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The Union County Courthouse tower, a constant in my life for these 60 years. I took this photo five years ago this weekend. Thirty years ago this weekend, we were ready to launch into a new era, one we're in today, still living in Madison County. This has been home half my life. But parts of my heart remain in both Fountain and Union counties.
Thirty years ago this week, Brian, nearly-three-year-old Sam and I left behind one era of life and set out on a new one. On July 3, 1989, I completed my last day as managing editor of a small newspaper in Attica, Indiana.
Brian had just wrapped up his nine years as a school administrator at Fountain Central Junior-Senior High School.
We would spend the rest of July transitioning to the new home we had bought in Madison County and by August, Brian would be working at his new administrative post in the Hamilton Southeastern School Corp.
The number of mixed feelings about this uncharted new territory was extraordinary. I was more than ready to leave my former job, but knew I would miss certain aspects of my work and I would miss my work peers. I won't go into what I would not miss!
I would miss Fountain County friends, our wonderful babysitter and her family and our landlord—all who had become like family.
I would be happy to move to a town much closer to my folks who were still living on the farm, although my dad's dementia was worsening. And it would be a welcome change not to drive 15 miles to a nice-sized grocery store or McDonald's.
On a daily basis, I was excited about taking a brief time-out from the busy world of community journalism and spend my days with Sam playing, going to the park, pool, and just hanging out. I needed time to settle us into our new nest.
I hoped that a call would come from someone at the New Castle paper asking me if I wanted a job. It did, I did, and early this fall, I'll celebrate 30 years with The Courier-Times.
Along the way, after a couple attempts, we found "our" church; a variety of friends in a variety of communities; we had a second baby, and now both boys are all grown up and long-since on their own. How can it be, I still ask-that we're empty nesters? I can't even call Brian a "recent retiree" because he's been that for four years already!
What I do know is the time passes with brea kneck speed. And we're no longer so inclined to put things off like we used to do for years or decades. Just yesterday I looked up and remarked that our living room could use a paint job. "Do it!" Brian said.
Madison County has been home for three decades. That's longer than I've lived in any other community in my entire life. In fact, I've spent exactly half of my life in Madison County, Indiana, and gone to work in New Castle!
I'm grateful to everyone who has touched our lives here, back in Fountain County, or back home in Union County. Some people touch our lives for reasons or seasons and many of you are in and out of it on a regular basis.
Where do we belong? It's been said that home is where your heart is. I promise you that my heart is in all three locations at once! And I am grateful for so many people, places and things. Thank you most of all to the good Lord for this journey.
Which, Lord willing, and like a good story in a newspaper, is to be continued on another page. Hope you'll stick with me as the page turns.
Where have YOU called home so far for your life's journey?
So what if no one ever accused the Ovid Midlife Moms of traveling light? We need a few, ahem, supplies, for a weekend at Terri's lake house on Cordry Lake. And this is not counting what the eighth member of our weekend crew brought on Saturday morning.
We went Friday after everyone got off work. We couldn't wait to get there, gather the evening's menu offerings, and enjoy a picnic on the lake. We had eight of our 12 present.
Dinner onboard included Sharon's homemade ham salad sandwiches, Terri's pea salad, party mix, an assortment of fruit and I see some celery sticks in there. There were yummy, ooey-gooey chocolate bar cookies as well.
The weather was perfect and some of us headed back out on the boat shortly before bedtime to see God's moon show.
What a beautiful scene from the water. A cellphone camera doesn't do it justice, but yes, the moon was THAT bright.
Still, I was the first to bed around 10:30 p.m., and I slept well as I dozed off thankful for this weekend that so many of us look so forward to all year long.
That's why I couldn't believe it when I didn't get up until 9 the next morning!
When it's not your turn to cook, the scent is all the sweeter coming from the stove.
Delaine make the best egg casserole, and we enjoyed it with biscuits, fresh fruit and zuchinni bread by Patty. Delicious.
All but Karen, who came Saturday morning, are the gals who made it this summer weekend.
Such fun, including tubing, swimming, boating, moon-gazing, movie night watching "The Greatest Showman," and a beautiful Bible study on the boat Sunday morning, courtesy of Karen, taken from the book of Joel. Oh, and some crafts, including some bookmarks made from this and that.
Thank you Terri, for the wonderful, relaxing, laughter-filled weekend. And thank You, Lord, for your creation, your abundance, and for providing such sweet friends.
Gay captured Brian and me in Grant Park in Galena, Illinois Saturday. Here, we stand in front of the Galena River that runs through the heart of the town. Behind the river is downtown Galena. This is the adopted hometown of President and Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. The river feeds into the mighty Mississippi, just a few miles away.
Less than a year ago, Gay Kirkton and I took our annual summer girlfriend getaway to the unique and beautiful Galena, Illinois, situated in northwest Illinois, a hop and skip from both Wisconsin and Iowa. Next to Chicago, this is the most visited destination in the great state of Illinois, with Springfield third.
With a population of 3,800, this small city has more than 50 restaurants in its vibrant downtown alone, and several blocks packed with one-of-a-kind shops that sell everything from trendy housewares to kitchen goods, gourmet food, fashionable (and affordable) clothing, and costume jewelry.
So the shopping is certainly a draw -- let's be honest -- for women especially. The food? For everyone!
For the Cronks of Pendleton and our friends Rick and Gay Kirkton of Angola (but proud Illinois natives), history got us there.
When you think of Illinois and U.S. presidents, perhaps Abraham Lincoln comes first to mind. He certainly does for me. Springfield, Illinois boasts a number of tributes to his life and times that you can visit from his presidential library to the only home he ever owned, to a visit inside his law office, the cemetery where he was laid to rest, and more.
But don't forget the other presidents who called Illinois their home. Consider this one.
Do you remember that President, California Governor and actor Ronald Reagan came from Illinois and spent from age 9 to adulthood in Dixon, Illinois? Here we are in front of the home his family rented for a few years which is a tour-able landmark in the town.
I'll do a separate post later on the home, as it is worthy of its own essay. It was a fantastic stop, and glimpse into an iconic man of humble roots. Our fellas stand next to a life-size cardboard version of the 1980s president. It appears accurate in stature as President Reagan was 6'1" and our guys measure up to prove that about right.
After a stop in Dixon, it was on to Galena. The drive was exceedingly charming as we rode in Rick's comfortable pick-up truck chatting away the hours and looking out for miles and miles over tidy fields and farms in our friends' treasured home state.
You can have your majestic mountains, and while I love looking out over water, my personal eye candy consists of massive green fields of Midwestern crops. You've got the best view of those in Illinois and Iowa.
In Galena, it was like checking in with an old friend as Brierwreath Bed & Breakfast owner Joe Cook greeted us. His inn is perfectly located in this hilly city because it's an easy walk downhill to the downtown where we had our choice and then some of dining options. We went for a repeat of last year's trip as we sat outside at Vinny's for an Italian meal.
On Saturday at breakfast, that uncanny thing that always happens to Gay and me happened again. At the first of two fine breakfasts served by Joe, we met B & B guests with a connection to Gay. One worked in public relations for the community college where Gay's father serves as a trustee. The guest could not believe it! She knows Gay's dad and the two had a lot to discuss about the college and their connections.
Then it was on to catch our trolley where we got a splendid overview of Galena's history from a lead-mining and steamboat hub in the 1800s to the home of a future and then post-U.S. president in the form of U.S. Grant and family in the mid-to-late 1800s to a town that celebrates commerce, history and architecture in the city it is today.
We had a wonderful tour of the home of U.S. Grant and family, above. More than 90 percent of the home's contents are original. Grant had lived in Ohio and St. Louis, Missouri but after marrying a wealthy farmer's daughter and being gifted with land, Grant found that he was not cut out for farming.
He brought his family to Galena, Illinois where his family owned a tannery. It is there he worked, living in a small, humble home to suit his means until his true talents as a West Point-educated soldier were recognized and he became the key figure in saving the union and will forevermore be recognized in that remarkable way.
To thank him for his war contributions, some wealthy men in Galena gifted the Grants with this home. It never left the family until the Grant children gifted the home to the state of Illinois in the early 1900s as a permanent tribute to their parents.
We enjoyed lunch outside at Gobbie's and then it was back to our B & B to rest up in our rooms before heading out to dinner downtown at Fried Green Tomatoes. We had a lovely meal including Harvest salads, pesto and tomato brushetta and crab cakes.
When it was time to leave, we discovered a drenching rain outside the restaurant. We waited in the entryway for it to clear but before it did, the restaurant owner, Fred, graciously appeared and asked where we were staying. He sent for his personal vehicle to transport us to our doorstep at the inn! Talk about above and beyond!
I promised Fred (he said to think of his name as Fried without the i) that I would mention this in my blog. So this is for you, Fred! I also would recommend your food and staff to anyone!
Gay and I enjoy attending church services in the towns we visit. We took the United Methodist Church up on its offer, via a display board out front, to sit in Grant's pew. On Sunday morning we all went to church a short walk down the street from our B & B to the former Methodist Episcopal Church where the Grant family pew is distinctively and tastefully marked with a small American flag. We got the photo shortly after services.
A couple special moments for me from the weekend were during the meet-and-greet portion of the church service, turning around to shake hands with a woman who formerly lived in Shirley, Indiana. That's a tiny town in the circulation area of the newspaper where I work.
Also, in the Grant home, upstairs a framed picture depicts key figures in the Civil War and in the group photo is included one Gen Ambrose Burnside -- who happens to hail from my hometown of Liberty, Indiana.
When you think of Illinois, the Land of Lincoln, remember that four U.S. presidents called this beautiful Midwestern state home -- Lincoln, Grant, Reagan and Barack Obama.
We'll certainly never forget.
Donna Cronk is a blogger, newspaper journalist and author of two novels: Sweetland of Liberty Bed & Breakfast and That Sweet Place: At Home in the Heartland, available from the author , at specialty venues and on Amazon.com.
It's nice if you can have something special to look forward to on a Monday.
This week, it was special, all right. My friend Sandy cooked for me in her charming rural New Castle farmhouse!
For many years, Sandy sat across from me in The Courier-Times newsroom. Although she is retired, loving it, and busier than ever, Sandy's writing career is going strong. She is author of two children's chapter books, Sadie's Search for Home and Doodle's Search for Success. She also writes a regular column for her magazine for women.
Sandy is active with the DIVE program for kids in New Castle, with her husband, Mike, and more family, including her granddaughter Carly, numerous friends and caring for the Moore home and horses.
Sandy and I have more things in common than I can count from being farm girls at heart to Bible Study Fellowship, of course writing, and also we're both Weight Watchers! Sandy has been serious about it for a while and I just got serious again after, well, let's say a lapse.
So Monday, lunch included a four-point meal and boy was it delicious. While four points won't mean much to you if you aren't a Weight Watcher, it simply means that it was a very healthy and low-cal meal. We even had appetizers of shrimp cocktail.
Then we enjoyed chicken fajitas, vegetables and low-fat dip.
Then, strawberry dessert.
The meal was amazing but of course it's the friendship that is the bigger blessing.
Thank you, Sandy! What a refreshing time! I appreciate you more than you know.
It's a snowy Saturday in that no-man's land between Christmas and New Year's. I think of this week as an extended snow day.
Historically, it's a hard time to get hold of people for feature stories. Government entities take a break, and lots of people are off work due to end-of-year vacation time or their workplaces are closed.
