneyear old gal who is a shepherd mix and just look at my face. Am I cute or what? Thanks to ROFF I’m up to date on all my vaccines and I’m spayed. Plus, I’m housebroken and crate trained. I’m so ready to be part of your home. Right now, I’m in a cool foster home that has other dogs, cats and kids and I get along with all of them. Please come on over to visit me soon. I can’t wait to meet you.”
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nose, eye irritation, phlegm, hoarseness, headache, fatigue and generally anything that makes you feel uncomfortable. Airway hyper-reactivity. This describes a constriction of the airways, which makes breathing difficult. Currently, there is no list of specific EOs that should be avoided. Just know that if you start to have trouble breathing, STOP! Pediatric hyper-reactivity. Some children under the age of three will react more to specific substances, especially those that trigger cold receptors. When these receptors are triggered, the body thinks it is breathing very cold air, which is perceived as potentially dangerous, and breathing slows down as a reflex. The cold receptors also trigger bronchoconstriction, which makes breathing difficult. This is a potentially dangerous scenario for infants. This reflex disappears completely by about age 3 to 5. Because of this, for children under 3, it is best to avoid the use of all peppermint. Caution should also be used when using rosemary, menthol, and eucalyptus (globulus or radiata).
Safety guidelines: When diffusing for environmental enhancement • Diffuse for 60 minutes then take a break for an hour OR: Purchase a diffuser that can be set to come on and go off
As always, your donations are crucial to our mission. The vet bills plus daily care for all our rescues are astronomical so your contributions would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made via PayPal or checks made payable to ROFF may be mailed to: 133 North Walnut Street, Burnham, PA 17009. Thank you! Until they all have homes… www.roffrescue.com; rescueourfurryfriends@yahoo.com; 1-877933-ROFF (7633) a
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intermittently. Control the concentration. Do not diffuse too much more than when you can detect the odor. Diffuse in a large area or have some ventilation in a smaller area. STOP if you have any kind of adverse reaction!
When inhaling for therapeutic purposes: • Do not inhale for longer than 15 minutes • STOP if you have any kind of adverse reaction At Shade Mountain, we offer atomizing diffusers. These vaporize oil with no water involved. The essential oil molecules stay in the air much longer than with diffusers that use water. These are great because the run time, rest time and the output can all be controlled and set by you. This means that you can set it to run for a minute up to 20 minutes, then it will rest for a minute or twenty (whatever you set it at). You can also control the amount of EO that it puts out: a lot or a little! These are amazing as they can be set to control so many variables, they come with a five year warranty AND they are made in the good ole USA! Can those with Asthma inhale EOs? YES! Although essential oil constituents can be respiratory irritants, there is no documented clinical evidence of asthmatic reaction to any essential oil! However, there is evidence for fragrances, which can trigger a reaction in asthmatics.
Interesting fact: Perceived risk can lead to an adverse reaction! That is: if you think it will harm you, then your chances of negative reaction increase. On the flip side: if you like an odor, then your chances of having an adverse reaction decrease! Less may be more: What I mean by this is that what normally would be a calming oil when diffused with all safety guidelines in tact, may actually have a reverse effect if safety guidelines are not in tact. Take lavender for instance. You are diffusing in your home intermittently in a large space, you would have calming effects. If you are heavily and constantly diffusing in a small confined space, you may experience excitability or even headaches. With all this being said: use common sense and when in doubt: don’t… or ask a qualified, educated professional! At Shade Mountain we are dedicated to education. Not only do we have certified aromatherapists on staff to answer your questions: we give classes to educate others! Thank you for reading. Thank you for your support. Please come visit us on Jack’s Creek Road in Lewistown, or now at The Barn in Lemont (next door to Happy Valley Brewery). We love visitors at Shade Mountain and we LOVE to chat, so if you have questions: bring them in! If you are interested in learning more about natural skin care or essential oils: we teach classes and do make and takes! Join us on Facebook to view our schedule and sign up, or give us a call at 717-248-8847. ~Tamela a
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Lazy Summer Days Along the River by Kim Rickert Hot summer days bring to mind sitting by a shade tree and relaxing, a nice cool river flowing by and available for a quick dip. Maybe you prefer being out on the river in a boat or kayak? If this scenario appeals to you, then this is a property that you will want to see! The river cottage at 659 East River Road in Mifflintown, actually located just before you cross the bridge into Port Royal,
cess. The property is zoned for recreational use only, and cannot be used as a permanent residence. Inside the cottage the floor plan was opened up and features a new kitchen with tile floor, oak cabinets from Crownwood Custom Cabinetry, laminate countertop, new appliances and eat-in area that is adjacent to the family room. The family room and dining area have laminate flooring and
With the total remodel in 2012 it is hard to believe this was once a 1,200 sq. ft. Ranch
offers a quiet place to relax during the summer days with all of the conveniences of home. The cottage was completely remodeled in 2012, changing it from a small 1200 sq ft ranch to a much larger 2200 sq ft cottage with a second story loft addition. The property includes the house and shed plus approximately 2.49 acres of land, the majority of it along the Juniata River giving the owner river ac-
additional windows to bring in the natural light, as well as views of the river. Beautifully decorated with a faux fireplace and vintage pieces, the furnishings are an optional purchase. There is a master bedroom with private bathroom to the back of the house with walk-in shower, a new sink vanity and tile flooring. The master bedroom features laminate flooring and a mini-split
cooling and heating system. A second bedroom at the front of the cottage is used as a sunroom with sunlight streaming in windows on three sides, laminate flooring and another mini-split unit. The second bathroom was updated with new vanity, shower and tile flooring. A first floor laundry was added for convenience. On the new second floor, a large loft will take your breath away with tongue and groove cathedral ceilings, dramatic views of the river from the deck, sleeping spaces tucked away under the eaves and a 16 X 40 open area to use as your game room, or for additional beds. Large windows at both ends of the loft bring in the natural light. The cottage offers plenty of outdoor options for entertaining including the second floor deck and the rear patio off the kitchen. Just a few steps across the
A lovely faux fireplace gives a high end feel to the newly remodeled family room.
road, you can descend to the river frontage part of the lot where you have access to launch your boat or picnic alongside the Juniata. Nearby is the Juniata River Adventures rentals and Buttonwood Campground. The location is just minutes from Route 322 and about 30 minutes west of the Harrisburg area.
Loft hardly seems fitting to describe this elegant addition. Added sleeping space and a family area are topped with a beautiful tongue and groove cathedral ceiling.
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So if you have been looking for a second home to vacation, this lovely cottage in Juniata County may be just the ticket! Contact the listing agent, Kim Rickert, for an appointment to see the beauty of this renovated cottage soon! Kim Rickert cell: 717-9941933 email: Kim@stonearchrealestate.com a
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Around Town With Carole
by Carole Lokan Moore Getting the Pen Ready for New Chicks You decided to “do it.” Get off your duff, go to the lumber store, and build yourself a hen house just like the $900 one with wheels, an egg box, and wire that you see in the “magazines” targeting those who have money and wish to live a healthy life. So it looks really great, pretty wood, and you think it is so cute that you will want to add a flower box to call it your little play house. But have you ever seen what bird poop looks like? My direct example is my parrot, Long John Silver, who has a beautiful wrought iron cage that cost over a $1,000. I can spin it to the light, or not, I can slide out a tray with the excrement on it, but you still have to put down paper to collect the manure and change it regularly. Remember, a parott is just a bird, so the outdoor pen will eventually look like the parott pen, especially under his favorite spot where he sits for hours and leaves his droppings...a very corrosive mix. The store bought “wheely” hen house is a carpenter’s dream, but a nightmare for chicken owners. Wheeling the “cage” thru the tall grass even though it’s big wheels are quite mobile on a flat surface, is tough work. If you leave the cage in one spot too long, the acidity in the runny manure will turn your grass yellow from the PH change. Remember, grass likes moderation not an abundance of fertilizer dumped at once. So forget the “beautiful” little pen and go for something more practical. It too can look good with a peaked roof and a nice color of shingles to complement your house, but make sure it is convenient to the hose so you can power wash it at regular intervals to keep the wire from corroding from the excrement. Choose a well-drained location not too far from the house, but possibly down wind so that the summer breezes don’t bring you unpleasant aromas. Use soil that is naturally loose with some loomis, but mostly with sand. New Jersey’s ancient Sand Dunes from the last ice age, are a great place, but if you’re in a clay area, you must do some prep work.
