I Love Living in a Small Town

Tonight was a wonderful example why I love living in a small town. Our town’s kickoff to summer is the Roxbury Arts Alliance’s Annual Beach Blast. Rain delayed twice the event which is why we’re kicking off summer in the middle of July. Several community groups, local businesses, recreation and police came together to create a fun filled evening of food, music, fireworks, and friends. Residents brought their beach chairs and blankets to the only NJ park listed in the top 15 best parks in the Take it to the Park, Coca-Cola Park Contest; Horseshoe Lake Park. Lounging in the sand, we caught up on our summer activities and commiserated about this blasted heat wave while we enjoyed a local band play. As darkness approached, the excitement grew for the start of the fireworks. Local businesses stepped up a few years ago to pick up the torch after budget cuts forced the town to drop the annual fireworks display. While the fireworks weren't as splashy as Macy’s they were still wonderful. Oh did I mention it only took me 5 minutes to get home after the show?

Arlington National Cemetery

Yesterday I attended the internment of my cousin's husband at Arlington National Cemetery. This is not the first family member who has been laid to rest on this hallowed ground. My uncle (USN) joined his wife in 2010, and there is at least one other known to me.

Dad at John Armstrong's Grave

The history of Arlington itself is interesting. The mansion was originally built by the grandson of President George Washington. It became the residence of Robert E Lee after his marriage to the grandson's daughter. Arlington House as it was known, was confiscated by the Union at the outbreak of the Civil War. On June 15, 1864 Brigadier General Montgomery Meigs appropriated the property as a military cemetery. Sixteen days later Private John Armstrong died in a Washington DC hospital of gunshot wounds received in battle. He was one of the first soldiers buried in Arlington National Cemetery. 

Friends Spring Book Sale is Here

Read all about it in the latest Among Friends.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Among-Friends.html?soid=1104907686970&aid=O209r5pEpv4#fblike

Spring Cleaning Tasks

It Spring, time to enjoy the flowers and warm breezes. It's also time to clean the house to really enjoy those Spring breezes. I put together a list with the help of other blogs and am partially done with the work. I'm hoping posting it here will help motivate me to finish the tasks.

1. Clean vacuum cleaners & filters - check
2. Organize & purge medicine cabinet - check
3. Organize clothes closet. Donate unused clothes. Pitch un-wearable. Organize what’s left. – Check, check, check
4. Wipe down walls and baseboards – check
5. Clean & polish wood furniture – check 
6. Wash bedding – check
7. Clean stove top – check 
8. Clean out Dryer lint trap - check
9. Clean your washing machine – trying this right after Home Depot run
10. Clean your dishwasher.
11. Clean the inside of microwave.
12. Clean drains naturally – Home Depot run needed for snake
13. Clean inside of oven.
14. Clean inside of refrigerator – half done, Freezer complete.
15. Organize Spice Cabinet – buy that in cabinet spice rack I’ve been looking at.
16. Clean & sanitize the inside of all the garbage cans.
17. De-clutter the tough spots: (partially done)
• magazine clutter - check
• foyer closet - check
• home office – in progress   
• utensil drawer
• above the refrigerator 
18. Weed out bookcases – donate books to Friends of the Library
19. Vacuum the furniture.
20. Vacuum under the furniture. Add fix Roomba so IT can vacuum under the furniture.

How is your Spring Cleaning coming along?

Donations for Book Sale Now Accepted

For more information read Among Friends April 2013

I Choose to Focus on the Light

We wake this morning in the wake of yesterday’s events in Boston with a choice; do we focus on the dark of the situation or the light? We can focus on who the bombers were, what their motives were giving the perpetrators exactly what they want… attention. The press is certainly doing that in spades. Or do we concentrate on the victims and the heroes of the day? I choose the latter.

There are scores of heroes who stepped up yesterday in the aftermath of the explosions. The typical first responders; EMTs, Police, Fire & OEM immediately went to work clearing the area, treating the victims and, looking for evidence. Race volunteers bought bandages and wheelchairs to the victims and those treating them. The medical tents set up to aid runners at the conclusion of their races turned into triage facilities. Many of those participating in the race who couldn't reach the official finish line due to the attack, created a new finish line; the local hospitals where they donated blood for the victims. As a BU alum, I was proud to see one of our own athletic trainers, Larry Venis, who ran toward the blast area to help those in need.

And of course there are the victims; the 3 dead, 176 injured and their friends & families. Families have been forever torn apart and many lives changed. May we celebrate the bright lights now dimmed. Especially Martin Richard, the 8 year old little boy, whose last innocent acts were eating an ice cream while watching his dad run the marathon. May the injured heal quickly and find joy in their lives once again. My prayers are with you all.

Note: I wasn't at the Marathon yesterday; I don’t live in the area so I don’t have any potential information that could help the police. For what little help I can give are prayers and sharing & re-tweeting messages from police and OEM; I will. To that end here is some of the information the police put out:

• ·         From MEMA: The FBI has set-up 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), prompt #3, for anyone who has information re: Boston Marathon explosions.
• ·         To find family & friends involved in the Marathon call 617-635-4500
• ·         Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency is posting updates on its website: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/mema/

I’ll leave the investigating to the authorities and hope they can do so quickly and without a lot of interference.

Wednesday’s Child

Wednesday’s Child in the genealogy world is a time to recognize our ancestors who passed far too young. Given the hard life of our ancestors in the 18^th and 19^th and even the early20^th centuries there is no surprise that life spans were far shorter than they are today. Vital records (birth/death records) weren’t officially recorded by the government in most parts of the country until sometime during the 1900s. Before 1850 the US census only listed the head of household, so it is easy to see why finding information on minor children of the time is difficult. Oftentimes the only record of their life is their headstone. So in honor of those whom much is unknown in my own family tree, let me introduce:

Emanuel Hudson – Age 2

Birth 1 Jun 1874 in Hopewell, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, USA
Death 1 Dec 1876 in Blair, Pennsylvania, USAEmanuel was the youngest of 5 children born to William Alexander Hudson and Eliza Metzger. His father died a mere 10 months after Emanuel was born. He is buried in the Mennonite Cemetery in Martinsburg, PA alongside his mum.

Catherine E Ritts – Age 1
Birth 15 Oct 1906 in Antis, Blair, Pennsylvania, USA
Death 25 Jul 1907 in Antis, Blair, Pennsylvania, USA
Catherine was only the 2nd daughter born to Harry & Lizzie Ritts. The Ritts clan numbered 11 with 9 boys and my nana surviving to adulthood. Catherine's remains lie with her parents, grandpa, and a few brothers in the Antis Cemetery.

Margaret Levenia Campbell – Age 11
Birth 17 Mar 1878 in Buckner, Louisa, Virginia, USA
Death 4 Mar 1890 in Altoona, Blair, Pennsylvania, USA
Maggie C, the eleven year old daughter of Henry J and Tressie Campbell died on Tuesday morning at 20 minutes to 2:00 of pneumonia, super induced by grip and asthma combined. Her demise is a great blow to her parents, she being the youngest daughter. Stevens Mortuary, Altoona, PA 1883-1910, p 31, Campbell, Maggie d 3/4/1890 St Marys; a 11 yrs; d/o Henry & Theresa Campbell; r. 2516 Oak Ave*

* Bakers's Mansion, Altoona Tribune, March 6, 1890, Thursday