It's kind of nice; a break in the action before Tuesday arrives and we're thrust, ready or not, into a new working year.
I like today. It's 1:30 p.m. and I'm still in my pajamas! It's cold and snowy outside and other than taking the dog out, there is no reason to leave the house. There's no reason, even, to put on real clothes, but I may. Or I may not.
What I will do when I finish this final 2017 post is to clock some time for my newspaper job. Several January projects involve getting a head start, and permission to work on the clock from home for a few hours will help me greet Tuesday better prepared to tackle January.
I don't do politics on social media. Sometimes I have to hog-tie my fingers, but I don't go there. I don't argue or preach or add to the divisiveness I see and feel around me. I have many friends and family, not to mention readers, acquaintances and colleagues whom I love, admire, respect and maybe even on occasion simply tolerate, who disagree mightily on such topics.
In the online political realm, I am Switzerland.
What I will share is my Christian faith in the Living Trinity, the three-in-one of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit -- the only hope for humanity.
When I review 2017, I think of moments. There is my career high of covering the presidential inauguration and women's march from the aspect of what it was like to be there. It was an intense few days full of experiences, then back to the hotel to write and transmit everything to quite a few Hoosier newspapers. I will treasure the experience for the rest of my life.
I am grateful for yet another year of this ride as a regional author. To every book club, social or literary club, church banquet and program organizer, library staffer and author fair organizer who sought me out in some way, I am in debt. Going into each year, I think perhaps the ride is about over. So far, the surprise is that it hasn't been. So if you need a program or presentation or speaker, let me know at firstname.lastname@example.com.
There are many friends and author friends to thank for your help. I think of how Janis Thornton showed up at the Fishers Library last March simply to support me in my program on self-publishing, and how she would like to work with me further in developing a workshop-styled program on the topic. That same night, son Sam and DIL Allison surprised me by arriving at the end of the program to help me carry everything to the car and deliver a refreshing hot tea!
I think of Sandy Moore and our mutual support society with marketing ideas and cluing each other in on opportunities. There is Annette Goggin who I only got to know through the author ride, but who I think of as a friend and admire greatly. Plus, I am grateful for her asking me to her old-fashioned hymn sing! I loved it! (Let's do it again?)
I thank those -- and I'm thinking of writer friend Cheryl Bennett -- who posted reviews of my second book on Goodreads and Amazon. And I am grateful for the number of people I don't know whose reviews pop up.
Oh, the list above goes on and on to include, but not limited to Mary Wilkinson, my bestie Gay Kirkton, her parents, my boss Katie Clontz, and I know I am in trouble because I'm leaving out some people but I'm trying to hurry this along!
Other precious moments include the trip Gay and I took to Galena, Illinois, and to Miss Effie's flower farm near Donahue, Iowa, and the new friend I have now in Cathy, the entrepreneur and Gay's college friend who founded the flower farm and crafts-filled Summer Kitchen there.
I think of walking with John and Debby Williams and loved ones in their fight against Cystic Fibrosis.
I am surrounded by inspiring, creative, resourceful, fierce, sweet, empowered, wonderful women!
Brian and I took a pretty-much perfect trip to D.C. in September and by writing ahead for tickets and clearance, got insider looks inside The White House, Congress, Capitol, Pentagon and FBI Building. The Newseum was outstanding, as was hearing a lecture in the Supreme Court courtroom.
I'm so grateful to Kids at Heart Publisher Shelley Davis for accepting my books into her bookshop at the Warm Glow Candle Co. complex.
I'm grateful to my husband for his love and support. Grateful to spend time with extended family -- wonderful trips visiting Tim and Jeannie in Liberty, Brian's annual trip to see his brother and SIL Steve and Linda in Florida, hosting a master's degree grad party for our DIL Allison, attending a great-niece's wedding and a great-great niece's birthday party. I think of seeing our friend Coach Rick's football team, Trine University, win a playoff game in its undefeated-season year.
I think of the Midlife Mom sisters of Ovid Community Church, and the Bible Study Fellowship folks who help guide as the Holy Scriptures come alive to me each time I'm in them. I. think of my sons Sam and Ben and wonderful daughter-in-law Allison. Oh, and I'm grateful that Brian's McClellan clan continues to get together every Fourth of July weekend and for cousin Beth for starting a periodic cousins get-together.
I think of everyone who said yes when I asked if I could write about some aspect of their lives. I think of Steve Dicken, the English teacher I wish I had had in school, and of whom I am proud to have as a writing colleague now. I think of our dear friend Barb Clark. I think of my encourager and confidante Debbie McCray.
I have probably left out so much about this year that brought joy and sweetness. Life is short. We have to embrace every opportunity, love one another, care about one another. And if you are a writer, you probably have to write about it all.
I plan to keep doing just that. So bring it on! 2018, what do you have for me? Thank you God, for another year on this planet!
Happy New Year to you, whomever and wherever you are reading this.
So today I feel overwhelmed by gratitude. That's a good place to be. It's been such a fast-paced week, I'm only now getting this posted.
After last Saturday in Indy at the newspaper conference, Sunday it was off to Centerville where I visited with shoppers, colleagues and friends in the new Artisans and Java building at the Kids at Heart Publishing mini-bookstore.
Monday night was a speaking engagement at Fishers United Methodist Church's United Methodist Women's Christmas gathering. I am grateful to Linda Shimer who served this year as co-president of the UMW and is also active in the church's book club. I appreciate her support and encouragement so much.
She also wows me! In addition to her leadership role, she went and picked up and returned home a friend who couldn't get there on her own. In fact, she left so quickly following the program that I was unable to get a photo with her. Not only that but I found out that Linda and her husband MOVED last week!
Even though my connection to the church's book club had nothing to do with my husband's 26 years working in Fishers schools, ironically, Linda told me that several were coming who knew him. It was such a delight to see these wonderful former co-workers of Brian's – and look up to find their smiling faces near the front of the sanctuary as I spoke.
I took their photos and texted them to Brian. He was pretty pumped about their attendance and when I got home, he took a trip down Fishers Memory Lane, reflecting on all the wonderful people he worked with during those years.
Last summer, a surprise invite came from town library director Carrie Watson to give the opening program to children in the summer reading program. I spoke on the topic, "What's Your Clue?" about looking for our gifts and talents – even as young kids, and then later in the afternoon, I gave a second talk to the adults in a program on our bucket lists.
Carrie told me she would invite me back during the annual town Christmas walk and library open house. She even gave me the date but I didn't put it on my calendar. I thought I should wait and see if the invite came through and guess what? It did!
I got there at 5 and enjoyed delicious hot soup samples prepared by members of the library board, and hot cocoa, served by Carrie's adorable daughter, visited with many of the more than 100 people (probably closer to 150) who came through the library to warm up and chat with their neighbors. What a bunch of truly nice people with friendly smiles and were interested enough to stop and chat.
Carrie's mentor, Iraida Davis, even visited the library! At age 90, it's been a while since she directed the place but I found it touching when the two librarians posed together. Carrie says Iraida was her idol. I think she still is.
Carrie is a woman of many talents. Not only is she library director in Farmland, she is the Union Modoc library director and teaches Title 1 reading. She is a mom, a quilter, and – I kid you not – a drag racer who shows her skills all over the country.
I tried to think of how to describe Farmland, an artsy farm community with something special. The best I can do is to call out two old-time TV shows. I think Farmland is something of a blend of the two: Northern Exposure meets Mayberry.
Carrie agreed to let me write about her in a future issue of her magazine for women. Yippee!
On the ride home, the moon was huge and bright, showcasing the lovely, peaceful Hoosier farms I passed as I made my way south and west through Randolph County, then continued straight west through Henry County, and home to Madison County on U.S. 36 most of the way.
By 9:30 when I landed home, I was so tired I could hardly get from my favorite chair to draw my steaming-hot bath. But I did, then headed for bed.
It's supposed to snow this weekend; just a Christmas Chamber-of-Commerce type dusting of a couple inches.
I hope so.
We were at the ballpark Thursday night with our friends from Northern Indiana, Tom and Char Kuhn. The Kuhns are huge Cubs fans, Brian is a White Sox fan, and I grew up a Reds fan. But for one beautiful, summer evening, I was simply a fan of the game itself, and of a special evening out with friends.
Tom is Brian's best friend dating from their high school days. Char is his fun-loving, vivacious wife. It's a shame we don't get to spend much time with them. Tom, Brian, and Brian's brother, Steve, take a fishing trip together every summer. Tom and Char are there for our family's big events such as the kids' open houses and Sam's wedding, and vice versa.
We always say we'll get together more. Now that three of the four of us are retired, I truly hope that can happen. Brian is so happy around Tom and the four of us get along great. (I mean, look, the man is letting me take photos of his smiling face and normally he's like "I don't like my picture taken.")
We enjoyed a stroll along the river walk which takes folks along a parks complex that ends with the city's signature ball parks. Pretty ingenious. This is Tom, Char and Brian before dinner and the game.
I grew up watching the Big Red Machine in the 1970s and my hometown of Liberty backed the Reds. When the Reds were in the Playoffs and World Series, TV monitors were set up in the cafeteria where students could watch day games.
I grew up occasionally attending Reds games with family. It was always a big event when we visited Crosley Field (I must have been all of age 5, but I remember it) and Riverfront Stadium. Even though my family has been to Great American several times, I had never been.
Baseball was a personally huge part of our family's life for a dozen years as our son, Ben, was talented player and every summer meant not only local league play, later high school action, but also travel teams that took us all over the Midwest and even Arkansas. Our summers revolved around his games. And then, it ended. Abruptly. A part of that broke my heart.
Once his baseball days were over, I could hardly look at a baseball game on TV, let along visit a ballpark. In fact, Thursday's game was my first return after eight years. Looking at that beautiful green field in Cincinnati brought it all back. As we walked to our seats a few rows from the field, the classic, "Put Me in Coach" played for the fans and yes, I felt a lump in my throat.
I knew I would enjoy the evening's company and the setting on a perfect summer evening, but I didn't expect to enjoy the game. To my surprise and delight, I did. I'm back!
After the game, we headed back to Indiana. Brian decided to take a different route to avoid a road-work detour. We headed north through Rushville, then hit U.S. 40 and turned west through Knightstown.
This was my favorite -- and most unexpected -- part of the evening.
We mentioned to Tom that the Hoosier Gym, the site where many scenes in the classic basketball movie, Hoosiers, were played, is in that town. So of course we drove up to it and at 12:30 a.m., Brian and guests went up to the doors and peered inside. I remained in the "getaway" car as we all felt as though someone might call the cops on us. We all giggled like kids.
Tom even took pictures in the dark night of the sign outside. We promised to take them back the next time they visit. Only we'll go during the day as paying customers.
It was a happy return for me to the majesty of a ballpark, and an unexpected ending to a lovely "double-date night." Next time, let's play two.
In one way, it's hard to believe the Midlife Moms have been together for ten-and-a-half years. In another way, haven't we known each other forever? It's true that as an adult, a decade passes quickly. Just imagine: If we had started first grade together, we'd be halfway through high school junior year.
Yes, by now we all know each other and our casts of characters pretty well.
While we haven't seen each other through elementary school, first dates, and proms, we've lived a lot of life together this past decade, whispered a good many prayers for each other and our life circumstances, laughed at a lot of silliness, cried some tears, studied the Bible, taken on projects, and eaten some fantastic food.