We put a cover on our pool every year and tie it down, but also use masonry sand in 20 lbs bags to hold the edges. At the end of the winter when the tarp is removed, I wheel barrow those bags of sand up to the hen yard and sprinkle it around. Ten bags each year for almost a dozen hens has given the pen good drainage. If you don’t have a patch that is dry more days of the year than wet, you’ll have to add some kind of sand. With beach replenishment costs, the shore communities frown upon removing sand from the beach except in your shoes and your bathin’ suit, so you’ll have to make a purchase. Check around for garden centers and get the best price or “recycle” your sand as we do and make the purchase count for two uses....hold down the tarp and later increase the sandy soil for drainage. A very frugal, efficient, and handy friend of ours, Butch, who is actually a cousin one removed or such, used the design for a double dog kennel and added a corigated steel roof for his hen house. The only problem was he didn’t know where his property line was as it backed up to an open field. He figured nobody was using that land anyway, but eventually he was given a “cease” notice for trespassing and the Cyclone fenced walls, doors, and roof were loaded on a flat bed and brought here to Whitebriar. We call it the “Butchie cage.” The old farmer in me enjoyed knowing that the galvanized nesting box seating eight was his grandfather’s who was also a friend of my father. Not every one is lucky enough to have a “free” pen arrive at their door, so plan your purchase and if you can, do it in the winter when Cyclone fence manufacturers are “slow” and have no business so their pricing will be more advantageous to your construction project. Known to many as a”Trash Picker,” which I actually call “Early Recycler,” my eye is focused on the “curb” every week for “treasurers” which can be recycled. The head and foot board of a double bed fits nicely in a double wide dog pen. I used bailing twine—the strongest stuff
I think they make—to stretch the head board from side to side tied several times from the actual Cyclone fence. Hens are not very heavy. You know that old joke “How much is a “Henway? — answer about 5 lbs.” Anyway, if you can find a foot and head board of wood or metal that has “rungs” the hens can grab on to them while they roost at night. I recommend this to save you from changing the nesting boxes so often. If you don’t have a “rung” for them to roost on they all sit in the hen boxes and in the morning they are filled with waste. If they have a “rung” they won’t do that. Remember Chickens are just big birds. Birds roost in the trees (or some in boxes) and as the breeze blows, the branch wobbles and gently rocks them to sleep. Well your head/foot board won’t rock, but it will get them up off the ground and away from predators. Mine seem to be so much happier at dusk when I close the pen to keep out night predators. Now you’ve got the pen, but what about the feeding pan? I can guarantee you that they don’t want their food all in one place and 203 inches thick. There is no challenge to a hen or rooster to just stand by the feed bowl and pick up morsels of corn and other grains. They just don’t seem to be happy doing that. So maybe I am crazy, but I think the hunting, pecking, scratching, and searching is part of the game—it makes them less bored and less likely to peck at each other or pull feathers from their neighbors. Scatter their mix on the ground and let every one of them have a chance to do their happy little cackle when they “find something good” like a piece of corn. Let’s talk about that corn. First of all my hens don’t like whole corn. I don’t know why, but when I buy it they seem to look at me
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cockeyed till I get the “cracked corn.” I know the hens use a “bag of stones” below their beek for “grinding their food after they eat it, but it seems the corn kernel is easier for them if it is at least cracked. This scattering becomes difficult in rainy weather so collect those clear storm doors off your neighbors trash pile and make the “windy” side of the pen impenetrable by sideways rain, which can drench the floor of your pen making the worst mess imaginable. Before you go and purchase one of those fancy electric white and red plastic water feeders, let’s talk. Gosh I sound like Joan Rivers. I have been given these feeders twice, and each time I end up cutting off the automatic heating element that keeps their water from freezing in the winter. Since I’m no where near an electrical plug, the wire just becomes encrusted and looks like a black snake in the moon light. So think hard before you purchase that $45 fancy automatic water trough. You’ve heard me speak of my Dad who always had chickens for the benefit of the five kids and Mom, and his favorite was the steel two piece automatic water feeder. I have two of them for
decorations as they look great as an antique on my front porch with seasonal flowers glued to them— yep a great touch for the farm porch right next to the rocking chair. But believe me, they are also a pain in the buttocks. First you must fill the bottom half and carry it with the attached handle to your location. Then you must position the top metal dome, which covers the bottom piece and catch it just right. If you drop the tin thing on either piece, they seem to leak cause they are no longer form fitting. Once the “dome” is on, you must turn it until you find the “button” where the “slider” catches. Once that connection is made, you can easily lift the two pieces (now joined) and locate it anywhere you want. It does not have an electrical cord. Problem is, when the weather freezes it doesn’t work, so consider it the summer water feeder and put it in the barn for the winter (emptied—don’t leave water in it or the freezing and thawing will burst the seems). So you have not resolved as yet the way you will keep water available for the flock. I have learned that hens will not lay if they don’t have enough water. I
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town, that a large body of armed men had assembled at Jordan’s Tavern on the Juniata. They were armed with guns, swords and pistols vowing to OUR YESTERYEARS Bryson’s elevation, they pledged proceed to the courthouse and By Forest K. Fisher that he would never serve in that physically remove Bryson. Mifflin County Historical Society capacity. State’s attorney Clarke, with Perhaps the most reliable eye- the concurrence of Brown, Bryson “Order the mob to disperse and witness account of the riot comes and Armstrong, agreed to dispatch restore order...” from deputy state’s attorney John Prothonotary Samuel Edmiston, The Lewistown Riot of 1791 Clarke, on hand for the opening Justice Beale, Sheriff George WilJune 2018 of the new court. His recollection son and two attorneys to proceed appears in the official report he and meet the rioters. The court’s This citizen action took place submitted after the riot. Clarke decree to Sheriff Wilson: tell the almost 230 years ago. Today, that took an active role in quelling rioters the court was alarmed disturbance is known in history the disturbance and was himself at their proceedings, order the as the Lewistown Riot of 1791, placed in mortal danger during mob to disperse and restore ormarking one of Mifflin County’s those pivotal hours when tempers der. most exciting moments. were most volatile. Court opened and prepared to The appointment of a judge That session of court was get down to work with the grand sparked the controversy and scheduled to open Monday, the jury, already impaneled and waitrevealed the growing pains of the 12th of September, 1791 in Mifing. At eleven o’clock the sound newborn county. Mifflin County flin County’s first court house. of a fife echoed up the dirt streets was carved from Cumberland This two story, log structure was of the county seat, heralding the County and a bit of Northumberlocated at the corner of Wayne approaching mob. Smoke filled land County in 1789, and included and Market Streets, where the the air as muskets were discharged what would become Juniata present Mifflin County Correcskyward. The angry band apCounty. Residents there lived tional Facility is today. The newly peared in front of the courthouse! “below the Long Narrows,” while appointed associate justices, Three men on horseback were in the rest of the county’s citizens Thomas Beale, William Brown, the lead. The delegation sent to lived “above the Long Narrows.” Samuel Bryson and James Armquell them walked behind, under Today, this gap is referred to as strong were to gather on that day. guard. Upon their arrival, the Lewistown Narrows. all those held were freed, The principal character except Sheriff Wilson, is Samuel Bryson. Bryson who was detained by four married Ann Harris, the of the rioters. daughter of John Harris, The excited justices who laid out a town upon looked to States Attorney his own land in lower MifClarke, and ordered him flin County and named it out to address the rioters. Mifflintown in honor of He went out and lectured Pennsylvania’s first govthe gathering, warning ernor, Thomas Mifflin. them of the danger of their Bryson opened a store one mile above Harris’s planta- MCHS photo showing the 1941 model of Fort Granville, acts. Clarke remonstrated the crowd, declaring serition and also owned a farm now in the McCoy House Museum, 17 N Main Street, ous consequences would and distillery on Lost Creek. Lewistown, PA Open May through September, every Tuesday, 11-2 PM. result if they persisted. The Bryson was later apunwavering mob pressed pointed a county lieutenant, forward shouting to their leaders, with the right to confirm military They met before noon to open the “March on! March on! Draw commissions. As was the custom court, but Justice Beale was late, of the day, regiments elected their and proceedings didn’t commence your sword on him! Draw your sword on him! Ride over him!” own officers, who served by the until three that afternoon. Clarke remembered: popular support of the men in the When Beale did arrive in “I seized the reins of the bridle ranks. For whatever reason, the town, he was requested to acrecords are silent on this point, company the other justices and the that the principal commander held, William Wilson, brother of Bryson refused to commission officers of the court to the courtthe Sheriff. He was well mounted two colonels elected by their house, but he declined to go. The and well dressed, with a sword, respective regiments. This was a procession moved to the courtand, I think, two pistols belted slap in the face, an affront to the house without him, where the round him, a cocked hat, and one institution, an act that would be judges’ commissions were read, or two feathers in it. He said he remembered! the court opened, and the officers would not desist, but at all events So when Bryson, along with and the attorneys of the court proceed and take Judge Bryson three other local men, received the were sworn in. At this point, an off the bench, and march him appointment of associate justice adjournment was called until ten down the Narrows to the Judge’s of Mifflin County, the members of o’clock the next morning. farm and make him sign a written those regiments and their friends At nine o’clock the next paper that he would never sit as were so incensed and outraged at morning, word arrived in Lewis-
Judge again.” At this point, Wilson drew his sword, telling Clarke he would injure him unless he let go of the reins. The crowd surged forward, almost pushing Clarke to the ground. One of the mob stepped up, a nephew of Judge Beale, and pressed a cocked pistol to Clarke’s chest, fully intending to shoot. Clarke dropped the reins and kept one step ahead of the mob until he arrived at the foot of the courthouse steps. He met Judge Armstrong there and the two of them ascended the steps determined to defend the stairs and were quickly joined by other attorneys of the local bar, effectively blocking the stairway to the courtroom. Referring to Bryson, the mob was screaming, “March on, proceed and take him!” Armstrong replied, “…We will defend the Court ourselves! And before you shall take Judge Bryson, you shall kill me and many others, which seems to be your intention and which you may do!” One of the rioters now grabbed Armstrong’s arm, hoping to pull him down the stairs, but Armstrong struggled free. A point was reached where violence seemed imminent, as the metallic swish of unsheathing swords and the clicks of pistols being cocked could be heard amid the shouting. Wilson threatened Clarke at sword-point and the younger Beale aimed his pistol at Clarke for a second time. Clarke recalled, “I told them they might kill me,
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but Judge Bryson they could not, nor should they take him. The words, ‘Fire away!’ were shouted through the mob. I put my hand on Wilson’s shoulder and begged him to consider where he was, who I was and reflect for but one moment. I told him to withdraw and appoint any two or three of his most respectable men to meet with me in half an hour and try to settle the dispute.” Wilson moved the mob away from the courthouse. A temporary truce followed while the principals met at Alexander’s Tavern to parlay, but the meeting broke up without resolution. Outside, Clarke again talked with Wilson and others, finally reaching an agreement he felt would assuage the rioters. The men gave their mutual pledge of honor making the agreement binding. But shortly, the mob returned to the courthouse with Wilson in the lead, but a forewarned Judge Bryson had already departed the premises. Clarke told them the judge was gone. While Clarke was contending with an insistent Wilson, the younger Beale cocked and presented his pistol to Clarke’s breast, for a third time. Clarke’s own passion now swelled, as he wrote, “The Younger Beale. ..insisted that Wilson and all...should go up (to the court room) but upon my offering to decide the matter by combat with him, he declined it and by this means they went off swearing and said they were outgeneraled.” Court opened the next morn-
