Lovers of fine jewelry often use Birthstones as seasonal guidelines and sources of inspiration. (See Birthstones By Month.) Without knowing the history behind them, one might find the concept just a little arbitrary. However, there is actually a fair bit of a story here. Indulge me, and I’ll tell you all you never knew about Birthstones.
The tradition of Birthstones can be traced all the way back to biblical times. There was a unique breastplate worn by Aaron, the brother of Moses, which was lined with “4 rows of stones” representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Exodus 39:10 through 39:14 lists them off in great detail, although translations differ heavily on the subject of which stones were present, and where they were placed. Early astrologers then got involved and adapted the story of Aaron’s Breastplate to the 12 Month Zodiac. Hence, the earliest known instance of Birthstones.
Since then, all kinds of influences have been working to decide which stones are best for which months. Priests have made various claims. In the 8th century, they began attributing certain stones to each of the 12 Apostles of Christ. Folk Healers have also contributed, believing that gemstones could provide luck and healing in the right circumstances. Fashion, of course, and fashionable women have always had their say when it comes to fine jewelry. And eventually, the jewelers themselves had their own ideas.
In 1870, Tiffany and Co. published a pamphlet of Gregorian Birthstone Poems. No authors are named, and no one is sure if these are truly earlier works or just a marketing tactic. The pamphlet did catch the attention of the jewelry community. So much so that in 1912, the American National Association of Jewelers, now called the Jewelers of America, made an effort to normalize the industry by creating a formal list of Birthstones.
Today, that list has gone through several edits. In 2002, Tanzanite became one of the stones associated with December. In August of 2016, Spinel was announced as a gemstone associated with August. Despite evolving, this list has remained the standard in America for which Birthstones belong to what month, for over a century.
Not surprisingly, there are different lists of birthstones all across the world. Some draw from traditional medicine practices, while others are rooted in cultural figures, local fashions and environmental trends.
But for America, October's Birthstone is the Opal, and the Tourmaline.
Click here to see the official list of the Jewelers of America site.
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The first documented descriptions of massage dating back to about 3,000 BC were discovered in China. Chinese Taoist priests practiced ‘Qi Gong’ – meditative movement revealing and cultivating the vital life force. Traditional Chinese medicine is based on the principle that every illness, ailment or discomfort in the body is due to an imbalance of ‘Qi’. In about 1,000 BC Japanese monks began to study Buddhism in China. They witnessed the healing methods of traditional Chinese medicine and took them back to Japan. In Japan the practice of medicine mostly consisted of diagnosis and treatment with massage-type methods. The Japanese not only adopted the Chinese style, but also began to enhance it by introducing new combinations, eventually reaching a unique Japanese form called Shiatsu. Shiatsu is a Japanese word derived from ‘shi’ meaning finger and ‘atsu’ meaning pressure. It is a technique similar to that used in acupuncture but without needles and with extra movements involved.


On 5 May 1930, a 26 year old typist from Hull took off from Croydon Airport in a second hand biplane with not much more than a school atlas, flask of tea and packet of sandwiches. She was bound for Australia. At that point, she had held her pilots licence for less than a year and the furthest she had previously flown was from London to Hull. Only her father and a few friends saw her depart on this epic journey as her fragile plane wobbled off into the distance, overloaded with fuel and struggling to stay airborne. Few believed she would make it and would probably die trying. But Amy believed she could do it - and she did.
On 24 May, a battered, blistered and exhausted Amy flew into Darwin and the history books becoming the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia. Unlike her quiet departure, on her arrival she was met by thousands. The world had fallen in love with the lone girl flyer and she became an instant international celebrity. She was an ordinary girl who had done an extraordinary thing.
What a story! But it doesn’t end there. Without recounting the entire biography, Amy continued to break a number of aviation records in the 1930s, gaining global recognition for her courage, bravery and refusal to conform at a point in history when as a women she was expected to simply marry and have a family. She became the first British female ground engineer, at one point the only one in the world, and worked tirelessly to promote aviation and engineering and the value women could bring to them with her unique, creative and intelligent voice.
Amy Johnson died during the second world war when a plane she was transporting mysteriously crashed into the sea off the shores of Herne Bay, Kent in 1941.
The unexplained circumstances surrounding her death weighed deeply on a nation mourning the loss of one of the world's greatest ever female pilots and an icon of her era. Amy was just 37 years old and her body and the wreckage of the plane were never found.


The meaning of steam engine tattoo is science and progress. The significance of the invention of steam engine is to promote the development of machinery industry and even society. Steam engine has a great historical role. It has promoted the development of machinery industry and even society, solved the most critical problems in the production of large machinery, and promoted the unprecedented progress of transportation.
With the development of steam engine, thermodynamics and mechanics have laid the foundation for the development of steam turbine and internal combustion engine; The steam turbine inherits the characteristics of the steam engine with steam as the working medium and the advantages of using condenser to reduce the exhaust pressure, and discards the shortcomings of reciprocating motion and intermittent steam admission.
The greatest advantage of modern steam engine is that it can use almost all the fuel to convert heat energy into mechanical energy. Unlike the internal combustion engine, it is not picky about its fuel. In addition, atomic energy cannot be used without a steam engine.


to Fly' by Squadron Leader Norman Rose AFC & Bar AMN ...
... the autobiography of a RAF pilot who flew military aircraft in WWII and throughout the Cold War era, 1942 to 1989
If you fly as a Royal Air Force pilot for 47 years then, apart from breaking a record for length of service, you are likely to have collected a story or two about that service. In this charmingly frank account, Squadron Leader Norman Rose spells out the ups and downs of his Service career. The ‘ups’ were acknowledged with the award of the Air Force Cross (twice) and two ‘Green Endorsements’ (pats on the back) in his log book. On exchange from the RAF he served, with merit, with the Royal Malaysian Air Force. This too was acknowledged with their equivalent of the MBE. But there were ‘downs’ - a measure of that frankness of this account is the telling of the story of hitting some power lines in a Percival Prentice and definitely coming straight down! Light is shed on the good and bad of Service life. Wartime fighter pilot, flying instructor, ferry pilot, test pilot, long range transport pilot - at the end of his service Norman chose to give back something of which he had received by commanding a unit, until the age of 65, that gave air experience to Air Training Corps cadets - which completes the circle, that organisation being the origin of his flying career. With retirement, Norman Rose’s unique career attracted the attention of two organisations - The Guinness Book of Records and The Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators. The former granted him an entry as the longest serving RAF pilot. The latter honoured him with the not often awarded title of ‘Master Air Pilot’. There are lots of accounts of the wartime exploits of the Royal Air Force - not many of those ‘Cold War’ years. Norman’s story spans both in a very readable way.
pages, 6"x8", 150mmx210mm, softback
Over 100 b&w photographs
ISBN 0 9527715 8 6


Irish Tea and Luncheon
The Irish Tea and Luncheon encourages friendship, loyalty and kinship among those people of New Ulm and the surrounding area who are interested in Irish culture, traditions and history. Irish craic and song will be performed by the Irish ‘Red’ Rovers. Created by the former Mayor of New Ulm, Carl ‘Red’ Wyczawski, the local group honors the major role Irish immigrants played in founding the city of New Ulm.
The luncheon menu includes Irish potato and leek soup, apple, spinach and baby kale salad with apple cider vinaigrette, and chocolate cake with Bailey’s buttercream frosting.
The Irish Cuppa Tea
Tea was first imported to Ireland in 1835 where it became popular with the wealthy crowd, but it wasn’t until later in the mid 1800s that it spread to the rural people and all of Ireland was hooked. Small grocers were opened in the towns and villages and they started exchanging butter and eggs for tea and sugar.
In Gaelic “cupan tae” means cup of tea, and the Irish make it a strong cup. Irish tea is blended to be mixed with a lot of rich milk-up to 1/3 of the cup for some. The custom is to add the milk to the tea cup first, then pour in the tea. Irish breakfast tea is often a strong blend of Assam and Ceylon and most people would only drink it for breakfast, though the Irish love it strong and would use this blend all day long. Even during the traditional Irish wake, after a family member has passed away, it’s expected that a pot would be continously boiling to make tea for company.
Irish tea is served generally three times a day; 11:00 in the morning, 3:00 – 5:00 for afternoon tea and a high tea at 6:00 pm, serving as the evening meal. Many think of high tea as formal or fancy, but it’s actually a working man’s tea that serves as a meal. Afternoon tea is the more “fancy” of the three teas-the one with scones, breads, jam, curds and other dainties.
Source: Old Fashioned Living


The Claddagh Ring originated from Bartholomew Fallon a 17th-century Irish goldsmith based in Galway. While visiting this amazing town I stopped at a jewelers home who makes these rings in the traditional manner. There are many different legends of the history of the ring one legend has it that the silversmith Richard Joyce from Galway was captured and enslaved by Algerian Corsairs around 1675 while on a passage to the West Indies; he was sold into slavery to a Moorish goldsmith who taught him the craft. Upon his release and return to Galway he brought along with him the ring he had fashioned while in captivity: what we’ve come to know as the Claddagh. He gave the ring to his sweetheart, married, and became a goldsmith with success. His initials are in one of the earliest surviving Claddagh rings but there are three other rings also made around that time, bearing the mark of goldsmith Thomas Meade.
Here in this photo you can see the image of the ring just above the doorway.


About The Artwork
Our website features several drawings by our co-founder, Harry L. “Gil” Gillam, Jr. A lifelong artist, Gillam began drawing the historic and architecturally unique courthouses of East Texas as a hobby. Soon, the firm began including them on their Christmas cards and, before long, they became popular throughout the region, among lawyers and non-lawyers alike.
The drawings include current courthouses as well as some that are now used for other purposes or have been razed. Several of the buildings – including the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in Tyler, the Old Federal Courthouse in Jefferson and the Texarkana U.S. Post Office and Federal Building – are on the National Register of Historic Places.
The historic courthouses of East Texas include some of the finest examples of Classical Revival and Renaissance Revival architecture in Texas. Fortunately for the citizens of this area, many of the buildings have been well-maintained and preserve much of their original design and architectural flourishes, inside and out.
Gil Gillam says the drawings allow him to combine his love of art and architecture, as well as his passion for the law, history and East Texas.
“I spend a significant portion of my life in these buildings, and they’re an important part of this region’s history,” Gillam says. “They represent another era that we need to preserve and remember. In a small way, these drawings help me do that.”