We are a life group at Ovid Community Church. We do life together. And I thank the Good Lord that it works, that as group co-founder Delaine Wooden says, "We're more than a group. We're friends."
One of my favorite weekends of the year took place last weekend. Terri generously shares her beautiful lake home and water toys with us several times a year, times we have always referred to as retreats.
But of all the lovely weekends reminiscent of girlhood sleepovers, the summer ones are my favorite. You can't beat the ever-changing blues of the sky and water, along with the wind on our faces as we push through the water on Terri's boat, with the warm breeze brushing back our hair. We play in the water like the young dolphins we are not.
Sunday mornings we have a special Bible study out on the water. And in between, we feast on the bountiful menus that come together so easily with a crew of seasoned moms who know their way around the kitchen. We listen to each other's insights and tell stories.
For one summer weekend a year, we haven't a care in the world. Thank you Father for this refreshment. Thank you Terri for being the best hostess ever, and thank you to each of my MLM sistas, past and present, and Lord willing, future.
It's traditional that before we head back to our regular lives, we take some photos. Terri has a stack of pictures depicting lake memories from our ten years at Cordry Lake.
Above is one on the deck from last weekend. Some of the girls mentioned their lack of make-up and abundance of lake hair. They don't know they are beautiful. Inside and out.
A magnet from Terri's fridge. I'd have to agree.
This weekend I was awestruck anew by the incredible variety, color, nutrition, and beauty -- not even to mention creativity -- of God's food supply.
Friday night on the boat we enjoyed a picnic-type meal of Sharon's homemade ham salad sandwiches, artisan chips and dip, and Donna Shields' cole slaw, along with Delaine's summer Greek vegetable salad of tomatoes, corn, cukes, and herbs. It all hit the spot!
Then, because sometimes we bring so much delicious food, and have to hurry up and eat one meal so we can get to the next, we decided this weekend to do a daily brunch and dinner -- a two-meal day. Terri whipped up the above breakfast skillet with yellow squash, mushrooms, eggs and cheese. Fantastic.
Karen prepared this wonderful vegetable lasagne:
It was delicious, as was Delaine's fried zucchini with Parm and bread crumbs.
By the way, we have a signature scripture passage. Here's the NIV, Hebrews 10:23-25:
"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Not a bad motto for doing life together. Happy first ten years, my sistas.
General Grant's home, you say? Wouldn't it be more accurate to call it President Grant's home?
Well, you can, but in Galena, the story line is about Grant the general. Due to his work saving the United States Union, the Grants were presented with this handsome home from local businessmen.
The house remained the Grants' legal residence throughout his two presidential terms.
U.S.came to Galena for a job at his family's downtown tannery. Before he was called into service leading the Union in the Civil War, the Grant family lived in a small home where he walked home for the midday. (And you should see the flights of outdoor stairs.)
Oh, but I'm getting ahead of myself. A little biography first.
Born in Point Pleasant, Ohio in 1822, U.S. Grant graduated 21 years later from West Point. He served in the Mexican-American War. He met and quickly became engaged to Missouri-born Julia Dent but it was four years later when they married. For the next ten years, Ulysses served in the army, resigning in 1854 and moving to St. Louis.
While the Grants were abolitionists, the Dents were quite the opposite, owning a Missouri plantation. Our Grant home-tour guide said that at family events when the two families were together, the couple's fathers remained in different rooms.
In the St. Louis area, Julia's father gave the couple a farm, but it wasn't successful. U.S. called it "Hard-Scrabble Farm." It's now a tourist attraction, Grant's Farm. The Grants moved to Galena in 1860 where he worked at the Grant family tannery.
Preserved our nation
The next year, when the Civil War started, he became a colonel for the 21st Illinois Volunteers. In 1862, Grant demanded unconditional surrender from the Confederate Army -- and with that, became a national hero. But it wasn't until three years later when Lee surrendered that this horrific war era of American history ended and the Union survived.
Grant became the nation's first four-star general in 1866. Following the war, a group of business men gifted the Grants the Galena home as a thank you gift for his contribution to the U.S. Ninety percent of the furnishings you see there today were there when the Grants called the place home. It remained their legal address through his two terms as president.
Following those, the Grants took a world tour where they were lauded the world over. In 1881 they moved to New York City and lost $100,000. It is there Grant died in 1885. He is buried in -- wait for it -- Grant's tomb (did you see that one coming?) in New York City. Julia lived 17 more years.
In what might today be called a man cave, several significant items fill the space. A Bible on the table rests on four buttons attached to it so that the Holy Word never touches the floor or whatever is underneath it. Look to the left, under the window. That is Grant's smoking stand. He was known for smoking up to 20 cigars a day, said one tour guide. Grant died at 63 of throat cancer. It is suggested that he might have smoked heavily during the war to cover the stench.
An elegant parlor with the General / President over the fireplace at age 57 in an original portrait. U.S. Grant stood 5'8" and normally weighed between 135 and 140 pounds. Ninety-percent of the home's furnishings are authentic Grant pieces.
The couple had four children. Their only daughter, Nellie, got married in the White House. The china outfitting the Galena table above was used at her wedding breakfast. The portrait is of Julia. She has the distinction of being the first to be called First Lady.
Two years after Julia's death, the children bequeathed the home to Galena as long as it served as a memorial to their father. The home has welcomed the public for a century, now owned by the state of Illinois. Eighty-thousand visitors tour the two-story, fully-furnished home annually.
By the time Grant died, he had few financial resources, having lost a great deal of money in New York. He worked on his autobiography so that it could bring in money for his family. He completed it just two weeks before he died. The book brought in more than $450,000 to the family, according to a tour guide.
I'm struck with the observation that even when he was surely suffering a great deal, Grant had the drive to do what needed done, as he had during the Civil War. This time, it was to finish his book and thus, provide for his family after he passed.
With gratitude to U.S. Grant State Historic Sites brochure, trolly tour-guide and the Grant home tour guide for information in this post, and to Joe Cook of Brierwreath Manor Bed & Breakfast for his insights.
Long before we planned a trip to Galena, Illinois, the town had been on my radar. A perennial favorite on the pages of Midwest Living magazine, the small city in northwest Illinois is a photogenic destination for visitors looking for all things quaint.
Since my friend Gay is both a proud Land of Lincoln native and has been to Galena before, combined with the trip including a visit to her friend Cathy in Iowa (see two posts ago), added with a crazy-busy spring for me, she graciously took over the planning and logistics. She did a fantastic job.
The hours from Gay's home in Angola, Indiana and Galena, Illinois clicked off with ease as we caught up on months of updates about our lives and times. Gay is not only a great story teller, she is a superb listener.
As we neared Galena, the already-beautiful farm country of rural Illinois got even prettier with deeply rolling hills. Just outside Galena proper, a sign encouraged travelers to pull over for a scenic view. So we did.
And in typical Gay-and-Donna fashion, the vehicle that joined us contained an employee of the Galena tourism bureau. So we picked her brain about dinner spots, told her about Miss Effie's in Iowa (and she immediately liked Cathy's place on Facebook).
It seems she chose the very moment we did to pull over for a photo op.
We checked into Brierwreath Manor B & B (see previous post), checked out a basket brimming with restaurant menus and set out on foot down the hill into the vibrant downtown retail-dining district.
It was dinnertime, and there were so many choices! We settled on Vinny Vanucchi's Little Italy. Even though they were busy and we had no reservations, we were ushered right away to our first choice of seating: out on the patio under an umbrella on a lovely evening.
We later learned that it should come as no surprise to find an Italian restaurant (as well as French-German and other nationalities) in Galena. We learned that people once came from all over the world to live and work in Galena.
Many immigrants came to Galena to make their living in the lead mines. Interesting that our server was from Ireland. She apparently was there on summer break earning money for college. She was very nice.
I enjoyed a delicious meatball sandwich and a tossed salad with house dressing. Gay describes her entree: "I had seafood pasta with big chunks of scallops and crab and maybe shrimp. So good."
The next day we took a trolly tour around the city of 3,500 residents. It was lightly raining so couldn't enjoy the open air. The clear but rain-splattered window coverings didn't lend themselves well to the many home photos I would have liked to get.
I can't stress enough how stunning the houses are in this town! They are in so many different styles dating back from the oldest, 1826, to all periods forward. There is an abundance of mid-18th and 19th century Victorian homes, and it is obvious that Galena has historically been a city of wealth. Some of that is attributed to a thriving, if short-lived riverboat era, and nearby lead mines.
So here are some things we learned from our capable trolly driver / guide:
* The most lead used for the Civil War was produced in Galena.
* Galena was a military town, with a training post there. The small city had nine men promoted to generals during the Civil War. That is the most of any location in the country.
* There were seven brick factories in Galena. There are more than 800 historic buildings in this city, and 1.5 million tourists visit a year.
* Native Americans discovered what they called "mineral" which was in fact lead inside the "mineral" and used to paint their faces, for one thing. French traders came along and traded flour, liquor and blankets for that lead.
* Due to the steamboat era, and quite likely the lead mines, in the mid-1850s, Galena's population was 14,000. Riverboat captains made their home in Galena and one spectacular example is the Belvedere Mansion, an Italianate home referred to as "the jewel of Galena."
I will go into the Ulysses S. Grant story in my next post, but one thing I found interesting is that despite a huge emphasis around town on the General / President, the reason he lived in Galena – working in the family leather shop downtown – goes without notice at the site of that shop. It is now a nice sock shop but there is no plate on the door or anything there to indicate that historical fact.
That, my friends, is a great reason to take a guided tour when visiting an interesting place. You get so much more information than you'll find on your own.
We also saw this incredibly handsome U.S. Post Office, which happens to be the oldest continuously operating post office in the country. One distinction is the white stone which the builder found in Nauvoo, Illinois., where Mormons settled before they moved on to Utah. (Nauvoo is another great Illinois town to visit.) We were told that the builder decided that if the Nauvoo stone was good enough for a Mormon Temple, it filled the bill for the Galena post office.
We shopped til we dropped in the afternoon. Several downtown blocks on both sides of the street are filled with one-of-a-kind boutiques offering everything from pretty paper (and ribbon) goods to kitchen gourmet foods (and lots and lots of free samples) to clothing, accessories, socks, tourist fare (Brian loves the General U.S.Grant T-shirt I brought him) and an abundance of restaurants. It's so hard to choose which!
For dinner our second night, we selected Fritz and Frites, a French-German eatery. We felt as though we were in Europe. Such an elegant restaurant, with fine-dining choices.
We dressed up and settled in for a lovely meal. Gay decided on the rainbow trout that she says, "just melted in my mouth." I had the chicken and potatoes, beautifully presented, with the most delicious juices and tasty mushrooms tempting my palette.
Gay, left, and Donna enjoying a French and German old-world taste and decor at Fritz and Frites.
It was an easy walk up the hill, back to our B & B, and a good night's sleep (after the tornado warning passed). Check out a few more pictures.
If you'd like more information on Galena, Illinois, click on www.VisitGalena.org. You can email them at firstname.lastname@example.com.
Hoosier Donna Cronk welcomes readers to her blog, on which she posts twice a week. She is a career newspaper journalist and author of two novels, Sweetland of Liberty Bed & Breakfast and That Sweet Place: At Home in the Heartland, both available on Amazon.