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The Valley, June 2018
Shy Bear Brewing
Summer is just around the corner and in Mifflin County it is one of the prettiest times of the year! The gorgeous patterns of the growing crops, cows grazing in green pastures, the barn cats curled up in the sun sleeping the long, sunny days away, and of course, the chickens busy at work hopefully cutting down on our ever-growing tick population. Farmers markets abound with fresh produce and we look forward to the weekends when we can get out and enjoy this beautiful time of year. This little farming community may not have the glam of city life, but it offers the pleasures of country life and there are some neat things to see and do around here. Maybe it’s a nice walk in one of the nearby state parks or kayaking on the river. Could be as simple as having a delicious cup of coffee at Brisco’s or East End Coffee shop, grabbing an amazing pulled chicken sandwich at the The Square Café and Bakery or visiting with friends at our new
only half the fun at Shy Bear; they also have a very innovative, eclectic menu that will be different than anything else in the area. The food is crafted to be just as delicious as the brews. And like the beer menu, will always be changing to bring new and exciting things for us to try. This summer, Shy Bear is offering some fun new things for you to check out, like a Sunday brunch menu that will be offered in May. In June, there will be hot yoga detox classes every other Sunday and there is even one free cold beer with each class. There
local brewery. Small towns and communities offer an at home comfort and relaxing environment that we won’t find in the big city. Mifflin County is no exception. I enjoy trying all the little places around here and finding out what my favorites will be at each place. Recently, I visited Shy Bear Brewing, located on 35 Meadowbrook Lane in Lewistown. I had the chicken tacos. Maple smoked chicken/bacon jam/pea shoots/ frizzled onion/cotija cheese/drizzled salsa verde sauce/cilantro. It was as delicious as it sounds! Shy Bear is a brew/pub combo that offers a relaxed and intimate environment. You can eat inside where they have done a beautiful job of simple, clean design with live edge slab tables and of course a great bar area, or you can enjoy outdoor seating on the patio! Shy Bear’s signature beer is the Jaybird IPA; it is a hazy, juicy beer and not as bitter as traditional IPA’s. So, for those who find IPA’s too bitter, you might want to give this one a try! This is only one of the many beers they will offer. From Son of a Peachey man to Kish Kriek you won’t have trouble finding something you like. The drink menu will be ever evolving as new beers are crafted and seasons change. So, there will always be something new to check out. The drink menu is
The Truth Has No Agenda
will be live music on Sundays all summer long, so stop by, sit on the patio with some friends, eat some good food, have a craft beer and listen to the band! What a relaxing way to end the weekend. Shy Bear offers the privilege of becoming a member to receive things like: • The ability to reserve their private dining room which seats 8-10 people • A tee shirt, 16 oz glassware, free ‘board of curation’ on your birthday • Private beer release tastings, which will occur before they
are available to the public First dibs at tickets for food and music events being held at Shy Bear before they go on sale to the public You can learn more about Shy Bear by visiting their website at shybearbrewing.com or check out their Facebook page. And of course, the best way to find out more is to go out there and try it! •
(NOTE: For any readers interested in following me on my new blog, you can find me at this very long address: simplicityreallifeauthenticmeaning.wordpress.com.) a
The Valley, June 2018
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Patience
“Everything that slows us down and forces patience, everything that sets us back into the slow circles of nature, is a help. Gardening is an instrument of grace.” -May Sarton
Here in Central PA we endured what seemed like an endless winter, and just when it seemed the tide was finally turning and we could begin working on our outdoor projects, neglected yards, and start the gardening season, monsoon season tore in to take
winter’s place with no reprieve. And now, we have had one solid day of no rain and the bugs and balmy 80 degree breeze-less air are enveloping me on the screened porch as I type. What happened to the light winds rustling the windchimes into song, the morning jacket and the afternoon shorts weather, having your morning coffee without a chill or a sweat, and the fire-pits without hordes of mosquitoes? It seems Spring 2018 must have had better plans elsewhere and left us alone at the bar, watching the door.
This article was supposed to be about incorporating homeschooling lessons into gardening; that was the plan for the last few weeks of school before we cut out the majority of structured learning in favor of the self-discovery and freedom that summer affords to children. It was supposed to be the transition. We were supposed to have all our veggies in the ground, the hens were supposed to be laying in full force, we were supposed to have goods out for our newly built farm-stand by now. I can’t help but feel a little bit bitter, I don’t take being stood up lightly, especially when expectations were so high. This was the spring we were supposed to finally have all our ducks in a row to begin a functional homestead. Not all is lost of course, a later garden will yield later crops—we do, after all, have a somewhat decent growing season. But I know myself, and instead of using “gardening as an instrument of grace,” I will likely rage weed in the high summer sun and
Wasp Warriors: Entomologists on Samurai Mission to Slay Stinkbugs by Jeff Mulhollem
Story courtesy of Penn State Public Information. Hillary Peterson is every brown marmorated stink bug’s worst nightmare. The Penn State doctoral degree student does not intend to rest professionally until she and other entomologists devise a way to reduce burgeoning populations of the invasive insect, originally from Asia, which are damaging crops and aggravating people. The goal of their research is to develop biological controls to interfere with the pest’s reproduction. Peterson’s discovery of the tiny samurai wasp in Pennsylvania last year has led to an aggressive research project aimed at determining population levels of the parasitoid that inserts its eggs into stink bug egg masses and ultimately destroys them. Co-evolved with the brown marmorated stink bug in China, Japan, the Koreas and Taiwan, the parasitoid wasp seems to offer the best chance to get invasive stink bug numbers under control. Only about the size of a sesame seed, the samurai wasp has been found in 10 states. Peterson found specimens in southeastern Pennsylvania by putting out yellow sticky cards baited with the stink bug aggregation pheromone in orchards and bordering woods.
In the future, entomologists may decide to culture and release samurai wasps where populations of the Asian stink bug are especially high and menacing crops. However, they need to conduct research to learn about the wasp’s potential effect on native stink bugs and other ecological risks and rewards to culturing and releasing them. Finding the samurai wasp was important, noted Peterson, who hails from Brunswick, Maine, and learned she was intrigued by parasitoid wasps as an undergraduate at the University of Maine. That fascination brought her to Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences to join the research group of Greg Krawczyk, extension tree fruit entomologist and research professor, who is on the front lines of the battle against brown marmorated stink bugs at Penn State’s Fruit Research and Extension Center in Adams County. “Once the beneficial samurai wasp is found in a wild, natural ecosystem, we can apply to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for it to not be considered as a quarantined organism,” Krawczyk said. “Then, if we want to do research on it or release it to control stink bugs, it
is not regarded by USDA as an invasive species. We are not allowed to release an insect — even a beneficial one — that is not here already.” Finding a way to control populations of the brown marmorated stink bug is critical in Pennsylvania, where agriculture is economically vital. The pest first was found in North America near Allentown in the late 1990s but has spread across much of the United States. Its heaviest populations are found in the mid-Atlantic region, centering on southern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia. In this region, they first gained attention as a nuisance pest due to their tendency to overwinter in homes, but it soon became clear the invasive insect is a serious threat to fruits, vegetables and ornamental plants. Beginning in 2009 and 2010, invasive stink bug populations ramped up in corn and soybean fields, and farmers experienced yield losses. Apple and peach growers in recent years have seen their crops spoiled to the level that some stone fruit orchards had to be left unharvested due to severe injuries caused by this pest. The economic loss for apple growers was estimated last year to be approximately $35 million because of
curse the fact that I could have been yielding something by now if I just could have gotten started three weeks earlier. It won’t occur to me that I might get to enjoy them later into the season, and can anticipate still pulling up produce straight out of the garden when normally I’d be looking at withered plants that need to be pulled out. I am not a fan of delayed gratification. Luckily, nature doesn’t care what you’re a fan of. She persists on her own timeline and instills her own lessons, over and over, in cyclical fashion, not responsible for who catches on and makes do with a smile and who violently curses out weeds because its ten degrees warmer and three weeks later than her ideal. Maybe this month, instead of the continued incorporation of gardening into my daughter’s wealth of knowledge, I could impart to her the art of patience and compromise. It’s a lesson even us adults seem to have a hard time with. Instant gratifica-
tion is all around us. No more dial up internet, no more mail order catalogs, no more waiting for the paper or staying up for the ten o’clock news, no more saving treats for special occasions, no more waiting for film to develop, etc. Why wait for tomorrow what we can have today? And that is why our connection to nature is more important than ever; she’s the only one willing to teach the hard lessons, along with time and circumstance. Children are pesky learners in so far as they seem to innately know whether the teacher has a firm grasp on the topic at hand and how seriously it’s taken. Teaching patience isn’t a matter of passing along a few words and analogies; it’s something you instead have to take to mastering yourself. The good news is, even in failed attempts at patience, children will see the effort and intuitively grasp that all good things and all great changes take many setbacks, and many steps, and many bricks. a
unmarketability of fruit on the fresh market. Brown marmorated stink bugs are about threequarters of an inch long and have a characteristic shieldlike shape. They are, of course, brown, but both nymphs and Only about the size of a sesame seed, the samurai wasp adults can be has been found in 10 states, including Pennsylvania. Codistinguished evolved with the brown marmorated stink bug in China, from other Japan, the Koreas and Taiwan, the parasitoid wasp seems brown stink to offer the best chance to get invasive stink bug numbers bugs by whitish under control. bands on the Image: Penn State antennae and summer on index cards and on legs. leaves in southeastern Pennsylva Adults produce an odor when nia orchards, and she also will put they are disturbed, accounting out some cages with stink bugs for the “stink” in stink bug. This in them. “I am trying to do more defensive odor is meant to repel realistic deployments of eggs to predators. Some people find the increase the chemical cues that smell bothersome; others claim wasps will pick up on because we it is somewhat pleasant, smelling are interested to see how these something like cilantro. native wasps react,” she said. The relationship — based “We found native parasitoids on chemical ecology — between in low numbers on the egg masses stink bugs and parasitoid wasps is that we put out last summer, so fascinating, according to Peterson, they are able to find the brown who pointed out that there are marmorated stink bug eggs, and plenty of native parasitic wasps they are able to lay their eggs in that long have parasitized native those eggs,” Peterson said. “But stink bugs. However, whether sometimes their development is they will ever be able to adapt not successful because they have fully to finding and parasitizing not evolved with these bugs. I invasive brown marmorated stink hope that native parasitoids will bugs still remains a mystery. adapt to utilize brown marmorated To resolve this question, stink bug eggs, but it could take Peterson will deploy brown decades.” a marmorated stink bug eggs this
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The Valley, June 2018
The Truth Has No Agenda
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The Valley, June 2018
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In Our Own Words...
Milk Quality
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Treat Your Spring Forages!
