William D Bowness founded Wilbow Corporation in 1976, which grew to be one of Australia’s largest privately owned property development companies, with interests in Melbourne, Brisbane, Dallas (USA) and Auckland (NZ). Wilbow Corporation undertook a broad range of developments, including residential subdivisions, medium density housing, high density apartments, retail shopping centres, commercial office buildings, industrial office parks and retirement facilities. The success of the Wilbow business and high regard it was held in was demonstrated by the numerous development industry awards its projects received. The Australian interests were sold to a major public company in 2006 and the NZ office closed in 2005. Wilbow’s USA property operations have been retained.
Following the sale of the Australian interests, Wilbow Group was formed to be an investment company that focuses on its USA property interests, private equity, listed equities and property development funding. Philanthropy and the arts continue to be an important part of the Wilbow philosophy.


New President for the North of England Horticultural Society
We are delighted to welcome Lucinda Compton as the new President of the North of England Horticultural Society (NEHS).
Lucinda is curator of the award-winning gardens at Newby Hall, near Ripon, a role she took over from her late father-in-law and former NEHS President, Robin Compton. The gardens hold the national collection of Cornus and new developments include the regeneration of Newby’s famous herbaceous border.
Married to Richard Compton, owner of the Newby Hall Estate and President of the Historic Houses Association, Lucinda has three children. She is a professional furniture restorer, a skill that has proved particularly valuable in her dual role as curator of the stately home itself.
About the North of England Horticultural Society
The North of England Horticultural Society is a leading gardening charity supporting horticulture in the North of England.
Part of the Society’s work is to organise the Harrogate Spring and Autumn Flower Shows at the Great Yorkshire Showground. The Harrogate Flower Shows are regarded as two of the most prestigious, national flower shows in the gardening calendar and attract the very top nursery exhibitors from across the UK. All profits from the shows are returned to the charity and used to promote and support horticulture in the north.
Patron: HRH The Prince of Wales
President: Lucinda Compton
Chairman: Christopher Smith
Vice-Chairman: Caroline Bayliss
Show Director: Martin Fish
Show Manager/ Company Secretary: Jane Kitchen
PR/Marketing Officer: Camilla Harrison
Floral Art Organiser: Fiona Fisk
Event Organiser: Lisa Kennedy
Event Assistant: Jill Fish
Accounts Officer: Dee McIntyre
How It All Began...
In 1910 there were many months of discussion in the letters in the Yorkshire Post about the possibility of forming a horticultural society in the North of England. The idea was so enthusiastically supported that on 6 January 1911, the North of England Horticultural Society (NEHS) was inaugurated in the Lord Mayor's Rooms in Leeds.
The purpose of this new Society was to organise horticulture in the North of England and to arrange first class shows where northern exhibits could be judged by standards suitable for the northern areas of the country. The general opinion in those days was that the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) shows, at Vincent Square, London, were too far away for very many would-be exhibitors in the north and travelling to London and back was time consuming and expensive. It was also felt that growers in the north were handicapped when in competition with growers in the warmer climes of the south.
Much encouragement and advice was given by the RHS in the initial stages and it is satisfying to note that after ninety years this situation still holds good today.
Originally it was envisaged that the NEHS would be run on similar lines to the RHS and floral, fruit and vegetable, orchid and scientific committees were set up. The NEHS held monthly meetings with a show and lecture, these being held in Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Harrogate. When held in Leeds Town Hall an organ recital was included in the price of admission, which was one shilling, reduced after 5pm to sixpence!
The NEHS flourished in the pre-war years before 1914 but with the onset of the First World War, its activities were suspended and it was not until 1921 that it was revived. Then, with the backing of the Harrogate Chamber of Trade, a successful show was held in the Old Winter Gardens in Harrogate (the present day site of the Lounge Hall). From that time all meetings and shows were held only in Harrogate and the NEHS became associated with the town. The hope was expressed in 1925 that the shows would bring into Harrogate "those people who might otherwise not patronize the Queen of Spas." This hope has been well and truly fulfilled by the many thousands of people from all over the country who flock to the town nowadays during show week.
From 1927 onwards, the NEHS concentrated its efforts on staging Spring and Autumn Shows each year and these shows were visited on very many occasions by the Princess Royal, who took a keen interest in the work of the Society and became its patron in 1950.
The first time the NEHS staged a show in the Valley Gardens was in 1934 when, in collaboration with Harrogate Corporation a larger than usual Autumn show was staged for the Jubilee of the Incorporation of the Borough. And so began a long-term close association with the Council of the Borough of Harrogate.
Sir William Ingilby of Ripley Castle, famed for its many appearances on television and film, became Chairman in the Thirties, to be followed by his son, Sir Joslan Ingilby, and the NEHS will always be grateful for the interest he and his family have shown in its activities.
During the Second World War the NEHS's activities were virtually suspended, although they did compile and publish a "Dig for Victory" pamphlet and many thousands of copies of this were distributed gratuitously throughout the war years.
The early post war years were a time of austerity and restrictions, so it was not until April 1947 that the first post-war Spring Flower Show was staged in the Sun Pavilion in the Valley Gardens. Until the 1950s, the shows were comparatively small in scale but from then on it was decided to expand.
A Flower Academy, which was first held in the Old Swan Hotel in 1953, was introduced into the Spring Show in the Valley Gardens in 1956 and became the forerunner of the magnificent Flower Arrangement & Floristry Marquee we know today. Gradually the Harrogate Spring Flower Show, as it became known throughout the country, increased in size and variety of exhibits. More and more of the Valley Gardens, with the Sun Pavilion and Colonnades were used, with the generous sanction of the Borough of Harrogate. Soon the high reputation of the standards set became well know not only in the North, but all over the British Isles and overseas, and visitors began travelling considerable distances to the event.
The Alpine Garden Society's Northern Branch show was incorporated in 1948 together with that of the Daffodil Society and glorious exhibits by local authorities such as Halifax, Leeds and Liverpool were staged. The year of 1971 saw the Fourth International Rock Garden Conference in Harrogate, which brought more than four hundred international delegates, representing almost every corner of the world, to the town. It was arranged that they should stage their show under the auspices of the NEHS and this proved to be the most successful international show that had been held by the Alpine Garden Society. Eventually this led to a further extension of the Spring Flower Show to cope with the enthusiasm of growers and exhibitors of alpine plants. The RHS staged a delightful rock garden pool in 1971 so continuing the links between the two Societies.
In 1976, the NEHS organised an entirely new concept in flower shows. The National Dahlia Society and the National Chrysanthemum Society, along with seven other Societies and the North East Area of NAFAS, were brought together to hold their shows within one show under the title, the Great Autumn Flower Show. This particular show, now taking in 13 individual amateur society shows, has steadily increased in popularity with both the general public and the exhibitors themselves.
The need to expand the Autumn Show led to this event being relocated from the Exhibition Halls to the Great Yorkshire Showground in 1995 and at this time increased from a two-day to a three-day Show. The Autumn Show has now tripled in size, the attendance has increased by a further 75% to 35,000 and it is now recognised as the premier Autumn Show in the country. Following the successful move of the Autumn Show and the need to expand the Spring Show, the decision was taken in 1997 to move the Spring Show from its picturesque but restricted Valley Gardens location to the Great Yorkshire Showground.
This has also been a successful move, both Shows expanding to also include Arts & Crafts and Fine Country Foods but again maintaining a predominantly horticultural content. A Landscape & Garden Design section with a Student Garden Design competition, and a Plant Societies' Marquee featuring the Daffodil and Tulip Shows have also been introduced to broaden the Spring Show's appeal. So far little mention has been made of the development of the flower arranging section of the Show, but flower arrangements and the Harrogate Spring Show have become synonymous. The Society has used its resources to help to promote this art form from its earliest days and now has one of the largest marquees devoted to flower arrangements and floristry of any flower show in the country.
The NEHS today goes from strength to strength. From its initial ventures with small provincial shows, it has blossomed into organising the largest national early Spring Flower Show in Britain, with an attendance of around 60,000 visitors, and the premier Autumn Show in the country with 35,000+ visitors. Each year the NEHS strives to make the Show more versatile and interesting, providing increasingly spectacular exhibits and improving facilities for both visitors and exhibitors alike. However it does not wish to rest on past successes but is always seeking to promote all forms of horticulture for the benefit of everyone. From the window box gardener to the owner of acres, from small growers to the nationally renowned horticultural nurseries, the Harrogate Flower Shows serve as a shop window on the gardening world of the future.