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Aloha in Every Scoop
Our liqour-infused and non-alcoholic flavors are inspired by the many different local ingredients, food, and cultures of Hawaii. From the ocean that provides our Red Ala'ea Sea Salt to the local farms in the country side that grows our pineapples, our frozen dessert incorporates local cream, milk, and many other ingredients from Hawaii to give a little Aloha in every scoop.
Original Collection
Other Flavors
Honey Vanilla Macadamia Nut(ハニーバニラ マカデミアナッツ)
Kinako and Brown Sugar (きなこ黒みつ)
Pumpkin Spice (パンプキン&スパイス)
Pineapple Maitai* (パイナップルマイタイ)
*Liquor-Infused Flavors have up to, but not more than 5% ABW
**Note: Frozen Dessert that is not "Vegan" may contain milk, cream, and eggs.
**Note: Frozen Dessert that is not "Vegan" may contain milk, cream, and eggs.

subset: commoncrawl


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Revised February 2011Harold Barber drums
Guitarist/vocalist Keith Law was previously in a Walsall group called Love and Understanding and prior to that, had played in The Williamsons. Jardine performed original songs mixed with well known R&B and blues numbers. The group appeared at schools, colleges, and U.S. and R.A.F. bases, often as the main band, and also as support to bands at that time such as Slade.
Other local venues performed at by this band included The Eagle, The Ship and Rainbow, The Hen and Chickens, The Plazas, The Woolpack, and The George Hotel, Walsall. The group also recorded tracks for Les Reeds 'Chapter One' label. Jardine's guitarist Keith Law composed original songs that were recorded by the psychedelic Brum band Velvett Fogg in 1969.
If you would like to contribute to this page, please e-mail firstname.lastname@example.com


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Objest starts new partnership with Footfalls & Heartbeats
Footfalls & Heartbeats was founded by New Zealand chemist Simon McMaster who brings many years' experience researching intelligent textiles. It is positioned to become a leader in the provision of smart textiles for a diverse range of applications in a global market that is increasingly demanding intelligent fabrics.
Objest has partnered with Footfalls & Heartbeats to help develop and commercialise a range of technology solutions within the health and sports sectors.


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Bexar Healthy Beverage Campaign
What ever that comes into the stomach will be absorbed into the bloodstream and sent to the whole body, such as the placenta in charge of sending meals to the fetus. Never ban it totally if your little ones like it now and then — that is likely to make it extra attractive and them more inclined to overdo it when they get the possibility! In older kids and teens, drinking soda has been linked to excessive weight get and other complications. A big size has 151g of sugar and is the caloric equivalent to 3 of Dunkin' Donuts' strawberry frosted donuts.
You can make a syrup concentrate that can be added to inexpensive sodas or soda water, or use a soda siphon. To enable you inform the distinction among them, analysis engine FindTheBest consulted its coffee shop nutrition topic to uncover the 10 most calorific coffee and non-coffee drinks in ascending order at 5 well known shops: Peet's Coffee & Tea, Starbucks, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. On the other hand, commercial health drinks that are readily available in the market right now can be costly than the usual drinks.
Which drinks are the least quantity of calories, which are the healthiest, which are low-carb, and which are… well… none of the above, but so delicious that it makes you not care for a couple of minutes what sludge you're virtually inhaling via the straw. Anytime we make healthy drinks we need to usually use raw vegetables and fruits only. Processed drinks are not as superior as those you make oneself since when you invest in them from the shop, some of the vitamins and nutrients are lost in the production approach.
The great news is that you have it already in your house and you never have to spend further for it as with the health drinks that are sold in the store. I will go as far as to say that the healthy drinks are subsequent ideal thing to food. Use additional tea bags for a stronger drink, steep for shorter periods for significantly less caffeine. Power drinks often contain higher levels of caffeine and are generally higher in sugar (calories).
Also deciding upon the tab to all these drinks in the industry reduces our footprint on the nature. BY FAR the healthiest drinks to get at a Starbucks are the brewed teas or coffees with no sugar, creamer, or milk. That's why it is so crucial to quit, take stock and make a conscious decision to follow a healthy lifestlyle. There is no doubt about that – the health drinks that you make oneself are a lot better than the ones you purchase from the retailer. If you are into consuming commercial health drinks that expense also much revenue, now is the time to take into account water as your really own health drink.Read More


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Nietzsche, of course, postulated that the deity had died, and then every college freshman with the intelligence quotient of a toddler found it amusing to then retort on God's behalf: no, Frederic, it is instead you who have died.
While moderately amusing as the meme of choice on less hip corners of Facebook, this joke also reinforces a belief of which Nietzsche himself would have been a vocal advocate: Christianity (the most common end result of "deity" in the western lexicon) stands in stark and diametrically opposing contrast to the works, beliefs, and values of the outspoken German philosopher.
In "Thus Spake Zarathustra," (part 1), the nominal protagonist establishes a contrast between the weak and the strong, the sickly and the healthy, the feeble and the intelligent, and the meek and the Uber-Mensch. He is aided by our language, which inadvertently belies a weakness within the western ideals of virtue. To both Frederic and the implications of the English (German, too, I suspect) language, "meek" is the opposite of "confident" or "proud," and "sickly" is the opposite of "strong."
Whereas "big" and "small" are opposite, and "short" indeed finds its antonym in "tall," suppose that "strong" and "sickly" are more akin to "love" and "hate." Fort "love" and "hate" are not opposite, but cousins, each fundamentally opposed not to each other, but to "apathy."
Allow for clarification. "Love" and "hate" are mirror inverses of each other (perhaps one definition of "opposite"), in a similar way to how communism and fascism are "opposites" that resemble each other in practice. However, "apathy" and "democracy" are the true opposites of these examples. Not mirror inverses, but ideals standing in firm contradiction.
Likewise, Nietzsche presented the uber-man as the opposite of the Christian, but in reality, Frederic's uber-man stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the man of Christian strength. True humility does not lie in worthlessness, or a lack of self-respect, but an ability to have the strength to accept one's self-worth, then voluntarily sacrifice it to help others.
The old idiom advises "if you love her, you have to let her go," because true love is free, yet always returns. So much the same with humility. Humility requires the self-confidence to abandon dignity for the sake of others, in the full confidence that said dignity will not abandon you when called upon. Humility, meekness, charity: they require the exact virtues espoused by the nominal Persian demagogue.
Jesus did not wash the feet of his followers out of self-loathing, but out of a confidence that this humbling and socially degrading act would instead further inspire his followers. When the church now-in-days washes the feet of their congregation on Holy Thursday, the image loses all potency for this very reason: it is not a proud act because it is not a humble act. The priest or celebrant washes for the sake of washing, for the sake of acting as a leader, for the symbolic-ness of the act of it. Feet today are clean (at least relative to the feet of Jesus' time). A truly equivalent act would require radical confidence, strength, and weakness. Not characteristics in contradistinction to each other, but as a harmonious act within itself.
Zarathustra, and Nietzsche, in his writings, feared that the Christian embrace of the meek prevented strength. Yet the gospels themselves refute this: Jesus was a carpenter who worked with his hands, Peter was a strong fisherman, and John was a fast runner. Jesus even advocated that he could, with a word, unleash armies of angels to save him. In cinema, perhaps the most appropriately analogous example is in "Schindler's List" – true strength comes from the act of forgiveness. Nietzsche thought forgiving, pardoning, helping was weak. So did the German commandant; he was so insecure in his command that he couldn't stop himself from killing a child.
The confident man needn't declare his confidence; the rich man needn't pronounce his wealth. Nietzsche's Uber-Mensch could only have strength if he was able to surrender that strength. Otherwise, it's simply a mask of insecurity hiding a man who "doth protest too much."