Home > Texas Attractions > Beaumont > Texas Energy Museum
Texas Attractions: Texas Energy Museum
Address: 600 Main St., 77701
About the Texas Energy Museum:
Located in Beaumont's Downtown historic district, the Texas Energy Museum explores the history of the petrochemical industry. The oil boom started in Beaumont in 1901 with the Spindletop gusher, an event that is a major focus of the museum.
The museum uses animatronics to tell the story of several generations of an oil-field family. It also features exhibits detailing how oil and other petrochemical products are transformed into the everyday fuels and products used by Americans everywhere.
The geology of oil is another big focus of the Texas Energy Museum.
A small admission fee is charged. Hours for the Texas Energy Museum are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. on Sundays.
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I was glad to partner with Council Member Barbara Foushee on this resolution, which the Town Council approved unanimously this week. We had the privilege of working on the resolution with Dr. Freddie Parker, a historian at North Carolina Central University.
WHEREAS, the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude”; and
WHEREAS, the amendment was ratified on February 3, 1870, the last of the three Reconstruction Amendments that were adopted after the Civil War to abolish slavery, extend due process and the equal protection of the laws, and affirm the right to vote; and
WHEREAS, Black North Carolinians who owned property had been allowed to vote under the state’s 1776 constitution, but were stripped of the right to vote by the 1835 constitution; and
WHEREAS, Black people sought the franchise immediately after slavery ended, continuing an ongoing struggle that began during the Colonial period; and
WHEREAS, the Fifteenth Amendment was a radical achievement for its time, and after it hundreds of thousands of formerly enslaved people began to vote, an estimated 2000 Black men were elected to local and state office during Reconstruction, and Black men were elected to serve in the US House of Representatives for the first time on October 19, 1870; and
WHEREAS, the amendment also represented a political compromise, a watered-down version of proposals that would have ended poll taxes, literacy tests, and other restrictions that were used across the South to prevent Black people from voting for another hundred years; and
WHEREAS, the fight to protect voting rights, expand voter access, and ensure fair elections is not over, as seen in recent attempts by the North Carolina General Assembly to suppress voting rights, such as voter ID measures, sham investigations of voter fraud, racially motivated gerrymandering, and other efforts designed to prevent Black people from voting; and
WHEREAS, the year 2020 is the 150th anniversary of the ratification and adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment and is also an election year of momentous importance; and
WHEREAS, voting in every election and learning and sharing the history of the struggle for voting rights are important tools in effecting change at the federal, state, and local levels;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Town Council of the Town of Carrboro, North Carolina, encourages all residents to vote and to support and engage in efforts to protect voting rights and ensure fair elections, such as the local and statewide work of Democracy NC, You Can Vote, and Activate! IFC.
This the 23rd day of June, 2020.


Retail price 97.00 EUR/PC
Burberry was founded in 1856 in Basingstoke in Hampshire, UK, by Thomas Burberry, who was at the time an apprentice draper. As a specialist in outdoor sportswear, the designer quickly established a wealthy clientele who devoted themselves to hunting and fishing. The company developed rapidly and in 1870, Thomas Burberry hired more than 80 people. Now this famous luxury fashion house focuses on and distributes trench coats, ready-to-wear outerwear, fashion accessories, fragrances, sunglasses, and cosmetics.
INFORMATION ON THE PRODUCT:
- Burberry women polo t-shirts (200pcs)
- Sizes included in the wholesale stock offer: S-XL
- The clothing is brand new
- Comes with all the original tags


This post was written by Stuart Wallace, Ph.D. candidate at the University of Nottingham. His research addresses the application of the ECHR to domestic and extra-territorial military operations. You can follow him on Twitter @echrhawk.
The ECtHR recently held its Grand Chamber hearing in the case of Sargsyan v Azerbaijan. The webcast of the hearing is available here and worth watching (if for no other reason than the farcical map parade during the Azerbaijani government’s submissions). The applicant in the case (now deceased and succeeded by family members) was a former resident of the village of Gulistan in the disputed region Nagorno-Karabakh. The region was predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians, but part of Azerbaijani territory. In the late 80s, the region’s inhabitants sought to secede from Azerbaijan and to make the region part of Armenian territory. The ensuing dispute escalated over time, especially following the collapse of the Soviet Union.


Wonders of Earth
The reconstructed "Solar barge"
of Khufu-The Khufu ship is an intact
full-size vessel from Ancient Egypt
that was sealed into a pit in the
Giza pyramid complex at the foot of
the Great Pyramid of Giza around 2,500
B.C.E. The ship was almost certainly
built for Khufu (King Cheops), the
second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty
of the Old Kingdom of Egypt.
It is one of the oldest,
largest, and best-preserved vessels
from antiquity. At 43.6 m overall,
it is longer than the reconstructed
Ancient Greek trireme Olympias and,
for comparison, nine metres longer
than the Golden Hind in which Francis
Drake circumnavigated the world.
The ship was rediscovered
in 1954 by Kamal el-Mallakh, undisturbed
since it was sealed into a pit carved
out of the Giza bedrock. It was built
largely of cedar planking in the "shell-first"
construction technique and has been
reconstructed from more than 1,200
pieces which had been laid in a logical,
disassembled order in the pit beside
The history and function
of the ship are not precisely known.
It is of the type known as a "solar
barge," a ritual vessel to carry
the resurrected king with the sun
god Ra across the heavens. However,
it bears some signs of having been
used in water, and it is possible
that the ship was either a funerary
"barge" used to carry the
king's embalmed body from Memphis
to Giza, or even that Khufu himself
used it as a "pilgrimage ship"
to visit holy places and that it was
then buried for him to use in the
The Khufu ship has been
on display to the public in a specially
built museum at the Giza pyramid complex


The Fairbairn-Sykes Fighting Knife is a double-edged knife with a foil grip developed by William Ewart Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes in Shanghai before World War II, but made famous during the War when issued to British Commandos, including the SAS. Source: Wikipedia
The blade on the John Nowill & Sons Ltd, Fairbairn Sykes Commando knife features a double edged black carbon steel blade.
The handle on this British Commando knife is made of non-magnetic alloy and the grip features 27 concentric rings and a crossed key trade mark. The pommel nut is hexagonal and the guard is stamped with "John Nowill & Sons Sheffield England" and an arrow symbol and a diamond with an H in the middle.
Black leather sheath with a 2 1/4" slots to pass a belt through. The sheath also has four small leather tabs (two on each side) to allow it to be sewn to equipment or clothing. The bottom of the sheath has a metal tip. The knife is secured to the sheath by use of an elastic which is stretched over the handle of the knife.


Check out our New KIM & Co. On-Trend Fashion Collection
B.K. Kim, founder of Kim International, passed away on July 28, 2023. Mr. Kim was widely known and respected throughout the jewelry industry during his many years of service. Today, his company’s legacy continues through his children, Mike Kim and Aeran Kim-Park.
His life is a fascinating story of survival and accomplishment. He was born in 1929 in a small village in North Korea, during a time of Japanese colonization. His farming parents were very poor and educational opportunities were limited, but he valued education and never missed a day of school. In 1945, at the end of World War II, the Japanese surrendered, Russian Communists took control and conditions deteriorated even more.
Feeling desperate, he organized an anti-communist student movement at his high school. North Korean authorities discovered them, and he spent 3 years in a prison/labor camp, enduring unspeakable conditions. After release in 1950, at the young age of 21, he joined an anti-Communist guerilla group. During encounters, he was shot and eventually escaped across the heavily armed border to the South. He would never see his parents again.
Mr. Kim’s next chapter began when he found employment as a K.P. (kitchen patrol) at a U.S. Air Force Base in South Korea. He worked very hard and taught himself to speak English. There he met his future wife, Kilcha, and they were married shortly after. Their family grew with the additions of children Charlie, Aeran and Mike.
He entered a translator program and became First Lieutenant in the South Korean Army. He served as translator for several U.S. Army generals, eventually becoming aide to a 4-Star General. 8 years later, he retired from the Korean Army with a rank of Major.
In 1974, he moved his family to Miami, Florida seeking freedom, educational opportunities for his children and a chance to build a better life. In essence, he came for the “American Dream”.
B.K. started working at a giftware import business. He saw the benefits of giftware/jewelry industry, and he moved his family to Dallas, Texas in 1975 to start his own business, Kim Imports (now Kim International). Times were tough at first, but his hard work and dedication paid off. Often, he would leave his family for weeks at a time, traveling and sleeping in a van and visiting stores to show his jewelry lines.
Mr. Kim loved to tell the story of his first trip to buy gold in Vicenza, Italy. Knowing very little, he got in a taxi at the airport and asked them to take him to a gold factory. Carrying $50,000 cash, he made his first major gold purchase, and the rest is history. The company continued to grow and expand through the years.
Although Mr. Kim retired several years ago, he still came to the office to visit and share the rich stories of his past. He enjoyed playing golf and watching the History Channel, but his greatest joy was his family which grew to include 9 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
His journey is truly an example of living the American dream. He began with nothing, but through his resolve and sacrifice, he built a successful jewelry business. Most importantly, everything he worked for wasn't for himself. It was for the family he loved.
KIM is proud to have served the independent jeweler for almost 50 years. Today, the thriving company is still family owned and operated in Dallas, Texas. KIM presents stylish collections of exceptional quality bridal and fine fashion jewelry that are affordable and relevant. Their signature Romance Bridal Collection is one of the most comprehensive and profitable programs in the industry. KIM also operates their own factory offering exceptional quality, custom design and quick delivery.
Bong Ki Kim. July 9, 1929 – July 28, 2023