seething control tower
Situated near the village of Seething, Norfolk, you will find United States Army Air Force Station 146 - Home of the 448th Bomb Group, 1943-1945. In that time, many hundreds of stories were created by the men and women who were stationed there. Herein you will discover some of those stories.
Bringing History to life
Both my Granddads served their country in the First World War, one in the Royal Engineers and the other initially in the Norfolk Regiment and then in a London Regiment, from where he was seconded on to the staff of General Sir Edmund Allenby. Both sustained injuries through combat, but only one received what they called a ‘Blighty One’, which meant he needed to be shipped back to England.
When the Second World War began, they both joined their local Home Guard units. My Dad was ‘called up’ and served as ground crew in the Royal Air Force. He saw service in the North Africa and Italian Campaigns. My Mum served in the Woman’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF for short). She was in the Balloon Command and by December 1942, 10,000 men had been released for other duties by approximately 15,700 WAAF barrage balloon operators.
By Autumn 1944 the use of barrage balloons was no longer considered necessary and Balloon Command was disbanded in February 1945. My Mum and her fellow operators all had to re-muster and she ended up working with Spitfires.
Coming together to share their stories
When both my parents were demobbed, they became lifelong members of the Royal British Legion and of the Royal Air Force Association. I tried to count how many Remembrance Day or Battle of Britain Day parades I have attended. As I grew up, I started to asked questions as to why and what they were doing. I started to listen to the stories the veterans were telling, some funny, some sad, and some just naughty! By our parents and grandparents’ example, I came to understand what Remembrance meant to them and then to us.
I always remember the long lists of names of those people who had given their lives in the service of our country and wondered who they were, where they lived, and who their families were. It was not until 2019 that I attended a Memorial service at which a lady stood up to speak. As she began, she told of two men who had died in the service of their country and explained a little more about them.
Most importantly for me, she gave their backgrounds, and they became real people who had a family, a mum and dad, brothers and sisters who would never see their loved ones again.
Honoring their sacrifice
Behind every photograph there is a story waiting to be told. A story captured and frozen in a moment of time, whilst encapsulating the emotion and atmosphere of that snapshot of time.
Far too often, the stories of our veterans often focus on their bravery and heartache, while little about what shaped their identities and lives beyond the battlefield remains untold. Many were ordinary men before and after their time in war, carrying within them an extraordinary past. Some could not overcome the scars left behind. Yet there were others who excelled in remarkable ways even after serving in the Mighty Eighth.
As time continues to separate us from these historical moments, our mission is to safeguard the cherished memories and poignant stories that make up our shared history. In our pursuit of uncovering their stories we will create an ever-evolving online memorial collection that pays tribute to them as new information comes to light.
If you are curious about those who served or wish to contribute your own discoveries, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
History of the 448th bomb group
The origin of what would become the 448th Bomb Group can be traced to a United States War Department document dated 6th April 1943 which contained a list of Army units that were to be activated. Shortly afterwards orders were written that outlined how the bomb group would be constructed. It stated that the core of its Headquarters and 4 squadrons would be taken from the 29th Bombardment Group based at Gowen Field, Idaho.
Following a massive enlargement of its numbers, training and development, the 448th found itself at Wendover Field, Utah where it went through its training for combat. A further move saw the training continue at Sioux City, Iowa. It was here that the 448th transitioned onto the new B24H from the ‘D model. With the arrival of the new aircraft, training became more intense. A final move to combat was not far away.
Whilst the aircrews trained hard, the ground echelons were themselves being raised from other Groups or were being created from scratch. It was these ground staff that were quickly headed to the incomplete airfield that was named Station 146 Seething. The sight that greeted the initial 200 enlisted men and 6 officers of the 58th Station Compliment was one of mayhem. The airfield was partially built with incomplete infrastructure and living facilities. They, along with their RAF colleagues, set-to in preparing the airfield as quickly as possible for the arrival of the aviation side.
Even though the airfield was not finished the runways were already providing sanctuary for battle damaged aircraft. It is recorded that three fighters, a Mosquito and a Lancaster quickly found safety. A Wellington is also known to have landed here in the early days, crashing into a house at the end of the runway. These early arrivals were a foretaste of things to come, the proximity of the airfield to the coast meant there was a steady stream throughout the next 2 years. A most notable damaged visitor was the B17 “Ye Olde Pub” from Kimbolton.
Back stateside, the 448th continued to prepare
for war. The start of November saw them
leave Sioux City and head to the much colder climate of Herrington Field,
Kansas. It was here that final
preparations were quickly made for combat overseas. The aircraft received new life rafts, IFF
equipment, armour, updated radios and many more items. The aircrew themselves were issued new
personal equipment and were subjected to a myriad of paperwork. On the 11th November 1943, as the
United Kingdom observed Armistice day, the first aircraft of the 448th
departed Herrington to head off along the assigned route to England. These heavily overloaded aircraft routed via
Morrison Field, Florida to Marrakech, Morocco then up to St Mawgan,
Cornwall. The stories of how the
aircraft got to England are many and worth several volumes. But
they slowly arrived and were soon on the final leg to Seething and home.
Meanwhile the ground echelon were on their way, in less
glamorous fashion. These men were moved
on a military train via Chicago, Illinois to Camp Shanks in Orangeburg, Buffalo County, New York . On 23rd November they were finally on the “Queen
Elizabeth” and leaving the Statue Of Liberty behind them. Next stop was Greenock, Scotland, 6 days sail
away. Because of the high speed of the
“Queen Elizabeth” it sailed alone, which must have been very unnerving to all
those on board. After they disembarked it
was onto more trains and the long tedious trail to Ditchingham where they
transferred onto trucks for the three mile drive to their new home. It was 1st December 1943.
With the arrival of both the aircraft and ground personnel at the same time Station 146 and the 448th Bombardment Group were here for the duration. Many people would see service here and thousands of stories would be created. The lives of those who lived in and around the airfield would never be the same. Station 146 is intrinsically linked to a good many locations in South Norfolk and we aim to seek out those remaining stories and bring them to the scholar, history buff or family that wants to know more about their past.
To read the full history of the 448th Bomb Group click below.
We are a three-generation family that shares a deep love and enthusiasm for aviation history. Ann and Peter, our dedicated historical researchers, have contributed to numerous publications over the years and hold a wealth of knowledge.
Raised in an environment where aviation was always a topic of interest, James was captivated by Seething Control Tower after witnessing the B24 Liberator, "Diamond Lil", touch down in Norwich in 1992. Since then our family became actively involved with Seething Control Tower. James served as Chairman twice; once in 2002 until 2012 and then he was asked to serve as Chairman again at the start of 2019 after the Tower had lost their membership secretary Jim Turner. Grasping the enormous task we went to work to restart the many facets of a museum; namely the membership, the newsletter in the form of the Seething Digest and plenty of events to let the locals know that Seething Control Tower was here. Such events included a Vintage Craft Fayre, a Baseball taster day, Outdoor Cinema Nights and even a children’s Easter event. However in 2020 the whole world came to a standstill as Covid hit us. Despite being classed as essential workers and having to work even more hours, we continued to look after the Tower. Over this period many more people contacted us in regards to personnel who served at Seething and we found ourselves helping them with their research. When the time came that museums were able to open under strict conditions, we were able to navigate the huge amount of rules, and opened the Tower. In doing so our experience was used to enable other small museums to open up to the public. As you can imagine, Seething Control Tower holds a special place in our hearts.
In July 2021 when the world was finally opened again, we made the heartfelt decision to step away from the museum and channel our passion into uncovering the untold stories of those who served at and around Seething Airfield. Thus, we established the independent research group called Stories of the 448th. To this day, we have helped numerous families in discovering information about their loved ones and have supported other groups with their research efforts.
We neither charge for our services nor receive any funding from other organisations. Our driving force is pure passion and the belief that future generations should have a profound understanding of World War II as well as the personal and social histories of those involved.
Surrounded by a supportive network of family and friends who share our enthusiasm, we are committed to ensuring that these incredible stories are told so that memories remain alive and the sacrifices made are never forgotten.
To explore some of the remarkable stories we have unearthed thus far, click below.


By Mildred Jones
This eastern cultural gem is nestled within the charm of Katong’s historical heritage sites. It in-houses the lost art of making the Peranakan, “Kasut Manek”, beaded slippers, worn by the Nonyas. It also showcases the traditional art forms of jewellery, porcelain, hand crafted handbags and embroidered kebayas. The descendants of the Baba Nonyas were said to come from the beginnings of the marriage of Princess Hang Li Po as the fifth wife to Sultan Mansur Shah of the Sultanate of Malacca. The rich mixed ancestry of Malays and Chinese culture and traditions was brought over through migrations to other countries in South East Asia and is carried on today, in ‘Rumah Bebe’ as Bebe Seet continues the craft. She personally conducts lessons on the art of sewing the beads of minuscule glass onto beautiful fabrics.
The hand made Kebaya is a traditional blouse that originated from the court of the Javanese Majapahit Empire. Before the 1600’s, it was especially made for the royal family, aristocrats and nobility. The fabrics often used were silk, velvet or brocade, fasten with a brooch. Bebe Seet welcomes you to have yours tailored to size.
If you wish to see more of the intricate pieces of Peranakan jewellery, we would advise you to head to the nearby ASEMUS museum to have a look at some master pieces as shown on the right above.
An array of mouth-watering delicacies awaits you as this remarkable lady extends her hospitality to prepare, the all famous sugee cakes, also called the ‘sugi’, ‘suji’, ‘sooji’ or ‘soojee’ which can be found in parts of India. Mary Gomes however describes it as the ‘typical Eurasian wedding cake’ in the “Eurasian Cookbook”. While most Asian sweets are both boiled, steamed or cooked on the stove top, the ‘Sugee Cake’ is baked in an oven, like a European cake. In order to explain this fusion of cultures, you have to understand that the Eurasians in Singapore and Malaysia belong to a diverse range of origins (Portuguese, Dutch, British – due to the presence of colonial powers at varying times in Malaya and their inter-marriages with local Asian ethnicities).
Often presented as Euro-Asian culture in Singapore, is the vibrant Portuguese variety, which traces its roots back to the community in Malacca, a town conquered by the Portuguese in 1511. The Portuguese had also landed in Goa, on the west coast of India, in 1510, and established a colony there. Portuguese-Indian Eurasians from Goa soon migrated to Malacca in the following century, around 1641, bringing the sugee recipe with them. Ever since, the Baba Nonyas that have originated from Malacca had adopted it as part of the Peranakan Cuisine, along with the all-time Malay favourites, the ‘curry puffs’ and the ‘onde onde’ (filled with thick coconut syrup). These and more are offered at Rumah Bebe.
Photo acknowledgements: bebe seet_Pernakan Heritage Artist, img.masterpieces.asemusmuseum, sayangmelakablogspot.com, breadbutter.wordpress.com, www.sinpopo.com, nasimaklover.blogspot.com


