KnittingPathsOfLife

Saturday, January 30, 2010

ANOTHER OHIO BOY


Roy Rogers, the King of the Cowboys, was actually born in the city. It was in Cincinnati, Ohio, on November 5, 1911, that Leonard Slye (later to be known as Roy Rogers) was born to Mattie and Andy Slye. Years later, the building where he was born was torn down to make way for Riverfront Stadium (recently renamed Cinergy Field), the home of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. Roy liked to say that he was born right where second base is now located. But the Slye family was never cut out for city life, so a few months after Roy was born, Andy Slye moved his family to Portsmouth, Ohio (a hundred miles east of Cincinnati), where they lived on the houseboat that he and Roy's uncle built. When Roy was seven years old his father decided it was time they settled on solid ground, so he bought a small farm in nearby Duck Run. Living on a farm meant long hours and hard work, but no matter how hard they worked the land there was little money to be made. Roy often said that about all they could raise on their farm were rocks. Eventually Andy Slye realized that he'd have to return to his old factory job at the United States Shoe Company in Cincinnati if he was going to be able to support his family. Since his father would be able to return home only on weekends, this meant that even more of the responsibilities for farm chores fell onto Roy's young shoulders.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

MORE ON WILLIAM MCKINLEY

This is the Monument of William McKinley, right here in my hometown of Canton, Ohio. He along with his wife and children are buried in this Monument. It is located in one of the beautiful parks we have running in a row in our town.
I remember this best as a place to go as a young girl to take pictures on Easter and also having fun running up and down the steps. Could never do that now. LOL.
Kids used to have lots of fun sled riding on the hills on each side of the steps.
There is also a museum located at the base now and it is very interesting to go through.

The first ladies library is located downtown Canton. It was the Saxton house, Mrs. McKinley's maiden name. McKinley and his wife lived in this house at one time.
I have visited a few times, and it is well done and well worth seeing. The ladies who are working each day, dress as one of the first ladies and take you through. There is a second location just down the street located in one of our old bank buildings.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

ONE OF OHIO'S PRESIDENTS


William McKinley (January 29, 1843 – September 14, 1901) was the 25th President of the United States. He was elected twice, in 1896 and 1900 but was assassinated in 1901 at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He fought the Spanish-American War to gain control of Cuba, and afterwards annexed the Philippines and Puerto Rico, as well as Hawaii. He promoted high tariffs as a formula for prosperity, helped rebuild the Republican party in 1896 by introducing new campaign techniques, and presided over a return to prosperity after the Panic of 1893. He was succeeded by his Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt.

Born in Niles, Ohio on Sunday January 29, 1843, William McKinley was the seventh of nine children. His parents, William and Nancy (Allison) McKinley were of Scots-Irish ancestry. He graduated from Poland Academy and briefly attended Allegheny College.

In June 1861, at the start of the American Civil War, he enlisted in the Union Army, as a private in the Twenty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was sent to western Virginia where it spent a year fighting small Confederate units. His superior officer, another future U.S. President, Rutherford B. Hayes, promoted McKinley to commissary sergeant for his bravery in battle. For driving a mule team delivering rations under enemy fire at Antietam, he was promoted to second lieutenant by Hayes. This pattern repeated several times during the war, and McKinley eventually mustered out as Captain and brevet Major of the same regiment in September 1865.

Following the war, McKinley attended Albany Law School in Albany, New York and was admitted to the bar in 1867. He practiced law in Canton, Ohio, and became the prosecuting attorney of Stark County, Ohio, from 1869 to 1871

McKinley was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives and served from 1877 to 1883 and again from March 4, 1885 to March 3, 1891.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

MORE OHIO FAMOUS PEOPLE


Contrary to popular belief, Thomas Edison was not born into poverty in a backwater mid-western town. Actually, he was born -on Feb. 11, 1847 - to middle-class parents in the bustling port of Milan, Ohio, a community that - next to Odessa, Russia - was the largest wheat shipping center in the world. In 1854, his family moved to the vibrant city of Port Huron, Michigan, which ultimately surpassed the commercial preeminence of both Milan and Odessa....

