Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Books Read, Goals Met


Dad taught me years ago to keep a book list, mainly to keep track of which audiobooks we had purchased and which one of us had read them. I was thrilled when a friend introduced me to Shelfari.com, an online bookshelf where I can keep track of my read and TBR lists, dust free. Since then GoodReads has become the latest bookshelf darling allowing authors to connect with readers and I dabble there as well. 

One of my favorite features of these online bookshelves is reading challenges. Years ago I joined Shelfari’s 50 Book Challenge group. For me, this has been an easily achieved goal, so I quickly added the 100 Reading Challenge group. This year my first book was How to Change Your Life in the Next 15 Minutes and the last Killer Karma. In between I’ve read 3 of Danielle Paige’s wildly successful Dorothy Must Die series, found a great new series, Jefferson Tayte Genealogical Mystery by Steve Robinson and caught up with favorites like WEB Griffin, Lorna Barrett and Mary Higgins Clark



My goal this year was to read at least 50 books, but ultimately to read 100.


My favorite book of the year was The Island at the Center of the World a non-fiction historical look at the founding of New York City. Besides being a fascinating look into the past, while I was reading it I started to help a friend with her ancestry search and found her family prominently featured in the Island, a fact we had no clue about when the quest began.


On Friday as I watch bowl games, I will open my 2016 50 Book Challenge goal and expect to add the 100 Book Challenge by June.

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Be Wise, Focus on the Future with Education

The Ferro-Monte Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, will welcome New Jersey Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent Cornelia B. Olde to their November meeting. The meeting will highlight the Daughters of the American Revolution commitment to education and the DAR Schools at Roxbury Township Free Public Library 103 Main St, Succasunna, NJ on November 14 at 10:15am. 

Ferro-Monte Chapter meetings are held on the 2nd Saturday of the month from October - May. Prospective members are always welcome. If you have an interest in learning about your family tree, we can help you; maybe we can even find a Patriot among your leaves. For information the Ferro Monte Chapter: like us at Facebook.com/FerroMonteChapterNSDAR, visit our website FerroMonteDAR.org or email NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit DAR.org

Monday, October 26, 2015

1st Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church Cemeteries Announced as an Official Location for 2015 National Wreaths Across America Program

Community Fundraising Efforts to Culminate in Wreath-Laying Ceremony on National Wreaths Across America Day 

Wreaths Across America (WAA), a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, announced that 1st Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church Cemeteries in Succasunna, NJ has once again joined in the effort to fulfill the national WAA mission of remembering, honoring and teaching under the 2015 central theme: “Cemeteries are for the living.” This is the second year that 1st Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church Cemeteries will be participating.

1st Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church Cemeteries will be organizing several fundraising events in the coming year that will culminate in a wreath-laying ceremony to honor veterans on National Wreath Across America Day on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. Remembrance wreaths will be placed at the headstones of fallen veterans at more than 1,000 locations across the country and overseas. A remembrance ceremony will be held at 1st Presbyterian Church and United Methodist Church Cemeteries in Succasunna, NJ, on this day to ensure that the individuals who served to protect the freedoms of our country are not, and never will be, forgotten.

The Ferro Monte Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, is proud to coordinate this event.” It is truly a community event with countless residents all coming together to sponsor wreaths, lay wreaths and create a moving memorial ceremony to honor these veterans.” Vice Regent and Location Coordinator Kim Armstrong says. “We hope with the generous support of the community as well as local businesses we will be able to honor all 560 veterans in the combined cemeteries with wreaths this year. To accomplish this goal we ask you to sponsor wreaths at RoxburyWAA.org by November 28th and attend the ceremony on December 12th.” 

“Wreaths Across America has grown on the passion of our volunteers,” said Karen Worcester, WAA executive director. “Many of our organization’s most successful ideas came from those who do the real work of organizing and carrying out our ceremonies in their hometowns. It is overwhelming to realize that more than 1,000 locations are living our mission to Remember, Honor and Teach the service and sacrifice of veterans.”

