American Heirlooms - September 2021

American Heirlooms - September 2021

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SEPTEMBER 2021

LOOKING BACK ON SUMMER VACATION AND ANTICIPATING A GREAT FALL

had that time together. Additionally, it’s always nice when our children can spend time with their cousins. It keeps them very entertained. At the time of writing this article, we were also considering an August trip to see the meteor shower. However, we didn’t go to West Virginia — where there’s much less light pollution — to see the meteors. On the peak night, it was cloudy. The next night it was clear, and Bethany decided to see what she could see for a few minutes. It wasn’t long until a huge one just made her chuckle — it was so neat! So she went back inside and told us about it. Everybody grabbed a blanket, and we lined up in the backyard. Flat on your back is the best view. We were soon rewarded with another good one. We must have seen a dozen in like a half-hour’s time. It really made the two youngest boys chatter. It was exciting but a little scary for them.

I always enjoy the start of fall. The humidity lowers to a degree that is no longer suffocating, cooler temperatures move in, and the smell of smoke from the wood stove is always comforting. There’s something to be said for watching the leaves change and hearing the Canada geese fly overhead, too. It’s a beautiful culmination of God’s creation coming together, and there are few changes of seasons I enjoy more than this one. As autumn moves in, I’m reflecting on my family’s summer. We kept busy! It all started with a camping trip in April to celebrate the end of our children’s school year, and since then, we have been on a tight schedule tending to the garden and the quail and hosting family for momentous events. Just this past July, our family stayed with us for a few days after celebrating the marriage of one of my nieces. It was certainly tiring to have that many houseguests, but I was happy we all

very dry this year, but we are looking forward to picking our harvest at a steadier pace by the time you read this newsletter. We’ve already plucked a few ears of corn and enjoyed every last bite. The quail have been eerily quiet. We think we ended up with more females than males in our batch! We haven’t heard the classic song of the male quail as often as we would have hoped. This leads us to believe we have an abundance of female quail in the yard. As we approach fall, the children are still enjoying their summer, and I don’t believe they’re in a rush to get back to school. There doesn’t seem to be any enthusiasm to end the vacation! However, I know once we fall back into a school routine, they will look forward to learning and seeing their friends again. As for me, I’m already counting down the days to cooler weather, the beauty of turning leaves, and the crackle of the wood stove on chilly autumn nights. Enjoy your fall. –Ethan Zimmerman

The garden and quail are moving at their own pace, too. The garden has been

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Flores began selling his toy to neighborhood children in the U.S. In 1929, he sold his company and idea to toy creator Donald Duncan, who began organizing yo-yo contests and how-to exhibitions across the nation. Flores is believed to have been involved in organizing these events, too. Since its invention and popularity, many yo-yo tricks have wowed audiences and schoolyard friends for decades. Some of the more popular moves include the “around the world,” in which the user swings their yo-yo forward underhand and loops the yo-yo behind them in a full circle, and “walking the dog,” where users appear to “walk” their yo-yo in front of them. Today, yo-yo practitioners continue to impress manufacturers and performers alike with their juggling tricks and string bending techniques. The only way to master these moves is to pick up your yo-yo and try it for yourself! If you’re looking for advice on perfecting your yo-yo technique, go to the source! Yo-yo.com was created by toymaker Duncan and can provide additional details and help. of your left knee. Keeping your hips centered, turn your torso toward your right foot so that your right arm is on your right knee. Switch to the other side and repeat as needed. Finally, pull your head toward your shoulders to loosen your neck. Go for a Walk When you wake up in the morning, head outside! Movement stimulates your brain and improves your mood, and the act of walking is relaxing enough that it doesn’t require much effort on your part. Plus, it’s a great way to get your steps in, wake up slowly, and get outside before a busy day. Just Breathe This might sound like it will lull you to sleep, but there are actually some breathing techniques that can help you wake up! The “breath of fire” is a rapid-fire breathing technique, during which you inhale deeply, exhale deeply, inhale deeply again, and then exhale quickly. Repeat this as needed. Other practices that focus on breathing, like yoga, can be effective, too. Waking up isn’t an exact science, but once you find a healthy method that works for you, you may never need coffee again! (Gasp!)

Few toys have stood the test of time quite like the yo-yo. Often credited with origins in China, many historians also believe the ancient Greeks were tossing around yo-yos made of wood and metal prior to the Chinese version of yo-yos. Others believe some drawings made by ancient Egyptians also depict yo-yos. Regardless of its original origins, the yo-yo has strong Filipino roots. A popular myth depicts Filipino hunters and soldiers as using yo-yos for weapons, but many historians believe this is a gross exaggeration of a technique where rocks were tied to 20-foot strands of rope hanging from trees and dropped to hunt animals. However, it was a law student from the Philippines, Pedro Flores, who is credited with creating and popularizing today’s modern yo-yo in the 1920s. Flores called his “invention” bandalores , but he later trademarked the term “yo-yo,” which means “come back” or “come-come” in Tagalog. (This language is the basis for the national language of the Philippines.) If you can’t start your day without your daily cup — or cups — of joe, you’re not alone. More than 450 million cups of coffee are consumed by U.S. residents every day, and unfortunately, heavy caffeine consumption may not be healthy. Moderate amounts of caffeine can improve your mental health, and some studies suggest it could even prevent some chronic conditions. However, there are major downsides to overconsumption, which equates to more than four cups of coffee each day. These can include high blood pressure, addiction symptoms, and decreased mentality. If you want to break out of the caffeine cycle and reduce how much coffee you drink, try replacing that cuppa with one of these methods! Stretch After lying in one position all night, your body may feel stiff and achy. Stretching awakens your muscles and helps you break out of that groggy morning feeling. Start with your back and do some slow core twists. Then, sit on the floor and lay your legs out in front of you. Stretch forward, then sit back up. Next, position your right foot on the opposite side