Time To Milker On- 7KH WLPH EHWZHHQ ¿UVW WRXFK RI WKH FRZ DQG ZKHQ WKH PLONHU JRHV RQ LV DOVR YHU\ LPSRUWDQW :KHQ WKH FRZV DUH ¿UVW WRXFKHG VKH UHOHDVHV R[\WRFLQ WKLQNLQJ D FDOI ZDQWV WR IHHG ,I ZH GRQ¶W DSSO\ WKH PLONHU LQ VHFRQGV WKH FRZ VWRSV UHOHDVLQJ KHU PLON ZKLFK FRXOG UHVXOW LQ KHU EHFRPLQJ D VORZ RU KDUG PLONHU
Using forage inoculant like Maxi Save- will ensure proper fermentation, rapidly lower pH levels, and aid in the production of high quality forages for maximum weight gains, feed conversion and milk production.
Length Of The Milker On WKH OHQJWK RI WLPH D PLONHU LV RQ LV DQRWKHU IDFWRU /HDYLQJ LW RQ WRR ORQJ FDQ FDXVH WHDW GDPDJH DQG QRW OHDYLQJ WKH PLONHU RQ ORQJ HQRXJK FDQ UHVXOW LQ KHU QRW IXOO\ PLONLQJ RXW 7KH DYHUDJH WLPH D PLONHU VKRXOG EH RQ LV PLQXWHV
Maxi-Save Plus available in: Dry 50 ton, WS 50 ton,, WS 200 ton
Maxi-Save available in: Dry 50 ton, WS 50 ton and WS 200 ton
* Maxi Save forage inoculant is available through an R&J Consultant- 717-203-6777
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The Valley, June 2018
Savvy Cents & Sensibility by JoAnn Wills-Kline MBA
Zany Zucchini for Pinching Pennies
It’s that time of year for one of our favorite past-times – gardening. Gardening is restorative work for us; a body/mind/spirit activity so to speak. It gives us opportunities to place our hands in the earth’s soil and help to raise delicious foods that will trim our grocery budget. One of our favorite vegetables to grow is zucchini. We have been known to plants MANY zucchini plants – in the garden, flower beds, and pots. We love the versatile and prolific vegetable! One plant can produce oodles of zucchinis. It’s one of the easiest plants to grow. It’s less fussy than many other garden plants. Zucchini can grow in almost any soil, and with minimal care, but of course, good soil and proper garden care will make it a super producer that flourishes – usually. Zucchini plants are cyclical. The more you harvest the more you can expect to harvest. One zucchini plant can produce 6-10 pounds of zucchini to enjoy. They can grow in the garden, on a hill, in pots, or in flower beds. I prefer to grow mine in pots. I like the convenience of stepping out my back kitchen door onto the patio and picking a fresh zucchini to add to a meal. Plus the plant’s large yellow blooms add beauti-
ful color to my patio. Experts recommend using a deep pot – as close to 36 inches as possible, such as a whiskey barrel. A deep pot makes for easier picking of the vegetables produced. The website “Growveg.com” is filled to the brim with handy information about caring for zucchini. Zucchini is very inexpensive to grow, and as stated above, the bounty is usually large. The ROI, or return on investment is great and very stable. One zucchini plant can easily save me over $40 for the mere cost of $0.80. That’s a huge savings! It’s a summer staple in our household. We have enjoyed zucchini year round by freezing the noodles or zoodles as they are often called that are made with a little zucchini noodle slicer. We even gate zucchini into the serving size needed for our zucchini bread recipe, place in a freezer bag, and freeze until ready to use. Warm zucchini bread with the aroma of cinnamon makes a lovely treat on a fall or winter evening. If you are looking for an easy, inexpensive, hardy, vegetable to produce a great bounty this year, plant a zucchini! Below are a few great, easy recipes to use up your zucchini. Enjoy!
1. Zucchini Pie (one of our favorites!) www.bettycrocker.com 2. Skillet Parmesan Zucchini www.kraftrecipes.com 3. Guilt-Free Garlic Parmesan Zucchini Noodles www.inspiredtaste.net 4. Crispy Parmesan Garlic Chicken with Zucchini www. therecipecritic.com
5. The Best Crispy Baked Zucchini Fries www.givemedelicious. com 6. Easy Summer Zucchini Basil Soup www.seriouseats.com 7. Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread www.thekitchn.com a
Liberal Culture Control Agenda from page 9 reported incidents reflect appropriate judgment and actions and certainly offers a better chance than being helpless and defenseless in gun-free zones. The report does not specify which locations were “gun-free zones,” where most massacres have occurred. The mainstream media, who are totally in favor of the liberal, gun control, and culture control agenda, continue to ignore or mislead. Fake news still prevails in the mainstream media. I am pleased with the agenda and inroads President Trump has pursued and accomplished. But he needs the help of Republicans in Congress. The words we use in common parlance matter. When the definitions are changed to fit a misleading political narrative, the floodgates are open for all sorts of rhetorical abuse and inevitable policy defeats. It is high time we take back control of our language and re-frame the gun debate in these great United States. Choose your words carefully and recognize the culture war and agenda of the liberals. a
Flag Day is June 14th Fly it High! The Truth Has No Agenda
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The Valley, June 2018
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An Open Letter To Our American Youth
I weep with you. I am also proud to see you standing for what you believe in. However, what you ask for will not bring the results you desire. These problems in society have never been a result of too much Liberty and eliminating the natural rights of all people will never bring the proper solution. If we want to make you feel safe at school and everywhere in public, we must be honest as a society and deal with the real problems. 1. Schools and government are failing you. They have little to no security and practically no real policy to keep your schools secure. 2. We have to endure more security at a public museum than we do at our public schools. I ask our governors and administrators which of these treasures is more valuable? 3. We need to not just make promises to keep you safe, we need policies and actions. We need real secure entrances and exits into the schools. We need real policies limiting “visitors” on campus. Nearly every school shooter would have never even been on campus with proper security and policies. 4. Adults have failed to see your cries for help and have failed to act upon them, putting everyone
at risk. We need more adults who are concerned with your mental, physical, and emotional health rather than political correctness, job security, or hurt feelings. 5. We need to train your teachers better. They know CPR; they know how to help a choking child; they need to know how to stop someone from hurting you. The real solutions that will bring the safety and security we all desire do not require a new federal law or regulation; they do not require a constitutional amendment; they do not require depriving anyone of any rights. The real solutions are much simpler than that. The real solu-
tions to keeping you safe require only a people who love their children enough to create and enforce local policies and proper training dedicated to the preservation of life, liberty, and property. The history of the entire world dictates that taking away the rights of people to defend themselves will not keep them safe, but will only serve to enslave our future to those more powerful.
We must learn that without liberty, security is nothing more than a vapor. Unfortunatley, those who do not recognize their history are doomed to repeat its mistakes. By not addressing the real problems and and not employing the real solutions, we end up destroying what we set out to preserve. We will make you and your future less safe and we will pass on to all our children a future of greater oppression. I am telling you this not because I am judging you. I am tell-
ing you this because, as a mom, I love you. We can keep you safe and keep your rights and liberties secure at the same time. It is time to take back the narrative. It is time to get to work and secure Liberty for all. That is not just our duty to you and to all our children, it is who we are as Americans. Sincerely, KrisAnne Hall www.LibertyFirstUniversity.com a
KrisAnne teaches, on average, 265 classes in over 22 States every year to people of all walks of life about the the Constitution, our Bill of Rights and what we can do to defend, promote and preserve liberty for generations to come.
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The Valley, June 2018
Modern Energy and Alternative Heating with Curt Bierly
Air Conditioning / Heat Pump System
It’s been a cool, rainy spring, but those hot, humid summer days are just around the corner. A central Heat Pump/Air Conditioning system would be nice! Something quiet and efficient because the cost of electricity is rising. What’s available and what’s best for your home? What you purchase depends on two important items. Your budget and your home. You can spend anywhere from $3500 installed for a single head, very quiet ductless air conditioner that does just a portion of your home to $30,000+ installed for a very quiet, ducted central Heat Pump (HP) / Air Conditioning (AC) Geothermal System that does your entire home. There are many very good choices in between. When considering a system,
the house you live in helps to determine which system you should choose. If your home is a one story (ranch style) home with an unfinished basement, a standard ducted air to air heat pump system w/electric backup needs to be considered. The indoor unit (air handler) is located as close to the center of the basement as possible and the main supply and return ducting will hang 10” below the basement ceiling joists – so – it is best to have at least a 8’ basement ceiling height. Floor registers in each room (usually 2-1/4” x 12”) are used to distribute the conditioned air into each room in the house. The outdoor unit needs to be located 12” from the outside wall of the house ,and if possible, near the indoor unit and away from occupied bedrooms. The
outdoor units today are very quiet, but if it is located too near a bedroom, you will hear it at night. If your budget permits, you can also include a few nice options like a gas backup in lieu of electric backup for reduced operational cost, electronic or media filter, WiFi thermostat and a humidifier. If your home is a two story home with an unfinished basement and a wide open attic, a standard ducted air to air heat pump system w/electric backup (same as a one story) needs to be considered. The system is installed the same way as a one story; then, to condition the upstairs bedrooms, a supply and return duct is run through a chase to the attic and from there round ceiling registers (usually 6” diameter) branch out to carry the conditioned air into each room on the second floor. The chase can be installed in a first and second floor closet if one is above the other – or – it can be installed in an offset in the wall. Every two story house is a little different. It may take a
little creative thinking but usually one can find a way to build a chase that will not “stick out like a sore thumb.” If the budget permits, you may want to install two thermostats (zoning) since there is an inherent difference in temperature between the upstairs and downstairs, gas backup in lieu of electric backup for reduced operational cost, electronic or media filter, WiFi thermostat(s), and a humidifier. Because the attic is an unconditioned space, it is very important that you cover the ducting in the attic with additional insulation. The flexible ducting that is usually used in the attic has an R8.4 rating. I would suggest that you rent a machine that blows cellulose or fiber glass insulation and cover the ducting with another 12” of insulation, which will bring the total insulation value to about R45.
