American Heirlooms - May 2022

American Heirlooms - May 2022

302-653-2411

MAY 2022

My Grandfather’s Life

One Saturday morning a few weeks ago, my boys were hunkered down on the couch reading a book written by their grandfather, my father, Fred Zimmerman. He had signed a copy for each of his grandchildren and included a little note. Dad’s effort had paid off. What set this book apart from others we read as a family was that the cast of characters are people my sons either know or have heard about, and the stories weren’t conjured up by my father’s imagination.

4. To help us realize the long term blessing from the short term efforts we make. From the perspective of averages, Pop’s life was short. But things Pop said and did still linger in our minds and continue to bless us.” I don’t remember my grandfather, save for the stories I have been told about him. He died at a young age when I was 2 years old. He was an inventor who would later walk a spiritual journey toward God, and he built houses on bare land. He was a farmer and a machinist, too.

After years of research, interviews, and writing, my father has published “Make Us a Blessing: A Biography of Elmer B. Zimmerman — Farmer, Machinist, Developer, and Church Builder.” It’s the true story of my grandfather’s life. In 27 chapters and 287 pages, my father recounts what family and friends have relayed to him about his father’s life, work, and innovations. My father tried to be as accurate as possible, carefully combing through stories and transcribing them. As he explains in the preface of his book, my father had four goals when writing about my grandfather, or Pop, as everyone called him:

Today, we still visit family on that very land my grandfather cultivated. I think that’s what drew my boys into the book that Saturday morning. They were reading about people and places they have visited, while forming an ancestral connection to a man and great-grandfather they never had the opportunity to meet. It brings value to something that would otherwise be commonplace. I’ve always thought it was a shame that the generations that succeeded my grandfather haven’t had an opportunity to embrace the totality of his story. Now, they can. As my father says, “Inspiration to write my father’s history came to me after his death.” My father had an incomparable view of Pop’s life, and as is explained in the back of the book, those around my grandfather learned he was “willing to use his

1. “To gather the roots from which

Pop’s life sprang, that the historical background would benefit his offspring.

2. To open the physical history of Pop’s lifetime so his family and others will have the opportunity to know more about his life. 3. To show that the blessing of the Lord attends the child of God in spite of personal failures and weakness. Pop was not a perfect person; those who knew him best could attest to that. We children could give examples of when we were embarrassed at his abruptness and unpolished ways. We also know that there were times when others were saddened at some of his personal decisions.

home, his abilities, and even his personally crafted vehicles to be a blessing. His crowning years showcase a vibrant servant of the church, filling his days with active duty to his God.” It seems as though "Pop" had a life story worth telling. If you’d like a copy of “Make Us a Blessing,” I’m happy to share Pop’s story with others. Just ask. –Ethan Zimmerman

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Everyone has a game they enjoyed playing with their siblings, cousins, or school friends while growing up. For many, that was Candy Land. Despite its sweet disposition and sugar- filled play, the backdrop for Candy Land’s start wasn’t easy. Yet, through the years, it has proven time and time again to do the very thing its creator set out to do: spread cheer. Candy Land was invented by Eleanor Abbott in 1948. The game involved two players weaving their way through Candy Land. Today, 2–4 players compete to be the first player to reach King Candy’s castle. Players traverse through the Candy Cane Forest, Gumdrop Mountain, and the Peppermint and Gummy passes, each in hopes of winning the game. In the last 20 years, Hasbro has added or adapted many characters. But Abbott didn’t invent this game on a whim. Abbott suffered from polio, so she created the game as a respite for children who, like her, were recovering from the disease. It was an instant hit. So much so, that the children who first played Abbott’s game encouraged her to submit the You cook your meals, make your coffee, wash the dishes, and do so many other activities in your kitchen. It’s no surprise that our kitchens are often the most trafficked rooms in our homes. Our kitchens are also commonly the messiest rooms in the house since they’re used to cook meals. Trying to keep your kitchen clean on a daily basis can be exhausting. Every time you make a meal, there’s another mess to clean up. It seems like there’s no end to the kitchen cleaning process. Thankfully, there are a few hacks you can try that will lengthen your time between cleanings and ideally help your kitchen sparkle. GARBAGE DISPOSAL CLEANING If your home has a garbage disposal, there’s a good chance that it’s one of the dirtiest appliances in your kitchen. It’s also one of the hardest things to clean since it’s located in your sink. But there is an easy trick to keep it fresh. Fill an ice cube tray with water and lemon wedges, then stick it in the freezer. Once it’s frozen, crack the ice cubes free, and send them down the drain with the garbage disposal turned on.

The lemons will improve the smell while the ice removes any excess grime and cleans the blades.

NO NEED FOR AUTO CLEAN How do you normally clean your oven? Do you press the auto-clean button and let it run? While this works, it will often leave your house with a bad odor and can even set off your fire alarms. You can make a mixture of 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup white vinegar, and 1/2 cup baking soda. Spray the inside of your oven with the mixture, but avoid the heating elements. After 8–12 hours, clean the oven with soapy water and dry it using a cloth. Your oven may be cleaner than you even imagined. QUICK CABINET CLEANING Your cabinets and pantry can get gross quickly and attract bugs if the items inside of them are open or spilled. If you try to clean your cabinets with a rag, you’ll end up missing some of the crumbs and dirt. Instead, use your vacuum cleaner to capture any debris and ensure they are spotless. It’s a quick and easy method to keep your cabinets clean.

game to toymaker Milton Bradley. Soon, it became Milton Bradley’s bestselling game.