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between a river and a mine wall. Unsurprisingly, the wall broke, flooding the mine with rushing river water and killing 12 miners, while 69 other workers were able to escape. The aftermath of the disaster was gruesome. It took workers in two separate towns three days to fill the hole and mitigate further damage to the riverbed. Ten people were indicted on charges following the event, and six people served jail time as a result. Moreover, the widows of the 12 miners who were killed could not access death benefit compensation for more than four years after their spouses’ deaths. However, if there is a silver lining to this story, it’s a moment of heroism. Amedeo Pancotti was awarded the Carnegie Medal for climbing through an air shaft to alert rescuers to the existence of 33 other men trapped in the mine. His efforts saved their lives. As we remember the Knox Coal Mine disaster 62 years later, it’s vital that we recognize the lessons it teaches us about greed and, in Pancotti’s actions, selflessness.

Coal mining has a lengthy history in America, and many states, including Wyoming, West Virginia, Illinois, and Kentucky, have large coal mining operations. However, the country’s fourth- largest coal mining state, Pennsylvania, offers a powerful reminder of the precarious nature of this industry. Pennsylvania is a state of industry. In fact, the city where this story takes place, Scranton, was known as “The Electric City” because of its mark on history as the first American city with an electrified streetcar. Living in Pennsylvania after the Industrial Revolution was a lot like living in the future. However, as demand for coal faltered around World War II, our friends at Thomas Insights report that disaster struck the Knox Coal Mine near Scranton, Pennsylvania, killing workers, setting off reverberations across the mining industry, and sending some of Knox’s employees to jail. On Jan. 22, 1959, miners in the River Slope Mine were ordered to dig under the Susquehanna River, which left just 6 feet between the miners and the river. Thomas Insights reports this is about six times less than is considered safe distance

INGREDIENTS • 4 cups frozen green beans, thawed

• 1 small onion, sliced

• 1 tsp salt

• 3 slices of bacon

• 1/4 cup water

• 2 tsp brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375 F. Place green beans in a buttered 9x9-inch baking dish or cast iron skillet. Sprinkle with salt and toss with hands to coat evenly. Add water to help keep moist while roasting. Sprinkle onions over beans. With kitchen scissors, snip bacon pieces and spread evenly over top. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake for 45 minutes.

Photo credit: Heather Brooke Zimmerman

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

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Inside this Issue

The Anticipation for Fall Weather Page 1

Wake Up Without Coffee — Really!

Learn More About One of the Oldest Toys: The Yo-Yo! Page 2

62 Years Later: The Knox Coal Mine Disaster

Oven-Roasted Green Beans Page 3

4 Items Worth Spending Extra On Page 4

4 ITEMS WORTH A LITTLE EXTRA

and save food, which means its seal or cling is of the utmost importance. Sadly, budget brands don't have the same cling technology as name brands. While you may feel like you’re saving money by buying cheaper plastic wrap, it’s likely to leave you frustrated and with food that is only partially covered. Shoes Cheap footwear can lead to all kinds of problems. For one, cheap shoes are more likely to fall apart sooner than shoes from reliable brands, and that alone can break anyone’s budget. Worse yet, cheap shoes rarely provide the necessary foot support, which can lead to serious musculoskeletal issues, including knee problems. These may require professional intervention to fix, so take your time and spend the necessary money to get good shoes that fit properly.

Pro Tip : If you don’t plan on using a battery-powered device for an extended period of time, always remove the batteries before storing it. Your Toothbrush Your teeth are a vital part of your health and wellness, and unfortunately, you cannot grow back your enamel and gums. Without proper oral hygiene, you could spend more money on dental work, face regular pain, and struggle with basic tasks, like eating and drinking. Instead, upgrade or change your manual toothbrush every three months for a better, healthier clean. Or, opt for electric toothbrushes, which can scrub your teeth with more precision. Plastic Wrap There are many brands of plastic wrap on the market, but several are more trouble than they’re worth. Plastic wrap is most often used to cover

Not all goods are created equal. Going cheap can seem appealing (who doesn’t like to save money?), but when you use up products more quickly than expected or they just cause a hassle, you haven’t really saved. Some things are worth spending a little extra on. Here are four such everyday items. Batteries Discount and dollar store batteries are often made with low- quality materials and don’t hold their charge as well. Plus, because they’re made with cheaper materials, there’s a greater chance they will leak and damage the device they’re powering. Brand-name batteries use high-quality materials and hold a much better charge, so you will use fewer batteries and they are less likely to leak.

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