Talk to your trusted HVAC professional (call us if you like). He will schedule a site visit to “look over” the job, to discuss details of the installation with you and to provide you with a quotation. We’ll continue this discussion for other types of homes in the next issue. 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 for the Penn College HVAC Advisory Board. You can contact him at cbierly@bierlygroup.com or call him at 814-349-3000. a
Nearly 75% of patients aged 70 or older with Heart failure(HF) have hearing loss, according to letter pub online Jan 25 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Visit Uhring’s Hearing to have a Base Line Hearing Test completed. Call 814-641-4327
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The Valley, June 2018
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The Great American Reads By Susan Miriello Acting Library Director
This summer, the Mifflin County Library will participate in PBS’s the Great American Read. This is an eight-part television series that explores and celebrates the power of reading. The show will explore how we as readers are affected by these stories, and what these 100 different books have to say about us. Viewers are encouraged to vote on their favorite book or books from this list of 100 Great Reads. The series concludes when the winner of the vote is announced, sometime in October. The Great American Read premieres Tuesday, May 22 at 8pm on your local PBS channel. You can find more about the Great American Read online at pbs.org/greatamericanread. Or you can come into the Library and we’ll help you. We also have an iPad station set up for library users to cast their vote for their favorite Read. The list includes 100 favorite titles and series of titles. I don’t have room to list them all, but here are a few notables: “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie. My sister introduced me to Agatha Christie on Christmas 1985 when she gave me a 5-novels-in-one collection. What kind of person gives a 14-year-old five novels of multiple brutal murders? The best sister in the world, that’s who! I’ve been a huge Christie fan ever since. “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton. Dinosaurs and carnage, but also the story of scientists’ callousness toward doing what is
right and doing a thing because you can. As Ian Malcolm said, “at times like this one feels, well, perhaps extinct animals should be left extinct.” “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen. Every Austen enthusiast would be highly vexed if this novel were not on the list. It is a truth universally acknowledged that this is the best book ever. The list also includes series such as: “Harry Potter” by JK Rowling. Because, of course! This series helped raise a generation of readers. And this summer marks the 20th anniversary of when the magic began. I’m already decorating my office accordingly. “Fifty Shades of Grey” by EL James. What? No, I’m not kidding! It’s on the list! I haven’t read this series because if I’m gonna read a book like THAT, then there should at least be a vampire present. “Alex Cross Mysteries” by James Patterson. James Patterson has become the bane of my existence only because he wrote 54 books in 2017; and probably that many in 2018. Do you know how difficult it is to keep up with a guy like that and purchase all of those books for the library? But the man can write! And I just love his TV commercials! Especially this one from several years ago, “If you don’t buy my books, I will kill Alex Cross!” Which book on the list would you vote for as the Greatest American Read? Is there a title that isn’t on the list and should be? a
“Those who are capable of tyranny are capable of perjury to sustain it.” ~Lysander Spooner
ing the 2017 International Coastal Our spring cleanups are cleanup, please check out www. finished for this year. We cleaned Cleanup event. keeppabeautiful.org for cleanups one illegal dump and cleaned From September through in your area of Pennsylvania in up three road side cleanups and October, Keep Pennsylvania the events section. helped with a fourth. Of these Beautiful worked together with Any cleanup site is eligible four road cleanups, our volunteers local groups and organizations since we all live in a watershed picked up nearly 100 bags of trash to coordinate hundreds of events and all waterways flow into our and recycled nearly 50 tires. Even throughout the state. Volunteers coastal waters. though you may not have done a in Pennsylvania documented the Saturday, August 4 from 8am road cleanup this spring, you can trash that was picked up and the to 12pm will be this year’s river still clean up throughout the year. “top five” types of trash found cleanup between Lowes and the I would like to recognize and send during the 2017 cleanup included: Lewistown boat ramp. If you out a huge thank you to Amber Cigarette Butts – 28,209 would like to help, please call Goss of Bella Vista Farm with Food Wrappers – 9,206 Pam Sechrist 717-899-6701. You initiating the Bella Vista Farm Plastic Bottles – 8,047 can help if you have a boat or by Earth Day Challenge to residents Bottle Caps – 5,817 helping to load all the trash in of Mifflin County to gather trash. Tires – 2,507 waiting dumpsters. All volunteers And thanks to Aubrey Goss for International Coastal Cleanup must sign waiver forms. Lunch, making it look like a fun thing to (ICC) Day will be held on Saturdrinks, gloves, and bags will be do and taking pride in her comday September 15, 2018, however provided. munity. I look forward to meeting ICC events can be held from September 15th will be our them both. September through October. Tire Recycle Challenge at the I took a vacation to Tennessee To Coordinate an ICC Event: Lewistown Borough Refuse Cenrecently and the interstates there If you are interested in coorditer on Washington Avenue from were some of the cleanest roads I nating an ICC cleanup, please 8am to 12pm. have seen in a long time. I could contact Michelle Dunn at 1-877Pam Sechist tell those people take pride in 772-3673 Ext. 113, or if you are Coordinator PACleanWays of their state. interested in volunteering at a Mifflin County a In the fall, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is proud to be the Pennsylvania statewide coordinator for International Coastal Cleanup, the world’s largest volunteer effort to improve the health of the world’s oceans and local waterways. The International Coastal cleanup is one of the largest international volunteer events. The cleanup gives citizens around the • Reliable Propane & Heating Oil Delivery world the opportu• Budget Payment Plan nity to clean up their Call today local waterways to learn about our • 24/7 Emergency Service and to be a part of a NEw CustOmER • Heating Equipment Service Plans larger movement. sPECiAls! Over 14,000 • Safety Trained Professionals volunteers from 35 • Over 80 Years Experience counties in Pennsylvania canvassed their communities to remove over 861,000 pounds Our Business is Customer Satisfaction of trash and debris from Pennsylvania’s waterways and 717-248-5476 • 1-800-PROPANE (776-7263) coastal regions dur-
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The Valley, June 2018
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The Valley, June 2018
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Keystone Species The American Chestnut
Nearly everyone has heard stories of the tragedy of the American Chestnut. Interestingly, this once endangered species is now making a comeback. One of the several ways it’s doing so is through a process many of us gardeners and permaculturists hate: genetic modification. It has stirred up a bit of a quandary with some of us, but first, let’s talk about the chestnut and what makes it so great. American chestnuts are long-lived and extremely useful trees. They belong to the beech family and their nuts were once a staple food for wildlife. They were nearly wiped out by Cryphonectria parasitica, an Asian bank fungus that creates cankers which eventually girdle and kill the tree. In addition to being a great
source of forage for wildlife it has many other benefits that we’d like to see in our landscapes. (Including even a finishing forage for cattle, as one entrepreneurial permaculturist spoke with me of at the Mid-Atlantic Permaculture Convergence, as odd as it sounds.) The tree is a drought tolerant one that can be used for coppiced wood, timber, mushroom logs, shade, windbreaks, and even a natural source of tannins. Not to mention, people love to eat the nuts, too! So, it makes sense that people have been trying to rehabilitate this species since the 1920s. Initial projects made little headway, but now there have been a few breakthroughs. There are essentially three major rehabilitation efforts using
different methods. The first of these programs is the American Chestnut Cooperator’s Foundation. Their mission is considered to have the most “pure” results as they have focused on intercrossing surviving
species of the original American Chestnuts which were exposed to the blight. This organization is the most established of the interbreeding programs, but there are many individuals who also work with this method to attempt to bring back the chestnut. Unfortunately, testing repeatedly shows that while the offspring of this program are resistant, they are not immune. The fungus still affects the tree and, though it can often recover and has living tissue beneath the cankers, it diminishes the tree’s life span, robustness, and productivity. These would be a fantastic choice for your permaculture landscape if you are
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happy with experimenting, have a large plot of land, and would happily use the wood for another use if the tree died before or during its nut bearing years. The second program of note is the American Chestnut Foundation’s backcrossing program. This foundation’s program differs from the ACCF because it uses the Chinese Chestnut, a naturally resistant species, to be bred to an American chestnut. Then, that hybrid tree is subsequently bred with
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The Valley, June 2018
Home at the Grange by Patricia L. Bird Centre County Pomona Grange Participates in Community Service Project at Boal Mansion
by everyone. This wedding was to be approximately 200 hundred attendees with the ceremony in a small tent at the front of the house and a much larger reception tent to the side of the house by the flower gardens. The wedding would be a go rain or shine. However, at approximately 3:55 which was five minutes before showtime, the sky opened up and an unbelievable thunder/lightning storm with buckets of rain arrived. It didn’t stop the festivities according to Bob Cameron with whom I spoke on Sunday. Pomona Grange members from ages 8 to 65 worked side by side to complete the job. This is just the first of many community service projects that the Centre County Pomona Grange participates in every year. For the past five years, members have been doing physical work at a designated location. This was the second year for the Boal Mansion. The Boal Mansion and Museum has opened another section of displays and continues to work diligently to be able to showcase all the history of the Boal family and their ties to Christopher Columbus. It houses the Christopher Columbus Chapel with all the antiques that have been found to be part of its history. They recently opened an environmentally controlled room where all the papers and records from the sailings of the three ships that Columbus sailed are now housed. They have been transferred to microfiche and they hope to get them digitized so everyone can enjoy them and learn more about the true facts in history. The volunteers learned that the tale we all learned in school about Columbus and the thinking that the world was flat, is not true. They have replicas of actual maps of the time that show that the new world was round. Also, in the new exhibit is a small replica of the Dale Vonada of Spring Mills Grange #158 and Bob Davidson of Bald Eagle Grange 3151 work together to clear Santa Maria, out all dead flowers and weeds at one of the flower beds which was one of Columbus’ at the Boal Mansion Garden.