Its popularity shouldn’t be

too surprising. Since the game involves colors and minimal counting, it’s easy for children of all ages to pick up. It also encourages following rules and meets basic developmental goals, like learning colors. Hasbro bought Candy Land in 1984 and has since transformed the game into offshoots of other products, like puzzles, computer games, and various iterations of Candy Land. Candy Land continues to be popular, as 1 million sets of the game are sold each year, no doubt to children who easily pick up on the fun. In 2005, Abbott’s game was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame — a place it deserves to be after decades of delighting children.

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On May 14, 1804, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and 43 other explorers ventured across the western plains of the U.S. to find the “Northwest Passage,” a waterway believed to connect the North American continent from the west to the Mississippi River. The Lewis and Clark expedition is steeped in lore, but its origins were modest. After the U.S. made the Louisiana Purchase, the fledgling country became the owner of 827,000 square miles yet to be explored by the colonists. Former President Thomas Jefferson deployed his personal secretary, Lewis, to assemble a team to survey the land with hopes of finding a passage and gaining useful information about the land they had just bought from the French. As the team set off, they stocked up on crucial supplies for the trip in St. Louis. (This would also be the location where their expedition formally “ended” in great celebration. Today, Gateway Arch National Park — home to the St. Louis Arch — stands as a symbol of celebration of this expedition.) The crew then continued northwest, stopping along the way to converse and learn from native tribes they met.

According to historians, some

tribes met the Lewis and Clark explorers with trepidation, while others were kind and caring, even offering respite to the group when winter hit. In one of these tribes, the group met Sacagawea, who would play a pivotal role in the success of their mission. Sacagawea was a Shoshone Native American who was bought by and married to Toussaint Charbonneau, a French trapper. When she was younger, Sacagawea was kidnapped by the Hidatsa tribe, and it was there that she met Lewis and Clark. Despite having given birth just two months prior, she joined the expedition — bringing her son with them — and became a critical component of Lewis and Clark’s successful interactions with Native American tribes. The explorers finally reached the Pacific Ocean in November 1805 and set up camp to get through the harsh winter. In late March, the crew headed back to St. Louis, finally reaching the city on Sept. 23, 1806. In total, the Lewis & Clark expedition took more than two years and covered 8,000 miles. The team did not discover a waterway passage that connects the continent, but their expedition did provide valuable maps and botanical and zoological contributions.

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup Bisquick • 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese • 2 cups mozzarella cheese

• 1 tsp dried parsley

• 1/4 tsp salt

By Heather & Megan

• 6 eggs, lightly beaten

• 1 cup milk

• 6 tbsp butter

• 1 tsp dried onion

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients except butter.

3. Melt butter in 9x13-inch pan.

4. Pour mixture evenly over butter.

5. Bake for 35 minutes.

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Brought to you by KCS Quality Kitchens and Furniture 291 Blackiston Rd. • Clayton, DE 19938 Phone: (302) 653-2411 • Email: [email protected] The Swiss Craftsman

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Inside this Issue

Fred Finishes a Big Project Page 1

3 Hacks to Improve Your Kitchen’s Cleanliness

Why Children Love Candy Land Page 2

An American Adventure Began Nearly 220 Years Ago

Egg and Cheese Bake Page 3

Strengthen Your Entire Body! Page 4

BIG BENEFITS OF CANOEING AND KAYAKING

The weather is getting warmer, which means you can do more activities in the water. Canoeing or kayaking is an excellent way to get outdoors and be active. Besides looking at the beautiful scenery around you, taking to the water confers several physical and mental health benefits.

• While trying to stay centered

hippocampus, one of the largest portions of your brain that is responsible for verbal memory and learning. If you have trouble sleeping, this activity can improve your sleep. Exercising during the day can make you naturally tired, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Since you’ll be in the sun, your body can produce more vitamin D. This vitamin is essential for strong bones and an effective immune system.

and balanced on the water, you will develop more core strength. Paddling helps work your lower back, abs, and oblique muscles. It’s a form of cardiac exercise that will help your heart circulate more blood throughout your body. It will also improve your endurance , enabling you to go longer distances faster.

•

•

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

•

Paddling can help improve your upper-body strength and muscle tone — because you’re using your arms to guide yourself through the water with the paddle. Paddling

•

MENTAL BENEFITS

• While canoeing or kayaking,

your body releases serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins from neurotransmitters. This will help boost your mood and self- confidence and improve your focus. • These activities can enhance your

Canoeing and kayaking are great outdoor activities to help you get your daily dose of physical activity and a mental health boost. So, enjoy the warm weather and be one with nature — this may be your new favorite summer hobby this year!

helps strengthen your arms, shoulders, chest, and back. • You use your legs to balance,

maneuver, and change directions in the vessel. In turn, this movement helps strengthen your lower-body muscles.

memory and learning ability. This is because it exercises your

4 • THE SWISS CRAFTSMAN

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