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Friday, September 29th, 2006
Introducing the Ajaxian.com LinkedIn Community Program
We are excited to announce the Ajaxian.com LinkedIn Community program. Every day we get numerous requests from companies to find candidates, from candidates looking for new opportunities, community members asking us who would be right person to talk about one thing or another, request for introductions, etc. Meanwhile, we have never gotten around put in Read the rest…
Posted by Dion Almaer at 3:13 pm
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Modules for course C8EG | MSC/PCNP
MSc Principles of Clinical Neuropsychology
These were the modules for this course in the 2018–19 academic year.
You can also view the modules offered in the years: 2019–20; 2020–21.
Find out more about studying and applying for this degree.
Year 1 Modules
Compulsory Modules
Semester 1
- PPP-4004: Bio Bases of Neuro Disorders (20) Core The module will provide insights into aspects of clinical and basic neuroscience that are critical for understanding the neurobiological basis of mental illness. Topics will include: • The functional organization of the human brain; • The structure and function of neurons, neural transmission and basic neuropharmacology; • Principles of neuropsychological assessment; • Systems neuroscience, as revealed by neurophysiology and neuropsychology, relevant to understanding major neuropsychiatric illness, including anxiety, depression, learning disability and psychosis. Special attention will focus on: • The functions of the limbic system, frontal cortex, hypothalamus and other subcortical structures in regulating learning, motivation, emotion and empathy. • The functions of the frontal and parietal cortex in regulating attention and purposeful behavior. • The function of major ascending neurotransmitter systems and their derangement in major psychiatric illness.
- PPP-4010: Clinical Neuropsychology I (20) Core The module will introduce students to the principles of neuropsychological assessment, provide an understanding of the pathophysiology of common diseases causing neuropsychological disability, and a foundation in functional neuroanatomy and neurological localisation relevant to the practice of clinical neuropsychology. It will also introduce students to neuropsychological disorders frequently encountered in clinical practice such as amnesia, aphasia, neglect, visuospatial impairment, agnosia, alexia, apraxia, and dysexecutive disorders. Reading List Lezak, M.D. (2004). Neuropsychological Assessment. Oxford: Oxfor University Press. Goldstein, L.H. & McNeil, J.E. (2004). Clinical Neuropsychology: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Management for Clinicians. Chichester: Wiley. Heilman, K.M. &Valenstein, E. (1985). Clinical Neuropsychology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Snyder, P.J. & Nussbaum, P.D. (1998). Clinical neuropsychology: A Pocket Handbook for Assessment. Washington: American Psychological Association. Banich. M.T. (1997). Neuropsychology: The neural basis of mental functioning. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Bradshaw, J.L. & Mattingley, J.B. (1995). Clinical neuropsychology: Behavioural and brain science. SanDeigo: Academic Press. Cytowic, R.E. (1996). The neurological side of neuropsychology. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. Feinberg, T.E. & Farah, M.J. (1997). Behavioral neurology and neuropsychology. New York: McGraw Hill. Luria, A.R. (1973). Higher cortical functions in man. Basic Books. McCarthy, R.A. & Warrington, E.K. (1990). Cognitive neuropsychology: A clinical introduction. Academic Press Kolb, B. & Wishaw, I.P. (1990). Fundamentals of human neuropsychology Freeman. Martin, G.N. (1998). Human neuropsychology. London: Prentice Hall Stuss, D.T. & Knight, R.T. (2002). Principles of Frontal Lobe Function. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Walsh, K.W. & Darby, D. (1985). Neuropsychology: A Clinical Approach. Churchill Livingstone.
- PRP-4025: Research Dissertation (60) Core
Semester 2
- PPP-4003: Clinical Neuropsychology II (20) Core Key readings required for student presentations will be given out in class at least 1 week prior. PowerPoint presentations posed on Blackboard within 24 hours of Lecture The following list is a representative sample of scientific literature either given as reading to the students or presented in the lectures. Memory disorders Dementia Stroke and recovery Rehabilitation Epilepsy Parkinson's Disease Traumatic Brain Injury Clinical trials and evidence based medicine
- PRP-4014: Advanced Research Methods (20) Core The content of the course will comprise of the following elements: Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, Qualitative Analysis, Single-Case Designs, Advanced Regression, ANOVA and ANCOVA, Repeated-measures and Mixed ANOVA, Categorical data & Logistic Regression, Factor, Cluster, & Reliability Analysis, MANOVA & Discriminant Function Analysis, Path Analysis & Structural Equation Modelling, Statistical Power & Effect Sizes, Statistics & Experimental Design. Reading List Field, A. (2009) Discovering Statistics Using SPSS (3rd Ed.). Sage (Essential) Tabachnick, B. &Fidell, L. (2007). Using Multivariate Statistics (5th Ed.) Pearson. (Further reading)
- PRP-4025: Research Dissertation
Optional Modules
40 credits from:
- PPP-4005: Methods in Cog & Brain Res (20) (Semester 1) One part of the module will provide specific examples in selected areas of cognition and neuroscience, including patient studies, psychophysics, MRI, EEG and TMS. This part is composed of guest lectures talking about one or more research methods in cognition and brain. The second part of the module aims to provide in-depth analysis of specific topics within the area of psychology and neuroscience, highlighting the different methods. This part includes students' evaluation and writing about one selected topic in cognition and brain.
- PPP-4007: Applied Psych in Context (20) (Semester 1)
- PPP-4008: Bilingualism: Res & Methods (20) (Semester 1) Methods covered in this module will be selected form the following list, for each of which we have experts within the School of Psychology: Computational modelling, Corpus Analysis, Neuropsychology, Experimental psychology (Reaction times and eye-tracking), Neuroscientific methods (Event-related potentials, fMRI).
- PPP-4009: Behavioural Neurology (20) (Semester 2) Students will be introduced to the principles of taking a neurological history and performing a neurological examination, via the demonstration of illustrative neurological and neurobehavioural patients in case conferences. Patients with neurological and neuropsychological disorders such as those involving memory, language, visuospatial abilities, object recognition, control of movement, executive control and emotional regulation will be presented. Students will be introduced to working within a clinical setting, and to the ethical issues surrounding working with neurological patients. Through lectures, neuroradiology case conferences, brain dissection and an MRI practical class, students will learn functional human neuroanatomy relevant to common neurological and neuropsychological disorders, and structural neuroimaging as a tool in clinical practice and neurobehavioral research. The pathophysiology of major neurological disorders causing neuropsychological disability will be discussed. Reading List: Feinberg, T.E. & Farah, M.J. (2003). Behavioral neurology and neuropsychology (ed 2). New York: McGraw Hill. Heilman, K.M. &Valenstein, E. (2011). Clinical Neuropsychology (ed 5). Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hodges, J.R. (2007). Cognitive Assessment for Clinicians (ed 2). Oxford: Oxford University Press Kolb, B. & Wishaw, I.P. (2008). Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology (ed 6). New York: Worth Martin, G.N. (2006). Human Neuropsychology (ed 2). Harlow: Pearson Mesulam, M-M (2000) Principles of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology (ed 2) Oxford: Oxford University Press
- PPP-4013: Theoretical Models in Clin Psy (20) (Semester 2) This module explores the key theoretical models on which clinical psychology practice is based, and illustrates how these models inform clinical practice. This is intended to assist students in making decisions about pursuing a career in clinical psychology and to help prepare students for seeking relevant posts or training places. The module is presented in 11 weekly sessions consisting of lectures and small-group activities. Lectures will be given mainly by practising clinicians with expertise in particular theoretical approaches and their practical application to clinical problems, who have kindly agreed to contribute as guest lecturers to this module. Small-group work will include a range of activities designed to broaden students' understanding of the concepts outlined in the lectures.
- PPP-4018: The Psychology of Language (20) (Semester 2)
- PPP-4021: Intro Neuroimaging Analysis (10) (Semester 1)
- PPP-4022: Introduction to Neuroimaging (10) (Semester 1)
- PPP-4023: Adv. Neuroimaging Concepts (10) (Semester 1)
- PPP-4025: Applied Neurosci: Case Studies (20) (Semester 2)
- PPP-4026: Clin&Applied Neurosci:Theory (20) (Semester 2)
- PPP-4027: Educational Neuroscience (20) (Semester 2)
- PPP4021, PPP4022, PPP4023 If you are interested in studying any of these modules you must select two of them due to their credit weighting. Students can either select PPP4021 & PPP4022 or PPP4022 & PPP4023. PPP4025 - If students take PPP4025, then they must also take PPP4026.