How much landscaping can eleven people accomplish in three hours? Evidently quite a bit. Members of the Centre County Pomona Grange gathered to work at the Boal Mansion and Museum in Boalsburg, PA on a damp and rainy morning on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Even though the number of members was small, they were able to accomplish much. How could they do this? They could because like the Grange slogan states “Grange members are Doers” Boal Mansion curator Bob Cameron was happy to see everyone arrive at approximately 9:00 am. There was much to do to ensure that the grounds were beautiful for the wedding that was to be held at approximately 4:00 pm that afternoon. Members arrived with rakes, shovels and all types of gardening tools in hand. The grass was soggy and wet, mud was everywhere and it was a little chilly but it didn’t stop the crew who were in good spirits and ready to work. After a glass of juice, cup of coffee and a small snack provided by the Grange, everyone got busy. The main project was getting the main flower gardens weeded, deadheaded and new mulch in place by noon. With fingers that were covered in mud and sometimes numb, they worked continuously for over three hours, but by the time they were done the flower beds were picture ready for the day’s wedding ceremony. If you stood under the big white tent, which would serve as the reception area, you could see all the hard work that was accomplished
ships and Columbus’ personal chest. It was locked when Mr. Cameron took over, but through a series of maps and clues they finally located the key in the mansion and are currently cataloging all the contents, which is amazing in itself that they were still all there. One of the other things that we were able to do was tour the first floor of the mansion. Last year they held a debutant costume ball at the mansion, but this year due to some controversy, it was sadly cancelled. We were shown not only all the furniture that is housed there, but also learned about all the portraits of the family members and how they related to the Boal Family. Included were photographs of Presidents such as John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt, and there was also a signed photograph of the first moon landing. Also included there were various china patterns, numerous pianos, organs and harpsichords. We also learned about some of the history that took place there. The Mansion is reportedly haunted and has been researched as such and documented on television specials. The barn houses the Boalsburg Playhouse, which is the home to many different plays each season. Along with the many weddings that are held at the location; while we were there, two more brides and grooms visited to see the grounds. They were both from out of town with one couple driving from as far away as Washington, DC to plan their wedding. The Board of Directors of the Mansion and Museum also hold other events such as large plant sales, farmer’s markets, and much more. We, the Grange, have been invited to participate if possible in one such event which is their Garlic Festival in September. We have
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draisers and events. As the Combeen invited to have a booth and munity Service Director, I would possibly sell food and talk about like to thank Bob, Suzanne and the Grange to those attending. Caleb Davidson who represent This is very exciting to those of Bald Eagle Grange #151, Ruth us who were in attendance at the and Dale Vonada of Penns Valley Community Service Day because Grange #158, Krystal Wasson it gives us another opportunity to of Victor Grange #159, Melanie talk about the organization we all Melius, Isabella Boone and Merle love and represent. Eyer of Baileyvlle Grange #1991 This event is one of the and Ashley Furman of Logan several physical events we parGrange #109 for all attending and ticipate in. We also chance off a giving up their free time to help, quilt at the Centre County Grange and I also represent Logan Grange Encampment and Fair in August #159. These few people are true and enter a display for our YP of “Doers” and faithful Grange H Committee. With all the funds members. Hopefully, we can have from the Quilt auction, we help a better day and a better turnout the local surrounding communifor our next community service ties through donations of five project. senior scholarships to the county If you would like to learn high schools; Christmas donations more about the Centre County Poto the Veterans Home in Holmona Grange, you can email the lidaysburg, PA and Centre Crest Pomona Grange Master/President Nursing Home for their Christmas Ashley Furman at ABird6280@ shop; donating the funds for ten yahoo.com or 814-360-2265, FFA jackets; supporting the CenSecretary Suzanne Davidson tre County Grange Fair Queen; at 814-355-7734 or Patty Bird, donating to a local food bank; Community Service Director at ringing the bells for the Salvation GracieGrandma55@yahoo.com or Army during the Holiday Season; 814-359-2851. a and giving to others whoever they may be asking for donations or appeals. The Centre County Pomona Grange #13 takes pride in being able to help its local communities each year and asks that if possible, please try to help all the Centre County Granges be able to continue Caleb Davidson, Grandson of Pomona Secretary to do so by partici- Suzanne Davidson works alongside all the adults at pating in their fun- the Centre County Pomona Grange #13 Community Service Project.
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In last month’s Hanky Panky Report, I informed you that Gregg Township withheld emails as protected by “attorney-client privilege” or constituting “predecisional deliberations.” Access to these emails was denied by newly elected Supervisor Miller, who was appointed as an Open Records Officer less than 24 hours before. I appealed to the Office of Open Records (OOR), requested an in camera review, and submitted an email I received elsewhere as evidence. Here is where it gets really interesting… The OOR granted my appeal and directed the township to provide all of the requested emails. A few days later, I received a letter from the township solicitor containing “the information that would be subject to that in camera review.” In plain terms, he was stating that all of the undisclosed emails were attached. Attached was only one page, a print of the exact PDF I submitted to the OOR as evidence. I made sure it was identifiable before I submitted it. That email, which I obtained from
Centre County, was a letter of concern about the newly elected constable (Constable Grove) to one of the Centre County Commissioners. It is dated January 24th. If you have been following along, you already know that on January 2nd, Supervisor Miller attempted to pass a resolution that was in clear violation of state law. Supervisor Stover asked for it to be tabled until February. On January 4th, I started an online petition in opposition to the resolution. Constable Grove published an open letter on January 15th regarding the resolution’s legality. As a result, many changes were made and the township avoided a lawsuit over it. That’s good, right? The January 24th email from Supervisor Miller to Commissioner Pipe complained of Constable Grove’s “assumed authority especially concerning the resolutions he has created.” Projecting much? Constable Grove wrote position statements for himself. Supervisor Miller tried to pass a resolution that would prohibit certain
audience members from recording meetings, and allow for those people to be physically removed. Guess who records the meetings? Me. Flashback to exactly one year prior: Supervisor Miller, then OGS Advisory Board President Miller, informed the Old Gregg School Advisory Board on January 24, 2017 that their emails “are all subject to the right to know law.” This is written in the minutes. At that 2017 meeting, another board member volunteered to set up official township emails for everyone on the board, for transparency purposes. Flash forward to today Supervisor Miller is using a gmail address instead of a township email address. She is the only person with access to her official emails. She is not disclosing her emails, even after being directed to by the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Have they been destroyed? I hope she would not do something so corrupt while having documented knowledge of the law regarding this. Interestingly,
a similar appeal was also granted after I requested an attestation from Supervisor Miller regarding other records she is the only key holder of. She did not provide one in either case. Why? It is part of an Open Records Officer’s job to attest (under penalty of perjury) that records were provided, are exempt, or don’t exist. So where are all the emails? I have more. The township is pretending they don’t exist, in bold defiance of the Right-to-Know Law and the Office of Open Records. Coincidentally (or not), some constables are also denying the existence of emails from around the same time—including emails that I have copies of. I am building a very nice collection of attestations (made under penalty of perjury) with attached records that “don’t exist.” Here is a bit of advice to public officials who want to hide their correspondence:
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don’t email other agencies that are also subject to the Right-to Know Law. Better yet, KEEP YOUR OATH! On March 1st, I started a petition for the township to live stream meetings. It would eliminate a lot of ongoing problems, like lying and putting residents who don’t attend meetings on blast. In response to the petition, the township has started video recording the meetings. The first month, the secretary claimed the video had no audio. I obtained the video and it did have audio. The second month, the camera allegedly turned off. The third month... crickets. I am getting a copy of the most recent video soon. The petition will remain active until township meetings are live streamed. It is posted at www. greggtownshipunofficial.org in the petitions section. a
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The Valley, June 2018
Mail Pouch Books by Carleen B. Grossman DISPLACED: A Novel By Stephan Abarbanell Copyright 2017 U.S.A. 336 pages (Hardcover)
who had been forced by the Nazi regime to work for them. And you will learn that Germany, in 1946, was home to many displaced per-
This book was originally written in 2015 in Europe, but was not published in the U.S. until November of 2017. It reminds me of the classic book EXODUS, by Leon Uris, in that it starts out in Israel after WWII and deals with what was happening at that time—it describes the horrors of Nazi Germany and the complexities of European politics, but stresses the hope in human courage. You will also travel with the characters of the novel to Germany to seek out a Jewish scientist
The Avengers Infinity War
As long as there have been The Avengers, there has been the threat of Thanos (Josh Brolin). The villain’s visage first appeared midway through the credits of the superteam’s first adventure back in 2012. Once 99% of the audience looked up who he was, they got excited to see him in an upcoming sequel. The most we’ve seen of him since then was in 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy”, which ironically was not an Avengers movie, though still an important part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We know that he’s after six Infinity Stones,
which he can plug into his handy gauntlet to give him power over… the universe, basically. The sixyear wait is finally over and Thanos is ready to make his move. Standing in Thanos’s way is almost the entirety of the MCU. The roster includes, but is not limited to: Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), War Machine (Don Cheadle), Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Vision (Paul Bettany), Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Star-Lord (Chris Pratt), Gamora (Zoe Saldana), Drax (Dave Bautista), Mantis (Pom Klementieff), Rocket Raccoon (voice of Bradley Cooper), Groot (voice of Vin Diesel), and Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) whose eponymous film is still in the top ten at the box office after beating out the 2012 “Avengers” to become the biggest superhero movie of all time. Some of these characters are allies, some are enemies, and some have never met, but they all recognize that they’ve never come up against a
son camps— people making provisions to go on—to Palestine, to the US, Australia, or the UK (places that had not accepted them pre-war)—thus the title Displaced! The camps were run by many governmental agencies, as well as by private relief organizations. Into this world, you will follow the protagonist who finds herself searching for a needlein-a-haystack, trying to find the Jewish scientist. She is a member of the Israeli Haganah resistance, an underground defense force, one of several that were fighting the British for independence during the early years after the end of hostilities in World War II. The book is historical fiction, but also part mystery, part thriller and part love story. It’s the story of a time in his-
tory where everything and everybody seems up-for-grabs. Reading it draws you into the story so that you feel as if you were there experiencing it all. The characters are well defined as well as the side effects of war—the displacement of thousands of people that have lost their families, homes, friends, and the place that was once “home”and these people become the main focus of this story! The novel can be said to solve one of the British secret service’s cold cases! You will read about some of the Nazi claims such as searching for cures for cancer while actually designing poisonous gases and many other mysteries of the German-Nazi regimen including the displacement of some of the famous Jewish scientists! Within this book you will find excellent characterizations, an intriguing story, and a unique voice all making it an outstanding read. At the end of the novel there is a
threat like Thanos. The heroes splinter off to go on various missions. The Infinity Stones are widely spread out on multiple planets, and of course Thanos and his minions need to be dealt with. Thanos, for his part, wants the Infinity Stones so he can kill exactly half the universe, leaving the other half to live off its finite resources. He fancies himself a misunderstood savior who’s not as heartless as he seems. This “sensitivity” is on display in a scene where he must make a sacrifice to retrieve a stone. He does what everybody knows he’s going to do (and what people at my screening were yelling at him to hurry up and do to move the movie along), but he feels bad about it. Funny that he cares so much about population control in the most overcrowded superhero movie in history. The humor and action are exactly on par with what you’d expect from one of these movies. Egos clash over whose powers and plans are superior to others, and there’s much teasing among the new teammates. As with most Marvel villains, Thanos has an army of indistinguishable creeps at his disposal so the heroes can take turns showing off their powers fighting them, though he himself can fight them all off rather easily. This movie really hopes you like the gag where a stooge is seconds away from a kill only to be suddenly stabbed from behind and then fall away to reveal an unlikely rescuer, because it’s done multiple times here. “Avengers: Infinity War”
moves along a predictable path until it gets to an ending I didn’t predict. I knew the franchise had been sauntering toward a showdown with Thanos, I just didn’t know how many movies that showdown would encompass. Turns out it’s more than one, which means the conclusion to this installment is unsatisfying. I don’t necessarily disapprove of the unsatisfying conclusion, not every superhero movie needs to end with things wrapped up in a neat little package with just a hint of an upcoming conflict. There’s another Avengers movie sched-
The Truth Has No Agenda
brief section of historical background in addition to a multi-page section telling about further reading on the history of Israel and Palestine, looted books and art, scientists in the Third Reich, and books dealing with the situation of Jewish survivors. The book is available with two different book jackets; I have attached photos of them both.