Walter Lindrum OBE – Billiards
Walter Lindrum was Inducted into The Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 as an Athlete Member for his contribution to the sport of billiards and was Elevated to “Legend of Australian Sport” in 1998.
Lindrum is often considered to be the greatest player ever seen in the sport of billiards, with some 57 world records to his credit, many still standing. Lindrum is also often referred to as one of the Australian all-time great sporting heroes along with Sir Donald Bradman and Sir Hubert Opperman. At his death in 1960 newspapers called him the ‘Bradman of Billiards’.
Born in Kalgoorlie, his father, Frederick Lindrum II, was an Australian billiards champion at the age of 20. Walter’s older brother, Frederick Lindrum III, became the professional champion of Australia in 1909.
Lindrum’s grandfather, Friedrich Wilhelm Von Lindrum, was Australia’s first professional billiards champion having defeated the English master, John Roberts Snr., in 1869. Frederick, Walter, and Walter’s nephew Horace Lindrum were closely tutored by Fredrick (II).
Lindrum lost the top of his index finger on his right hand in an accident in 1901, so his father taught him to play billiards left-handed. Much of his childhood was spent practising for up to 12 hours a day, under his father’s tutelage. His first professional game was played at the age of 13.
During the mid 1920s Lindrum’s standard of play was without competition in Australia, with many players refusing to compete against him. As a result, exhibition matches were organised, often with New Zealand champion Clark McConachy.
It was not untill 1929 that Willie Smith, considered by many to be one of the best English billiards players of the time, visited Australia and played three fairly even matches against Lindrum. At one game all, Lindrum was forced to abandon the third game midway through, upon the imminent death of his girlfriend. While technically the match was a forfeit, Smith refused to accept the trophy and insisted it be awarded to Lindrum.
Smith, McConachy and Lindrum departed Australia in September 1929 for a tour of England. Between 1929 and 1933 Lindrum dominated the English billiards scene. Often he would start by conceding up to 7000 points to his opponents. Lindrum and his main rivals, McConachy, Smith, Joe Davis and Tom Newman, were considered ‘the big five’.
On February 19, 1931, Lindrum gave a billiards exhibition for the King and other members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace. The King presented Lindrum with a pair of gold and enamel cuff-links bearing the royal monogram. These formed part of Lindrum’s essential attire for the remainder of his playing career.
Lindrum won the 1933 world championship and argued that he should be allowed to defend his title in Australia. The match was organised to coincide with the Melbourne centenary celebrations in September 1934. His challengers were McConachy and Davis. Lindrum won this title, but in subsequent years the title became dormant for lack of challengers, until Lindrum relinquished it in 1951 to McConachy who held it until 1968.
During World War II, he raised over $1 million for charity, mainly through staging nearly 4000 exhibition matches throughout Australia.
A few of his many records included the world speed record, set in June 1927, when he scored 816 in 23 minutes in an unfinished break.
In Manchester 1930, Lindrum set a record aggregate of 30,817 during the fortnight (48 hrs) match against Willie Smith. In this match he made ten breaks over 1000 with a highest of 2419. In his final match of the tour against Smith in London, Lindrum’s performance set numerous records: the highest individual aggregate (36,256), the largest winning margin (21,285), a record match average (262), and a record number of four-figure breaks (11). Smith, although beaten, had played exceptionally with an average of 109 per innings for the match.
His record break of 4137 was made in a match he lost against Davis at Thurston Hall, London on January 19, 1932. Lindrum occupied the table for 2 hours 55 minutes, for about 1900 consecutive scoring shots. He also holds the record break for each country that he played in, the fastest century break (46 seconds) and 1011 points in 30 minutes. In 1933 on a tour to South Africa Lindrum claimed a new world record for fast scoring when he completed 1000 points in 28 minutes in Johannesburg. Many of his results brought on changes to the rules of the game.
- Lindrum was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 1958 for his services to billiards and charities and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
- He is buried in Melbourne General Cemetery where it remains the most visited grave.
How good was he?
Walter Lindrum was the World Professional Billiards Champion for 4 consecutive years (1929-1933), and so dominated the sport that they changed the rules in an attempt to curb his dominance. One critic Neville Cardus even referred to Bradman as “the Lindrum of cricket”. In June 1927 in Melbourne he claimed a world speed record when he scored 816 points in 23 minutes in an unfinished break.


Flanders Fire & Rescue History
Flanders Fire Company No. 1 and Rescue Squad
Entering the Flanders Firehouse through the front door, the visitor must decide whether to go left or right. To the right is the ambulance/ rescue bay. There you’ll find two modern, fully equipped rigs, both carrying the most advanced diagnostic and first aid electronics available. In addition to this bay, our jack-of-all-trades, a rescue vehicle that is equipped with the Jaws of Life and other rescue essentials tools. To the left you will find the fire bay. A brush truck, one pumper, a 95' tower truck and a utility van. Along both walls, running the length of the entire fire bay, is the turnout gear worn by the members of the Flanders Fire Company Number 1 and Rescue Squad. All in all, more then a million dollars worth of state of the art fire and first aid equipment operated and maintained by a dedicated team of volunteers. As we enter the new millennium, it’s worth remembering that it all began with seven men in a chicken coup.
Since December 17, 1760, when Jazeb Heaton of Roxbury purchased the land for what was to become Flanders from one William Allen of Philadelphia, many significant milestones have marked he history of our community. By 1810, Flanders was connected by Pike Road to Morristown, Easton and cities as distant as Boston. A post Office was established as far back as 1822. For the period of 1827 to 1859, the agricultural economy was augmented by logging, mines, and mills and at some point the railroad that was put through the town. The first bank was established in nearby Netcong on February 3, 1903. In 1921, Mount Olive hired its first constable. Flanders was, by this point, a prosperous and growing community with churches, stores, mills, and businesses. To go along with the houses clustered along Main Street, there were also between 70 and 100 farms in the area.
By 1922 the post office had become a popular local meeting place. Residents would gather here to await the daily mail delivery and to talk over things in general, as well as catch up on town gossip. It was during one of these sessions that the subject of a fire company was raised. Up to this point if you had a fire, the best you could hope for would be a "bucket brigade" made up of your neighbors. But on June 8, 1923, seven residents officially established Flanders Fire Company Number 1. They were Howard and Ed McLaughlin, William Marvin, E.C. Ted Ashley, George Ericson, Watson McPeek, and Augustus Stark. Ed McLaughlin was named Chief and meetings were, at one point, held by the light of oil lamps in Ed’s chicken coup. Eventually Ed’s barn was used to store the company’s meager equipment and his house served as headquarters. Please bear in mind that electricity in Flanders was still two years away.
1923 saw the first firetruck brought to town. It was a "Brockway Torpedo" converted from a chemical car into a water carrier. It went into Ed McLaughlin’s barn. By now a fire alarm of sorts had been installed. The rim of a steam engine’s wheel was hung up on Main Street and a sledgehammer was used to strike it when help was needed. You can still see it today, right in front of the present Flanders Firehouse. In the late 20’s, with the coming of electricity, a siren replaced this rather basic alarm. By 1968 each volunteer had a radio receiver for home use, and these have been supplemented over the last decade with belt-worn pagers.
By 1928 the Fire Company was expanding, but still without a firehouse. Luckily, with the completion of the "new" Flanders School on Main Street, the old one-room schoolhouse opposite became vacant and was made available to the Company. Originally built in 1855, the firemen remodeled the entire structure, created an engine bay, and added a garage door in front. Flanders Firehouse was dedicated in 1931. An expansion was carried out in 1961 and in late 1969 two engine bays were constructed, as an addition to the existing structure.
In 1996 the house and property adjacent to the firehouse were acquired. The existing home was razed and site preparation had begun. An ambitious addition was planned to begin construction in 2000 that would desperately add needed space for equipment and offices. A classroom of sorts was part of the long-range plan for the interior, and we hope that after an absence of 70 years, the old Flanders Schoolhouse will once again be holding classes. Although there have been many changes over the years, this venerable one hundred year old school is still visible as the centerpiece of the Flanders Firehouse and will remain so in the future.
In 1936, the township bought a Dodge pumper to replace the old "Torpedo." Interestingly, the new vehicle was scheduled to be delivered on June 6th, which happened to be a Sunday. Local church groups wrote a resolution forbidding the firemen to inspect the truck on the Sabbath. But can you really keep firemen away from a shinny new firetruck? They took delivery and, we suppose, did their penance. The dodge was replaced in 1952.
In 1938 a group of nine women decided that the time had come for a Ladies Auxiliary to be formed in order to aid the firemen. They elected Hazel Tinc as Chairwomen, with Mrs. Erickson as her assistant. Ruth Gray served as Secretary and Ruth Clawson was the first Treasurer. Their first official act was to solicit food donations from the local farms in order to prepare and serve chicken dinner to the members of the Fire Company. During the Second World War the Ladies Auxiliary went to bat for the men with a local Rationing Board to petition for extra sugar for use at the firehouse.
The Ladies are a welcome sight when performing their most important function – providing drinks and, hot and cold, and food at fire scenes. They are an important part of the emergency services of Flanders, and we are grateful for their support.
Through the pre-war years the town of Flanders grew in size and the Fire Company grew apace. New equipment was added at regular intervals and old pieces retired. It was decided in the early 40’s that a rescue squad should also be added to the Fire Company. By 1942 the company operated two engines and a rescue truck. In 1950 the rescue duties were officially recognized and Rescue Squad was added to the company’s name. Randolph Township donated an ambulance, known as a "cheesebox" due to its shape, to Flanders. This was replaced in 1951 by a 1949 Studebaker, which in turn was replaced by a blue Cadillac in 1958.
Fundraising has always been a big part of the life of both the Fire Company and the Ladies Auxiliary. The firemen used to hold ham shoots, went door to door, and for many years, ran a highway fund drive on Route 206. A mail solicitation is now the most important source of funds for the firehouse. The Ladies have held dinners, craft shows, and tricky trays to generate income. Ultimately, we depend on the people we serve to help us meet our expenses, and in this way we haven’t been disappointed over the years. The Fire Company lends its financial support to other charitable organizations and the Ladies Auxiliary has established a scholarship for graduates of Mount Olive High School as well as making annual contributions to the Ronald McDonald House.
Our present company of approximately 50 members now includes female firefighters and rescue personnel, as well as junior member under the 18 years old. Everyone is either a trained firefighter by virtue of attendance at the Morris County Fire Academy, or is an Emergency Medical Technician or First Responder.
Our basic fire fighting duties have been expanded to include public education, hazardous materials, motor vehicle accidents, extrication, and carbon monoxide alarms. The First Aid Squad must cope with an ever expanding, changeable, and potentially dangerous medical environment. Equipment has kept up a steady pace of increasing specialization, sophistication, maintenance, and expense. Training is done year round.
How all this would sound to the original seven members of our company as they gathered in the glow of an oil lamp is anyone guess. But beyond the mechanics of the job, there are some things that remain constant. The desire to help people – the dedication and commitment required to serve as a volunteer firefighter and first-aider, the adrenaline rush as the alarm sounds and the big engines roar from the bays, these things our founders would recognize today. And whether you are climbing on the back step of the Brockway Torpedo in a leather helmet or strapping on a self-contained breathing apparatus in the air-conditioned box of a state of the art rescue truck, the purpose is constant, the resolve is timeless, and the imperative to save lives and property while keeping yourselves and your partners safe is the same as it ever was.