Those interested in volunteering with their local Wreaths Across America location in Succasunna, NJ are invited to email NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit RoxburyWAA.org

About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies each December at Arlington, as well as at hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. To keep up with all the Wreaths Across America news, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/WAAHQ and on Twitter at twitter.com/WreathsAcross.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

The Life and Times of Isaac Metzker

Isaac Metzker lived his entire life in what is now North Woodbury, Pennsylvania. He was born on January 24, 1809 to Christina Hoover, age 30, and John George Metzker, age 38. The Metzker/Metzger family were early settlers of Bedford County, coming to the area from the Old World in the mid-1700s.

Isaac grew up on a farm learning what would become his trade in then Woodbury, Bedford County. Woodbury became a part of Blair County in 1846 when it was formed from parts of Bedford and Huntingdon counties. Isaac’s farm at that time included 80 acres of farmed land producing: 250 bushels of wheat, 150 bushels of corn and oats each, 100 bushels of rye, 15 bushels of potatoes and 10 tons of hay. On October 1, 2015 the Metzker family was added to the First Families of Blair County recognizing them as original residents of the new county.

By 1879 with son Samuel, the Metzker farm had improved another 20 acres adding an apple orchard sweet potatoes and clove seeds to the mix. Corn became the predominate crop selling 700 bushels. 1879 was also a pivotal year for the family as matriarch Anna Lantz Metzger died of catarrh fever, a disease affecting the respiratory organs in November.                  
Anna Lantz Metzker
incorrect headstone

Not much is known about Anna Lantz and what is known is not set in stone. The US Mortality Schedule gives us the information on her death above, while her headstone lists her death as 26 Feb 1881. As she does not appear on the 1880 census and Isaac is listed as a widower, it appears the headstone is incorrect. Anna was born 8 Aug 1814 in Pennsylvania; who her people were are currently a mystery. She married Isaac about 1832. The couple had 10 children: William, Rebecca, Catherine, Nancy, John, Virginia, Eliza, Samuel, Anna, and Elizabeth in 21 years. Anna was a homemaker and a member of the German Baptist Brethren Church. After her death, widowed daughter Eliza Hudson moved home with her children to help care for Isaac.

Isaac Metzker(Metzger) Farm
Mennonite Cemetery is between 147 and 141

Isaac led a productive life for another twelve years with a prosperous farm which while having passed out of the family, is still in existence today. Two of his children; Virginia Metzker Stoner and Samuel passed before Isaac. He spent his last days at the home of his grand-daughter Charlotte Ebersole McGraw and his great-grandsons Earl & Herbert. He died on September 18, 1891, in his hometown, having lived a long life of 82 years, 7 months and 24 days. Isaac, Anna and much of their family are buried down the road from the farm in the Mennonite Cemetery in Martinsburg.

Note: If you have any information on Anna Lantz Metzker’s ancestors please comment below.

Sources:
1. Non-population Census Schedules for Pennsylvania, 1850-1880: Agriculture (62 rolls); Roll 2: 1850 Agriculture: Blair-Carbon counties; Roll 34: 1880 Agriculture: Blair-Bedford counties
3. Year: 1880; Census Place: North Woodbury, Blair, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1103; Family History Film: 1255103; Page: 445B; Enumeration District: 174; Image: 0449
4. Isaac Metzker Obituary; Altoona Tribune, 22 Sep 1891 pg 4

Monday, October 12, 2015

Newest Blair County Founders Recognized

Jacob Shoenfelt II was born 9 Sep 1792, near Hagerstown, Maryland and died in his 91st year on 14 Apr 1884. His parents, Jacob the 1st and Elizabeth Baker Shoenfelt settled on land given them by Jacob I’s father William Shanefelt, near Woodberry, Bedford County in the spring of 1796. According to a 1946 Altoona Mirror article, the land William purchased has remained in family hands for 166 years.  Jacob I with the help of Jacob II built the family home there (now known as Taylor Twp, Blair County) in 1812. The family of eight were of the German Reformed faith and although Jacob I became a Dunkard preacher later in life, Jacob II remained with the German Reformed. Of hardy German stock, Jacob II did not learn to read or speak English until he was an adult.

