James Grover McDonald was born in Coldwater, Ohio back in 1886.  His parents operated a hotel moving to Albany, Indiana to operate a second one.  He attended the Indiana University, Bloomington in 1909, completing a master’s degree in History, Political Science and International Relations 1910.  He taught at Harvard University after graduation until he returned to Indiana University as an assistant professor in 1914.  In 1919, he moved to New York City to work for the Civil Service Reform Association.  In 1933, he was assigned to chair the High Commission for Refugees coming from Germany.  In 1945, he was a member of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry on Palestine.  He kept a diary which recorded his meeting with some of the history-making personalities of the 1930’s today, all his... 08/30/2021

William Floyd was born in Brookhaven, New York back in 1734. During the early stages of the American Revolutionary War he was a member of the Suffolk County Militia rising to the rank of Major General.He was a delegate from New York for the First Continental Congress and a member of the New York Senate from 1777 to 1788. He was elected to the 1st United States Congress under the new Constitution serving until 1791. He voted for George Washington and George Clinton. The town of Floyd, New York is named in his honor.He died in 1821 at the age of 86. What you may not know about William Floyd is that he is a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Until tomorrow unlike the photo I saw of William, keep those pearly whites shinning.   09/11/2017

William Blount was born in Bertie County, North Carolina back in 1749 to Jacob and Barbara. He had no formal education instead he was involved in his father’s business at a young age. By the end of the 1760’s his father had acquired several thousand acres teaching his soon the profit of aggressive land speculation.As tensions grew between Britain and the colonies he aligned himself with the colonies. He was appointed paymaster of the 3rd North Carolina Regiment. In 1780, he was appointed commissary to General Horatio Gates.In 1782, he was elected to be one of the four delegates to the Continental Congress. He introduced several bills that proved critical in what is now Tennessee. In 1784, he sponsored a bill establishing the city of Nashville.  He was appointed governor of the Southwest... 07/10/2017

Jeremiah O’Brien was born in Kittery, Maine back in 1744 to Morris and Mary. In 1760, the family moved to Machias, Maine engaging in the lumber business. The news about the Battles of Lexington and Concord reached the settlement in 1775.Under the command of Ichabod Jones two ships sailed to Boston with a cargo of lumber and to purchase some food for sale in Machias. The British sent their ship the HMS Margaretta back to Machias following Ichabod for another load of lumber for their barracks in Boston. When they arrived, the colonists had built a liberty pole and the British ordered it removed. Because of that the townspeople refused to load the lumber. The townspeople plotted to capture the British ship. Word got back to the British about the plot, and they sailed to void being captured... 07/07/2017

Maurice Joseph was born in Rotherhithe, England back in 1933 to Maurice and Ellen. In 1944, he passed his eleven plus exam which won him a scholarship to Hackney Downs School. he worked briefly as a filing clerk for a film company.Inn 1952 to 1954 he served in the British Army’s Royal Fusiliers and saw active service in the Korean War. He is and still is a proponent to national service to help youth violence. He believes it will bring about a sense of belonging instead of a sense of violence.In 1953, he had set his goals for what would become his lifelong profession. Now you may be asking yourself who is James is writing about today and what was that profession. So, glad you asked. I’m writing about Maurice Joseph Micklewhite. He had a stage name of Michael Scott before he was advised t... 04/25/2017

  Ever had a listing or buyer who was “frothy”? Now, now let’s not go there.  This is not what you think so you can let your mind run wild until you get the meaning that I will give you in a moment.  Let us imagine if you will the old adage is what you think your home is worth, compared to the government for tax purposes compared to what the buyer thinks its worth.  So for the meaning of (froth’e) light; trifling; worthless now I ask you again have you had or know of a frothy property?  What say you?  10/20/2011

  By now most everyone knows that word and what it means.  If you are in possession of this plant you know you’re in trouble but do you realize at one time this was perfectly legal?  At one time hemp was used to make and in some cases still is used to make ropes.  If you take an old rope and cut a small piece of it up and burn it you will know what marijuana smells like.  It has a distinctive smell that one won’t forget soon.  Now for the meaning of (hemp) a tall Asiatic herb grown for the tough fiber grown in its stem used to make rope, sailcloth etc.  Have a good day 09/17/2011

  I’ve been teaching my grandson about golf.  I think I have him hooked as now he wants to join the high school golf team.  The other day he took my driver out in the backyard to hit a few old golf balls into the trees.  I was watching him as he drew the club back and hit a couple that would rival some pro golfers.  As he set up the last one he drew the club back and hit the ball.  I was looking for the ball to go sailing out into the tree line but instead I saw the club head travel across the yard.  He had snapped off the head of the club luckily for me the club has a lifetime warranty.  Now I wonder if lifetime means the breaking of the club has ended its life or does it mean as one would suggest the life of me or my grandson?  We’ll see  09/08/2011