20 Years Ago
Week of July 4, 2002
The Modest Man Behind County-wide 911
Last summer, four of the most powerful figures in West Virginia politics, Bob Wise, Harold Michael, Walt Helmick and Joe Martin, took center stage at the dedication of the new 911 center on Rt. 33 east of Franklin, as well they should have.
But the man who had worked for over 15 years to make some kind of functional, modern, county-wide 911 facility a reality in Pendleton was no where to be seen—unless one ventured inside the gleaming new facility, where he sat, dressed in plain, everyday work clothes, in front of a computer, stress-testing the system, his “baby,” that was to go on-line a couple of weeks hence.
That man was Bob Tuckerman, a native of Cleveland, OH, a “come-here” who retired to Pendleton County from suburban Maryland in 1978 and says he wants his local legacy to rest on his service as a volunteer rescue squad worker, as the acting director of county-wide 911 services and as a member of the Pendleton County Library’s board of trustees—to the extent that Tuckerman would accept the use of so highfalutin a term as “legacy,” and he wouldn’t.
The Symbolic Meaning Of Flag Folding
A flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principal on which this contry was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing all the states from which veterans served in uniform.
The first fold of the American flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of one’s belief in the eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing the ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of this country to attain a peace throughout the world.
The fourth fold represents the weaker nature, for, as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him one turns in times of peace, as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to this country, for in the words of Stephen Decature, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
The sixth fold is for where one’s heart lies. It is with the heart that one pledges alliance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to the Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that one protects this country and the flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of the republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that one might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of this country since they were first born.
The eleventh fold, in the eyes of the Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding one of the national motto, “In God We Trust.”
SUGAR GROVE
July Fourth Is a Time
To Appreciate Freedom
The Fourth of July is a joyful time with fireworks and picnics. How many people have stopped and thought what the day really means and appreciate the forefathers who won the freedom that one enjoys today? President Woodrow Wilson once stated, “A nation which does not remember what it was yesterday, does not know what it is today, nor what it is trying to do. We are trying to do a futile thing if we do not know where we came from or what we have been about.” Around the 1776 period of Pendleton County, most of the pioneers had no schooling and could sign their names only with a mark. Paper was costly, and writing was done altogether with a goose or turkey quill. Books were few and seen only in occasional homes. One’s forefathers knew the tremendous cost that had been made to secure one’s freedom today. They continually acknowledged that God had made and preserved this nation. America’s hope lies in returning to those values that were once held by one’s Founding Fathers.
30 Years Ago
Week of July 1, 1992
SUGAR GROVE
‘Pulling the Wool Over One’s Eyes’ Began with Prank of Earlier Era
In colonial times, if someone “pulled the wool over your eyes” it meant being tricked by another person — pretty much the same as it does today. The saying originated from a favorite prank of the era: pulling a person’s wig over his face so he couldn’t see what was going on!
Gardening Beats Sports As An Outdoor Activity
Good for the body, good for the soul, gardening is America’s most popular outdoor leisure activity.
Americans spend more each year on gardens than on pizzas.
It takes time, and that is the way it must be. “The worth of a garden and a person as a gardener cannot be judged in a season or even two seasons — it takes years.”
The concept of calming the beast in a person through gardening is not new in the United States and is even older in England.
“It has been long known,” says William S. Ellis, writer for the current National Geographic, “that being around plants can be of significant benefit to the physically and mentally disabled and to older persons and inner-city youngsters turned surly.”
Gardeners in America show a rising interest in heritage plants and seeds.
Of the great number of vegetable varieties available in the United States at the turn of the century, more than 80 percent have been abandoned.
Many U.S. gardeners today are making a statement of environmental concern. The trend is to organic gardening and biodegradable materials.
40 Years Ago
Week of July 1, 1982
Construction of Earth Sheltered Homes Being Taught on Spruce Knob
at woodlands institute
Participants in the Earth-sheltered Building Workshop held last week at Woodlands Institute discovered an unusual approach to learning about this new energy-efficient building method.
The classroom was developed for people interested in designing or building a low-maintenance home using earth-sheltered construction methods.
Workshop participants learned that although earth-sheltered homes are not necessarily less expensive to build than conventional homes, the long-term costs are lower because these buildings require very little energy to heat and cool.