In the mid-1950s, when a new youth culture characterised by an open mindset was beginning to emerge in Czechoslovakia following the death of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin and after two decades of brutal repression, Josef Koudelka (born in Czechoslovakia in 1938 and nationalised French) left his village in Moravia and moved to the capital, Prague. An aeronautical engineer by training, Koudelka became very actively involved in photography in the mid-1960s, contributing to the creative renaissance that took place in his native country.
Koudelka not only immortalised these years with his camera but also embodied them. He spent lengthy periods in gypsy encampments in Slovakia, he compulsively photographed actors during play rehearsals, and he mingled with demonstrators and soldiers in August 1968 in order to capture the invasion of Prague by the Soviet troops. When Koudelka went into exile shortly afterwardshe acquired the official status of “nationality doubtful”, becoming a stateless person as he was unable to produce documentation proving that he was born in Czechoslovakia. He refused to be intimidated by this situation, however, and continued to travel and take photographs, allowing gypsy communities and traditional and religious festivals to decide his destinations.
Koudelka settled in Paris in the 1980s and after the fall of Communism returned to Prague in 1990 where he now has a second home. Nonetheless, he continues to be a traveller, committed over the past twenty-five years to the creation of panoramic photographs that depict landscapes around the world which have been altered and often devastated by the hand of man.
This exhibition encompasses Josef Koudelka’s entire career, spanning more than five decades of work. The comprehensive selection of images on display includes his first experimental projects of the 1950s and 1960s and his historic series Gypsies, Invasion and Exiles, concluding with the great panoramic landscapes of recent years. In addition, visitors will see important documentary material, most of it previously unpublished and including layouts, leaflets and magazines of the period which contribute to a deeper understanding of this artist’s work and creative process.
The exhibition has been organized by the Art Institute de Chicago and the J. Paul Getty Museum in association with Fundación MAPFRE.


Ada Lovelace is widely regarded as the world’s first computer programmer, and her contributions to the field of computing have had a lasting impact. Born in London in 1815, Lovelace was a mathematician, writer, and visionary who saw the potential of computers beyond just number crunching. Her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, a mechanical general-purpose computer, cemented her place in history as a pioneering figure in the field of computer science.
The Analytical Engine was designed by Babbage as a machine that could perform any calculation that could be expressed in mathematical terms. Lovelace became interested in Babbage’s work and was soon collaborating with him on the project. She wrote the first algorithm intended to be processed by the Analytical Engine, and is credited with being the first to understand the full potential of computers beyond just number crunching.
Lovelace’s algorithm was intended to calculate Bernoulli numbers, a sequence of numbers that had important applications in mathematics and physics. But her work on the algorithm went far beyond just writing code. She wrote extensively about the potential of the Analytical Engine and the impact it could have on society, and she envisioned a future where machines could be used to create art and music, as well as perform mathematical calculations.
Lovelace’s algorithm was stored on punched cards, which were used to input data and instructions into the Analytical Engine. This was a common method of data storage and processing at the time, and was used by many early computers. It is not known if Lovelace used an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or any other software tool to write her algorithm, as these tools did not exist at the time.
Lovelace’s work on the Analytical Engine was ahead of its time and was not widely recognized for many years. However, her contributions to the field of computer science have been rediscovered in recent years, and she is now widely regarded as a pioneering figure in the field. Her writings on the potential of computers and her insights into the role that algorithms could play in shaping the future have had a lasting impact, and she is remembered today as an important figure in the history of computing.
In conclusion, Ada Lovelace’s contributions to the field of computer science have been truly groundbreaking. Her work on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, and her insight into the potential of computers beyond just number crunching, has had a lasting impact on the field and has helped to shape the future of computing. Today, Lovelace’s legacy continues to inspire and influence computer scientists and technologists, and she is remembered as a pioneering figure in the history of computing.


The story of how the Mughal gardens were born in Uzbekistan.
In his recent TV series Monty Don’s Paradise Gardens, Monty showed us the great Islamic gardens of Iran, Spain, Turkey and India, but you may have been left wondering how a Persian style of gardens found its way to India. I was lucky enough to visit the beautiful country of Uzbekistan ten years ago, and was delighted to discover that the country was the setting for the refinement of Paradise gardens and their development into the famous Mughal garden style surviving today at the Taj Mahal and other sites in India, visited by Monty in the second episode. This blog describes the gap in the story provided by medieval Uzbekistan gardens.
In the first episode, Monty took us to the excavated remains of the earliest surviving Paradise garden: that of Cyrus the Great at Pasargadae. The Persian empire founded by Cyrus (known as the Achaemenid Empire, 550-330BC) extended into modern-day Uzbekistan (a region known as Transoxiana, ‘the land beyond the river Oxus’), as did the later Sassanian Empire (224-651AD) which saw a great renaissance of Persian culture.
Achaemenid palaces were built in a similar style throughout the empire, and the Greeks described the palaces as having a pairadaeza thickly planted with many kinds of trees in orderly rows, with aromatic shrubs between them, and beautiful, well-watered gardens. It seems likely that such gardens existed in Transoxiana at this time.
The mains cities of Transoxiana were Samarkand and Bukhara, names resonant with romantic legend and occupying important positions on the Silk Road. Under the Sassanian Empire, it became a great cultural and scientific centre.
The province was known as Sogdia, and the cultured Sogdians were keen gardeners as well as talented merchants. As well as trading precious metals, spices and cloth along the silk road, the Sogdians introduced central Asian horticulture to China, and introduced plants such as the peony from China to gardens in Samarkand. Sogdia is commemorated in a number of plant species, including Tulipa sogdiana.
Following the Muslim conquest of Transoxiana in the early 7th century, Samarkand and Bukhara continued to be centres of learning, and the Persian heritage and culture of the Sogdians played an important part in the evolution of Islamic art and architecture in the region, as well as gardens.
The tenth-century AD Iranian author Istakhri, who travelled in Transoxiana, describes the natural riches of the region he calls “Smarkandian Sogd”:
I know no place in it or in Samarkand itself where if one ascends some elevated ground one does not see greenery and a pleasant place….Samakandian Sogd…[extends] eight days travel through unbroken greenery and gardens….The greenery of the trees and sown land extends along both sides of the river [Sogd]…and beyond these fields is pasture for flocks….It is the most fruitful of all the countries of Allah; in it are the best trees and fruits, in every home are gardens, cisterns and flowing water…
Little remains of the architecture of this time, due to the destruction wrought when Genghis Khan invaded the area in 1220, but Samarkand was rebuilt as a great city by the conqueror and founder of the Timurid empire, Timur (also known as Tamerlane, 1336-1405), from the 1370s.
Timur was undoubtedly a ruthless warrior, responsible for thousands of deaths, but in later life he took up gardening (or, at least, garden-building) on a grand scale, bringing in the master builders and architects of Persia. As Elizabeth Moynihan says “it is one of history’s quirks that such a brutal warrior was so important in the history of a great garden tradition and was the ancestor of men who attained such high artistic achievement: the Timurids of Persia and Mughals of India”.
By 1400 Samarkand was famous for its gardens which ringed the city. Timur lived in the splendid gardens he built at Samarkand, moving between them, and while he was away on campaign, according to a contemporary account “the citizens, rich and poor, went to walk therin and found no retreat more wonderful or beautiful than those and no resting place more agreeable and secure; and its sweetest fruits were common to all“.
None of the Timurid gardens survive today, but they are described in miniature paintings of the Timurid period and in several contemporary accounts, most famously the Spanish Ambassador Ruy Gonzales de Clavijo who was sent by the King of Spain to visit Timur at Samarkand in 1403, where he was received in the Garden of Heart’s Ease:
“We found Timur and he was seated under what might be called a portal which was before the entrance of a most beautiful palace that appeared in the background. He was sitting on the ground, but upon a raised dais before which there was a fountain that threw up a column of water into the air backwards, and in the basin of the fountain there were floating red apples. His Highness had taken his place on silk cloth, and was leaning on his elbow against some round cushions that were heaped up behind him.”
Clavijo also describes the Bagh-I Naw, or New Gardens:
“This orchard was surrounded by a high wall, four square, enclosing it and at each of the four corners was a very lofty round tower, and the enclosing wall going from tower to tower was very high, and built as strong as the work of the tower. This orchard at its centre had a great palace, built on the plan of a cross, and a very large water-tank had been dug before it. This palace with its large garden was much the finest of any that we had visited hitherto, and in its ornamentation of its buildings in the gold and blue tile work far the most sumptuous.”
and the vast royal chaharbagh where they were housed some distance outside the city and approached through a vineyard, its wall bordered by shade trees:
“a full league round and within it is full of fruit trees of all kinds save only limes and citron-trees which we noticed to be lacking” [the winters being too cold in Samarkand for citrus to survive].
According to Wilber, the main characteristics of the Timurid gardens were:
- the enclosure within high walls
- the division of the enclosed areas into quarters
- the use of a main axis of water
- the location of a palace or pavilion at the centre of the area
- the choice of natural slope of the creation of an artificial hill in order to ensure the proper flow of water
- a mixture of utilitarian vineyard or orchard with the pleasure garden
- occupying a very large area
- the magnificent portals decorated with blue and gold tiles
In the century after Timur’s death, the politics and power of the Timurids moved to Herat in Afghanistan, where a number of gardens were built under the rule of Husayn Bayqara, including the Bagh-I Jahan Ara or Garden of the World Adorned, covering over 100 acres and featuring a palace, pools and masses of red tulips and roses. A remarkable agricultural manual exists from this time, which describes the garden tradition practised in Herat by the later Timurids. They are similar to Timur’s gardens, except the pavilion is placed at one end of a rectangular enclosure, looking out to the formal fourt-part garden: an arrangement found in Moghul gardens such as the Taj Mahal.
Eventually the Timurid empire split into many separate kingdoms. A descendant of Timur called Zahirud din Muhammad Babur (usually known simply as Babur) won the throne of one such province and in 1504 he conquered Kabul. A long-time admirer of the gardens of Samarkand and Herat (described in detail in his memoir), he set about beautifying Kabul with gardens, along the same lines.
The Gardeners of Kabul is a beautiful film telling the story of Babur and the Bagh-i Babur in Kabul where he is buried and how a love of gardens and gardening still exists in the city.
In 1508 Babur founded the Bagh-iVafa, or Garden of Fidelity, in Kabul which he describes: “Its grass plots were all covered with clover, its pomegranate trees were entirely of a beautiful yellow colour. It was then the pomegranate season and the pomegranates were hanging red on the trees. The orange trees were green and cheerful, loaded with innumerable oranges. I was never so pleased with the Bagh-iVafa as on this occasion.
By this time, the power of the Uzbeks in Central Asia was growing, so Babur looked to north India for land to conquer, and in 1526 he founded the Mughal Empire there. The garden style of the Timurids was to have a huge influence on later Mughal gardens. As Lisa Golombek puts it “The diversity in Mughal gardens reflects the diversity in the Timurid models, available to the Mughals in eye-witness reports, descriptions in the chronicles and agricultural manuals, and manuscript illustrations. The Mughals venerated their Timurid ancestors and sought inspiration from Timurid culture. When the Mughals wished to emphasise their decent from Timur, they chose freely from the full menu of artistic traditions developed over the entire Timurid century. The garden was where the descendants got in touch with their noble ancestry and their fantasies about Timur’s nomadic lifestyle.”
The chaharbagh, the Timurid formal garden, was not a Timurid invention: the concept of a walled, four-part garden containing a pavilion was an ancient one going back to Sassanian and even Achaeminid times. But the Timurids adapted and perfected it to perhaps the highest degree.
Golombek, L. (1995). The Gardens of Timur: New Perspectives. Maqarnas Vol. 12 pp. 137-146.
Moynihan, E. Paradise as a garden in Persia and Mughal India.1979.
Wilber, D.N. Persian gardens and garden pavilions. 1979.