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I had no luck finding a shop on my own. After calling shops around the area without success, I turned to the discussion forums on The Samba for a referral. I received one lead about a shop about an hour from me. They did not have any firsthand experience with the mechanic, but they were told by others that the person was a 30+ year expert on air-cooled VWs, especially working on the Type IV engine my bus had. I quickly called and set up an appointment to bring Wilson in for some maintenance and initial repairs.
The next weekend I pulled up to the shop on a Saturday morning and eagerly went inside. It was small, very dark place with obvious references to air cooled vehicles around the waiting area. Behind the counter, I saw about 30+ years of clutter and greasy residue, obviously focused on function and not beauty. The owner came out from around a corner to greet me. He was a very nice, chatty guy. We talked a bit and then I turned my keys, and Wilson, over to his care.
About a week later, I called to check on Wilson. I spoke to the owner of the shop, but he said they were busy and did not have a chance to work on my bus yet. He told me to call him back in a few days to make sure he was working on the bus. Another week passes and I call back. Again, I am told they have not been able to get to my bus yet. At this point, he said it is the only vehicle he has not worked on yet, but that did not make me feel any better. I wait another week and call again to check on their progress. We are now three weeks after I originally dropped Wilson off, but they still have not even looked at him yet. I am tempted to give up and take my bus back, but I did not have any other shops to turn to. The owner assures me that my bus will be next, so I patiently wait.
I call by midweek for a progress update, about 25 days after leaving Wilson behind, but now they have finally had a chance to work up a quote. Here's a list of the recommended work:
- Tune-up
- Oil change
- Replace left heater box (used)
- Weld muffler
- Replace tail pipe
- Replace rear brake shoes
- Replace wheel cylinders
- Resurface brake drums
- New gas cap
Early Saturday morning I drove up to the shop to be there as soon as they opened. The shop owner took a good amount of time to talk to me about the work he did. I appreciated the information, but I was still disappointed about how long it took them to even look at my bus. I expected to have it back within a week or two. We were now at the four-week point. I do not take it personal; it was just obvious there was no sense of urgency with this guy. Things get done, when they get done. His shop was full of other vintage VWs, so his customers must just accept it or tolerate it. I do not want to wait a month each time I need something done. I realize I must learn how to take care of Wilson myself. I would use his services again, but only if it was something I could not do on my own. I leave the repair shop $914.37 lighter than I arrived.
After driving away with Wilson, my first stop is a tire shop down the road from my house. I have the mechanical work done, but I still have to get the old passenger tires off the bus. I found the only place near my house that sells the Hankook RA08 195R14 tires, and had them in stock. I replaced all four tires and the spare. While I am there, I have them give Wilson an alignment. This all sets me back another $500, but it had to be done. I am out of the tire shop about two or three hours later.
I drive home to pick up my wife so we can take a quick trip to western Illinois for the rest of the weekend. This was my first real road trip in Wilson and it felt great. It was nice slow ride for two hours down the highway to visit relatives. Everything went well and we had a great time enjoying ourselves. On Sunday, we took the trip back home and I retired Wilson for the winter.


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Please also see this op-ed just published by Representative Sabin and Commissioner Gainer on how NewDEAL Leaders' policies shape an agenda for communities nationwide to close the skills gap and unleash broadly-shared economic growth.
Building a Skills Agenda to Support a 21st Century Workforce
Innovation Hubs
Warwick Sabin
Little Rock, AR
Bridget Gainer
County Commissioner,
Cook County, IL
Training for Growing Industries
Andrew Gillum
Tallahassee, FL
Access to Community College
Sam Liccardo
San Jose, CA
Career Gateways for Under-served Communities
Kim Driscoll
Salem, MA
Greg Fischer
Louisville, KY
Innovation Hubs
The Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, founded four years ago by Rep. Warwick Sabin, is a model for communities to provide the space, equipment, and employer to worker/student connections that are critical to a well-trained workforce. Partnerships with high schools and community colleges give students access to programs in high-tech areas like robotics and 3D-printing, while employers can create programs to train current employees or potential recruits in welding, coding, and more, and entrepreneurs can hone the skills they need to improve their startups.
Making an Impact
Ten thousand students, workers, and entrepreneurs used the space last year, including through partnerships with 63 schools in 21 counties. The economic opportunity created is clear when you bring talented people together with the right skills, training and mentorship, like high school senior Greta Kresse. As an intern at the hub, Greta started a business printing local art on t-shirts with support from the facility's art and design studios.
In Cook County, Commissioner Bridget Gainer started the first earned credit for employers who create and run a Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program. This initiative includes opportunities for employers to build apprenticeships in non-traditional areas, like services and technology fields, where there is projected growth in the coming decades.
Making an Impact
Commissioner Gainer has put her policy work into action to showcase the impact of this initiative at the company Aon, where she is VP of global public affairs. By partnering with Harold Washington College, the company is training people for roles in account management, client support, financial analysis and technology, while committing to cultivating and hiring candidates to permanent jobs. The apprenticeships allow participants to earn money in something relevant to their studies.
Training for Growing Industries
Partnering with the non-profit startup incubator Domi, as well as Florida A&M University, Mayor Andrew Gillum started a code academy that offers immersive courses in web development to help match workers with the needs of the growing IT sector. The academy, I/O Avenue, offers immersive 12-week courses. One focuses on training and securing jobs for underrepresented and economically challenged communities with no prior tech background, and the second focuses on providing enhanced training for workers and students from STEM fields that are looking to refine their skills to meet local job market demands. I/O Avenue also helps with job placement and employment.
Making an Impact
Gillum's partnership is part of Tallahassee's TechHire initiative, which was recognized as part of an Obama Administration effort to encourage communities to close the skills gap in tech fields. When done right, the impact of these efforts has proven significant. One of the original TechHire cities was Wilmington, DE, which started a code academy under former Governor Jack Markell, a NewDEAL honorary co-chair. The program, Zip Code Wilmington, resulted in its initial participants doubling their average salaries from $25,000 to more than $55,000.
Access to Community College
Mayor Sam Liccardo's new San Jose Promise program will pay two years of community college costs for up to 800 low-income students. This initiative can mean options for both a better, more affordable, pathway to a four-year degree for many students, as well as the opportunity for students to pursue targeted two-year and certification programs respected by employers in growing industries. The mayor has also noted education's impact on other aspects of a city's functions, from public safety to economic development, in talking about why this program is important for San Jose.
Making an Impact
Significant research has demonstrated the positive impact of community colleges. Some brief highlights: The American Institute for Research calculates a person's career earnings will be $259,000 higher with just an associate's degree, and in some areas like Silicon Valley, a degree can be worth as much as $745,000 more than a high school diploma over one's lifetime. Multiple high-paying jobs, like radiation therapists, dental hygienists and electronics repair, require only a two-year associate's degree for entry. Some schools partner directly with businesses. Community colleges also mean more flexible schedules for students who must hold down a job while pursuing higher education, and offer programs aimed at those who don't fit the traditional schooling model.
Career Gateways for Under-served Communities
Mayors Kim Driscoll and Greg Fischer have pioneered work to lift up underserved populations. In Salem, MA, Driscoll's Career Gateway initiative for low-income, unemployed or underemployed non-native English speakers focuses first on key career skills (i.e. Microsoft Office and general computer skills) and then on specific emerging industry sectors through partnerships with the regional Workforce Investment Board and Career Center, the community college system, local major healthcare providers and others.
With support from Mayor Fischer, KentuckianaWorks, the workforce agency for the Louisville area, developed the Career Calculator, an online web app that guides students, their parents, and all job seekers, in career planning and charting the education they need for good jobs. The free interactive web app lets users to search current job and education data for the Louisville region and make informed college and career choices. The Mayor calls it a key step toward the City's Cradle to Career goal of creating a cycle from good education to good jobs with family-supporting wages.
Making an Impact
The Salem program has already successfully matched many participants to full-time employment. Meanwhile, in Louisville, the Career Calculator has been used by nearly 17,000 people in area high schools, universities, public libraries and at career centers throughout the region since its launch in 2016. It earned Louisville a 2016 U.S. Conference of Mayors/USA Funds National Education Pathways with a Purpose award, and is being translated into Spanish to broaden its reach. The award came with a $100,000 grant that is being used to further the goals of Mayor Fischer's Cradle to Career initiative.