This week we sat down with Todd Tobias, publisher of Tales From the American Football League. His interest in the American Football League began in 1998, when he wrote his master’s thesis about Chargers legend Sid Gillman. His blog was created to educate and entertain football fans with the stories of the American Football League, 1960-1969. If you love football or have an interest in the AFL, this blog is a must read.
In our interview with Todd, he talks about who was responsible for the launch and success of the AFL, the role Al Davis played in the AFL / NFL merger, why the Chargers moved to San Diego after just one year in Los Angeles, and much more.
San Diego Chargers Tailgating (SDCT): You obviously have developed a love for the AFL. When did you first become interested in the historic league?
Todd Tobias (TT): I first began researching the AFL in 1998, when I was writing my master’s thesis on Sid Gillman. I became fascinated with the AFL’s “David and Goliath” story. I also found the stories about the racial prejudice that the players faced to be very interesting. Modern athletes have little-to-no idea what their predecessors went through to bring about the opportunities that athletes have today.
(TT): Lamar Hunt, owner of the Dallas Texans and Kansas City Chiefs, first had the idea of beginning a new professional football league. He gathered together several other potential team owners, and built the AFL.
(SDCT): Fill in the Blank: Without ______________ the AFL never would have launched.
(TT): There were a lot of very important figures in the overall success of the AFL. However, I would have to cast my vote for Lamar Hunt.
(SDCT): Can you point to a player, coach, or moment that legitimized the AFL across the nation and in the eyes of the NFL?
(TT): Well, there are different points of view regarding when the AFL was legitimized. Some say when the merger was announced, others say Super Bowls III or IV. I tend to think it came earlier. I think that the league was first legitimized in the eyes of many when the Chargers beat the Patriots 51-10 in the 1963 AFL championship game. The Patriots had a tough defense that season, and Sid Gillman and his Bolts thoroughly dismantled it.
The NFL champions in 1963 were the Chicago Bears. They, too, had a tough defense, but not much in the way of an offense. Many people, and I am one of them, believe that the Chargers stood a very good chance of beating the Bears that season. Sadly, we will never know for sure.
(SDCT): Rumor has it that the NFL secretly contacted the AFL about the merger without knowledge from AFL commissioner Al Davis? Is this true and what role did Al Davis play in the negotiations.
(TT): Well, there were really two different factions dealing with the AFL/NFL merger. Davis was in the forefront. After the New York Giants signed former Bills kicker, Pete Gogolak, to an NFL contract, in May 1966, thus breaking the unwritten rule in which the leagues didn’t raid each other for talent. Davis then instructed AFL owners to go after NFL stars, and sign them to huge contracts in an effort to cripple the NFL.
Meanwhile, Lamar Hunt was meeting with Tex Schramm and Pete Rozelle to iron out details for a merger between the leagues. Ultimately it was the Hunt-Schramm plan that brought the leagues together, though Davis certainly helped force the issue.
(SDCT): The NFL obviously considered the AFL a threat. What did the NFL consider their biggest threat when it came to the AFL?
(TT): The biggest problem was that both leagues held separate drafts, meaning that most college players would be drafted by both an AFL team and NFL team. This gave incoming players bargaining power, which kept driving up the numbers in their contracts. One of the main reasons that the leagues merged was to put a halt to the increasing prices for rookie talent.
(SDCT): How did the AFL run a successful league, ultimately ending in a merger with the NFL, when other rival leagues didn’t succeed?
(TT): With just a couple of exceptions, the original AFL owners were exceedingly wealthy. They only put up money that they could easily afford to lose. This, and the influx of cash that came with a couple of important television contracts, allowed to AFL to be in the fight longer than other leagues might have.
(SDCT): The Chargers played their first season in Los Angeles. What prompted the move to San Diego? Who were the key players involved in the move?
(TT): They simply didn’t draw fans in LA. The Chargers averaged around 15,000 fans per game in a stadium that held roughly 105,000. Barron Hilton (Chargers owner) and Jack Murphy of the San Diego Union, were the key individuals involved in the move. Of course, once the idea of the Chargers moving became public, many San Diego officials helped lure the team to San Diego.
(SDCT): The Chargers were loaded on the offensive side of the ball in the 60s. Alworth, Mix, Lowe, Lincoln, Mix, Kemp. Could any of these guys have similar success in today’s NFL?
(TT): With the size increase in players over the past 40 years, it would have been difficult for anyone to make that transition. Of the names that you listed, Alworth and Kemp likely had the best shot. Mix played tackle at around 260 lbs, which is far too small for the modern game. Lincoln was a 205-lb. fullback which is non-existent today. Lowe would have similar problems.
While there are certainly taller receivers and quarterbacks today, Alworth and Kemp would have been of sufficient size to play today. Both were highly-intelligent athletes, and had physical qualities that are still desirable at their positions today.
(SDCT): Who would you select as the top offensive and defensive player from the AFL?
(TT): Frankly, I don’t know if that is even possible. There were several players that could be counted near the top at their position in all of professional football history – Alworth, Ron Mix, Walt Sweeney, Jim Otto, Jim Tyrer, Bobby Bell, Willie Brown and more. Factor in guys of huge historical importance such as George Blanda and Joe Namath, and it makes things even more difficult.
(SDCT): With the NFL and AFL holding separate drafts for the same college prospects, it must have been difficult deciding who to select knowing there was a chance the player may not suit up for your team and choose the other league.
Todd Tobias (TT): – Absolutely. As I mentioned above, this is one of the main reasons that the leagues merged. Some teams had to alter their drafting schemes by selecting players that they could afford to sign, rather than simply drafting the players that would most help their team.
(SDCT): Best AFL uniforms?
(TT): The 1963 Chargers are the popular choice, and I would be hard-pressed to find another that was better. I do also like the clean red, white and blue of the Patriots, as well as the red and white of the Chiefs.
To read more about the American Football League (AFL) visit Todd’s blog Tales from the American Football League @ www.talesfromtheamericanfootballleague.com.


I can't put my finger on why, but I like "thumb bible" as a bibliographic term. Which is why I was delighted to see a selection of them slated for auction next week at PBA Galleries.
What is a thumb bible? In short, it is a condensed version of the bible, printed in a miniature format (less than 3"), popular in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The phrase may derive from a French edition, Bible du Petit Poucet, published c. 1800. Typically thumb bibles feature some illustration, however crude, as they were made to appeal to children.
Proffered within a collection of 500 miniature books from the Lilliput Oval Saloon of Tokyo, here are a few neat examples of thumb bibles:
Lot 66: A bible in English, printed in London in 1775 and bound in period full calf. This copy retains twelve of the original fourteen plates. The estimate is $600-900.
Lot 69: A 256-page miniature bible printed in London in 1780 and bound in period olive green morocco, complete with all fourteen engraved plates. The estimate is $1,000-1,500.
Lot 73: This thumb bible, printed in Coventry c. 1795 and bound in period full sheep, is "scarce," according to PBA. The estimate is $700-1,000.


Headquartered in Greater Cincinnati Ohio, LSI is a publicly held company traded on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange under the symbol LYTS. The company manufactures commercial lighting solutions, advanced graphic and image solutions, digital and retail display solutions. Our fiscal 2023 revenue reached $497 million.
LSI’s heritage spans more than 45 years, beginning in 1976 when the company was founded. The company employs about 1,400 people at 11 manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada.
Our commercial lighting group consists of high-performance, American-made lighting products and control systems. The Company’s strength in outdoor lighting applications coupled with an extensive portfolio of indoor lighting products creates opportunities for LSI to introduce a variety of solutions to our valued customers.
Retail display solutions consist of advanced graphics and image solutions, digital signage and technically advanced food display equipment for strategic vertical markets. LSI’s team of internal specialists also provide comprehensive project management services in support of large-scale product rollouts.
James A. Clark is LSI’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors. He was named CEO on November 1, 2018.
LSI Industries Sustainability Report
Burlington, North Carolina
Collingwood, Ontario (Canada)
1970s: The Start
Founded in 1976 in Greater Cincinnati by entrepreneur, Robert Ready, LSI Industries began as a lighting supplier to the petroleum industry. As Americans began adapting to the self-service model of refueling their vehicles, Mr. Ready noticed that many of the gas stations in those early years were either poorly lit, or completely unlit – impacting their owners’ ability to operate safely at night and grow their businesses. With a vision, a small shop and a plan, Mr. Ready set out to change all of that. In the the process, he created a one of the most respected and recognized lighting companies in America.
1980s: The Early Years
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, LSI experienced significant growth. To inject additional capital into the business, the company was taken public and began trading on the NASDAQ national market in 1985 under the ticker symbol LYTS. It was during the 1980s that LSI expanded its business to include a variety of landscaping, commercial and industrial indoor lighting solutions, as well as pole manufacturing. During this period, the company also began manufacturing graphics and signage solutions. It was a novel business concept, and it allowed the company to differentiate itself in the marketplace and deliver additional value to its customers.
Throughout the 1990s, LSI continued to grow exponentially, both organically and through acquisitions. It was during this decade that the company revolutionized the petroleum industry when it introduced its first Scottsdale canopy fixture. The Scottsdale quickly became the gold standard within the petroleum industry, as well as LSI’s best selling lighting product at the time. The decade also saw LSI begin to manufacture drive-thru menu boards and offer retail lighting and graphics solutions on a large scale.
2000s: The Future
The new century ushered in a number of important changes at LSI. During this time period, the company consolidated all of its business units and began offering comprehensive project management services to customers all across America. The biggest change, however, took place early in the decade when LSI moved away from bulb and lamp technology and began manufacturing high-performance, highly energy-efficient LED lighting solutions. In addition, the company began producing many of its own LED circuit boards and offering an array of wireless lighting control solutions.
At LSI, we are proud of our heritage, as well as our solid track record of adapting to rapid technological and regulatory changes. Today, under the leadership of LSI’s President and CEO, James A. Clark, the company is on a transformational path. LSI is financially strong, fit to grow and recognized all across America for quality, reliability and innovation. We are committed to building upon our legacy of excellence that began nearly 50 years ago. Indeed, the future is bright for LSI, and the future is now.