Jacob and Elizabeth Marks celebrated the arrival of daughter Elizabeth in 1802. Betsy grew up in Huntingdon Boro. She married Jacob II at an early age. They raised their family of thirteen (Henry, Joseph, Elizabeth, George, Sarah, Jacob, Andrew, Isaac, Mary, Susan, John, Harriet and James) on the Plum Creek farm.  The family resided in Woodbury in 1846 when Blair county was formed and in 1856 when their section of Woodbury became Taylor Twp. Jacob II out lived his wife Elizabeth and his children: daughters Elizabeth, Sarah, Harriet and sons Issac and James. 

While Jacob was primarily a farmer in his later years. As a young man he was a wagoner transporting pig iron from Maria Forge to Pittsburgh before the construction of highways.
Jacob Shoenfelt voted for our 4th President James Madison thru the 20th President James Garfield
In the last few years of his life he became a favorite subject of the Altoona Tribune. In a profile celebrating his 90th birthday, the interviewer reports that Jacob II “voted for James Madison for President and voted at every presidential election since casting his vote for General Garfield for president in 1880. He only missed voting at two elections ever since he voted. He was a Federalist, Whig, American and Republican, always true to his party. He is a hale old man, and bids fair to be a centenarian. The lustre of his eyes is not bedimmed and he reads and writes without the use of glasses. He never used a pair of spectacles in his life. His memory is remarkably good and it is pleasing to hear him relate incidents and occurrences of long ago, speaking of the kind and charitable disposition of some of the early settlers of the Cove.” The Shoenfelts are purportedly buried in the Snowberger Cemetery in East Sharpsburg, PA.

Details from Isaac Metzker Farm Censuses of 1850 and 1880

Isaac Metzker's Farm was located in North Woodbury in Blair County, Pennsylvania. The following information came from the Agriculture Censuses in 1850 and 1880 with calculation for today's dollars.

1880 Isaac Metzker Farm
Son Samuel farming land for cut of profit
1879 stats: Total Income $716 which equals $17,047.62 in 2014
Livestock –    Cows: 2 calves born, 1 cow sold, 2 slaughtered, 1 lost; 208lbs of butter sold
                        Sheep: 3 lambs born
                        Chicken: 208 eggs produced
Crops-           Corn: 25 acres of corn produced 700 bushels
                        Oat: 5 acres oats produced 80lbs
                        Rye: 4 acres of rye produced 20lbs
                        Wheat: 24 acres of wheat produced 275lbs
                        Potato: 3/4 acres Irish potatoes produced 50 bushels; 2 bushels sweet potato
                        Orchard: 8 acres with 100 apple trees produced 250 bushels sold for $75
                        Forestry: 25 cords of wood cut and sold for $50
                        Hay: 1 Ton harvested
                        Clover Seed: 3 bushels
Expenses:
                        Building Repair: $15
                        Labor costs: 16 weeks $15
*******************************************************************************************
Value in 1880 = $7732 Farmland $7200, Farm Equipment $75, Livestock $457
Value in 2014 dollars = $179,813.95
Acres: 108 acres improved land, 20 acres of forest and 1 acre of grassland not mowed
Livestock on hand 1 Jun 1880: 6 horses, 4 milk cows, 10 other cows, 9 sheep, 15 pigs, 50 chickens
1880 spring sheering = 9 fleeces weighing 40lbs      