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What do rockets do? Well, when we were kids, they were a great way to shoot a sibling's toys into a neighbor's yard or send your favorite action figure into "space." But there are big differences between the 2-foot-long model rockets you launched in the football field at school and the skyscraper-sized rockets that today help support the space program as well as communications, science and national security. While the general purpose is the same, mainly getting off the ground and into the skies, modern rockets are incredibly powerful and complex.
Rockets must be able to lift themselves and their cargos, which combined can weigh as much as 800 tons, and fly hundreds or even thousands of miles above the Earth. Modern rockets are in essence the ships and trucks of space, our primary means of transportation to the stars. In this article, we'll look at the newest member of Boeing's established Delta family of rockets, the Delta IV Heavy rocket, and see how it meets the challenges facing rockets today.
What Makes a Great Rocket?
So if rockets are a means of transportation, just what are they transporting? Predominantly, a rocket's cargo (or payload) is a satellite (see How Satellites Work). Since they don't have the means of launching themselves, satellites use rockets to get off the ground and make it to the correct altitude above the Earth.
Satellites must also get to the correct orbit above the Earth. An orbit is a circular path that the satellite follows as it rotates around the Earth, in the same way that the Earth and the other planets in our solar system orbit the sun. Different orbits circle the Earth at different altitudes and at different speeds. A satellite's functions determine which orbit it must follow. Rockets both lift a satellite to the right altitude and insert it into the correct orbit.
But rockets need to be more than just a means of transport. Satellites are great tools; they have revolutionized communications and shown us more about our planet and the universe in which we live than we could ever have discovered without them. The one thing satellites aren't, though, is cheap. All those specialized components and their highly complex software, to say nothing of the huge quantities of fuel necessary for launch, represent major investments in time and money. This puts pressure on rocket engineers to create rockets that can deliver larger and heavier cargo in a single flight and do so with lower cost and higher reliability and accuracy. It's a lot cheaper to use one rocket to put two or more satellites into orbit. Another challenge is to accurately deliver a satellite to a specific location in space where it can most efficiently enter its orbit. Satellites are engineered to function in a precise way at a precise location -- if it's delivered too far away from the optimal place, the satellite's thrusters must expend precious fuel to make up the difference. The rocket needs to be reliable enough to deliver its cargo precisely where it needs to be.
Now let's take a closer look at the Delta IV family of rockets.
Delta IV Family
Currently, the Delta IV family has three main configurations or styles:
- Medium capacity
- Medium-Plus capacity (with versions 4.2, 5.2 and 5.4)
- Heavy capacity
Each configuration has a first stage (the bottom two-thirds of the rocket) containing fuel tanks and main engines and a second stage (the top third of the rocket) that houses the secondary engine and fuel tanks along with the payload and various electronics. The Medium capacity's first stage consists of a single common booster core (CBC) powered by an RS-68 engine. Its second stage is powered by an RL10B-2 engine and includes various maneuvering and altitude-control electronics such as the Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly (RIFCA) used on the Delta II, as well as fuel and oxidizer tanks.
The Medium-Plus capacity has the same first stage components as the Medium capacity but also includes either two or four 60-inch-diameter (1.5-m), solid rocket, strap-on graphite epoxy motors (GEMs). All Medium-Plus versions use the RL10B-2 engine to power the second stage, but versions 5.2 and 5.4 have larger-diameter fuel tanks and longer oxidizer tanks than the Medium and Medium-Plus 4.2 versions.
The Heavy capacity looks like a rocket on steroids. Not only does it have the main common booster core, but it also contains two additional strap-on boosters.
Each of the three boosters contains its own RS-68 engine. The Heavy capacity also has in its second stage a 5-meter-diameter fuel tank and 5-meter-diameter, payload-accommodations hardware.
Delta IV Heavy Rocket
Now that you know the basic structure of the Delta IV family of rockets, let's see how all the different components work together to get the Heavy capacity off the ground and into the skies. As mentioned before, the rocket has two stages. The first stage has one goal: getting the rocket off the ground.
The bottom section of each common booster core (CBC) contains an RS-68 engine. The middle section contains the fuel tanks, in this case liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. For the two strap-on boosters, that's all there is. They exist exclusively to provide the extra fuel and engines necessary to lift heavier payloads into orbit.
New to the Delta IV family, the RS-68 is 30 percent more efficient than the liquid-oxygen/kerosene engines it replaces. It has fewer parts, making it more reliable and less expensive, and is environmentally friendly, producing steam as its only byproduct. It also produces 650,000 pounds (2,891 kN) of thrust at liftoff. Combining the three booster cores, the Delta IV Heavy rocket is capable of lifting 50,800 pounds (23,040 kg) to low-Earth orbit. Its closest brother, the Delta IV Medium-Plus (version 5.4), can lift 25,300 lbs (11,475 kg) to the same orbit. (To learn about satellite orbits, see How Satellites Work.)
Delta IV Heavy in Action
A launch starts with the ignition of the three RS-68 main engines and then liftoff. Within a few minutes, the strap-on CBCs are jettisoned (dropped off the main rocket), having used up their fuel and served their purpose of getting the rocket off the ground. After that, the main central engine (the one attached to the central CBC) is turned off and the bottom two-thirds of the main CBC, consisting of the main engine, the lower fuel tanks and the interstage, which connects the first stage to the second stage, is also jettisoned. What is left is the second stage, consisting mainly of fuel tanks, RL10B-2 engine, guidance electronics and payload, all encased in a protective cone called a fairing.
Compared to the first stage, the second stage is like a ballerina sitting on the shoulders of a linebacker. It may not have the massive power of the three booster engines, but it has the strength, balance and precision to handle the more delicate task of putting a satellite into a sustainable and correct orbit. Once the first stage components have fallen away, the second stage fires up its engine and jettisons the protective fairing. Next is the second-stage engine cutoff (SECO)-1, where the RL10B-2 engine is shut off and the second stage maneuvers with its thrusters through a coast period. Guidance is provided throughout the second stage by avionics and attitude control systems. The Redundant Inertial Flight Control Assembly helps make sure the rocket inserts the payloads into the proper orbit.
For its first flight on December 21, 2004, Delta IV Heavy contained three satellites, the primary DemoSat and two auxiliary, student-built satellites, referred to collectively as NanoSat-2. During the coast period of the first flight, the NanoSat-2 satellites were activated and released.
Two engine restarts and cutoffs (SECO-2, SECO-3) followed the release of NanoSat-2. These allowed the second stage to conserve energy.
Because the Delta IV Heavy is so efficient, it has the fuel necessary to enable it to deploy to almost any altitude and orbit. In addition, because the second stage engines are doing most of the positioning and are capable of inserting their payloads into orbit with great accuracy, satellites expend much less energy and can use that extra fuel to power their own functions longer. When the second stage reached the required orbit, the DemoSat payload, now capable of maintaining its own orbit, was activated and separated from its carrier.
The Delta IV Heavy Future
On December 21, 2004, the newest member of the Delta IV family lifted off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida for its maiden flight. Close to six hours later, the rocket had delivered its payload and completed the mission. Unfortunately, the rocket was unable to reach the proper orbit. When scientists looked at the data, they determined that the first stage burn was not as long as they had expected it to be. However, with so much new and upgraded technology, to have only one thing go wrong caused a relatively minor blip on the radar screen. The Delta IV Heavy rocket's first test flight met all of its major test objectives and was considered a success.
Boeing is already making plans for improvements to the Delta IV Heavy rockets and for the creation of the next generation of Deltas. Some of the changes in the works are modifications to the RS-68 main engine, the addition of GEMs to the three CBCs and improvements in fuel density and pathways.
For more information on the Delta family of rockets, the Delta IV Heavy and related topics, check out the links on the next page.
Related HowStuffWorks Articles
More Great Links
- Rocket & Space Technology: Orbital Mechanics
- AbsoluteAstronomy: Low Earth orbit
- NASA: New Launch Vehicle Could Boost NASA's Future - Dec. 11, 2003
- Boeing: Delta IV Heavy
- Boeing: Delta Expendable Launch Vehicles
- HowStuffWorks: How Satellites Work
- HowStuffWorks: How Rocket Engines Work
- HowStuffWorks: How Space Shuttles Work
- Boeing Backgrounder: Boeing Delta IV
- The Space Place: An Orbit for Every Need
- The Space Place: Why can't an airplane just fly into space? Why do we need rockets?
- From Stargazers to Starships
- Basics of Model Rocketry by Douglas R. Pratt, 2nd Edition, Kalmback Books, 1995.
- Space Exploration: Are the Gains Worth the Cost? By Kim Masters Evans, Information Plus Reference Series, Thomson Gale, 2004.
- How Things Work In Space, Time-Life Books, 1991.
- Space Satellite Handbook, 3rd Edition, Anthony R. Curtis, Editor, Gulf Publishing Company, 1994.


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Democratic leaders in Washington are aggressively courting Iraq war veteran Paul Hackett to challenge Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) next year.
Democratic National Committee leaders were expected to meet with Hackett yesterday in Washington. So, too, was Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Sen. Charles Schumer (N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), has called Hackett more than once in the past few weeks to sound him out about a run in 2006.
Members of Ohio's congressional delegation also have urged Hackett to run or, at least, spoken with him about the race. JoAnna Kuebler, communications director for Rep. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), who had been touted as a possible Senate contender himself, said Brown and Hackett had discussed the "incompetence and corruption" that, she said, stems from one-party rule — in Columbus, Ohio, where Republicans control the state government, and in Washington.
It all started a little more than a month ago, when Hackett, a Marine who had recently returned from the Middle East, narrowly lost his House bid in Ohio's strongly Republican 2nd District.
The Democrat gained national attention by being the first veteran of the war to run for office, while slamming the commander in chief for invading Iraq and being, allegedly, a "chicken hawk."
In staking out his antiwar position, Hackett appeared to have tapped into growing frustration with the war and a national network of peace activists eager to see him elected to Congress. Jim Schulman, who was director of policy research and veterans affairs on the Hackett campaign, said the candidate received donations from every state in the country.
"Every peace organization in the United States has contacted me," Hackett said. "I don't think they necessarily get that because I'm critical of the war in Iraq … I'm not wearing peace beads and hugging trees and singing John Lennon's … 'Give Peace a Chance.' … I joined the Marine Corps. I love the Marine Corps. I happen to think it's being misused in Iraq."
What makes Hackett so attractive, Democrats say, is his strong fundraising potential — Schulman said he garnered nearly $900,000 for the abbreviated special election — his colorful story and his willingness to speak his mind, like Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Also, like Democratic Senate hopeful Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Hackett is clearly to the right of his party's leadership, at least when it comes to the Second Amendment. "The Democratic Party is wrong on guns," he said.
Rep. Ted Strickland (D-Ohio), now running for governor, called Hackett a "superb candidate" whose politics and persona comport with the zeitgeist. "In politics, timing is, if not everything, it's nearly everything," Strickland said.
Now, Strickland and Schulman said, Hackett is probably looking to secure support, including money and campaign visits, from national Democratic leaders before committing to the race. Despite any perceived vulnerabilities, DeWine had nearly $3 million in the bank as of June 30 of this year, according to PoliticalMoneyLine.
"If I were the person, I would want a commitment for support that would be lasting and not be based upon the political conditions that may exist at any given time throughout the campaign," Strickland said. "I would want staying power on the part of the Senate committee."
DSCC spokesman Phil Singer said that the committee is "committed to winning this race, and our candidate will have the resources to do so." Singer declined to comment on any conversations between Schumer and Hackett.
Michael Culp, executive director of the Ohio Democratic Party, suggested that Hackett might run for another statewide office. Democratic sources said Hackett is open to running for state attorney general but more eager to run for Senate.
Reid spokesman Jim Manley did not return telephone calls seeking comment on a possible Hackett candidacy.
Brian Nick, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, shrugged off talk of Hackett unseating DeWine, noting that Democrats had failed to recruit any "top tier" candidates. Reps. Brown and Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) earlier declined to challenge DeWine.
"The Hackett momentum would more accurately be described as 15 minutes of fame," Nick said.