THE RED SEA crossing is an iconic moment in the Bible, the history of Israel, and in movies (thanks to legendary producer/director Cecil B. DeMille). But it’s way cooler than you might know.
THE PASSOVER is a milestone in world history. It’s a defining moment in the creation of Israel, and thus, a key event in the natural and spiritual history of the world.
IT’S A showdown on the Nile between the God of the Hebrews and the gods of Egypt. However, contrary to what we’ve been taught, the gods of Egypt in Moses’ day weren’t all Egyptian gods.
MOSES RETURNS to Egypt with Aaron as his mouthpiece, a concession by God to Moses’ reluctance to speak to his fellow Hebrews about the Lord’s promise of deliverance.
ISRAEL SPENT 430 years in Egypt. This is recorded in Exodus 12:40-41 and Galatians 3:17. How do we reconcile that with God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would return “in the fourth generation” (Gen. 15:16), or the four generations between Levi and Moses (Ex. 6:16-20)?


The first and the foremost thing that every person needs to understand is what the bases of the battle of Karbala were. For some it was a battle between two armies for the sake of power, for others it was a battle of a ruler and a rebel. In reality neither of these arguments depict the true spirit of the battle of Karbala, which was to define a way of life for the righteous people, till the day of Resurrection.
CAUSES LEADING TO THE BATTLE:
The battle of Karbala, one of the greatest battles fought in history, was between the grandson of the Holy Prophet ﷺ – Imam Hussein ibn Ali and the grandson of Abu Sufyan – Yazid ibn Muawiya. When Yazid claimed governance of the Islamic state after the death of his father, his first step was to appoint his kin and his henchmen as governors of the various provinces. He assigned them the task to take oath of allegiance from all Muslims and to kill those who refused them.
Yazid ibn Muawiya was well aware of the status of Imam Hussein as the grandson of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and the son of the Caliph Ali ibn Abu Talib. He felt highly threatened by Imam Hussein and in his fear he sent a special emissary with the letter to al-Waleed (the then governor of Madina) commanding him to get the oath of allegiance from Imam Hussein and his companions. Al-Waleed respected Imam Hussein from the perspective of him being the grandson of the Prophet ﷺ but his associate Marwan feared Imam Hussein and believed him to be a threat to Yazid’s government. He intended to kill the Prophet’s ﷺ grandson as soon as Imam Hussein showed resistance against the oath.
The famous words of Imam Hussein when Marwan insisted upon submitting the oath to Yazid will always be a life-defining guideline for the believers. He said:
THE LIKES OF ME DONOT PAY ALLEGIANCE TO THE LIKES OF HIM (YAZID)
[Imam Hussein ibn Ali]
This declaration of the Imam is a defining statement for not only the Muslims but the entire mankind that a truthful and pious person like Imam Hussein does not follow anyone with a Yazid-like immoral character.
After Imam Hussein’s denial to oath the peaceful land of Madina switched to a hostile environment for him. He was pressurized using all methods to pay allegiance to Yazid till he was forced to leave Madina. He went to Makah along with his entire family which included his sisters, daughters and his 6 month old child, Ali Asghar, with the intention to perform Hajj e Bait ullah. The associates of Yazid did not rest even there and made a plan to murder the Prophet’s ﷺ grandson while he was busy in performing Hajj.
When Imam Hussein came to know of their heinous intentions he decided to convert his Hajj to Umra and leave Makah in order preserve the sanctity of the House of Allah. He set out to Kufa the residents of which were ready to help the Imam but on his way to Kufa he came face to face with an army sent by Yazid commanded by Hurr, a well-known warrior famous for his valor and bravery, who later joined Imam Hussein’s small army and fought against Yazid’s troops with great courage and was one of the 72 martyrs of the battle of Karbala. Hurr did not let the Imam continue his journey even when the Imam offered him that he would not go to Kufa or any other province under the rule of Yazid, rather he would travel to Iraq. Hurr forced Imam Hussein to make camp at a land called Karbala on the 2nd of Moharram. On the 7th of Moharram, the progeny of the Prophet was cut-off from the supply of water and the battle of Karbala began at dawn on the 10th of Moharram also known as Ashura.
THE BATTLE OF KARBALA:
The battle of Karbala was no ordinary battle. It was not fought between two well-armed, highly trained armies of warriors, neither was it fought on the principles that are to be followed in a combat. It was the war of a small, poorly armed, under-trained group of 72 people, which included the infants, youth and adults of Imam’s family and friends, against a well-trained, heavily armed, highly skilled group of thousands which were a representation of Yazid’s power. It was the battle of a small group of people who fought for Allah only, against a group of battalions who had worldly desires in their hearts and who wished to please Yazid in order to obtain worldly rewards from the governor.
Yazid’s battalion though more powerful than Imam Hussein’s army, forgot one factor which turned the war in favor of Imam Hussein – The Help of Allah. Imam Hussein’s soldiers were fighting solely for the love of Allah. They had no other desires in their hearts then to preserve the true spirit of Islam. Their faithfulness to Allah, His Prophet ﷺ and His religion was remarkable and won them Allah’s support & the battle in which victory seemed impossible was won so miraculously that the name of Imam Hussein and his companions shall continue to be an inspiration for people all around the world till the day of Judgment.
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE:
The battle of Karbala when analyzed carefully raises multiple questions in one’s mind: Why did Imam Hussein take the stand against Yazid? Why did the Imam bring his family along with him? Where did the soldiers of Imam Hussein muster up the courage to battle against such a huge army? How can a small, poorly equipped army of seventy-two battle a well-armed battalion of thousands and still be successful?
The answer to all these questions and many more is a small yet powerful statement – the loyalty to Allah and Islam. It was because of his faithfulness to the Prophet ﷺ and Islam that the Imam decided to confront the immoral and unjust governance of Yazid. His blind trust in Allah, strong faith in His wisdom and a deep love for the Almighty lead to his victory in a battle which was heavily inclined towards the blood-thirsty and in humane Yazidees.
The miraculous victory of Imam Hussein provides for humans a lesson that when a person decides to stand against injustice & immorality and remains steadfast in his purpose, Allah Almighty rewards him with an extraordinary honor. The stand of Imam Hussein against Yazid is a guideline for people who claim to be bearers of morality that if they are true in their claim then they must declare war against people with a Yazid like character.


THOMAS A. EDISON
Thomas Edison is an American icon with an international presence. His inventions were marketed all over the world and Edison remains one of the best-known historical figures.
A savvy businessman and shrewd manager, Edison had enormous talent for transferring technology from laboratory to market. By designing economic considerations into nearly all his inventions and recognizing the critical role that promotion and hustle play in a product’s success, he provides a powerful model for corporate leaders even today.
Edison is a transcendent figure, an inventor, manufacturer and businessman whose successes – and failures – continue to provide insight as meaningful today as it was a hundred years ago. While Edison’s genius spawned many formative inventions of the modern world, his greatest invention may well have been the first industrial research laboratory, a prototype for today’s corporate research and development centers. As one of the most brilliant inventors and entrepreneurs of modern times, he shaped not only industrial America, but also mass entertainment and contemporary culture.
Edison remains the standard for measuring technological prowess and entrepreneurship among today’s geniuses of creation and management.


Val d'Orcia, Siena (Tuscany)
The Val d'Orcia is a region of Tuscany, central Italy, which extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata. It is characterised by gentle, carefully-cultivated hills occasionally broken by gullies and by picturesque towns and villages such as Pienza (rebuilt as an ideal town in the 15th century under the patronage of Pope Pius II), Radicofani (home to the notorious brigand-hero Ghino di Tacco) and Montalcino (the Brunello di Montalcino is counted among the most prestigious of Italian wines).
It is a landscape which has become familiar through its depiction in works of art from the Renaissance painting to the modern photograph. In 2004 the Val d’Orcia was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.


This pocket watch was given as a token of thanks from one survivor of the First World War to another.
In June 1915, the 7th and 8th Battalions of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) were fighting against Turkish soldiers on the Gallipoli Peninsula. During one particularly fierce battle, at Gully Ravine, Second Lieutenant T. L. Tillie was badly wounded and unable to make it back to his own trench. Sergeant Stephen Miller crawled out, under heavy rifle and machine gun fire, to where the wounded officer was lying and dragged him back to safety.
Second Lieutenant Tillie recommended that Sergeant Miller be awarded a gallantry medal, for risking his life to save another. Sadly, Sergeant Miller did not receive any official recognition for his bravery, nor was he ever awarded a gallantry medal for saving the young officer. When Second Lieutenant Tillie learned this, he presented this gold pocket watch to Sergeant Miller as a token of thanks.
Inside the watch is the message “With thanks to Sergeant Miller from T.L. Tillie, 28th June 1915”. The back of the watch shows the crest of The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles).
Tragically, two of Lieutenant Tillie’s brothers were killed in the First World War. This pocket watch reminds us that, had it not been for the bravery of Sergeant Miller, Lieutenant Tillie’s family may have lost another son.


Turkey has a history of ceramic production reaching back thousands of years, from the primitive sculpture of prehistoric Anatolia to the ornaments and crockery of the Hitites and the ornate hand-painted tiles of Iznik. During the middle of the 20th Century, the era of mass-production began as Turkish ceramic producers built factories to manufacture ceramics on a large industrial scale. Since that time the quantity and quality of ceramics being produced in Turkey has continued to grow.
Turkishceramics was established in 1997 under the auspices of the Undersecretariat of the Ministry of Economy with the support of the Central Anatolian Exporters Union and the Turkish Ceramics Federation. The group’s main goal is to raise awareness of the quality of Turkish ceramics around the world.
The group undertakes many activities to communicate to a global audience, from participating in trade fairs to organising design competitions, hosting exhibitions and trade missions. These events and activities are regularly published in some of the world’s most prestigious design magazines and journals.
WHAT'S SPECIAL IN TURKISH CERAMICS
Due to its rich history of ceramic production, Turkey can be seen as the ‘land of ceramics’. These traditions have been coloured by the many different civilizations that have evolved in the Anatolian region. In addition to this cultural history, geography has played an important role. The abundance of natural resources in Anatolia ensures high quality ceramic products and these raw materials are also exported for ceramic production outside Turkey.
As well as being a world leader in ceramic production, Turkey has some of the most sophisticated technology and innovative products on the market. Turkish ceramic producers work closely with some of the world’s most talented designers in order to create exciting new products that are both beautiful and functional.
ROOTS IN HISTORY
The history of Anatolia can be seen as the history of ceramics. From the Hittites, Romans and Byzantines, to the Seljuqs and Ottomans, ceramics were a crucial aspect of everyday life. The versatility of ceramic as a material meant that techniques evolved and designs flourished to create pieces and products of functionality and ornamental beauty.
Since Turkish ceramic production was industrialised in the 1950s, the country has rapidly increased its share in the world ceramics market and is now a global competitor in the production of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware.


