10 Years Ago
Week of February 11, 2016
Historically — Chocolate Is More than Just Food
Many cannot resist chocolate, that beloved creamy, sweet confection derived from cocoa beans, milk and sugar. All over the world people love to indulge in chocolate, especially come Valentine’s Day.
According to data from Leatherhead Food Research, Switzerland consumes more chocolate per capita than any country in the world. Ireland, the United Kingdom, Austria and Belgium round out the top five.
Despite its apparent popularity in Europe, chocolate was first popularized among the Olmees of Mexico, who used the cocoa beans more than 3,500 years ago. However, it wasn’t until the last 200 years that chocolate turned into the sweet treat that is known and loved today.
While chocolate is now used primarily as a food, over the years it has had many other uses — some of which are quite unique.
•Money: The Mayans once used cocoa beans as a form of currency, as did the Aztecs.
•Dental health: Arman Sadeghpour, a researcher at Tulane University, says an extract of cocoa powder could be an effective alternative to using fluoride.
•Fuel: Chocolate has been used to feed bacterial that produce hydrogen, which can be used as a clean power source.
•Medicine: Chocolate is full of antioxidants, which serve all sorts of disease-fighting benefits in the body. Dark chocolate provides the greatest number of health benefits, as it contains flavanols, which stimulate the brain and support the circulatory system.
•Fashion: Designers and chocolatiers worldwide collaborate to make sweet outfits for fashion shows.
•Special effects: Before the days of computer-stimulated effects, movie-makers had to employ other methods to produce realistic results.
•Skin care: Cocoa butter, a component of chocolate, has long been used to moisturize and soothe dry skin.
•Perfume: Chocolate produces more than 400 distinct smells and has been used to make perfume more fragrant.
•Mood enhancement: Chocolate may help to improve mood, as it is a mild stimulant and can affect serotonin levels.
•Postage: In 2013, Belgium’s post office sold limited-edition stamps that were varnished with 40 percent of a cocoa product. The stamps smelled and tasted like chocolate.
Chocolate has been tempting taste buds for thousands of years.
20 Years Ago
Week of February 16, 2006
SUGAR GROVE
It’s a Sick Bird That Can’t Carry Its Own Feather
There was a time when certain words were used and since they were never used in a spelling bee and teachers never spoke them, one would almost think they were invented by the user.
Words, such as dawdle, lollygag, ‘deed and double’ and dilly-dally, didn’t sound like dictionary words. Rambunctious was another word. Being rambunctious, obstreperous and cantankerous usually meant that one was persnickety, having a hissy or conniption fit, or cutting some monkeyshines. If one wasn’t racing around like chicken with its head cut off or a bat out of hell, one was slower than molasses in January.
Ears could get pretty dirty — dirty enough to grow potatoes in them. Should one ever swallow watermelon seeds, they’d surely grow in one’s stomach. Not being hungry would be quite interesting — reminders that an empty sack won’t stand up would be forthcoming.
When a coat was not worn during cold weather, it was not unusual to hear, “It’s a sick bird that can’t carry its own feather!” Faking sickness in order to miss school never worked. Reading the mind by putting a hand on the forehead to “check the temperature” was quickly followed with “You’re okay, go to school. And don’t dilly-dally!”
To not know the meanings of those certain mentioned words meant a person was “wet behind the ears,” or a barely qualified beginner.
Many newly born animals, wet from liquids in the womb, are slow to become fully dry. Some places like the indentations behind the ears, take the longest to dry because of the lack of air exposure. The fur of animals, like kittens, holds moisture and stays damp until they become active. Thus, a youth or an adult who knows nothing about a subject or planned event is as helpless as an infant, or still wet behind the ears.
The Appalachian language is flamboyant in many ways. In many ways, it is downright peculiar even though it makes sense to those who live here.
30 Years Ago
Week of February 15, 1996
Girl Scouts Visit Nursing Home
Junior Girl Scout Troop 511 of Upper Tract visited Pendleton Nursing Home during the Christmas season. The scouts made cards and fruit baskets at the December meeting which were passed out to several residents. The girls took time to visit with each person that received their gifts. At the request of one resident, the scout troop sang Christmas carols.
Indian Profile…
Coach on Brian Vance:
Brian is averaging 7.4 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 43% from the floor.
Brian gained some valuable experience as a freshman that has enabled him to start fast this season.
He is the son of Ronnie and JoAnn Vance of Seneca Rocks.
Indian Profile…
Coach on Johnny Turner:
Johnny has scored at a 2.5 rate per game. He has 30 assists and 16 steals to date.
This young man has a lot of quickness and power. As Johnny gains confidence in his abilities, his play will elevate.
Johnny is the son of Craig and Brenda Turner of Seneca Rocks.
Indian Profile…
Coach on Adam Huffman:
Adam is averaging 2.6 points per game. He has 18 assists, 16 steals and is shooting 57% from the free throw line.