1850 Isaac Metzker Farm
1849 stats:
Livestock –    Cows: 150lbs of butter sold
                        Animals Slaughtered for $85
Crops-           Corn: 150 bushels
                        Oat: 150 bushels
                        Rye: 100 bushels
                        Wheat: 250 bushels
                        Potato: 15 bushels
                        Hay: 10 Ton harvested
********************************************************************************************
Value in 1850 = $6451 Farmland $6000, Farm Equipment $100, Livestock $351
Value in 2014 dollars = $195,727.27
120 Acres = 80 Improved, 40 Unimproved
Livestock on hand 1 Jun 1850: 5 horses, 4 milk cows, 5 other cows, 10 sheep, 8 pigs

1850 spring sheering = 20lbs

Source:
Nonpopulation Census Schedules for Pennsylvania, 1850-1880: Agriculture(62 rolls);.
Roll 2: 1850 Agriculture: Blair-Carbon counties; Roll 34: 1880 Agriculture: Blair-Bedford counties

Sunday, September 27, 2015

New Friends and Old Getting Together to Celebrate their Revolutionary Ancestors

Is there a Patriot waiting to be discovered in your family tree?


Our October meeting is a wonderful time to meet new friends, catch-up with old friends and learn about our Revolutionary Patriot Ancestors. If you have an interest in learning about your family tree, we can help you; maybe we can even find a Patriot among your leaves. Prospective members are always welcome.

The Ferro-Monte Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, will hold its New Member Social Saturday, October 10 at Roxbury Township Free Public Library 103 Main St, Succasunna, NJ at 10:15am. For information, email:
NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org.

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Happy Constitution Week

AMERICA CELEBRATES U.S. CONSTITUTION

DAR Promotes Constitution Week Awareness

Constituition Week Display
@ Roxbury Library
Mayor Jim Rilee
with Sue Anderson
At the September 8th Roxbury Town Council meeting, Mayor Rilee presented members, Linda Smith, Sue Anderson and Kim Armstrong, of the Ferro Monte Chapter, NSDAR with a Constitution Week proclamation. September 17, 2015, begins the national celebration of Constitution Week. The weeklong commemoration of America’s most important document is one of our country’s least known official observances. Our Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties and freedom, and to ensure those inalienable rights to every American. Ferro Monte Chapter members Sue Anderson (Roxbury) and Melvina Annis (Rockaway) have created a Constitution exhibit in the lobby of the Roxbury Library. The Constitution exhibit including the Town Council proclamation will be on display throughout September. In addition, the Roxbury Township Public Library will be distributing Preamble to the Constitution bookmarks courteous of the Ferro Monte Chapter.
 

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

DAR Promotes Constitution Week Awareness


September 17, 2015, begins the national celebration of Constitution Week. The weeklong commemoration of America’s most important document is one of our country’s least known official observances. Our Constitution stands as a testament to the tenacity of Americans throughout history to maintain their liberties and freedom, and to ensure those inalienable rights to every American. 

The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started many years ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). In 1955, the Daughters petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law #915 on August 2, 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The aims of the celebration are to (1) emphasize citizens’ responsibilities for protecting and defending the Constitution, preserving it for posterity; (2) inform the people that the Constitution is the basis for America’s great heritage and the foundation for our way of life; and (3) encourage the study of the historical events which led to the framing of the Constitution in September 1787. 

The United States of America functions as a Republic under the Constitution, which is the oldest document still in active use that outlines the self-government of a people. This landmark idea that men had the inalienable right as individuals to be free and live their lives under their own governance was the impetus of the American Revolution.  Today, the Constitution stands as an icon of freedom for people around the world. 

“Constitution Week is the perfect opportunity to read and study this great document which is the safeguard of our American liberties,” states DAR President General, Lynn Forney Young. “We encourage all citizens across the country to take time this week to reflect on our heritage of freedom and come together to Celebrate America!”