uled for 2019, so I’ll have to wait until then to see if the MCU is willing to let things be right in the world again. Grade: B“Avengers: Infinity War” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action throughout, language and some crude references. Its running time is 149 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@ nyu.edu. a
“If taxation without consent is not robbery, then any band of robbers have only to declare themselves a government, and all their robberies are legalized.” ~Lysander Spooner
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Life in the East End by Rebecca Harrop the lack of physical activity of our Are you water logged yet? youth. Add to that the amount of We sure have been getting plenty junk food and highly sweetened of rain haven’t we? Let’s not sodas and other beverages they complain though, because come are consuming, and you’ve got the July and August we may be wishculprit. How many kids do you ing for rain. The lawns, trees and see drinking water? How many hayfields have sure been greening kids have chores they have to do up nicely. My Dad was grumeach day? My brothers, sister and bling about how fast the grass I had chores every day we had to grew from Tuesday until Saturdo. We had barn chores, yard and day. Mom is complaining about garden jobs. We didn’t sit in front getting her flower beds in shape of the TV or computer every motoo. It seems as fast as the lawn is growing, the weeds are growing ment we weren’t in school. We twice as fast. Funny thing, even in a drought, the weeds seem to flourish. We’ve been able to get some corn planted between the rains and we’ve got some hay down that we put in the harvester as haylage. Before you know it, we’ll have everything planted. Dairy farmers are still experiencing difficult times with the depressed milk prices. Some of the articles I have read are really upsetting. I am really worried that a whole way of life is slowly being pushed out of existence. Milk and dairy products are very nutritious and are beneficial for your diet. The Me, at the American Farm Bureau Federation in Washington DC myth that milk is loaded with fat is just plain wrong. I know the “experts” claim it’s the type of fat. certainly didn’t have a cell phone we were glued to. I realize most But seriously, 3.4% fat is only kids do not have the opportunities 3.4% fat. If you are a moderately for chores we had on the farm, but active person, that amount of fat surly even in a town setting you will never hurt you. You do need have a garage, shed or something some fat in your diet. The supkids can clean up after school. posed experts will tell you whole Running a vacuum or sweeping milk will contribute to obesity in and dusting are chores any child our youth and young adults. A can do. Walking and cleaning up huge part of the problem with after a pet are excellent jobs for obesity is not the amount of fat in milk and dairy products; it is more building a sense of responsibility.
I truly believe we are better adults for having been made to work as kids. So don’t be afraid to consume whole fat milk and dairy products but get up, get out and move. Our church, Milroy Presbyterian, has begun our monthly Chicken BBQ’s now, so watch for notices for those. Our church is also having a Kids Camp, July 9-13, from 5:00pm – 8:00 pm. Children who have completed Kindergarten and older are encouraged to attend. We will be engaged in art, science, cooking, and Christmas activities. A meal will be provided. This is a free activity for our community youth. Contact Pat at 717-667-6233 to get your child involved. In the beginning of May, I had the opportunity to go to Washington DC to represent PA Farm Bureau at the American Farm Bureau Promotion & Education Food Consumer Engagement Training. This was a great event and I learned so much. I’m truly grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve been given through Farm Bureau. While we were in Washington, we visited the new Museum of the Bible. I would recommend visiting this museum to anyone; they had some amazing displays and artifacts. My favorite exhibit was “Walking Through the Old Testament.” One part made you feel like you were actually walking through the parted Red Sea. Of course, we also went to one of the Smithsonian Museums while we were there. We visited the American History Museum. We were hoping to see the exhibit of farm equipment, but they must have moved it because we couldn’t find it. Until next month, I ask you to continue to pray for Dairy farmers and to buy more Dairy products. That’s all for this month. a
Dairy - Good - Truth by Gretchen Little
Spring is the beautiful season of change and growth and the signs are all around us. From the blossoming flowers, to births of our spring calves, to freshly planted fields and to the introduction of new County Dairy Royalty, a new feeling of opportunity and a positive outlook for the future fills my mind! As the 2017-18 Pennsylvania Alternate Dairy Princess, I have had the privilege of attending many county dairy pageants across Pennsylvania. At these pageants, I have mixed emotions as I watch each Princess give away her crown, and I see a different girl than I first met 10 months ago at seminar. Each of them has blossomed into confident, poised young women and contributed so much to their counties and Pennsylvania’s dairy industry as a whole. While it is bittersweet to pass this responsibility on to the next group of ambitious young women, Once a Princess, Always a Princess, and I am confident each of these amazing women will continue promoting the dairy industry with beauty, passion, and grace! As I meet the 2018-19 County Dairy Princesses, it is hard to believe that I was in their shoes just a year ago. Each of them has an amazing passion for the dairy industry and wonderful new ideas. This year will bring them so many positive
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experiences, personal growth, and a chance to make a difference in the dairy industry. I am confident that each and every one of them will do a phenomenal job representing their County and I wish them the best of luck! On May 20, 2018, it was my time to give a farewell speech and crown the 2018-19 Centre County Dairy Princess, Gabrielle Swavely. It feels like just yesterday that I was the one standing on stage, giving my speech and my skit before being crowned the 2017-18 Centre County Dairy Princess. But, just as the seasons change and make way for the new growth, so must I. Gabrielle gave a speech entitled, The Road Less Travelled By, and as I listened to her I realized I had planted my roots in dairy promotion and was now ready to grow in a different direction. I am confident that Gabrielle will be a wonderful asset to Centre County’s team and I wish her and her court a wonderful “season” of success! I am humbled, honored and forever grateful to have had the chance to represent Centre County’s Dairy Industry. And, though I may no longer be a county princess, I still have a few more months to represent the State of Pennsylvania and am excited to see what the rest of the year has in store for me. a
The Valley, June 2018
The Truth Has No Agenda
29
The Valley, June 2018
30 The American Chestnut from page 24 another American chestnut and so on until the genetic component of the Chinese Chestnut is lessenedtheoretically to the point that it resembles an American Chestnut with the addition of the blight resistant genes. So far, this has looked promising, but the research is still underway. (As you could imagine considering each generation takes several years to become mature!) The last- and most controversial- program is the GMO American Chestnut. State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) Researchers found that a specific gene in wheat that encodes the creation of the oxalate oxidase enzyme also protects the American chestnut from blight. You know- that anti-fungal gene that’s used to protect strawberries
Our Yesteryears from page 15
ing without incident, but tensions still ran high. A regiment, commanded by Col. McFarland, arrived in town to defend the court, if necessary. McFarland addressed the gathering. The justices thanked him, but felt his services were not needed. The afternoon session was to reconvene at two o’clock, and was commencing to do so, when the sheriff and Judge Bryson apparently got into a scuffle. Sheriff Wilson struck at Bryson and also kicked at him, at which point Judge Armstrong forcibly restrained the sheriff and demanded order in the court. Sheriff Wilson was immediately replaced by the Coroner and brought before the bench. A brief stay in jail was suggested and ordered. Sheriff Wilson went without incident. When word of the sheriff’s detention reached beyond the walls of the courthouse, it didn’t take long for some seventy men to gather. Shouting “Liberty or Death!” they attempted a rescue of the sheriff. Perhaps he saw the error of his action or the danger it provoked, for Wilson refused to be released by this mob. Around ten o’clock that night, express riders were sent down the Narrows to collect men to rescue Sheriff Wilson, in a Paul Revere-like ride. These were militia veterans, who saw service defending the frontier during the War of Independence. They knew for what they fought and the sheriff would be released! Several gentleman, accord-
and barley? Yes, they are one in the same. This program is called the Transgenic Blight-Resistant American Chestnut program, and whether this terrifies you or excites you, these trees are expected to be released into the wild within the next two years. Even more interesting is that it’s happening right here in PA, as some of the test sites are located within our state and a PSU professor is actually involved in the program. According to an article in Scientific American published in 2014, they are optimistic that this genetic modification won’t have negative impacts because the trees should not have many nearby trees to produce with (assuming that the other two rehabilitative programs don’t begin to produce vast forests of chestnuts) and they are not thought to be harmful to insects. Finally, another strategy to re-
habilitate the American Chestnut actually is built around reducing the harmful nature of the Cryphonectria parasitica fungus. This is being done by using isolates of a fungal virus, called a hypovirus, to allow the fungus to complete its life cycle without damaging the tree. It’s interesting, though I’ll admit, I don’t understand the program well. (Now my husband can plan on not hearing from me for a week while I satisfy my curiosity by checking out every book in the tri-county area on hypovirulence… sometimes I think I need a new hobby.) Considering the natural longevity of these amazing trees, if you’re planning on planting an American Chestnut, you may want to do some research on the options yourself and consider which type of tree you’d like to pass on to your grandchildren. There are a few options, all with their own pros and cons. a