- Ancient Romans used challenge coins, but the modern versions go back to WWI.
- The name “challenge” refers to the game played by the military in bars.
- Soldiers used challenge coins in WWI, WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
- The military and other organizations like police and fire still use challenge coins.
Challenge coins are fun to collect and have made for special events and organizations. But do you know the history behind these coins?
The origin of challenge coins is traced back to Ancient Rome, but the modern ones are traced back to World War I when the Germans captured an American pilot. They took all his belongings before he escaped. The French found him, and he used the challenge coin to prove that he was not a spy.
No matter where the coins originated, challenge coins have become a symbol of fellowship and solidarity among military personnel and other groups. Keep reading as we look more into the challenge coins' history, what they are for, and why they are called challenge coins.
What is a Challenge Coin?
Challenge coins are unique, specially crafted tokens. They are generally larger than regular coins and come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from circles and pentagons to arrowheads and dog tag shapes.
Made from materials such as pewter, nickel, or copper, most challenge coins measure between 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter but can be larger. These coins feature unique engravings and a range of finishes, from paint to gold plating, making each one truly one-of-a-kind.
What are Challenge Coins for?
Challenge coins primarily symbolize membership, recognition, and achievement within military units, law enforcement agencies, sports teams, and other organizations. They are often given to members to commemorate special events, milestones, or achievements and remind them of their affiliation with the group.
Challenge coins can also be used for "challenges," where a member of an organization will initiate a challenge by slapping their coin on a table or bar and calling out to others to show their coin. If someone cannot produce a challenge coin, they may be required to buy a round of drinks or perform some other form of forfeit. Again, this is meant to be a fun way to foster camaraderie and reinforce the sense of belonging among group members.
In recent years, challenge coins have become popular collectibles, with people seeking out unique and rare designs to add to their collections. Regardless of their intended purpose, challenge coins represent a rich history and traditions within the various groups they represent.
When Were Challenge Coins First Used?
The origin and purpose of challenge coins are shrouded in mystery. Nevertheless, the connection between military service and coins dates back to ancient times, potentially to Ancient Rome.
According to historical accounts, Roman soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle were given regular wages and a separate bonus coin. These bonus coins were said to be specially minted and displayed the emblem of the soldier's legion, which some soldiers chose to keep as keepsakes rather than spend them.
The tradition of handing out reward challenge coins continues today, particularly in the military, where they are awarded for outstanding performance. Some individuals treat these coins as collectibles, akin to autographs or business cards, while others use them as a form of identification to prove their military service in specific units.
Some challenge coins are also distributed to the general public for promotional purposes or sold as a means of fundraising.
Origin of Military Challenge Coins
The tradition of challenge coins dates back to World War I when American volunteers from across the country joined the new flying squadrons in Europe. This diverse group included wealthy college students who had dropped out mid-term to join the war effort.
One such wealthy lieutenant commissioned solid bronze medallions to commemorate the loyalty of his unit to the war effort.
The significance of challenge coins in the military was solidified when a World War I pilot's plane was severely damaged, leading to his capture by German forces.
He managed to escape but was later stopped by French soldiers and taken to be executed, as he had no way of proving his identity as an American soldier. He had, however, kept a challenge coin medallion given to him by a member of his original crew.
When he showed the medallion to his would-be executioners, one of the captors recognized the squadron emblem on the coin. As a result, the French paused his execution to confirm his identity.
Challenge Coins in World War II
Challenge coins were important for identifying allies during the Second World War. For example, the Office of Strategic Services members deployed in Nazi-occupied France were equipped with special coins called "Bona Fides."
Soldiers used these coins to verify a person's identity during meetings to prevent any infiltration by Nazi spies.
An American Army officer contacted a Philippine guerrilla group in the Pacific campaign. He was given a special silver coin stamped with their unit insignia to ensure proper identification.
After the guerrilla group verified his identity through the coin, they were able to carry out a successful raid on a Japanese supply depot. This is an example of how challenge coins have been used to verify identity and foster trust in challenging situations.
The Oldest Known Challenge Coin
The earliest known challenge coin is that of the 17th Infantry of Korea, commanded by Colonel "Buffalo Bill" Quinn. These challenge coins were issued during the Korean War, from 1950 to 1951, symbolizing the unit's tour of duty together.
One side of the challenge coin features a buffalo and the date 1812, representing the year the unit was established. The other side displays the 17th Infantry patch with the dates 1950-1951 and the word "Korea," signifying their tour. The cross and fort symbol reflects the unit's history. This challenge coin is one of the rarest and most valuable.
Challenge Coins and the Vietnam War
The Vietnam War saw the rise of "Bullet Groups" formed by highly trained soldiers who fought at the front lines. Soldiers would carry bullets in their front hip pockets to prove their affiliation with the U.S. military.
These bullets also served as a last resort in the event of capture, as soldiers were trained not to divulge information that could risk the lives of their comrades.
Over time, these bullets were used in challenge games among soldiers. However, as the caliber of the bullets increased, they became problematic to use in challenges.
As a result, challenge bullets were replaced with challenge coins, which were customized with the unit's name, symbol, and sometimes even the soldier's name.
Challenge Coins in the Military Today
The history of challenge coins shows why they are still widely used in the military today as a symbol of unity and recognition. They serve as a way to commemorate achievements, mark important events, and recognize the service of military personnel.
Modern challenge coins are often designed with the unit's emblem, mission statement, and other special symbols to reflect the unit's history, values, and traditions.
Challenge coins are also used as a tradition within military units. For example, service members may participate in "challenge coin ceremonies," where they show their unit coin to prove their membership in a team or acknowledge another member's service.
Additionally, challenge coins are often used as a way for military members to show appreciation for their comrades by exchanging coins with one another or presenting them as gifts.
Overall, challenge coins remain important in the military culture and are a cherished symbol of service and sacrifice.
Non-Military Uses for Challenge Coins
Challenge coins are not just limited to military use; they have also been adapted for various non-military organizations and events.
Law enforcement agencies, such as police departments and border patrol, often use challenge coins to commemorate special achievements, commemorate retirements, or recognize exceptional performance.
Firefighters and emergency responders also use challenge coins to honor their colleagues for their bravery and sacrifices.
Fraternal organizations, such as fraternities and sororities, have a challenge coin tradition to symbolize membership and unity.
Companies and corporations have also adopted challenge coins as a way to reward and recognize employees for their contributions, as well as to build camaraderie among employees.
Sports teams, schools, and universities often use challenge coins to commemorate championships, milestones, and special events.
Political campaigns and advocacy groups also use challenge coins to raise funds, promote their cause, and engage their supporters.
Custom challenge coins can be made for any occasion. Submit a request for a quote today to begin working on your own challenge coin project.


Inspiring a new generation of gymnasts!
9.30am-4.30pm with optional extended hours from 8.30am-5.30pm
for children aged 5-14
About Louis Smith
Louis trains at the now famous Huntingdon Gymnastics Club in Cambridgeshire alongside GB teammate Daniel Keatings, with his specialist discipline being the Pommel Horse.
As a junior Louis was a two-time European Champion on Pommel Horse, winning the title in both 2004 and 2006.
In the 2008 Bejing Olympics Louis won a bronze medal, becoming the first British man to win a medal in the individual gymnastics at the Olympic Games since Walter Tysall won a silver medal in 1908.
In 2012 Louis was part of the Great Britain team at the London Olympics. The team won a bronze medal at the event on 30 July 2012, marking the first team medal for a British Olympic gymnastics team in 100 years. Louis also won the silver medal in the Pommel Horse Final.
In 2012 Louis also won another title, becoming the winner of Strictly Come dancing with his partner Flavia Cacace!
In 2016 Louis added to his Olympic medal tally taking Silver in his specialist event Pommel Horse at the Rio Games, despite being disapointed not to take gold, Louis enhanced his reputation as one of the countries finest ever gymnasts.
Louis was awarded an MBE in the 2012 New Years Honours for his services to gymnastics.


It is believed that the first Christians to settle along the River Gambia, which was around the fifteen century where the Portuguese navigators. The first recorded Christian ceremony being the burial according to the rite of the Catholic Church of a sailor was in May 1456.
Christianity came to stay in The Gambia with the establishment of a British garrison and settlement in the island of Banjul in 1816. Different church societies were invited to provide the spiritual needs of this growing settlement.
Hagan Street 1900
Anne Marie Javouhey (1779 - 1851), foundress of the sister of St Joseph of Cluny, was the first Catholic Missionary to come in modern time to the Gambia - she came with two sisters with a laywoman in 1821 and worked and lived in the hospital. She however could not stay long in the country. Only the Methodist Church was active in the Gambia during those first years.
It was after the establishment of the church in Senegal that an uninterrupted presence of Catholicism in the Gambia could also be seen. The migration of the people to the settlement since 1816 include Catholics and others open to becoming Catholic. Two Priests took residence in Banjul by 1849 to serve this population and Church began its slow but steady growth. The Banjul mission was under the Apostolic Vicarate of Dakar. It was concentrated in Banjul but around 1876 it began looking beyond to the Kombos and provinces
By 1905, Fr. John Meehan took up his appointment in the Gambia. It was his destiny to maintain and give quiet growth to the church. In 1931, the Holy See declared the Gambia “Sui Juris” and Fr. Meehan as ecclesiastical superior. Under him , the church was to develop towards an independent mission and diocese. In 1951, Fr. Michael Maloney was named Prefect Apostolic and consecrated first Bishop of the diocese of Banjul on 6 May 1958.
The new diocese continued to receive personnel from Ireland for its evangelization work. Many schools where opened during this period and more work undertaken in the Kombos.
The second Vatican Council was an important event in the live of the church in the Gambia as it presented a new vision of church, apart from a purely hierarchical and institutional one. Bishop Maloney was to preside over this renewal for next fourteen years.
Cathedral, Our Lady of The Assumption
On 25 March 1981, Bishop Michael J. Clearly was consecrated Bishop of Banjul in succession to Bishop Maloney who had retired. The new Bishop continued the solitude of his predecessor for personnel to care for the spiritual growth of the people of God. While being close to missionary assistance from abroad, the growth of a local clergy received active encouragement and support.
On the 14 th May 2006, Bishop Robert Patrick Ellison was consecrated Bishop of Banjul to succeed Bishop Cleary who had retired. Bishop Ellison is the present bishop of the diocese of Banjul.