DAR has served America for 125 years as its foremost cheerleader.  In 1928, the Daughters began work on a building as a memorial to the Constitution. John Russell Pope, architect of the Jefferson Memorial, was commissioned to design the performing arts center, known as DAR Constitution Hall. Today, DAR Constitution Hall is one of the only structures erected in tribute to the Constitution of the United States of America.  

Known as the largest women’s patriotic organization in the world, DAR has over 180,000 members with approximately 3,000 chapters in all 50 states and 13 foreign countries. The DAR has long promoted patriotism through commemorative celebrations, memorials, scholarships and activities for children, and programs for new immigrants. For more information about DAR and its programs visit www.dar.org

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Trace Your Family History




Inspired by her family’s Christmas ravioli tradition, author Laura Schenone traces her family’s roots from Italy to New Jersey in The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken. During her search to find the original recipe she discovers much more about herself, her family and the place they used to call home. Like Ms Schenone, you can discover much about your family’s history with a bit of research. 

The Roxbury Library provides free access to historical records, censuses and family histories online from Ancestry.com. The Library will be holding class for Roxbury cardholders on July 28, 6pm. During which you will be shown how to find your records so that you can begin to create your family history story. Patrons will be provided with a blank family tree which should be completed and brought to the class.

The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken by Laura Schenone is this year’s One Community, One Book selection by the Morristown Festival of Books. Ms Schenone will be appearing at the 2015 Morristown Festival of Books on October 2. For more information about the One Community, One Book initiative and the Morristown Festival of Books like the Facebook page and follow the Twitter feed.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Your Family Came From Where?

Wednesday, June 10 the Morristown Festival of Books’ One Community, One Book initiative is hosting “Your Family Came From Where?” that will be held at the Madison Public Library beginning at 7 PM.


The program based on the family heritage theme from this year’s One Book selection The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken by Laura Schenone.  We are partnering with the Morristown Library's genealogical department to showcase the information available in Morris County. Cher Turkington from the Morristown & Morris Twp Library will be our speaker on how early immigrants transformed the Morristown community. Philip Hussa from the Family History Center in Flanders will be presenting information on the area Family History Centers collections and of course familysearch.org. Both of these organizations will have materials on hand for attendees to learn more about the breadth of genealogical services here in the Morris County area.

The book that the OCOB committee selected to be this year’s featured selection that we hope you will enjoy is The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken written by Laura Schenone of Montclair.  By offering this and other programs leading up to the Festival which will take place on October 2 and 3, to generate enthusiasm for the book as well as the Festival. To find out more about One Community, One Book and the Morristown Festival of Books visit the website www.morristownfestivalofbooks.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Attention all book clubs: Morristown Festival of Books gearing up for 2nd Year

Once again the Recorder papers have written a great article on the festival and the One Community, One Book (OCOB) initiative. Attention all book clubs: Morristown Festival of Books gearing up for second year - New Jersey Hills: Madison Eagle News: The Morristown Festival of Books’ “One Community One Book” has made its choice for summer reading leading up to this fall's festival: The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken by Laura Schenone. We hope you read the book and participate in the OCOB events on June 10, August 27 and attend the Morristown Festival of Books on October 2-3. Books can be purchased at words and The Bookworm or your local library.

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Ancestry for Free

At least it is free for six months... if you enter and win the Geneblogger contest. Oh how I'd love to win since the email in my inbox right after the contest announcement, was Ancestry.com announcing it is time for my subscription renewal. So if not me, why not you? Deadline to enter is May Day. 