60 Years Ago
Week of July 5, 1962
100 YEARS AGO
McClellan Repels Lee But Loses Campaign
By LON K. SAVAGE
Editor’s Note—The following is one of a series of articles on the Civil War. Each weekly installment covers events which occurred exactly 100 years ago.
The army of federal Gen. George B. McClellan, like a huge grizzly bear attacked by a hive of bees, had fallen back swatting and fighting for the past six days, killing its tormentors by the hundreds but still retreating from their onslaught. On July 1, 100 years ago this week, the grand army of 100,000 men drew itself up for battle against the Confederate army of Gen. Robert E. Lee.
It would be the last battle of McClellan’s Peninsula campaign in Virginia. The scene was Malvern Hill, a large, cleared rise in the land just north of the James River about 15 miles east of Richmond, the capitol of the Confederacy. There, McClellan posted his men and artillery on the slopes looking down over a creek and a swampy woodland that was swarming with Confederates.
In early afternoon, the first of Lee’s Confederates began emerging from the woods and charging across the creek and up the slopes, and it was slaughter. The federal artillery and infantry raked the slopes as the Confederates crossed, and the Southerners fell in scores.
Lee’s generals couldn’t get together. They brought their men up unit by unit, and as each group of men arrived, it was mowed down. The heavily outnumbered Confederate artillery too, was brought up slowly, and frequently a Southern battery opened fire, only to attract the fire of 50 federal cannons and be blown to bits.
Confederate Gen. Bankhead Magruder’s men tried three times to break the Yankee line with infantry and artillery, but each time the artillery was crushed, the men hurled back with tremendous losses. The other Confederates could do little better.
Evening came; the sun went down, but the slaughter continued until it was difficult to tell friend from foe. At 9 p.m., the Confederates finally withdrew.
The day had been a defeat for Lee, but at the same time it marked a resounding victory that was far more important than the defeat. For like the bear that is attacked by a hive of bees, McClellan’s army was exhausted, badly injured, and—most importantly—it had been driven away. The siege of Richmond, which had begun in April and which had brought the federals to within sight of the city’s church spires, had ended, and Richmond still was the capitol of the Confederacy.
That night and next day, McClellan’s army marched back from Malvern Hill through a rainstorm to Harrison’s Landing on the banks of the James, there to nurse their wounds and await further developments. Lee, too felt it was time to take a recess and soon pulled his army back toward Richmond.
In Richmond, citizens heaved a sigh of relief that the enemy had been driven from their door, even though the city was filled with injured. Throughout the South, hopes began to rise.
In Washington, President Lincoln was alarmed over the campaign’s result and arranged for a call of 300,000 more troops to fight the Confederates. Within a week, he came to the Peninsula to talk to McClellan at Harrison’s Landing, and the importance of the defeats began to sink in. As Lincoln wrote later, he “was as nearly inconsolable as I could be and live” over the collapse of the Peninsula campaign.
PONY TO BE GIVEN AWAY AT CARNIVAL
A real, live pony will be given away absolutely free at the firemen’s carnival in Franklin Thursday night.
The pony was originally scheduled to be given away Tuesday night, but because of the rainy weather it was postponed until tonight.
Chief Willie Flinn said free tickets will be given to everyone who attends the carnival tonight and a drawing will be held to determine the winner.
70 Years Ago
Week of July 3, 1952
HOMEMAKER NEWS
by mary mann zinn
Home Demonstration Agent
Oven Utensil Stories . . .
Certain kitchen equipment makes the difference between a canning job easily and efficiently done and one that just wears you to a frazzle.
Let’s start with knives. You’ll want them sharp and comfortable to use. Butcher knives are awkward and a time waster.
A long-handled spoon will make stirring easier.
Juice making calls for a colander or food mill. This piece of equipment will be more convenient and help you do the job more quickly than a sieve and spoon.
Jar tongs will prevent burns when you lift jars from boiling water in which you sterilized them. A jar lifter prevents burns from lifting jars that are filled with hot food.
A time and food saver is the jar filler. A wide-mouthed one aids the sometimes tedious task of filling.
Other equipment that shortens canning hours includes a kitchen clock placed where it can easily be seen and a wooden rack to set the jars on for rapid cooling.