Happy birthday to all current and former members of the United States Marine Corps. The few, the proud, the Marines … once a Marine, always a Marine — well-known mottos. A family spirit binds Marines to one another in the field and off, and is a great strength and recruiting advantage.
Marine Corps Times reports the birthday message from Marine Commandant, General Robert Neller, was prepared two weeks ahead of time, and was delivered via a 10-minute video, “The Legacy Within”.
Other important Marine Corps anniversaries
Also this year, November 1 marked the 100th anniversary of Parris Island, and the 70th anniversary in February 2015 of the Landing at Iwo Jima where a five-week battle ensued — the only battle in which more Marines than Japanese died.
Corps history and famous Marines
A Pioneer Services article celebrating the Corps’ birthday relates how the first Marine recruits were rounded up from local taverns. And, the first man on the moon, John Glenn, was one of the few, the proud.
One more time!
EnterpriseExtra.com joins in wishing the Marine Corps, and each and every Marine past or present, a very Happy Birthday, and many more!


About St. Peter’s
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church has been an integral part of life in the North Wales Community since 1776. Although centuries and generations have passed into history since then, this congregation's commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ remains the bedrock upon which our congregation's ministry to the local community and wider world is built.
Services are held every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and 10:00 am. We offer Christian Education for children and adults between the worship services (10:00-11:00 a.m.).
A nursery is available for children below school age during the 10:00 service.
A congregation of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America and a member of the Lutheran World Federation, St. Peter's mission is to invite all people to know, live and share Jesus Christ.
In this section
St. Peter’s history goes all the way back to the Revolutionary War. People in Gwynedd gathered on horseback or on wagons to hear the gospel preached by Lutheran missionaries. In the winter months they moved indoors to a log schoolhouse. Under the shade of the trees St. Peter’s began its history in 1772, not being chartered until 1776. More »
Read the recent edition of our monthly newsletter "Steeple Views" or browse our upcoming events. More »
We invite you to celebrate your life events at St. Peter’s in the presence of our community of faith. We consider Baptisms, Confirmation, Weddings, Renewal Ceremonies and Memorial/Funeral services as life events, marking special conjunctures in the lives of individuals and families. More »
Read through our frequently asked questions to learn more about our church and community. More »
Sunday Services & Nursery
A nursery is available for children below school age during the 10:00 a.m. service.
Download a copy of the 2016 Annual Report here.
Worship Assistant scheduling click on the icon above.


- Cooke Varotal 20-100mm PL T3.1
Cooke Varotal 20-100 Zoom Lens
If you want that classic vintage softness and texture then the Cooke Varotal zoom lens should be the next thing on your kit wish list!
Want a quick history lesson? Well, the classic 20-100mm Cooke Varotal zoom lens was designed by Gordon H. Cook and released in 1971. Paving the way for the rest, it was the first high quality zoom designed for professional motion picture photography that made use of an entirely new design concept that has been used as the basis for all Cooke zoom lenses produced since then.
It has the distinctive ‘Cooke Look’ with its beautiful organic qualities, emphasising skin tones and textures while giving a slight softness. This would make a great pairing with some of our other vintage lenses such as our Cooke Speed Pancros.


We flew to Istanbul one week before the cruise began so we could explore that ancient city at leisure. It would be our third exploration but there is so much to see and shopping in the Grand Bazaar deserves a trip in itself. Our hotel surpassed our expectations and then here we were ready to board our luxury yacht.
Yes! As fans of small ship cruising we were about to board a five-mast staysail schooner, one of the largest sailing cruise ships in the world. No, I am not a sailor but that is the description of what would be our floating hotel for the next seven days. The number of passengers on board was a mere 294.
The first exquisite experience was to watch as the computer operated sails were raised with coordinating music. Istanbul slowly faded. We saw other ships and boats but none compared to ours. I knew this cruise would be special
We arrive at Bodrum, the only maiden port for us on the voyage so off we go to explore. I had done my research on Bodrum so my head was filled with Halicarnassus, Herodotus and events that occurred in years that were followed by BC, and The Mausoleum.
I like to think that Bodrum is famous because of ostentatious love. When the Satrap, or ruler, Mausolus died in 353 BC, his wife had an enormous white marble monumental tomb built. The top was a stepped pyramid and was such a wondrous accomplishment that the Greek historian Pliny designated the Mausoleum as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was designed by the great Ionian architect Pytheos. Not only was it the largest tomb ever built by the ancient Greeks it was also well built as it stood for 19 centuries until an earthquake destroyed it around the 14th century. Only the massive foundation remains though some artifacts can be viewed inside the Castle of St. Peter.
With my head filled with all this antiquity and the romance of a bygone era, I was so surprised to see the modern, clean city nestled on the sunny bay and surrounded by spectacular scenery at every turn. The only discordant note was the proliferation of vacation villages and timeshares cluttering up the shores. It reminded us of the Costa del Sol. I thought of it as the Marbella of Turkey. Despite this, it still had the ambience of being a step back in time. It would not have surprised me to see Anthony and Cleopatra holding hands and strolling through the Theatre of Ancient Halicarnassus.
Yet the best was yet to come. On arriving back on our yacht we were informed that a dancer, an expert in both the history and art of belly dancing was on board to entertain. We debated going but curiosity won out. There was an introduction and history of the art by an emcee who informed us that the dancer would perform four stories in dance.
Oh, what a treat. This gorgeous Turkish woman came out, gave an elegant bow and the music started. Within a moment we knew we were experiencing something special. This was pure artistry. She was grace incarnate. She moved in fluid, sinuous, sensual patterns, undulating from her toes to the ends of her hair. The tiny musical coins sewn into the costume added to the mystique. The movement of her eyes, the flutter of her lashes and the placement of hands and fingers and the ripple of her undulating torso and hips were all integral to the telling of the tales. We were in awe.
I looked over at the resident dolt, yes, there was one. He had a beer bottle almost at his mouth but he did not take one sip, so enthralled he was. That was the greatest compliment. She danced as if she was engaged in intense communion in a separate interior place. Yet we were totally engaged. Her dancing was a most eloquent language. Mesmerizing.
You know an outstanding performance by what happens when it is over. Here, there was a long moment of complete silence, a collective letting out of breath, and sighs of wonder broken by: “Oh, what a performance.” We rose as one and the sound became a cacophony as we each tried to find the words to articulate our admiration and appreciation of what we had just witnessed.
Nearly every guest had seen belly dancing performances prior to this one but we all agreed that they fell far short. My Bert kept asking: “How did she do that”?” He was not the only one.
The Meander: We try to find pleasure in everyday small miracles. This was a miracle, not so everyday and not so small. My memory is packed with travel miracles.


Watch Rachel Reeves' full George Lansbury Memorial Lecture, 'Women at Westminster' recorded in 2018
Rachel Reeves – Women at Westminster
Rachel Reeves MP reflects on the legacy of the struggle and achievements of women at Westminster over the last hundred years, the subject of the forthcoming book by the Labour MP. The sixth George Lansbury Memorial lecture was both timely, celebrating a century of women’s suffrage, and dedicated to a cause which was always central to George's political aspirations.
About Rachel Reeves
Rachel Reeves is a British economist and politician for the Labour Party. She has served as the Member of Parliament for Leeds West since 2010.


Theme: “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda!“
Tuesday, March 1, 2016 to Thursday, March 31, 2016
The observance of International Women’s Day (IWD) was a result of the organizing activities of women in the early 20th Century. Between 1909 and 1911, working women in the United States participated in organizing strike activities of the National Women’s Trade Union League and other concerned groups. They were responding to the low wages, lack of protective legislation and the poor working conditions to which women workers were subjected during that time.
The demonstrations were an offshoot of the tragic March 25 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, which took the lives of more than 140 working girls, mostly Italian and Jewish immigrants. Subsequently, the inhumane working conditions and other unfair labor practices leading up to the disaster were invoked during observances of IWD.
In Europe, Clara Zetkin and the Socialist Women’s International demanded that March 8th be the International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated each year to recognize workingwomen around the world. The celebration of IWD has since stimulated major historical events. For instance, IWD was the inspiration for the general strike which began the Russian Revolution in St. Petersburg in 1917 when 10, 000 women textile workers demonstrated.
It is due to such history of women organizing around the world that IWD was officially recognized by the United Nations to celebrate women’s contributions to all societies.
- Proclamation No. 224 s. 1988 declaring the first week of March each year as Women’s Week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Peace Day;
- Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988 providing for the observance of the Month of March as Women’s Role in History Month; and
- Republic Act (RA) 6949 s. 1990 declaring March 8 of every year as National Women’s Day.
This year’s theme is “Kapakanan ni Juana, Isama sa Agenda!” (Include Women in the Agenda).
The theme resonates the call for gender-balance in leadership and decision making positions both in public and private sector; inclusion of women’s concerns in leadership platforms and the government’s development agenda; and capacitating and preparing women and girls to reach their ambitions.
Consistent with Proclamation No. 227 s. 1988, the annual conduct of the National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) aims to give due recognition to the contributions of Filipino women in our society.
Specifically, this year’s celebration aims to:
1. create an avenue for women and women advocates to celebrate the gains of the current administration with regards to closing gender gap, as well as to call on the next administration to continue supporting the advocacy and prioritize women’s issues in various agenda;
2. present the achievements of the Aquino administration in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, through the Report on the State of the Filipino Women;
3. gather public perception on what women’s issues should be prioritized by the next administration through crowdsourcing of “agenda ni Juana”; and
4. strengthen public advocacy on National Women’s Month, with emphasis on women’s issues that still need to be addressed.


The Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
11-B Than Lwin Road, Yangon, Myanmar
Tel: (0095-1) 515 275, 526 144
Fax: (0095-1) 515 273
Monday to Thursday: 0900 – 1300 hrs and 1400 – 1700 hrs
Friday: 0900 -1230 hrs and 1400 – 1700 hrs
Notice: All Bangladeshi Nationals are requested to register upon arrival in Myanmar with Bangladesh Embassy by email : firstname.lastname@example.org
What One may Know:
- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the Father of the Nation.
- The 26th March is the official Independence Day of Bangladesh.
- 9-month-long Bangladesh Liberation War started on the 26th March 1971 and ended on the 16th December 1971.
- The 16th December is observed as the Victory Day of Bangladesh.
- Myanmar was one of the first six countries to have recognized Bangladesh as an independent and sovereign state on the 13th January 1972 and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established thereafter.
- Bangladesh Embassy was opened in Yangon, Myanmar and the first Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar, Mr. K M Kaiser, presented his credentials on the 13th October 1972.
- Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon has a Diplomatic Wing and a Commercial Wing, headed by a Brigadier General and a Commercial Counselor respectively; it also simultaneously maintains a Consulate at Sittwe in Rakhine State.


After pounding the busy streets of Seville or competing with fellow tourists for Alhambra tickets in Granada, you might find yourself wondering if the Andalusian dream of long, lazy lunches and sleepy, sun-soaked terraces exists at all. That is until you arrive in Córdoba, the second-largest “Old Town” in Europe and home to some of the sultriest street corners in Spain.
We arrived in Córdoba after three days of scaling Granadian Hills and all the blisters and aching feet that go with it. The city seems confusing from the outside, as is perhaps fitting of a city originally founded by Romans in the 206 BC and subsequently invaded and settled by the Moors, eventually becoming the capital of the Moorish caliphate Al-Andalus in 766 AD. Under the Moors, the city flourished financially and culturally and was considered one of the most important cities in the Mediterranean world. The city’s crown jewel and main attraction, the Mezquita de Córdoba, dates from this period.
Our stop for two nights, Hotel Mezquita, was located a stone’s throw away from the Mosque and in the centre of Córdoba ’s old Jewish quarter. While the rooms are basic (but very clean), we were amused by the quirky and eccentric mix of English and Spanish antiques throughout. A delicious continental breakfast was served in the traditional Andalusian courtyard and while the hotel seemed slightly gloomy to start with, we were quickly grateful for any respite from the harsh August sunshine.
We got up early to explore the Mezquita, hoping to beat the crowds and get some good pictures in the morning light. Despite being officially called a “Mosque”, the Mezquita is more formally known as the Córdoba Cathedral and is still a functioning Roman Catholic place of worship. As a result, opening times do vary so make sure you check before you head out – in summer (between March and October) it is opened from 8:30-9:30 am and 10:00-19:00 from Monday to Saturday and 15:00-19:00 on Sundays. The best news is that the Mezquita is free for tourists between March and October (otherwise €10/€5).
The interior of the mosque is truly astonishing and unlike any other mosque I have seen. Unlike, its contemporaries in Damascus and Jerusalem (Dome on the Rock), the Mezquita was designed as a simple, democratic space echoing the traditional Islamic prayer space of desert or home. The space is horizontal in shape and dominated by a hypostyle main hall held up by hundreds of columns of marble, onyx, jasper and granite. Throughout, you can see the recognisable red and white double arches, modelled on those found in the Dome on the Rock in Jerusalem. At the south end of the hall, is the magnificent mihrab (prayer niche), which is potentially the most beautiful part of the mosque. Illuminated by 1600kg of gold mosaic cubes sent by the Emperor of Byzantium, Nicephoras II Phocas, the mihrab is framed by golden flower motifs and qur’anic inscriptions. Inside the mihrab, a single block of white marble has been crafted into the shape of a scallop shell that forms the dome and amplifies the voice of the imam.
If you have time after your visit, take a few minutes to wander around the Patio de los Naranjos, the picturesque courtyard that frames the entrance to the Mezquita. It’s full of orange, cypress and palm trees as well as gurgling fountains that add an air of serenity to any morning visit. This is the site where ritual ablution (washing oneself) was done before entering the Mezquita for prayers. You can also enter the imposing 54-metre bell tower from the courtyard via the Puerta del Pérdon, a fine 14th-century example of Mudéjar architecture. The tower was originally built to be the Mezquita’s minaret but was subsequently strengthened and made taller by Christians in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Afterwards, head to Córdoba’s Plaza de las Tendillas for breakfast to people watch and enjoy the 1920s vibe. Stop in any café (we tried a couple and they are all excellent) and if you’re feeling brave, go for the crushed tomato on bread (Pan con Tomate) with a generous glug of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt – delicious!
Happy Travelling, Moey xx


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The iconic BVLGARI-BVLGARI theme, inspired by the engravings on ancient Roman coins, has become the décor of a special collection of eyewear.
Symbol of the bond with Rome and Maison’s icon, the BVLGARI-BVLGARI décor - inspired by the inscriptions on the edges of ancient Roman coins - celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2015.
Introduced in 1975 as an engraving on the bezels of watches, it became synonymous with elegance and a distinctive mark of many of the brand’s jewels and accessories. To celebrate the anniversary, Bulgari has dedicated the BVLGARI-BVLGARI eyewear collection to this iconic motif, which becomes a decorative and functional element on various exquisite, sophisticated models that are perfect for today’s refined and modern woman.


In September 2020, Azerbaijan started the second large-scale war in Nagorno-Karabakh, after 26 years of frozen conflict. Following this 44-day war, a tripartite ceasefire declaration was signed on 10 November 2020, between the Azeri and Russian presidents and the Armenian prime minister, in preparation for a subsequent peace agreement.
The latter provided for the exchange of all prisoners of war between Azerbaijan on the one hand, and Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh on the other. By the beginning of 2021, all Azeri POWs were returned by Armenia to Azerbaijan. The process of return of detained Armenian POWs and civilians was done in several waves in 2021, but Azerbaijan deliberately stopped it prematurely.
According to information from human rights NGOs confirmed by the ICRC, Baku is still holding 33 confirmed prisoners of war, whom it accuses of terrorism and has unduly sentenced to sentences ranging from 4 to 20 years in prison. In addition to these 33 prisoners of war, evidence indicates the existence of at least 80 other captured persons (videos of their capture, testimonies of freed ex POWs ...) of whom we have no more news. Azerbaijan denies their existence. The fate of these "forcibly disappeared" remains uncertain, as the ICRC has no information about them and cannot visit them.
On 15 June 2021, during a trip to Nagorno-Karabakh in the company of Turkish President Erdogan and his wife, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev openly admitted the he was "still holding many Armenian prisoners of war" in order to use them for blackmail against Armenia and demand concessions not provided for in the tripartite agreement of November 2020.


Evening on Place des Terreaux, a popular square next to Hôtel de Ville. This square hosts different city events like the Festival of Lights in the winter.
Before the square, the city featured towers and walls for protection from sieges and ditches that could be filled with water. In the 16th century after a siege, the walls crumbled, the ditches were filled, and now atop stand buildings like the opera house and city hall around the square. After a fire and many post-siege beheadings, the square became Place des Terreaux, accessible to the city with new streets around.
This “place” features Fontaine Bartholdi, a fountain of horses sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. In the US, Bartholdi is not famously known for the Statue of Liberty. First placed in Bordeaux, then moved to Lyon in front of Hôtel de Ville (west side of the square), the fountain resides permanently on the north side of Terreaux facing south (though just moved out and placed back in last year for renovations) .
Today, it is an easy meeting place, center of the city between two rivers and right by a metro stop. Locals gather for drinks and snacks at the cafes as workers walk or commute home. After a flight from LA with a layover in Zurich and train+metro from Lyon airport, I’m ready to meet Pauline right where we first met three years ago: at the steps of Hôtel de Ville in Place des Terreaux.


Sunday, 2 November 2014
Age UK Bromley & Greenwich Community Volunteers Time Bank
If you're making a special trip to London to see the poppy display in memory of the soldiers killed in the First World War, it's worth also seeing the First World War galleries at the Imperial War Museum, and the Garden Museum's temporary exhibition (the GM is just up the road from IWM).
As well as the Gardens and War exhibition, there is a display in the Garden Museum of embroidered, printed and painted handkerchiefs, inspired by the memories of gardening in wartime.
The artist Cas Holmes worked with the museum on one of their outreach programmes. The Art Interest Group is organised by Age UK Bromley & Greenwich Community Volunteers Time Bank (CVTB), and with Cas, created a beautiful display in the centre of the museum.
Each handkerchief is so unique, because of the techniques used to create it, and the thoughts and feelings that inspired it.
Today there was a Thrift Fair and Skills Swap, and members of the Age UK Bromley & Greenwich group were there, knitting hats for Innocent drinks, to raise money for Age UK. If you want to knit a hat too, you can still do it here - each hat-topped drink generates 25p for Age UK's Spread the Warmth campaign, providing befriending, warm meals, and emergency support in cold weather for older, vulnerable people.