Thank You. Two insignificant words can be the most powerful anyone can hear.
This summer, Wisper Internet has sponsored two Honor Flights of military veterans to Washington D.C. to tour memorials to American conflicts, different branches of the armed forces, and other monuments to the founders and defenders of our nation.
Last weekend a group of 24 Vietnam veterans and one 91-year-old Korean War veteran from Franklin and surrounding Missouri counties took their Honor Flight to the nation’s capital.
Fifty years after their discharges from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, these vets finally received the thank you many of them said they never received when they came home after their tours overseas.
As Wisper’s Public Relations and Advocacy Specialist, I was unbelievably lucky to accompany a veteran on this flight and serve as his “guardian” for the whirlwind 36 hours in Washington D.C.
We arrived at Lambert Airport at 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning and after a greeting from USO volunteers we made our way through security to our terminal for breakfast. We were on the plane and in the air around 8:30.
We exited our plane at Reagan National Airport to cheering travelers in the terminal and a high school band, football team, and cheerleaders lining the hallway from the terminal to the front doors before boarding our charter bus to lunch. At this early point in the trip, the vets and guardians were already forming friendships and the vets were exchanging stories from their experiences in Vietnam, which ranged from being a payroll clerk to flying nukes in a B-52 bomber.
While at lunch, I got the first indication that this trip was going to be incredibly special for the vets and the guardians as well. I quickly discovered the vets were eager to share their stories, which in many cases had never had anyone ask to hear them. Even more powerful was hearing the vets talk to each other and connect on their shared experiences both good and bad.
After lunch, our group of about 55 people headed to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia. A couple of hours were spent here giving the vets a chance to see aircraft they had flown in while in the service. This was also a fantastic opportunity for guardians to have a chance to get to know our new friends as well.
My vet was Rodney Norman, who served in Vietnam as a payroll clerk on a forward base. He lives in South St. Louis County and is retired after operating a residential garage door business for many years.
We departed the museum and headed to the Air Force Memorial for dinner and a wonderful view of the Pentagon. After some time at the memorial, our next destination was the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and a quick view of the Dr. Martin Luther King Memorial. The highlight of the evening was our visit to the National Mall to view the nightly illuminations of the World War 2, Vietnam and Korean War, and Lincoln memorials.
Finally, the hotel and bed at 10 p.m. for a few hours of rest before a packed Sunday, starting with breakfast at 6:30 a.m.
Day two began with a visit to and up into the Washington Monument. At this point in the trip the vets and the guardians were forming friendships and a comfort level with each other, and the times spent in lines and on the bus became filled with laughter, jokes, and some ribbing of the Marine vets by the other branches.
Having focused on the Korean War Memorial the previous night, Rodney and I took this opportunity to visit the very somber Vietnam Memorial Wall. While there we located the name of a childhood friend of his who was killed in action which was engraved in its enduring place of honor.
We then made out way over to the Lincoln Memorial and found several of the others from our group taking pictures and referencing historic events that had occurred on the steps where we were standing and a few famous movie scenes as well.
Although Rodney had visited the sites before, he commented that when you are there it is hard to take it all in, because it seems like you are in a movie or a textbook. We boarded the bus from the Lincon Memorial and made a quick drive past the Capital building to the National Navy Memorial and museum on Pennsylvania Avenue, just a few blocks from the White House.
After a private lunch and tour of the Navy Museum, we headed to the Pentagon to view the 9/11 Memorial to the 184 souls who lost their lives at that location during the terrorist attack on our nation 21 years ago.
The simple memorial features winged-shaped benches and flowing water beneath each. Fifty-nine benches are situated facing the Pentagon to represent the victims of Flight 77. An additional 125 benches are facing outward from the impact point to honor those who were killed in the Pentagon.
In keeping with somber remembrances, our next and probably most poignant stop on the trip for the veterans was a visit to Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. While here, the vets witnessed a changing of the guard ceremony at the tomb and they received a fitting, secret nod from the soldiers of the Old Guard while performing their duties. As the sergeant at arms is entering the tomb area, he drags the toe of his boots (equipped with metal taps) on the ground while walking past the vets as a tribute to their service, an extremely high honor.
Despite the gravitas of the ceremony and location, the vets’ spirits were high after being surrounded by their honored servicemembers in a very sacred place to our military and the country. We boarded the bus one last time and after circling the Iwo Jima Memorial honoring the Marine Corps and the raising of the American flag over Mt. Suribachi in 1945, we headed to the airport for the flight home.
On the trip home, the vets received yet another surprise, which is a tradition in the military and for all Honor Flights. As you may guess, while serving anywhere away from home, letters and pictures from home are welcome and craved. Long before the trip when guardians are meeting with their vets, they receive contact info for their families to have them write letters to the vets for their Mail Call on the plane home.
Once the Honor Flight arrived home in St. Louis about 9 p.m. Sunday night, the vets received a color guard escort down a corridor of a hundred flag-waving volunteers welcoming them home. This was followed by a surprise ceremony where each vet was recognized by family and friends and given a certificate and saluted by Navy JROTC cadets. There was not a dry eye in the room.
Since its inception in 2007, Franklin County Honor Flight has sponsored 2,000 local vets for trips just like these. The men and women who volunteer for these flights to honor veterans cannot be acknowledged enough for what they do. Two of the team captains on this flight have been on more than 30 flights over the years.
On a personal note, I want to say this was easily one of the most powerful, inspiring, and humbling experiences of my life. Being with all these amazing veterans and guardians for those 36 hours will never leave my memory.
Thank you to everyone and to Wisper for allowing me to honor these veterans and have this experience in my life’s memories. I certainly have a new and deeper regard for the men and women who left their everyday lives to fight in a far-off country to ensure the liberties we all enjoy today.