Edison as a childAt age seven - after spending 12 weeks in a noisy one-room schoolhouse with 38 other students of ll ages - Tom's overworked and short tempered teacher finally lost his patience with the child's persistent questioning and seemingly self centered behavior. Noting that Tom's forehead was unusually broad and his head was considerably larger than average, he made no secret of his belief that the hyperactive youngster's brains were "addled" or scrambled.

If modern psychology had existed back then, Tom would have probably been deemed a victim of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and proscribed a hefty dose of the "miracle drug" Ritalin. Instead, when his beloved mother - whom he recalled "was the making of me... [because] she was always so true and so sure of me... And always made me feel I had someone to live for and must not disappoint." - became aware of the situation, she promptly withdrew him from school and began to "home-teach" him. Not surprisingly, she was convinced her son's slightly unusual demeanor and physical appearance were merely outward signs of his remarkable intelligence.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

THIRD EDITION OF OHIO INTEREST


Early life

Born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio to Italian immigrant parents, Gaetano and Angela Crocetti (née Barra), his father was an immigrant from Abruzzo, Italy and his mother was an Italian of part Neapolitan and part Sicilian ancestry. Martin was the younger of two sons. He had one brother, Bill. Martin spoke only Italian until he started school at the age of five. He attended Grant Elementary School in Steubenville, Ohio and took up the drums as a hobby as a teenager. He was the target of much ridicule for his broken English and ultimately dropped out from Steubenville High School in the 10th grade because he thought that he was smarter than his teachers. He delivered bootleg liquor, served as a speakeasy croupier, wrote crafty anecdotes, was a blackjack dealer, worked in a steel mill and boxed as welterweight. He grew up a neighbor to Jimmy the Greek. At the age of 15, he was a boxer who billed himself as "Kid Crochet". His prizefighting years earned him a broken nose (later fixed), a permanently split lip, and many sets of broken knuckles (a result of not being able to afford the tape used to wrap boxers' hands). He won 11 of his 12 bouts.[3] For a time, he roomed with Sonny King, who, like Martin, was just starting in show business and had little money. It is said that Martin and King held bare-knuckle matches in their apartment, fighting until one of them was knocked out; people paid to watch. Eventually, Martin gave up boxing. He worked as a roulette stickman and croupier in an illegal casino behind a tobacco shop where he had started as a stock boy. At the same time, he sang with local bands. Calling himself "Dino Martini" (after the then-famous Metropolitan Opera tenor, Nino Martini), he got his first break working for the Ernie McKay Orchestra. He sang in a crooning style influenced by Harry Mills (of the Mills Brothers), among others. In the early 1940s, he started singing for bandleader Sammy Watkins, who suggested he change his name to Dean Martin.

In October 1941, Martin married Elizabeth Anne McDonald. During their marriage (ended by divorce in 1949), they had four children. Martin worked for various bands throughout the early 1940s, mostly on looks and personality until he developed his own singing style. Martin famously flopped at the Riobamba when he succeeded Frank Sinatra in 1943, but it was the setting for his introduction.

Martin repeatedly sold 10 percent shares of his earnings for up front cash. He apparently did this so often that he found he had sold over 100 percent of his income. Such was his charm that most of his lenders forgave his debts and remained friends.

Drafted into the United States Army in 1944 during World War II, Martin served a year stationed in Akron, Ohio. He was then reclassified as 4-F (possibly due to a double hernia; Jerry Lewis referred to the surgery Martin needed for this in his autobiography) and was discharged.

By 1946, Martin was doing relatively well, but was still little more than an East Coast nightclub singer with a common style, similar to that of Bing Crosby. He drew audiences to the clubs he played, but he inspired none of the fanatic popularity enjoyed by Sinatra.