Sunday, April 26, 2015

A Brave Ride to Warn the Patriots the British Are Coming

Surprise, this is not the story of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, rather it is a story of a young Conneticut girl helping  the Continental Army and her father in 1777. On the night of April 26, 1777 a man came to the home of Colonel Henry Ludington of the Continental Army bringing news of the burning of Danbury Connecticut along with the request that the Colonel’s regiment make haste to Danbury to aid in its defense. Enter sixteen year old Sybil


Sybil Ludington's Ride by Berton Braley

Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of a lovely feminine Paul Revere
Who rode an equally famous ride
Through a different part of the countryside,
Where Sybil Ludington's name recalls
A ride as daring as that of Paul's.
In April, Seventeen Seventy-Seven,
A smoky glow in the eastern heaven
(A fiery herald of war and slaughter)
Came to the eyes of the Colonel's daughter.
"Danbury's burning," she cried aloud.
The Colonel answered, “‘Tis but a cloud,
A cloud reflecting the campfires red,
So hush you, Sybil, and go to bed."
"I hear the sound of the cannon drumming"
“‘Tis only the wind in the treetops humming!
So go to bed, as a young lass ought,
And give the matter no further thought."
Young Sybil sighed as she turned to go,
"Still, Danbury's burning-that I know."

Sound of a horseman riding hard
Clatter of hoofs in the manor yard
Feet on the steps and a knock resounding
As a fist struck wood with a mighty pounding.
The doors flung open, a voice is heard,
"Danbury's burning-I rode with word;
Fully half of the town's gone
And the British-the British are coming on.
Send a messenger, get our men!"
His message finished the horseman then
Staggered wearily to a chair
And fell exhausted in slumber there.
The Colonel muttered, "And who, my friend,
Is the messenger I can send?
Your strength is spent and you cannot ride
And then, you know not the countryside;
I cannot go for my duty's clear;
When my men come in they must find me here;
There's devil a man on the place tonight
To warn my troopers to come-and fight.
Then, who is my messenger to be?"
Said Sybil Ludington, "You have me."

"You!" said the Colonel, and grimly smiles,
Sybil's Ride
"You! My daughter, you're just a child."
"Child!" cried Sybil. "Why I'm sixteen!
My mind's alert and my senses keen,
I know where the trails and the roadways are
And I can gallop as fast and far
As any masculine rider can.
You want a messenger? I'm your Man!"
The Colonel's heart was aglow with pride.
"Spoke like a soldier. Ride, girl, ride
Ride like the devil; ride like sin;
Summon my slumbering troopers in.
I know when duty is to be done
That I can depend on a Ludington!"
So over the trails to the towns and farms
Sybil delivered the call to arms.
Riding swiftly without a stop
Except to rap with a riding crop
On the soldiers' doors, with a sharp tattoo
And a high-pitched feminine halloo.
"Up! Up there, soldier. You're needed, come!
The British are marching!" and then the drum
Of her horse's feet as she rode apace
To bring more men to the meeting place.

Sybil grew weary and faint and drowsing,
Her limbs were aching, but still she rode
Until she finished her task of rousing
Each sleeping soldier from his abode,
Showing her father, by work well done,
That he could depend on a Ludington.
Dawn in the skies with its tints of pearl
And the lass who rode in a soldier's stead
Turned home, only a tired girl
Thinking of breakfast and then to bed
With never a dream that her ride would be
A glorious legend of history;
Nor that posterity's hand would mark
Each trail she rode through the inky dark,
Each path to figure in song and story
As a splendid, glamorous path of glory to
prove, as long as the ages run,
That "you can depend on a Ludington."
Such is the legend of Sybil's ride
To summon the men from the countryside
A true tale, making her title clear
As a lovely feminine Paul Revere!


Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Are you curious who is in your family tree?

We can help you. A Lineage Workshop, sponsored by the Ferro Monte Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, will be held on Saturday April 11 from 10:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Roxbury Library located at 103 Main St., Succasunna, NJ. This drop in workshop is for anyone interested learning how to trace their family history. Attendees will have the opportunity to work with the lineage research team in starting their quest or aiding in breaking down a brick wall. We will have reference books available for your use and the Roxbury Library has computers with access to Ancestry.com to further your research.

Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal decent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.  The DAR recognizes "Patriots: as not only soldiers but also anyone who contributed to the cause of American freedom." For those interested in membership, please bring your records and information and receive assistance with application papers.  Current Daughters can also get support from NJ State Registrar Diane Oliver and the lineage research team on completing supplemental applications. If you have any questions regarding this Workshop, please contact us at NJDARFerroMonte@aol.com for further details.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. To learn more about the work of today's DAR, visit www.DAR.org.

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Today two of my great grandmas celebrate birthdays. Well they would if they were still with us or the keep track of that sort of thing in heaven.

My 2nd Great Grandma Mary A Shoenfelt Ritts was born 181 years ago in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. She married John Ritts and had six children including my great-grandpa Harry.  Mary's life was tragically cut down when the trolley she was riding went off the bridge and plunged into the Juniata River. In the subsequent trial, her husband was awarded $1200. Family Tree of Mary A Ritts

Harriet Slyder lived her life in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Married to Jacob Embich in 1838, Widowed in 1854 at age 37 Harriet was left with six children; John age 13, William 11, Mary 10, Emma 8, Jacob 3 and 2 month old Harriet. The young family survived off of Jacob estate until after the Civil War marched it's way through Chambersburg as part of the Battle of Gettysburg. To defend family and home, son John took up arms joining the Union Army. After the war Harriet took up jobs housekeeping and sewing to support her family. My 3rd great-grandma at age 68 was buried in the First Lutheran Church Cemetery, Chambersburg. Family Tree of Harriet Embich
Happy Birthday Grandmas!

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

The Wizard Returns

The Wizard Returns (Dorothy Must Die, #0.3)The Wizard Returns by Danielle Paige
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I got a much clearer picture of who the Wizard is in The Wizard Returns and the big question is which side is he on in the battle for Oz? One thing for sure, the Wizard is a huge wild card in the battle between good and the wicked. Are the wicked really wicked? Is he or isn't he? I just don't know. Can't wait until the month's end and the release of Danielle Paige's next installment of the Dorothy Must Die series: The Wicked Will Rise.

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Monday, March 9, 2015

The Witch Must Burn

The Witch Must Burn (Dorothy Must Die, #0.2)The Witch Must Burn by Danielle Paige
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What happens when the Good Witch goes bad? The Witch must Burn. Danielle Paige takes us into Glinda the "Good Witch"'s sickenly sweet pink palace leaving me reaching for the pepto and as happy as Jellia to escape Glinda's sugary clutches. Once my favorite with the best dress, I am looking to light the match and help the Order retake Oz from Glinda and Dorothy in The Wicked Will Rise
Dorothy Must Die  The Other Side of the Rainbow Collection  No Place Like Oz / Dorothy Must Die / The Witch Must Burn / The Wizard Returns / The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle  Paige

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Sunday, March 8, 2015

Spring Ahead - 15 Minute Declutter Session

Back in January I made a resolution to de-clutter my house. I made a really good start with my linen closet, see my Jan 14 post. Then I got distracted. In February I found a great pin from Clean & Scentsible for the Household Organization Diet. In just 15 minutes a day you can de-clutter your home in 31 days. Sounded good to me. I dove right in and de-cluttered the cabinet under the kitchen sink.
Doesn’t it look nice? Then well I got distracted… again. 

Today I got motivated and spent my 15 minute de-cluttering session on the kitchen cabinet that is reserved for the kitchen stuff that has no other home. That is going to change. The picnic odds and ends have a new home in the garage with the coolers and paper tablecloths. The miscellaneous water bottles have been pared down to two, one for me and one for dad. The cabinet has been re-purposed as a baking cabinet. 
Hmm, what shoud my next de-cluttering project be and how long before I get around to it? I'll let you know.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Murder in the Mystery Suite

Murder in the Mystery Suite (Book Retreat Mysteries #1)Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It' TNT's Librarians in an awesome castle. I want to check into Storyton Hall for a wonderful winter week of reading. Love Jane, the superhero mom, as the new guardian.

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