The UN’s Relief and Reconstruction Work in Finland after World War II By Debra DeLaet (Executive Director, Iowa United Nations Association)
I recently spent a month as a visiting researcher at the Tampere Peace Research Institute (TAPRI) in Finland. TAPRI is an international research center focused on examining the causes of war, the non-violent resolution of conflicts, and the conditions for peace. My time at TAPRI gave me the opportunity to learn more about Nordic perspectives on peace. I also had opportunities to learn about Finland’s experience in World War II, including the important role the United Nations played in helping to rebuild Finland in the aftermath of the war.
An unexpected discovery in Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, highlighted the lasting influence of the United Nations in the region. We stopped at Santa Claus Village, a popular tourist destination in Lapland, to walk across the Arctic Circle, which runs through the resort. As we were walking towards the Arctic Circle marker, we walked by an unassuming wood cottage. I almost didn’t notice the signage above the door describing the building as the Roosevelt Cottage.
Roosevelt Cottage, also known as the Arctic Circle Cabin, was built with funds from the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA), a UN body that provided critical aid, including food, clothing, shelter, and medicine, to countries that had been devastated by World War II. UNRRA also helped coordinate the repatriation of millions of displaced people and refugees after the war. Notably, UNRRA was established in 1943 both before the official end of the war and prior to the formal establishment of the UN in 1945. This example shows the centrality of humanitarian aid and peacebuilding as cornerstones of the UN system that emerged after World War II. The UNRRA was disbanded in 1947 and ultimately replaced by other UN bodies, including International Refugee Organization (later succeeded by UN High Commissioner for Refugees), the World Health Organization, and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF, now known as the UN Children’s Fund) that took up various aspects of its critical work.
The history of Roosevelt Cottage sheds light on the broader history of the important role the UN played in reconstructing Europe after World War II. The cottage is just outside of Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. This city was devastated by World War II. It had been occupied by the German army, which destroyed most of the city’s buildings and infrastructure when it withdrew in October 1944. The German army also placed deadly mines in the forests surrounding the city. (On hikes through the gorgeous Lapland forest, you can still encounter signs noting the historic presence of militarization in the area.) The UNRRA played a critical role in the reconstruction of Rovaniemi and in the removal of landmines from the Lapland region.
As a goodwill ambassador for the UN, Eleanor Roosevelt travelled to Rovaniemi in June 1950 to monitor UNRRA’s reconstruction work. In preparation for this visit, Uuno Hannula, the governor of Lapland, facilitated the building of the cottage on the Arctic Circle to honor Mrs. Roosevelt at the reception for her visit. The building of the Roosevelt Cottage served as a symbol for the broader goal of reconstructing the Lapland region. Fittingly, it is now on the site of a popular tourist destination, with tourism being one of the driving forces of postwar economic recovery in Lapland. Rovaniemi has been rebuilt and is the administrative and commercial center of a now-thriving region.
The story of the UNRRA’s work in Finland is part of a larger story of the role that the United Nations played in rebuilding Europe after World War II. Caught between major powers, Finland shifted its alliances over the course of the war. Initially, the Finnish government actually allied itself with Nazi Germany during the war, partly to regain territories it had lost to the USSR during the Winter War (1939-40) between the Soviet Union and Finland. In 1944, a new Finnish government secretly negotiated a peace agreement with the Soviet Union that led to the Lapland War between Finland and Germany in 1944-1945. Throughout the timespan of the World War, Finnish citizens fought on both sides of the conflict. The effects of the war were devastating for Finland. Roughly 86,000 Finnish citizens died during the war. Approximately 500,000 Finns became refugees during the war. Countless homes and public buildings were destroyed. The UNRRA played an essential role in reconstructing the country. In 1955, Finland joined the United Nations.
Finland is a parliamentary democracy that has become a global political leader. Martti Ahtisaari, Finland’s President from 1994-2000, has been a prominent diplomat and mediator for the UN who played a lead role in UN initiatives that helped resolve violent conflicts in Namibia, Indonesia, Kosovo, Serbia, and Iraq. He received a Nobel Peace Prize for his work. Finland also has emerged as a leader on many indicators of human development. Finland ranks very high on the Human Development Index (HDI), a composite indicator developed by the UN Development Program, which measures a country’s achievement in three areas: life expectancy, educational attainment, and standard of living. In recent decades, human development trends in Finland have steadily risen, and Finland has been consistently among the countries with the highest rankings on the HDI. The UN played a critical role in helping the country move from the devastation of World War II to one of the most highly developed countries in the world today.
The tiny Roosevelt Cottage at a tourist destination on the Arctic Circle in Lapland reflects a rich history of the role of the United Nations in postwar reconstruction in Europe after World War II. The UNRRA was essential to rebuilding Finland. It helped by providing humanitarian aid, resettling refugees, and reconstructing cities. The UNRRA and its successor UN bodies helped to usher in an era of peace and prosperity throughout Europe.
In subsequent decades, the UN has continued its lifesaving work across the globe. A range of UN bodies, including by UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, carry on the historic work of the UNRRA by providing essential humanitarian aid to populations in conflict zones and helping to create the conditions for peace in war-torn countries.


Embark on a captivating journey through Italy's vibrant heartlands, where each city unfolds like a chapter in an enchanting storybook, brimming with culture, history, and breathtaking beauty. Our tour begins in Milan, the pulsating metropolis known for its dazzling fashion scene and the majestic Duomo, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Here, the blend of modern innovation and ancient history creates a dynamic atmosphere, inviting you to explore its chic boutiques, stunning museums, and the vibrant Navigli district, alive with charming cafes and the spirit of Leonardo da Vinci.
The adventure continues south to Bari, a gem on the Adriatic coast, where the scent of olive oil and sea air mingle in the ancient streets. The Basilica di San Nicola, a pilgrimage site, stands as a testament to the city's rich religious heritage, while the bustling fish market offers a taste of local life. Heading into the heart of Tuscany, Siena welcomes you with its medieval brick buildings and the famous Piazza del Campo, known for the thrilling Palio horse race. The city's deep sense of community and its exquisite cuisine provide a warm embrace of traditional Italian culture.
Our journey then sweeps us to the northwestern elegance of Turin, a city of royal heritage and baroque splendour. The Mole Antonelliana towers over the cityscape, housing the intriguing National Cinema Museum. Turin's regal avenues and cozy cafes serve as perfect spots to savour a bicerin, the local chocolate and coffee delicacy, offering a moment of delight between exploring its numerous palaces and gardens.
Finally, Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, calls us with its siren song, inviting us to lose ourselves in its labyrinth of canals, bridges, and ethereal beauty. Gliding through its waterways on a gondola, the magnificent palazzos and the serene St. Mark's Square appear as a dreamscape, where art and water have danced together for centuries. Each sunset here paints the sky and water in hues of gold and rose, a perfect backdrop to conclude our tour, leaving us with memories of Italy's timeless charm and the endless stories nestled in the heart of each city.


There is a monthly soup and bannock at Bent Arrow. And everyone is welcome! Visit our Facebook Page for more information! Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society Facebook Page
What is bannock?
Bannock, also known as frybread, skaan/scone or Indian bread, is found throughout North American native cuisine, including that of the Inuit/Eskimo of Canada and Alaska, other Alaska Natives, the First Nations of the rest of Canada, the Native Americans in the United States and the Métis. Today, bannock is a growing culinary trend across Canada with non-aboriginal people.
As made by indigenous North Americans, bannock is generally prepared with white or whole wheat flour, baking powder and water, which are combined and kneaded (possibly with spices, dried fruits or other flavouring agents added) then fried in rendered fat, vegetable oil, or shortening, baked in an oven or cooked on a stick.
A type of bannock, using available resources, such as flour made from roots, tree sap and leavening agents, may have been produced by indigenous North Americans prior to contact with outsiders. Some sources indicate that bannock was unknown in North America until the 1860s when it was created by the Navajo who were incarcerated at Fort Sumner, while others indicate that it came from a Scottish source.
Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bannock_(food)


The Society was founded in 1885 as the Village Improvement Society of Falls Church. It was one of hundreds of such societies around the country modeled after the famous Laurel Hill Association of Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
The Society’s early objectives were to improve and ornament the streets of Falls Church by planting and cultivating trees, cleaning and repairing the sidewalks, and carrying out other acts to beautify and benefit the culture and prosperity of the village. The Society planted the street trees we see in historic photos, built the first sidewalks, and organized parades and the town-wide July 4th celebrations with baseball and ice cream socials. It helped to start the first library in Falls Church and initiated the first Arbor Day in Virginia (1892).
The Society was renamed in 1923 as the Falls Church Citizens Association and, after a few decades of intermittent activity, it was reestablished in 1965 as the Falls Church Village Preservation and Improvement Society (VPIS).
Over the past several decades, the Society:
- Led the effort to create a streetscape design for Broad Street that led to wide brick sidewalks with street trees and plantings;
- Initiated the Excellence in Design Awards, providing plaques for development of homes, buildings, and gardens that are high quality and in keeping with the community character;
- Led the effort to improve the recognition of the City with appropriate entrance signs and plantings, providing the visual standard of quality and avoiding visual clutter;
- Developed a program of live music with the home concert series in the winter and the music in the park in summer;
- Developed the Neighborhood Tree Program in partnership with the City to increase canopy cover with trees on public or private property:
- Actively sponsored the development of Watch Night, the City’s New Year’s Eve celebration, and major sponsor since its inception in 1998;
- Developed and operated the Attic Treasures Sale to encourage reuse of household items, recycling and raise funds for community projects;
- Led walking tours of the neighborhoods and sponsored history symposiums to increase the knowledge of local history; and
- Encouraged civic engagement with public sessions to shape the City’s Comprehensive Plan and local ordinances.
Today, the Society is actively implementing diverse projects to protect and improve the City of Falls Church. Some key activities include:
- Sponsoring and managing the free Summer Concerts Series in Cherry Hill Park;
- Operating the Neighborhood Tree Program that plants trees around the community;
- Managing the RainSmart Program to reduce stormwater runoff and pollution by providing grants to residents for rain barrels and rain gardens;
- Providing ways for people to participate in the community life and recognize individual’s contributions;
- Encouraging the City to require that major new development projects meet environmental and architectural design standards and minimize the negative impact on residential neighborhoods;
- Improving the natural environment and beauty with gardens parks and plantings around the City;
- Working with other organizations, such as the League of Women Voters, to sponsor local candidate forums and meetings on topics of importance to the community;
- Sponsoring events to recognize the rich history of Falls Church and its connection to national history, such as the annual Independence Day Readings since 1984; and
- Supporting environmental education for citizens and students, such as the Operation EarthWatch Program.
The Society welcomes new members and donations: https://donorbox.org/vpis-membership.


The journey of Jamia Madina Masjid Colne began in 1980 where a small number of blessed individuals serving the muslim community of Colne decided to fulfil a communal obligation by establishing a masjid for the muslim community of Colne.
At the time, they decided to buy a terrace house on Boundary Street Colne which was converted into a masjid. The purchase was funded by the small muslim community of Colne. The majority of the renovation work was carried out by the blessed individuals working on this project during their spare time.
In 1990 as the muslim community was growing the masjid was relocated to Chapel Street, again a terrace house conversion. As the community grew even further and the demand for extra space grew the house next door to the masjid was purchased and the extended to where its at today.
The New Project
The former Parish Church which is a listed building was purchased for £150,000 in 2016 by the mosque committee. Funding for this purchase was exclusively through charitable donors from the local community.
The total cost of renovation of the new building is £400,000 for which we need your help and support to raise.
Refer to New Masjid Page for details on the necessity of why the new masjid is required and what the new masjid will be providing Insha’Allah.
The Muslim community in Colne is approximately 440 headcount (UK Office for National Statistics, 2011). This community is served solely by the Madina Mosque – there are no other registered mosques in Colne. The current Madina Mosque premises are based at 3-5 Chapel Street, Colne which was established in 1990 after the conversion of two gable end properties into one. The Muslim community of Colne now require a larger premise to provide sufficient accommodation to worshippers and students attending classes. Our intention is to move from the current location into a purpose-built site. The new site will provide the capacity to accommodate the local congregation and classes for male and female students.