The Wild Rover is one of those great drinking songs that originated in Ireland. It tells the story of a sailor who, returning to his home town, is refused "food and board" (politely) until he demonstrates his wealth. This week I had the pleasure of going to Ireland to meet a couple of gentlemen who owned a Rover 3500 SD1. This particular car was originally built by Dave Price Racing in 1979/80. It was campaigned in the Trimoco British Saloon Car Championship 1980, 1981 and 1982. In 1981 that operation was taken over by Tom Walkinshaw Racing and the cars were resprayed in Sanyo colours, retaining Daily Express sponsorship.
As with any racing car, history is somewhat difficult to trace. We know that in 1980 there were two DPR cars driven by Jeff Allam and Rex Greenslade. Indeed Allam won the Grand Prix support race at Brands Hatch that year, the cars were Triplex sponsored with ESSO support showing on the front of the cars. That ESSO support is quite interesting because it carried on into 1981 and appears in the original location on both cars. In 1981 there were two cars prepared by Martin Thomas for the Patrick Motorsport outfit. These were driven by Brian Muir, Rex Greenslade and at the season finale a third car was pedalled by Rad dougall (this one sold recently at Bonhams). But, returning to the DPR cars, in 1982 the red background ESSO marking only appears on one car, that of Jeff Allam, whereas the Peter Lovett version has the Sanyo blue paint with ESSO written on top.
In 1982 Peter Lovett won the British Saloon Car Championship in his TWR Rover in Sanyo colours. Jeff Allam won the class. But the story doesn't stop there. The car in question has Marlboro markings and dayglo paint, indicating that it went on to further campaigns after 1982. In fact there is strong evidence to suggest this car went to France as the mount for Rene Metge in 1983. The French championship, at that time was a cross between Group 1 and Group A so there was a lot of crossover.
The sharp sighted among you will have spotted the words "a couple of gentlemen who owned a Rover 3500 SD1". I used these words because I am now the proud owner of a significant piece of British touring car history.
This is the car showing evidence of its various paint schemes:
As can be seen there is a lot of work to do,not to mention additional research. There is evidence to suggest that this car is the Lovett car from 1981/82 and whilst Sanyo colours would reflect its most successful period, I think the Daily Express colours from early to mid 1981 would be a better fit. The build will be recorded and I'll put the info up here as we go.
Anyone interested in the Rover story from Group 1 to Group A might want to trawl through this thread on 10/10s.


The meaning of a place
National monument Kamp Amersfoort is a place of mémoir et miroir. Of reflection, remembrance and, above all, looking ahead: What happened here and what can we learn from it?
The publication The Meaning of a Place pursues remembrance as a design theme and shows the emotionally charged history of this place of commemoration. The book unveils the relationship between the history, the traces in the landscape and the design of the new underground museum and the existing memorial centre.
Floris van Dijk


Soups and broths have been a regular feature in cooking since before historical records. In fact, one of the oldest books in Chinese medicine is Dr. Yi Yins Soup Classic. In the West we can look to Hippocrates, the Father of Western medicine. He was fond of recommending barley soup to his patients. What we know is that when a person is ill, they may find it easier to drink a restorative soup than eat a full meal. Soups have been used for many reasons.


The Filson Historical Society’s Institute For Advanced Study proposes a conference that will explore the experience of POWs in all American conflicts since the colonial period. The conference aims to advance our understanding of the integral role prisoners of war played in the economic, cultural, political and military waging of American wars. In commemoration of the centennial of World War I, the conference conveners are particularly interested in presentations that focus on this era.
Too often prisoners of war have been considered by historians to be a special, separate topic. If discussed at all, POWs make only a brief appearance in legal histories or in the history of POW policies or histories of POW camps. They show up as sums in casualty lists or are discussed as a burden on military resources, creating more mouths to feed, house and guard. This conference proposes to consider prisoners of war as more than simply casualties, losers or victims by examining the range of ways in which POWs played an active role in the conduct and outcome of America's military encounters.
The organisers of the conference seek paper and panel proposals that explore a variety of questions related to expanding the definition of the place of POWs in the waging of war:
- POWs and Military Campaigns
- POWs and Strategy
- POWs and Diplomacy
- POWs and the Economy
- POWs and Post-War Memory
- POWs and the Politics of Warfare
- POWs and Gender
- POWs and Race
- POWs and Community Studies
- POWs and Propaganda
- POWs and Consumer Culture
- POWs and Empire
- POWs and Globalization
- POWs and Migration
- POWs and Labor
- POWs and Health Care
A selection of revised essays from the conference will be published in an anthology that will be co-edited by Lorien Foote and Daniel Krebs. Please send a proposal of no more than one page clearly outlining the subject, arguments and relevance to the conference topic, along with a CV of no more than two pages to LeeAnn Whites, Director of Research, The Filson Historical Society, (lwhites[at]filsonhistorical[dot]org).
Single papers or conference panels are welcome. For panel proposals please provide a one page summary of the panel in addition to paper proposals and vitas from each participant.
Papers will be placed on line on the The Filson Historical Society’s website prior to the conference.
Funds will be available to help defray some travel costs for presenters.
Conference Venue: The Filson Historical Society, 1310 S 3rd St, Louisville, KY 40208, USA
Lorien L. Foote, Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
Department of History
Texas A&M University
+ 1 979 845 7151


Harbor Hair Company is located in suites 16 & 17 in the historic Lancaster building at 1 Varrell Lane in York Harbor, Maine. We have ample off street parking available for our clients.
Pictured here from a postcard dated 1922, the Lancaster Building (far right) was designed by E. B. Blaisdell and built in 1895. We are proud to have our salon in this historic piece of York. Our salon features all of the modern amenities you would expect, yet is tastefully designed to respect the wonderful character of this unique slice of the Maine coast.


Epson’s origins go back to 1942, when a company called Daiwa Kogyo, which was a local clock shop opened by Hisao Yamazaki.
An investment from the Hattori family, the founders of Seiko, helped Daiwa Kogyo expand into manufacturing watch parts and they began to open factories.
Initially the company was focused on manufacturing timepieces, but would later split into two separate companies, giving birth to the printing giant Epson.
The Beginning Of Epson Printers
Suwa Seikosha set up a company called Shinshu Seiki Co in 1961. This
company was a subsidiary that would supply intricate parts to Seiko
watches. The Seiko group was selected to be the time keeper of the 1964
Olympics in Tokyo and Shinshu began to develop and electronic printer
that would print out the timings of Olympic events.
September 1968 saw Shinshu launch the first ever mini-printer called the EP-101, in which the “EP” stands for Electronic Printer. The mini-printer was soon incorporated into many calculators, produced by the company, so calculations could be seen on printed paper and kept for future reference.
First Use Of Epson As A Brand
In 1975, the name Epson was used on the company’s next generation of printers. This was based on the name of the first EP-101 and SON meaning son of electronic printer.In April 1975 Epson America Inc was set up to sell printers for Shinshu Seiki Co.
The TX-80, an eighty column dot matrix printer was released in June 1978, which was mainly used as a system printer for Commodore PET computers. Two years later in 1980, an improved version of the printer, called the MX-80 was released. This soon became the bestselling printer in the USA.
Shinshu Seiki officially became the Epson Corporation in 1982,
launching the world’s first handheld computer in the same year, called
HX-20. This was followed by the launch of the world’s first portable
colour television, a year later in 1983.
Suwa Seikosha and the Epson Corporation merged in November 1985 and became the Seiko Epson Corporation.
The Seiko Epson Corporation went on to develop the Micro Piezo inkjet technology, which used a piezoelectric crystal, which was a feature of the Epson MJ-500 inkjet printer released in 1995. In 1994 Epson released the first ever high resolution inkjet printer. At the time 720 x 720 dpi was considered as high resolution and this is what the Epson Stylus P860A offered to the market, making use of its Micro Piezo head technology. Future models of the Stylus printer began to use Epson’s DURABrite ink and contain two hard drives.
Epson started to outsource their sales reps to retail stores in the
United States in 1994 and started a program called the Weekend Warrior
Sales Program. This program was introduced to improve the sales of
their, as well as enhance the sales reps knowledge of Epson’s products.
Sales reps were given weekend shifts with hours ranging from 12 – 20
In 2007 Epson ceased using outsourced sales reps, but did hire a company called ‘rack jobbers’ to make sure that their products were displayed correctly in a retail environment.
Nowadays the name Epson is synonymous with home and office printers
and it is likely that you will have seen one of their printers on the
shelves of any of the major electronics retailers.
With a rich history of innovation, this market leader will surely bring more technological advancements to the printing world in years to come.
- Epson LabelWorks LW-400 Label Printer(Opens in a new browser tab)
- X-POS P500 mobile receipt printer & Label printer(Opens in a new browser tab)
- X-POS P810 Mobile Receipt Printer & Label Printer(Opens in a new browser tab)
- Bixolon SRP-275 Impact Dot matrix Receipt printer(Opens in a new browser tab)
- PROJECTOR AND PROJECTOR SCREEN(Opens in a new browser tab)
- C13S015337BA Epson SIDM Black Ribbon Cartridge for LQ-590(Opens in a new browser tab)
- Printers, Scanners & Copiers for Sale(Opens in a new browser tab)
- Epson L1800 A3 Photo Ink Tank Printer(Opens in a new browser tab)
- Epson LQ-350 Dot Matrix Printer(Opens in a new browser tab)
- Networking Companies in Kenya: Choosing the Best for Your Needs


Today Hillsborough is the home of writers, artists, fine restaurants, cool shops, government offices and a cast of characters. It has a long history.
The county was formed in 1752 from parts of Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston County. It was named for the infant William V of Orange, whose mother Anne, daughter of King George II of Great Britain, was then regent of the Dutch Republic.Hillsborough was founded in 1754 on land where the Great Indian Trading Path crossed the Eno River
In the late 1760s, tensions between (in a nutshell) Piedmont farmers and county officers welled up in theRegulator movement or, as it was known, the War of the Regulation, which had its epicenter in Hillsborough.
Hillsborough was used as the home of the North Carolina state legislature during the American Revolution


Entsu-in is a Zen Buddhist temple. It was built in 1646 as a mausoleum for Date Mitsumune, a grandson of the first lord of the Sendai Domain, Date Masamune.
Named "Sankeiden", the mausoleum is one of the finest buildings belonging to the Date family using the essence of many special techniques of that time, and designated as an important cultural property of Japan. The building still carries down the influence of the Western ideas brought back by Hasekura Tsunenaga, a missionary who was sent by Date Masamune. The painting of the Western Rose in the building is believed to be the oldest in Japan.
The tile roofed main hall creates a distinctive tranquil atmosphere of a Zen temple combined with the Japanese garden in the grounds of the temple. In the garden, a pond with lotus flowers, maples, azaleas, wild and native flowers and such, are arranged so that every season takes on its own beauty. You may want to take a leisurely walk after offering prayers.