ing to Clarke, went to assure this gathering that Sheriff Wilson was indeed released and they need take no further action. Happily for all concerned, this mob broke up without incident. The Riot of 1791 was over. EPILOGUE Judge Samuel Bryson outlasted the mob. Despite the riot, he was not forced to retire from the bench. In fact, he was appointed, along with Brown, Armstrong and Beale, to serve in the newly created Fourth Judicial District, which held its first session in December 1791 at the very scene of the fracas, the two-story log courthouse in Lewistown. He died eight years later at age fortyeight. Sheriff Wilson was released from jail and apologized to the court for his rash actions against Bryson. He served as sheriff of Mifflin County until his commission expired in 1792. William Wilson became the new sheriff on November 6 of that year. Deputy State’s Attorney John Clarke filed his report with Thomas Smith, President Judge of the Fourth Judicial District. In it he stated Judge Beale refused to sit with Bryson during the time of the riot and said so from the bench. Beale likely knew of the mob’s plan, based upon his lateness that morning and refusal to walk with the other justices on their way to court. He also seemed to condone the actions of the rioters. John Clarke made one final observation in the matter of the Riot of 1791. He noted in his report to Judge Smith, “I must now close the narrative with say-
ing that, owing to the firmness of Judge Armstrong and the whole of the bar, I was enabled to avert the dreadful blow aimed at Judge Bryson...” The War of Independence was a recent memory for many on both sides of the riot. George Washington was in his first term in 1791. Mifflin County’s riot would be but a footnote in U.S. history, yet in the struggle to establish the new nation, the Riot of 1791 mirrored the country’s growing pains. It remains a stirring illustration of Mifflin County’s colorful heritage. NEXT MONTH: Continuing our look at early Mifflin County history, next month we’re going to colonial times. The scene of a bitter struggle during the French and Indian War took place along the Juniata River just southwest of what would become Lewistown. A fort was erected there, named by Pennsylvania’s Provincial Governor Robert Morris in honor of John Carteret, Earl of Granville. It was garrisoned by Provincial troops to protect the settlers of what was then Cumberland County, but was captured in July 1756. Little was found amid the Fort Granville’s ruins in early August of that year, except a letter written in French, which was taken to the governmental authorities of the colony. Pennsylvania historian William A. Hunter described the letter in 1960 as “a puzzle in that day and a mystery in ours.” In July, The Battle of Fort Granville & The Mysterious French Letter HISTORY IS OUR STORY PASS IT ON a
Around Town with Carole from page 13 guess you need the lubrication of H2O to get the “egg down the shaft,” or something. I have also seen in my five decades of owning hens that if the water has a film on it, they won’t drink. They love fresh every day water. Don’t even think that the water you put in today will be “fresh tomorrow,” because all it takes is one “overly zealous” hen to be scratching up some feed particle and toss a few flying piles of dirt that end up in the drinking water. Now we have mud. Some one asked me about having ducks and hens together; that’s fine, they all get along well but ducks are “mudders.” They receive their vitamin and minerals from picking up pinches of dirt and throwing it in the water then “slurting” it around and drinking most of the muddy water... their favorite! Needless to say, the hens frown upon this, so I did I put a separate watering system in the pen for the hens where the ducks can’t get to it and then I put a larger one out in the yard for the “mudders.” Geese are much better, so if you really want good eggs for cakes (my grandmother would not bake a cake unless she had duck or geese eggs from Columbus Farmer’s Market”....the differene is amazing.), get geese Geese are grazers and aside from their ”green slimy” manure, they are “gentlemen and women” when it comes to getting a drink from the water trough. So I’ve made some suggestions to you as to what not to get. Now you ask “So what do you use?” Believe it or not a brick mason’s black mixing pan has sufficed for these last 50 years better than anything else I have tried. Yes, I have to buy one every year because of the ravages of freezing and thawing and my tilting it to dump it out take their toll, but for under $4.10 it is a disposable commodity. But don’t throw it away when the side splits, just use it for other animals to keep their feed off the dirt. After all, you don’t want anybody coming down with Gravel Belly.
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So you’re ready to do your homework on the internet and find out if you want a nice fat hen for meals or a skinny hen who lays her head off for years to come. Some varieties are good in both departments, but since I can’t bring myself to eat “my girls,” I choose the ones who lay the most eggs. That decision is yours My husband does not eat chicken—he calls it yard bird and chooses a steak over any poultry, but he does eat eggs. Find a reputable hatchery and order your 45 chicks who are shipped the same day they are born. It’s the only way to ship them as they still have enough fluid and nutrition in their bodies left from being in the egg, so that the hatchery doesn’t need to send them with feed or water. They arrive in one day only in temperate weather. The bunch of them put out enough heat that they don’t need a mother to keep them warm. Once you get them home, an incubator is good, but a goose neck lamp works well too. You can tell if they are cold because they will all huddle under the lamp. If the space is warm enough, you can raise or lower the lamp to adjust the temperature. Of course, a thermometer works too. Have fun picking a variety of chicks and let the kids handle them as much as possible. Even hold them in two hands with fingers wide open and let the dog and cat sniff at them so nobody will be enemies later in life. We have no animosity in our barn yard except in mating season when the geese get “pinchy” and then you know there is a hidden nest nearby. Pay attention and you’ll find it. Carole Lokan Moore Television Personality “Camp with Mrs. Whitebriar”. YouTube “www.RVNTV.TV “Around Town With Carole” (TV show and Byline of the same name) www.TheValley Newspaper 609-871-9555 (office) Organic Green Café whitebriarbb@Hotmail.com (comments always welcome) information problem solving give me a call 609-433-7979. a
Hope and Determination Help a Stroke Survivor Walk Again
When Reedsville resident Wilson Goss suffered a stroke, he lost some function in his left leg, leaving him to wonder if he would ever walk again. However, Goss, age 78, did not lose hope. He began his stroke rehabilitation at HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital in Pleasant Gap. “When Mr. Goss arrived here for stroke rehabilitation, he had lost a lot of function in his left leg,” said Physical Therapist Assistant Mackenzie Adams. “Working as a team, our goal was to help him walk again.” It wasn’t long before Goss’s therapists realized his determination was going to be a major contributor to his recovery. “I was reluctant to come to rehab; I didn’t know if they could help me,” said Goss. “But I decided that if I did, I was going to do what they told me to do, and make the best of it.” In fact, Goss made quite an impression on his team of therapists. “Mr. Goss made great strides in his stroke rehabilitation,” said Adams. “His physical therapy included the AutoAmbulator, a therapeutic device that holds a patient upright while robotic braces move the patient’s legs across a treadmill.” Within a few days, Goss was showing signs of improvement.
According to Mitchell Straub, DPT, therapy manager, HealthSouth Nittany Valley, “The AutoAmbulator’s benefits to the stroke patient can include improved gait patterns and reduced falls, which can result in more efficient walking and a greater level of independence.”
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Adams shared that the progress Mr. Goss made in therapy and with the AutoAmbulator was amazing. It was inspiring for the team to watch someone improve and achieve results that are lifechanging. “Everyone at HealthSouth Nittany Valley treated me like gold,” Goss said. “I followed their instructions and I improved more than I thought I could. By the time I was discharged, I was walking.” Prior to his stroke, Goss worked as a truck driver for Allensville Planing Mill, and he’s looking forward to returning to his job. Goss has been married to his wife, Nancy, for 57 years. They are active at their church, St. John Lutheran Church in Siglerville, participating in activities and fundraisers to support organizations like the Salvation Army and the Ronald McDonald House. “We enjoy helping our church support the needs of our community,” Goss said. Goss has also participated in a group that provides support for stroke survivors and their families. The group eats together while enjoying an educational program. The group’s goal is to support one another no matter where they are in their recovery and improve the quality of life for stroke survivors and their families. “There are people in the group whose stroke occurred 10 years ago, and there are those who are in the initial stages of recovery,” said Cathy Steffen, LPN, rehabilitation liaison. Goss recently visited a friend who was a patient at HealthSouth Nittany Valley, offering him support and encouragement. “There’s a lot that I couldn’t do right after my stroke,” Goss said. “But now I’m walking around without a walker and I’m ready to be active again. The staff, the therapy and the technology got me back on my feet. There is definitely hope for recovery after a stroke.” The Lewistown Stroke Group meets at Hoss’s Steak & Sea House on the second Monday of the month (quarterly) at 5 p.m. The next meeting is July 9 at 5 p.m. The Stroke Group in Centre County meets at HealthSouth Nittany Valley. Last May’s
speaker was Robert Sainburg, Ph.D., OTR. He presented, “Motor Performance Following Stroke Depends on Brain Hemisphere.” The Stroke Group meetings are at no cost and open to the public. HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital earned certification for Disease-Specific Care in stroke rehabilitation. The Joint commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ was awarded to HealthSouth Nittany Valley for its compliance with the organization’s national standards for healthcare quality and safety for stroke rehabilitation. The hospital’s comprehensive approach to stroke rehabilitation features intensive therapy, including physical, occupational and speech therapy, three hours a day, five days a week. For more information about a HealthSouth Nittany Valley Stroke Group, call Mitch Straub, DPT, therapy manager, at (814) 359-3421 (Pleasant Gap Group);
The Truth Has No Agenda
or Cathy Steffen, LPN, rehabilitation liaison at (717) 437-3221 (Lewistown Group). a About HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital HealthSouth Nittany Valley Rehabilitation Hospital is a 73-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services. Serving patients throughout the Centre region and five surrounding counties, the hospital is located at 550 W. College Ave. in Pleasant Gap, and on the Web at www.nittanyvalleyrehab.com. An outpatient clinic is located in Pleasant Gap.
The HealthSouth Nittany Valley therapists were inspired by the recovery of stroke survivor Wilson Goss, 78, of Reedsville. Goss lost the use of his left leg, but regained his ability to walk through a high dose of therapy, technology and his own determination. Pictured, front: Wilson Goss, stroke survivor and Cathleen Manning, DPT. Back row: Luke Martin, SLP/L; Jim Moslak, DPT; Mackenzie Adams, PTA; and Mitchell Straub, DPT, therapy manager.
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