Sam Dinovo Sr. opened the Dinovo Fruit Company in 1913. A proud immigrant from Sicily, he built his company on quality, service and irreproachable ethics. Starting by peddling bananas to local neighborhood grocery stores, he soon was buying carloads of bananas and ripening them in his store front warehouse in Delaware, Ohio. With the end of World War II his six sons formed a new company, Dinovo Brothers, Inc., to more efficiently distribute produce to the many super-markets that were springing up throughout Ohio. With the state-of-the-art banana ripening rooms, coolers of various temperatures to handle all types of fresh fruit items and multiple docks, the brothers were well equipped to carry on their father’s tradition of quality and service.


A centuries-old village cemetery... with space still available
At the Williamsville Cemetery and our sister cemeteries we recently changed our rules and regulations, and these changes may enable you to save a substantial amount of money on at-need or pre-need cremation burial space at any of our cemeteries. In fact, you may even be eligible for FREE burial space. Click here to learn more
Four decades before the historic Village of Williamsville was incorporated, some of the area’s first citizens began to use our land as a “Loving Family” burial ground. It’s easy to see why they chose this location, given the convenience of Main Street, combined with the natural beauty of our tree-covered landscape and gently rolling hills...
Today, Williamsville Cemetery is one of the best-maintained village cemeteries in Western New York – and one of the only such cemeteries that still has space available. The beautiful park-like grounds, filled with mature trees and 200-year-old monuments, offer options for both cremation as well as traditional burials. As you walk or drive through Williamsville Cemetery, you will quickly be enveloped in a rich sense of history, nostalgia and tranquility that you simply will not find anywhere else in Western New York.


The «Building materials test institute» started work in 1880 in the cellars of Zurich's polytechnical university, the forerunner of ETH Zurich. In its first years of activity, the new institute was involved in wide-ranging quality testing of building and structural materials for the Swiss National Exhibition of 1883.
Intensive research work by the co-founder and first director, Prof. Ludwig von Tetmajer, gave rise to the first publications on the testing and standardisation of building materials and metals. Tetmajer was also commissioned to investigate the cause of the collapse in 1891 of a railway bridge constructed by Gustav Eiffel at Münchenstein in Switzerland. His investigation of this collapse, which was at that time the largest railway disaster to have occurred in Europe, revealed that Euler's formula, which had hitherto been used to calculate such structures, needed to be corrected for slender bars.
Over the following years, the institute developed into a general purpose testing institute for the construction and mechanical engineering sectors. In 1928, the Swiss Federal Fuel Testing Institute was incorporated, as was, in 1937, the textile testing organisation «Swiss Test Institute, St. Gallen», which had been founded in 1885. The establishment was named the «Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research for Industry, Construction and Commerce» in 1938, but had already long been known by the acronym Empa.
Since 1988, Empa has focused less on materials testing and more on research and development; routine testing, which provides little scope for interdisciplinary synergy, now plays second fiddle to applied research and development.
In 1994, the takeover of a specialist section of the Armaments Services Group, which had previously carried out military materials testing, gave Empa a third site at Thun to augment its existing sites at Dübendorf and St. Gallen. Now, the workload of the Materials Technology Section at Thun is almost exclusively civilian.


Fela Anikulapo Kuti, born Olufela Olusegun Oludotun Ransome-Kuti, 15th October 1938, was known professionally as Fela Kuti or Fela. He was known primarily as a Nigerian musician, singer, song writer and human rights activist.
- His mother, Chief Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti was feminist and activist in the anti-colonial movement and his Father, Reverend Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti was an Anglican Minister and school Principal, the first President of the Nigerian Union Of Teachers. Both of Fela’s brothers are well known Medical Doctors: Beko Ransome-Kuti, Dr Olukoye Ransome-Kuti. He is the first cousins to Wole Soyinka, the writer and African Nobel laureate.
- Fela married twenty seven (27) wives in one ceremony.
Education & Music
- He went to London in 1958 to study medicine but decided to study classical Music at Trinity College instead, his primary instrument being the trumpet. He played a fusion of highlife and jazz with his band at the time called Koola Lobitos.
- On his return to Nigeria in 1963, he trained as a radio producer in the Nigerian Broadcast Corporation and played for sometime with Victor Olaiya.
- It was in 1967 after a trip to Ghana that he birthed Afrobeats. Thereafter he spent ten (10) months in Los Angeles with his band, his music and politics was influenced primarily through Sandra Smith of the Black Power Movement, a partisan of the Black Panther.
- His band was named Afrika ’70, then Egypt ’80. The band concentrated more on social issues.
- In the 70’s, Fela started a Political party called ‘Movement Of The People’ in his ambition to become President of Nigeria-which he was denied candidature, he also started the Kalakuta Republic which was a studio for his musical works but more of a commune of people connected to the band, he later declared that Kalakuta Republic was independent from Nigeria.
- He later changed his name to Anikulapo with the interpretation ‘I will be the master of my own destiny and will decide when it’s time for death to take me’.
- He sang in pidgin because in his opinion, it was an easy way to connect with the people of Africa.
- His Zombie Album in 1977 (that described the methods of the Nigerian military as he parodied the military types) was kicked against and one thousand soldiers viciously attacked the the Kalakuta republic and almost beat Fela to death and his mother thrown from a window. She sustained fatal injuries. The Republic was burned, his studio, instruments, master tapes destroyed and later burned. In his normal controversial tone, he delivered his mother’s coffin to the Dodan Barracks in Lagos, General Obasanjo’s residence and went ahead to write two songs about the issues.
- In March 1980, Fela accepted a police invitation to serve as a member of the Police Public Relations Committee.
- In June 1984, a documentary film entitled “Teacher Don’t Teach Me Nonsense” based on Fela’s political life was broadcast to a British audience by the BBC.
He was later jailed by the Muhammadu Buhari administration on a charge of currency smuggling. He was supported by Amnesty International who referred to him as a ‘Prisoner of conscience’. He was also defended by many human rights groups. He stayed in jail for one year and eight months and was released by Ibrahim Babaginda after which he divorced his twelve wives – with his notion at the time that marriage was full of jealousy and selfishness.
On August 3, 1997, his brother, Dr. Olukoye Ransome Kuti announced that Fela had died of complications from AIDS.


300 ft straight down the Wesko shaft Part 2, aka Center Star Mine.
This property is located at 1067 metres elevation on the west slope of Jubilee Mountain about 1.6 kilometres southeast of Ymir.
The Centre Star claim was located in 1900 and Crown-granted to J.S.C. Fraser & associates in 1905. No further activity was reported from the property until 1934. At this time Wesko Exploration and Development Company, Limited, acquired the Centre Star group consisting of the Centre Star, Redman, Twilight, Cold Island, Crowfoot, and Blind Canyon Crown-granted claims, and ten adjoining claims held by location. Exploration and development work was carried on through 1935 and in 1936 a 100 ton per day concentrator was put into operation.


The growth of the town was very slow until 1879. During that year, a sudden impetus was given to business by a rush of immigration to the county. During the building and construction of the railroad in 1880 and 1881, Albion grew rapidly. The town, having the first railroad and being the county seat, became the receiving and shipping point of freight for several adjacent counties.
Today, Albion features a thriving business district, a quality school system and a state-of-the-art county hospital. This community is made up of neighbors, friends and extended family that work together to assure a prosperous future for generations to come.


Welcome to the Sno-Isle Genealogical Society
We are devoted to furthering genealogy research and education through our library at Humble House in Lynnwood, Washington and through educational events and focus groups. Our focus is on promoting interest in family history through our collection of local, national, and event based genealogical materials. Our volunteers are committed to recording and researching genealogical data concerning Snohomish and Island Counties in the State of Washington. We have a large collection of local resources including obituaries, personal histories, and other locally curated material.
What’s New in 2022?
Over the past two years, due to the Covid lockdown, we have been forced to evaluate and change some of the thing we were doing. This included record keeping, communications with our members and providing genealogical support to our members and the public.
Snoislegenealogy.org, this membership site is designed to handle the activities between SIGS and our members. This site provides links to both the “Research Site” and our "Library Catalog" on the index list on the left side of this page.
Plus these membership only features:
• Membership Management – Annual Invoicing
• Dues & Donations via PayPal
• Membership List’s
• Calendar of Events
• Programs via Zoom
• Internal Email is for direct and immediate communications from our officers or committee chairs to our members, groups and teams.
• There will also be new features available to our members.
Snoislegen.org (our “Research Site”) will continue with articles collected over the past 20 years. This site is open to the public and will provide links to this Membership site and to our Library Catalog.


THE AUSTRALIAN Football League mourns the passing of women’s football pioneer Helen Lambert, who sadly passed away yesterday.
AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said Helen’s pioneering work had laid the foundation for the position we have today with a growing game for women and girls.
"As a founding committee member of the VWFL, 40 years ago in 1981, Helen was a driver in those first years to what we see in our game now, where the AFLW has added a vibrancy and excitement to our game," Mr McLachlan said.
With a key role in the formation of the Victorian Women’s Football League in 1981 (the earliest ongoing league for women in Australia), Helen was the inaugural captain of the Broadmeadows Scorpions, leading them to a premiership in the first season of the competition.
In 1983 she became president of the VWFL, was subsequently awarded Life Membership, and continued to serve as president until 1986.
Helen’s legacy will continue to live on in football, with the best and fairest medal in the VWFL named in her honour, with the first Helen Lambert Medal backdated to 1983. With the formation of a national women’s competition in 2017, Helen’s pioneering contribution to the code continues to be recognised by the Lambert-Pearce Medal, awarded to the best and fairest player in the premier division of the VFL Women’s competition.
The AFL extends its condolences to the Lambert family and thank them for her contribution to football.