He’s an extremely hard worker and a very tough young man. He leads the team in taking charges. Defense is his strength.
Adam is the son of Dan and Liz Huffman of Seneca Rocks.
Week of February 22, 1996
200 Students to Work Here with Habitat for Humanity
In the coming months nearly 200 students will be working with the Almost Heaven Habitat for Humanity affiliate in Circleville, a host affiliate for Collegiate Challenge: Spring Break ‘96. Between February 16 and March 23, high school and college students will be helping with construction and flood relief work in the Circleville area. Students will work primarily in the flood damaged area of Big Run, doing home repairs, cleaning up the debris left by the flood and repairing damaged wells in the area.
Kimble and Shanholtz Are Panthers of Week
Ryan Kimble has been named this week’s Fox’s co-player of the week. He is a 5’7”, 145-pound sophomore guard. Ryan is another hustler, produces great speed and determination.
This is his first season as a varsity player and it has played a vital role in reserve action. Ryan came off the bench against Circleville in an earlier win and picked up 10 points and five steals.
Ryan’s playing time will greatly increase in the coming years. He is another three-sport athlete where he participates in football, basketball and baseball.
Ryan is the son of Richard and Jeannie Kimble of Upper Tract.
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Jeremy Shanholtz has been named this week’s Fox’s co-player of the week. Jeremy is a 6’1”, 150-pound reserve junior guard. He has seen limited action this year, but with lots of work in the off season his playing time could increase in another year.
Jeremy possesses a good jump shot with three-point capabilities. Jeremy also was a member of this year’s football team and last year’s baseball team.
He is the son of Mike and Teresa Shanholtz of Brandywine.
40 Years Ago
Week of February 20, 1986
Franklin Historic District Listed In National Register
The Franklin Historic District and three other Pendleton County sites have been entered in the National Register of Historic Places, the West Virginia Department of Culture and History announced today. The Franklin Historic District was entered in the register January 15.
Other Pendleton County structures that have been entered in the register are the Old Propst Church at Brandywine, the McCoy Mill three miles south of Franklin and the Pendleton County Poor Farm on US Route 220 at Upper Tract. They were admitted to the register January 14.
50 Years Ago
Week of February 19, 1976
17 Complete Red Cross Course to Qualify for Rescue Squad
Seventeen residents of Pendleton County were presented certificates of completion of the Advanced Final Aid and Emergency Care Course at the first meeting of the class February 2 in the community room of the Pendleton County Bank.
The 60-hour course began early in December and was given to qualify the members of the class for membership for the rescue squad to be organized in Pendleton County.
Members of the class were Mrs. Viola J. Riggleman, Mrs. Glenn (Barbara) Bennett, Mrs. Merle (Barbara) Bennett, Bruce Minor, Allen Sisson, Paul Mallow, Andrew Walker, Merle Bennett, Hal Hevener, Glenn Bennett, Stephen Roberson, Berlie Sponaugle, John Bryant, David Basagic, Larry Dove, Rev. Lynn Wilbur and Dr. John Harman.
Scholarship Fund Honors Pendletonians
Some of the children of the late Miles Flynn have organized and established an educational loan and scholarship fund to assist those who are preparing for a life of Christian service in any college.
Mr. Flynn was a native of Pendleton County. One of his sons, C. E. Flynn, served as principal of Circleville High School several years ago, and one of his daughters, Mrs. Sam Thompson, lives at Riverton.
Cut Branches To Force Bloom
Late January and the first of February are good times to cut branches of flowering plants such as pussy willow, forsythia, crabapple, cherries and plums to force them into bloom.
Place the branches in luke warm water and store in a cool, dimly lighted room until the buds begin to swell. When swelling appears, place the branches in the main part of the house.
60 Years Ago
Week of February 17, 1966
New Thinking in Math To Be Studied
Mrs. Marsha Plybon, Franklin High School mathematics teacher, will be in charge of an in-service modern mathematics program which is sponsored in Pendleton County by the West Virginia State Department of Education. Tentative plans are being made for an enrollment of thirty to forty teachers.
This program is expected to provide an overview of the newer thinking in the field of mathematics to help teachers realize the importance of the concepts they develop, and to indicate how the concepts fit into the total program of elementary mathematics. It is not intended to be a method course for any particular grade; however, some time will be spent on the use of teaching aids in mathematics instruction.
CAVE
The Branch people came through the bad spell of weather with snow, which amounted to 30 inches, and the thermometer at zero for about 10 days. The snow has melted except for some deep drifts, when the weather got warmer last Wednesday. We had some rain Saturday night and Sunday which put water in the river for it had been frozen. People’s wells, cisterns, springs and ponds now have water again which they are surely thankful for. When the snow melted, most of the moisture went into the ground where it was badly needed.
DAHMER
John and Estella Dahmer do sincerely thank all the people who sent those 136 beautiful birthday cards and letters in remembrance of our birthdays which were on the 9th and 10th of February. John 88 and Estella 77 years old.