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"Somebody loved me in my brokenness," Sister Miriam continued, "and it changed my life. God sent a Catholic priest into my life who was authentically holy, and it rocked my world. He fathered me—loved me as a father—and I could not deny his witness."
Sister Miriam's story was moving and she touched many hearts. She was speaking at the Convocation of Catholic Leaders, in Orlando, Fla., where 3,000 Catholics from around the country—bishops, priests, religious, and laity—gathered to talk together about the mission of proclaiming the Gospel. Read More Click here


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Well all, I realize I have been pretty lame lately as far as updating, oops, sorry. I'd say that things have been busy but really it has more so just been laziness and lack of effort. I've been focusing my time on other things, such as making this video, preparing for registration at the U, handing in final papers, watching Two and A Half Men and falling evermore in love with Charlie Sheen, etc. etc. etc. I know, I know, I'm a losah!
The past few weeks have seemed so slow, but at the same time have passed by so quickly. Jess's brother Michael came to visit over the weekend, and the three of us spent the day at Sea World, which was a blast. Sometimes I think I am still twelve years old at the way I react to the sight of dolphins…. They left Monday to do some traveling, and it really sucked having to say goodbye to Jess. We have become so close over this trip that I still don't think it has sunk in that she isn't going to be walking through our apartment door in a few days and it will all be the same as before she left. It makes me sad just thinking about not having her part of my days each and every day, but it makes me cherish the friendship we have developed over the past few months even more.
Since she left, Melissa and I have for the most part been pretty lazy. Tomorrow is our last day, so we have to spend the day busting our butts cleaning the apartment and finishing packing. Then we have our last night at the Tav – it is going to be a blast, but sad at the same time.
I'm sure I'll update tomorrow as I have time, but right now it is late, and I need sleep!


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Hungarian oak (Italian oak) is a very handsome tree with attractive foliage. Its leaves are distinctly margined with small, rounded lobes. They are deciduous, up to 20 cm long and glossy, bright green when they emerge, turning darker green in summer, leaving a showy texture of light green veins. Autumn colour is yellow and brown. They are the key feature because of which this tree is grown even in smaller gardens though mature trees can reach about 20 m tall and 7-8m wide in maturity (50 years and more).It grows slowly or moderately, well established trees can make 20-30 cm per year. Trees develop a rounded crown in about 10 years, spreading to sides with age. It is often cultivated as a shrub where you can fully enjoy its leaves from the ground and you can control its size by regular pruning. You can prune it at the end of winter to virtually any shape required. When cut back (cutting off about two thirds of last years' growth) in February or March it makes long new branches with plenty of large leaves.
This oak will grow in most soil conditions but prefers neutral to slightly acid soil. Avoid wet sites but constant moisture will ensure healthy, lustrous foliage and regular growth. Grow it in full sun or light shade for only a part of the day. The roots are not dangerous for roads and pavements which makes it suitable for city planting. Newly planted trees need to be staked for 2-3 years to establish. Fully hardy to min. -24°C (USDA zone 6), perhaps a little more.
Size/type: tall tree
Usual height: 8-25m
Usual width: 3-15m
Leaves: deciduous broadleaf
Colour of leaves: green
Flowers: insignificant or non-blooming
Location: full sun
Usda zone (lowest): 6 (down to -23°c)
Milan Havlis, Specializované zahradnictví
155 00 Praha Stodůlky, Za Mototechnou 2673/-11, Czech Republic
155 00 Praha Stodůlky, Za Mototechnou 2673/-11, Czech Republic


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Ford Fiesta: Reviews, Photos, and More
Tue, Jun 11, 2019Reviews & Comparisons
The Ford Fiesta is budget-friendly subcompact car that offers a range of features as well as sporty driving dynamics. Check out this Ford Fiesta review to find out why you should add this popular car to your shopping list.
Read More


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Elegance and charm are the hallmarks of Savannah's National Historic Landmark District, an area widely lauded to be a triumph of colonial-era city planning. Borne from the vision of Georgia founder General James Oglethorpe, the Landmark District is where the colonists plotted out and built the city's first wards and squares, a pattern that subsequent generations would later expand. The district is the oldest part of the city and is remarkably well preserved, making homes in National Historic Landmark District a history and architecture lover's dream come true.
Homes in National Historic Landmark District range from graceful Neoclassical properties to residences that feature the more elaborate styles of the mid to late 19th century. Due to the intelligent city plan, these homes are just steps away from a beautifully landscaped open square (around an acre in size) as well as a variety of civic buildings and commercial establishments. Many of the squares also feature historic monuments and landmarks. Johnson Square, for example, is where you'll find the monument and remains of General Nathanael Greene, the Revolutionary War hero.
National Historic Landmark District Homes
The market for historic real estate in Savannah is not just made up of homes in National Historic Landmark District, however. You'll find a mix of historic homes in the nearby Savannah Victorian Historic District, Ardsley Park/Chatham Crescent Historic District, and the Thomas Square Streetcar District, just to name a few.
Are you looking for Savannah, GA homes for sale in these areas? You can start your search here with help from Ron Melander. Contact Ron Melander anytime for more in-depth information on Savannah's historic homes and neighborhoods, plus gay-friendly resources.


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Hardwood flooring is a classic choice that adds value, beauty, and warmth to any Raleigh home's interior. When choosing the perfect hardwood floor, it's not uncommon to become overwhelmed by all the options available to you, the homeowner. Between wood species, stain color, plank width, and all the other aesthetic options to choose from, practicality often gets forgotten. One choice you'll have when deciding on a wood floor is whether you want unfinished or prefinished wood. Here we'll look at the facts of prefinished hardwood that will hopefully help you begin your decision process.
What Does "Prefinished" Mean?
Opting for prefinished wood means the hardwood planks will arrive at your home ready to be installed. They will already have been sanded, stained, and had a finish applied in a factory setting. Prefinished wood's alternative, unfinished wood, is sanded and stained on-site at your home. There are pros and cons to both types, but either one will result in a lovely hardwood floor you and your family can enjoy for years to come.
Benefits of Prefinished Wood
The main advantage to choosing prefinished wood for your flooring installation is that it is much more convenient. Since it arrives at your home in its final state, the installation process is simplified and the time it takes to complete is minimized. You don't have to expose your home to potentially harsh fumes from the wood stain, and you avoid most of the mess from wood dust and scraps. The factory-finished wood planks are also generally more uniform because the finishing process was completed in a controlled environment, which eliminates possible human error. This is ideal for people who prefer their floors to have a very uniform appearance.
Downsides to Prefinished Wood
Although it has many great benefits, prefinished hardwood floors also have their downsides. One disadvantage is the lack of creative freedom you have when choosing a specific look. There are many different aesthetics available in prefinished hardwood varieties, but opting for prefinished wood also means you are limited to the factory finishes. If you are trying to achieve a specific look for your wood floor, unfinished hardwood might be the best way to go. Since the contactor finishes the wood at your home in this case, they can work with you to match existing wood floors or achieve a certain look you want.
Schedule a Free Estimate
If you're looking to find a perfect hardwood floor for your home, call the experts at Floor Coverings International of Raleigh today! We proudly serve the Wake County, Crabtree, Cameron Village, North Hills, Six Forks, Five Points, Boylan Heights areas, and we offer free in-home estimates and design consultations. We can't wait to hear from you!
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Photo: © Iriana Shiyan


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Beautiful Boy – Coca Cola Chicken Wings
In Beautiful Boy there is a charming yet, sad scene with Timothée Chalamet and Steve Carell meet at a café. David is reminded of a simpler time when he taught Nic to say Coca Cola in Klingon. Enjoy this recipe for qo'la' 'awje' chicken wings.Read More Beautiful Boy – Coca Cola Chicken Wings


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Kisner Vanity Set With Mirror by Zipcode Design Discount
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Kisner Vanity Set With Mirror product by Zipcode Design
Add a stylish appeal to your room with this Vanity Set with Mirror. This vanity set is beautifully constructed from sturdy material and is durable. It has a gorgeous white finish that easily blends with most types of decors and settings. The modern set includes a vanity and a matching stool. The rectangular mirror in the lift top panel opens up to a storage space where you can keep your vanity essentials. The two drawers offer sufficient space to keep jewelry and other accessories. It has a...
- Overall: 29.75'' H x 41.25'' H x 36'' W x 17'' D
- Overall Product Weight: 106 lb.
- Primary Material: Solid Wood
- Assembly Required: Yes
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This is a site that is involved in travel and transport things. It has information on the various means of transport that people use both locally and internationally. Unlike any other site, it keeps people update on the current hour travel means to ensure that people book and pay for the required fares before they travel. As a travel agency, it has been trusted by transport companies and people can now buy tickets on the platform and have their seats secured at the stations or airports. Every information is updated in a matter of seconds and it is kept on the website for people to see it so that they take the necessary action.
This is a site that information about train, air and road transport information. If you need to inquire, ask or make any changes to your scheduled transport or travel dates, you would not be wrong by contacting these people. They have the best information because they even keep the office numbers of the various travelling agencies. To ensure that you have the right and perfect information, you need to ensure that you visit the site whenever you want anything regarding transportation services. The site is well managed to ensure that all information is current and helpful.


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Just in time for Christmas..... Junk Jewels. Vintage Rhinestone brooch made into an adorable neck piece!!! $24.95 plus $3 ship. Paypal is accepted as well as money orders or checks. Just email me for availability firstname.lastname@example.com . All Pendants come on a rustic silver link chain with a toggle clasp.
Bless Your Heart (in center) Stamped pewter piece, $21.95 plus $3 ship.