Monday, January 18, 2010

MORE DISCOVER OHIO


The Clark Gable Birth Home, located in Cadiz Ohio, is the actual house where the Academy Award-winning actor was born and lived until he was two years old. Today, the site is a museum with Gable memorabilia and some of this belongings. There is also an adjacent bed and breakfast inn, with rooms decorated in the period of Mr. Gable's boyhood.belongings. .

Friday, January 15, 2010

PLACES TO VISIT IN OHIO


See the Ohio Historical Society Schoenbrunn Website for schedule, hours and admission rates.

Location: South edge of New Philadelphia, off U.S. 250 and Ohio 16, Tuscarawas County -- about 45 minutes from Stratton House Inn. Plan to spend about a half-day visiting this special hsitoric site. Its well worth the drive and time.

Schoenbrunn Village was founded in 1772 by a group of Moravian missionaries and Indian converts from Pennsylvania, and was the first white settlement in what is now Ohio. The War for Independence spelled the end of the prospering little community of 60 cabins, church, school, and cemetery. The Moravians had renounced war and refused to bear arms for either side; as a result, they suffered raids from both sides. Reverend David Zeisberger, the leader, decided in 1777 to abandon Schoenbrunn and concentrate all the Ohio missions elsewhere. Members of the Moravian Church relocated the forgotten village in the present century by means of a map preserved by the mother church at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society acquired the site in 1923 and soon reconstructed a number of buildings on their original sites.

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Saturday, January 9, 2010

A GOOD TRY

All this snow, can you make a snowman, nooooooooooo.
You cannot roll it at all. It is like powder. I went next door and asked Becky if Eric could come out to play.
On his knees, using a shovel to get snow from another area. No luck.
MOMMMMMMMMMMM, this is hopeless and yes Heidi, this was an attempt just for you. I got a snowman kit from Becky and Eric for Christmas but no way would that carrot nose and scarf work for this little guy.
Okay, give him some stick arms, eyes and a mouth that says "Oh brother".
He's out there just waiting for some wet snow to help him grow. It was still fun playing in the snow with Eric.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

WE SHOULD NEVER COMPLAIN

If we ever think of complaining, and I do, about the weather and how cold we are, just think of having to go everywhere in an open buggy.
To think you might need to go to the store for food or milk, and you cannot just jump into a warm car and go. Oh my, count your blessings
I truly love and admire the Amish. They deserve everything God gives them. They are hard workers and don't ask for much from anyone.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

DOES ANYONE PLAY FARMVILLE?

A friend of mine, of many years, asked me to go on facebook and become a neighbor to her on Farmville. Well, I am now addicted to my little farm. It is so much fun to give and receive gifts and harvest crops, and add to the farm. Last night I got to expand it. Try it, bet you will have fun. Sorry about the flashback.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

A FINISH AND A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY

This is the project I finally finished last night. My sister wanted to buy a sweater at the craft show that I had knitted. It was a kids size 8. The sweater fit, but the sleeves were too short. It was red, but I just swapped the blue and red and she got her sweater. Hope it fits.
This isn't a very good picture of her, and she didn't have time to try it on. We were going to my cousin's birthday party. She liked it and it looks like it might be okay.
This is my cousin, Louise, who I talk about a lot. She was quite surprised.
The party was at her brother and sister in laws house, and Sue made the cake. It was really as good as is looks.
The gifts were supposed to be gags. When we were kids, when we visited our Aunt
in Pennsylvania, we were each give a quarter to spend at the five and ten. We always bought a cut out book and some candy. I thought it only fitting to give the same to her now. Not for a quarter but oh well. It was a fun day.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

YEP, THIS IS OHIO

This is the view from my back door. Both of my Son's and my Daughter in law have duplex apartments across from the car on the road. I always make them wave when they are on the way home. LOL
This is the view from the other side of the porch. Just a ton of snow right now, and snowing hard at the moment.
Can't escape out the front door either. Heidi would love it. The snow is very fluffy. I got a snowman kit from Becky and Eric for Christmas and he asked today if I thought we could build a snowman. I swept the walks, and the snow is fluffy and light, so no we cannot.