The purpose of the Lincoln County Voices oral history project is to document and preserve the history and heritage of the African-American community in Lincoln County, North Carolina through collected personal histories and the location of documents, photographs, and other artifacts and objects related to this community. LCHA is gathering and preserving at the Lincoln County Museum of History information about Lincoln County’s African-American community not available or documented elsewhere.
The project is the result of conversations between Robert Hamilton and Jason Harpe about how to best begin the process of documenting the history of Lincoln County’s African-American community. Hamilton and Harpe compiled a list of notable and well-known members of this community and began contacting them about meetings to discuss the project. These discussions resulted in the formation of the Lincoln County Voices Advisory Committee. Members of the this committee include Robert Hamilton, Leroy Magness, Ola Mae Foster, Edith Lomax, Hazelene Ford, Rev. Franklin Lowery, Sandra Little, Robert Holloway, Mary Frances White, John Lafferty, Joanne Shelton, and Jason Harpe. The committee’s initial meetings were held at the Lincoln Cultural Center and consisted of outlining the mission and purpose of the project, standards for conducting interviews and securing copyright, a strategy for compiling a list of individuals and groups throughout Lincoln County whose stories need to be recorded for posterity, and the methodology for recording, transcribing, and presenting the information obtained from these interviews.
Jason Harpe, Robert Hamilton, Bill Beam, and Stephanie Easler have conducted most of the interviews, and Hamilton has made annual trips to Tucker’s Grove Campground in Iron Station to record stories about African-American education, campmeetings, and other topics of local interest. The Lincoln County Voices oral history archive currently consists of audio recordings with the Providence Missionary Baptist Church women’s bible class (Ottie Odum, Elizabeth Nixon, Betty Logan, Fannie L. Norman), Thomas Nixon, Edith Lomax, Aubrey Rice, Leonard Holloway, Robert Holloway, Nathaniel “Brownie” Oates, Leroy Magness, Ethel H. Goodwin, Nellie Lofton, Thelma Lindsay, Yvonne Clark, Grace M. Logan, Lorene Houser, Cozette Hall, Sadie Anderson Derr, A.C. Sherrill, Frances Smith Froneberger, Verti Friday, Victoria J. Wilson, Gretchen Sherrill, Robert Smith, Joseph Rozzell, Ada Williams, Morris Rozzell, J.T. Smith, and Correne Luckey.
LCHA is looking for people interested in interviewing members of Lincoln County’s African-American community, in addition to transcribing interviews to be included on our website. We are also interested in learning about other individuals and groups in the African-American community that need their stories and recollections recorded.
Please contact LCHA at email@example.com if you know someone we need to interview or contact about digitizing their collection of photographs from Lincoln County’s African-American Community.
LCHA received grassroots funds from BFI/Allied Waste to begin the project.


Blind Crow were commissioned to create three films for Historic Royal Palaces to document their incredible Poppies project. We had the pleasure of seeing every step of the process, from the first poppies being created to the final poppies planted, our footage was viewed on news networks across the globe, receiving over a million hits - it was an honour to be a part of communicating such a moving memorial.
Over 5 million people travelled from across the country and around the world to see the installation of 888,246 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. The commemorative artwork, by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, caught the nation’s imagination and acted as a place of pilgrimage for millions of people to reflect on the First World War, 100 years since its outbreak in 1914.
Music: Silent Night by Timbre. Silent Night was sung simultaneously in French, English and German by troops during the Christmas Truce of 1914 during the First World War, as it was one carol that soldiers on both sides of the front line knew.


In England, the beginning of the Viking Age is dated to 8 June 793, when Vikings destroyed the abbey on Lindisfarne, a centre of learning on an island off the northeast coast of England in Northumberland, and famous across the continent. Monks were killed in the abbey, thrown into the sea to drown, or carried away as slaves along with the church treasures, giving rise to the traditional prayer—A furore Normannorum libera nos, Domine, „From the fury of the Northmen deliver us, Lord.“
Three Viking ships had beached in Portland Bay four years earlier , but that incursion may have been a trading expedition that went wrong rather than a piratical raid. Lindisfarne was different. The Viking devastation of Northumbria’s Holy Island was reported by the Northumbrian scholar Alcuin of York, who wrote: „Never before in Britain has such a terror appeared“.


May 9 - May 14 2023
They knew they would make history, but not what history would make of them. Fed up with living under the tyranny of British rule, John Adams attempts to persuade his fellow members of the Continental Congress to vote in favor of American Independence and sign the Declaration. But how much is he willing to compromise in the pursuit of freedom? And to whom does that freedom belong?
From American Repertory Theater at Harvard University and Roundabout Theatre Company, Jeffrey L. Page and Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus reexamine this pivotal moment in American history in a new production of this Tony Award®-winning musical.
Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Book by Peter Stone
Based on a concept by Sherman Edwards
Choreography by Jeffrey L. Page
Direction by Jeffrey L. Page and Diane Paulus
Rating: Recommended for ages 9+. Please note guests under age five are not permitted to enter. All guests entering the theater, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
Masks and Vaccinations are strongly recommended for all patrons attending Broadway San Diego events, until further notice. Stay up to date with current policies here: https://www.broadwaysd.com/know-before-you-go-faqs/covid-vaccination-and-mask-policy/


Path to Glory DVD
Path to Glory DVD
EXCLUSIVE TWO DISC DIRECTORS CUT WITH BONUS FEATURES
For horse and history aficionados, this 2-DVD set the extended Directors' Cut of the film with a second disc containing over 2 hours of bonus material.
"This story of the Polish Arabian horse is a direct reflection of the history of Poland itself, an inspirational and incredibly moving tale of indomitable courage and ardent devotion" - Scott Benjamin
Educational Screening License: $150
Public Screening License: $350
BONUS FEATURES INCLUDE:
Love & War
A fast paced, fun and surprising companion piece with many featured interviewees from all corners of the Arabian Horse World, all answering 2 pivotal, burning questions: 1) Who is your favorite Polish Arabian horse? And 2) If you had to ride into battle tomorrow, what Polish Arabian would you choose?
A Conversation with Scott Benjamin
An intimate and enlightening conversation with Scott Benjamin, renowned Arabian horse expert and former handler at Michalow State Stud as he answers a myriad of questions and shares his personal stories from his many years in Poland.
A Conversation with Wayne Newton
An interview with Mr. Las Vegas showcasing his deep and abiding passion for the Polish Arabian Horse and his many years as a breeder with a program based on Polish lines. Funny anecdotes and personal stories of his long career with some of the greatest Polish horses the world has ever known.
A Conversation with Roman Pankiewicz
A rare interview with the last Polish State Stud Director of the generation that lived through World War II. With English subtitles, this intimate portrait shows a man who has lived his life for the Polish Arabian and with great personal experience with legendary horses known by most only in history books. His thoughtful insight and wicked sense of humor will delight the viewer.
The Inimitable George Z.
An interview with Jerzy Zbeszewski, aka George Z, an institution in the world of the Polish Arabian horse in Poland, the US and around the globe. George’s opinions and great knowledge abound.
Behind the Scenes
A short, tongue-twisting, mud-slinging, harmony-singing look at the making of Path to Glory.
Disk One Running Time: 2:10
Disk Two Running Time: Bonus Features
Content Rating: GA (General Audience)
DVD Region: All Regions
Media Format: NTSC-DVD
Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Audio Language(s): English
Copyright - Horsefly Films


On June 2nd, Lake County Department of Public Services and the Konocti Regional Trails (KRT) team held a small ceremony on Mt. Konocti’s Wrights Peak to dedicate the seventh in a series of interpretive panels on the mountain. The panel commemorates a fatal plane crash that took two lives nearly 50 years ago.
The sunny June morning in 2016 was a direct contrast to the tragic day in 1970. On January 26th, Mervin and Julia “May” Enzler left Santa Rosa airport to fly home to Ukiah in their white and turquoise 1946 Navion A. The Enzlers had recently retired as owners of the “Model Bakery” in Ukiah, today operating as Schats Courthouse Bakery and Cafe.
Increasingly bad weather forced them to request navigational assistance from air traffic control in Ukiah. After a brief navigational correction with the tower, further contact ceased.
A massive air and ground search was conducted. Due to the remote location and lack of access, it wasn’t until early February that the crash debris was spotted on the side of the mountain by a local pilot.
The wreckage was largely forgotten until the fall of 2011, when the road sides were cleared for the opening of Mt. Konocti Regional Park, once again uncovering the aircraft.
An increasing number of phone calls requesting information on the plane debris prompted then-Calfire Batallion Chief, Greg Bertelli, to contact KRT members about installing a commemorative plaque at the site near the Calfire lookout tower. KRT then researched the family, tracking down the Enzler’s son, Ed Enzler, now in his 80’s and still living in Mendocino County.
After initial discussions, Mr. Enzler agreed to collaborate with KRT’s Tom Nixon, and Kelseyville’s Emmy-award winning art designer Gerri Groody, on an interpretive panel depicting his parents’ tragic deaths.
The Lakeport Rotary Club volunteered to pay for the panel and installation, culminating in the June ceremony. Attending were the Enzler family (son, Ed Enzler and grandchildren Steve Enzler, Scott Enzler, Karen Adamski and Eileen Husted), members of the Lakeport Rotary Club represented by president, Jennifer Strong, Lake County Department of Public Services Dana Smalley, and KRT members headed by Tom Nixon, who has spearheaded all seven panel projects to-date.
This was the first time most of the Enzler family had seen the plane crash, resulting in some poignant moments and memories. The gathering ended with a trip to the top of the Calfire lookout tower for 360 degree views of the mountain, and side tours to visit Mary Downen’s cabin and the ancient maul oak grove.
Six other interpretive panels covering cultural and natural history were previously installed on Mt. Konocti via a State Parks grant.
Mt. Konocti Regional Park is open daily from dawn to dusk, and accessible via hiking only. For more information on Mt. Konocti Regional Park, visit the website at www.KonoctiTrails.com or call Lake County Public Services at 707-263-1618.