Flat Stanley at Franklin Park

Here's Flat Stanley in Franklin park at 1777 Broad Street (Broad & Main) in Columbus, Ohio. "War is Hell", a famous quote from William Tecumseh Sherman. On this site General Sherman gave a stirring and memorable speech to a group of Civil War Veterans in August of 1880.

General William Tecumseh Sherman is probably best known for his "March to the Sea" bringing about the end of The American Civil War. Some folks might argue he destroyed much that didn't need to be destroyed, others felt he got carried away, while others (including many modern day historians) feel he probably saved lives by bringing an end to The War that had cost the country so much. Many feel The March to the Sea is much like the dropping of The Atom Bomb in Japan...the only way to obtain a surrender and put an end to The War. The South had children fighting, old men trying to guard cities, and Slaves forced against their will to fight on The side of The Confederacy...the side fighting to keep them down.

Though that might be the first thing one would think of thinking of Sherman, he was much more then a soldier. He was a businessman, an Educator, an author. He was The Superintendent at Louisiana State Seminary. He was a railroad-man in St. Louis. He was one of 11 children left penny-less when his father, Charles Robert Sherman (member of the State of Ohio Supreme Court), died and left the family nothing to live on. William Tecumseh Sherman, then 9 years old was raised by a neighbor and family friend in Lancaster, Ohio; Thomas Ewing. He later married Ewing's daughter.

There's much controversy and intrigue around his middle name of Tecumseh. Friends called him "Cump", short for Tecumseh and so it would seem that was indeed his name. His father was an admirer of The Indian, Tecumseh. Some records indicate he obtained the name William when he was baptized as a child, other records indicate he received the name William when baptized later in life after moving in with The Ewing family.

The famous quote and speech was delivered on what had been the grounds for The State Fair. Like Schiller Park, these historic park's were used for large public gatherings.

Sherman was born Feb 8th, 1820 and died Feb. 14th 1891. There were several services. A pallbearer at one service in New York had been a high ranking general for The Confederacy. His final service was conducted by his son, Thomas Ewing Sherman a Jesuit Priest in St. Louis. He's buried there in St. Louis at Calvary Cemetery.
Franklin Park is a large 93+acre park open daily to the public. Flat Stanley says come, walk, run, romp and enjoy. This park the original location of The State Fair has much to offer including The Franklin County Park Conservatory. A park with history, and space for all to enjoy. Bring the family and explore.

Spring is approaching and Flat Stanley wants everyone to get out and enjoy a park near them. Look around, explore it. Is there a historic sign? If so, take the time to learn from it. Have the children learn by mapping out the park, or helping you find locations in the park, draw pictures of what they see, make a glossary list of new words presented at the park. Do math by figuring out how far away the park is, how long it took you to get there. Flat Stanleys motto is education is fun, and every experience presents both opportunities. Take advantage of them.

See you next week for more fun on Friday with Flat Stanley on March 18th.

**Don't miss any of Flat Stanle's Adventures, click here

Beaufort, South Carolina

Strange how things fall into place sometimes when you're traveling. Hubby and I NEVER eat at chains when traveling. We like to see, feel, and taste local color when we can. Walking down the water front area in historic Beaufort, South Carolina we came upon Luther's. It looked most inviting. Our table faced the water front, so even though it was a bit cool (Jan-Feb) when we were there we could still see the water. They have a nice outside area that is probably very popular once the weather warms up. We had great Bloody Mary's as it was brunch time, and we like doing that on vacation. Hubby had some good sea food, I had a wonderful hamburger. Nothing ordinary about it, truly it was good. Near our table was the above picture over the old mantel. I love history, love old buildings which this most definitely is and wondered who the couple was. As I got close enough I realized it was Mr. and Mrs. Luther. Presumably the original owners of the establishment. What a nice looking couple they were. After lunch, we preceded with our walking tour of the fabulous area.
At days end we toured St. Helena's Episcopal Church and Graveyard. I didn't walk by every grave; but...oddly enough I happened to come across Mr. and Mrs. Luther's grave. Charles and Julie buried in this very historic churchyard, the couple who's establishment I had been to earlier in the day. You can see by the flag, Charles was a Veteran. He served in The Spanish American War. I was intrigued to learn a bit more about this couple who had crossed my path twice in one day.

Checking on line at Ancestry.com I learned the following. Charles's middle name is Gillespie, he was born in New York Oct 27th, 1876 and his nick name Doc in parenthesis had real meaning. You see, he was a druggist according to the 1920 and 1930 census. His wife Julie (listed Julius on the census) Jernigan was born in South Carolina July 22nd, 1888. The couple had 3 children listed on the 1930 census:
DeAngie who was 21, therefore born 1909
Charless who was 11, therefore born in 1919
Charles G. who was 10, therefore born in 1920.

The 1920 census indicated Charles Gillespie owned his own home on Worth Street and worked at 124 Bay Street at the time. Luther's is currently located at 910 Bay Street, it's open to the water side (where we entered) and open to Bay Street where to this day you see the original store front of a pharmacy. Luther's Drugs established 1909 reads the sign. Here's a link to their facebook page where you can see the 2 very distinctive entrances. We would not have gone there for lunch had we seen Bay Street entrance first, thinking it was a drug store. But, it is on our list of places to return to as it has lots of character, good food and drinks. Click here for facebook page.

Additionally, I've created a memorial page to this fine couple, please feel free to visit, and or leave virtual flowers.
Charles, click Here, while on his page there's a link to Julie's memorial.

Schiller Park Part III(German Village)

Here's Flat Stanley again enjoy all that German Village's Schiller Park has to offer. Look at this wonderful water fall and Umbrella Girl Statue. Who doesn't enjoy a nice water fall and art in combination? Once again I'll say Schiller Park is far more then grass and trees. There's history, art, entertainment and recreation. Lots of information about history and entertainment in Schiller Park Park I HERE, and yet more HERE in Schiller Park Part II.

Flat Stanley wanted you to see a close up of this wonderful statue.

Flat Stanley loves flowers, here he is in the middle of one of the many beautiful gardens here at Schiller Park. The flower beds change throughout the year and so can be enjoyed month after month. Many flowers have markers where you can learn the names of the flowers which I really enjoy. You can see the red brick walk ways surrounding the flower beds. So inviting.
Maybe you want to sit in one of many park benches and just take it all in. Grab a book and sit and read. It's really an enjoyable place to spend some time.
A close up of some very pretty flowers that seem to attract lots of birds, bees, and butterflies.
A beautiful butterfly enjoying the nectar of the flowers. We don't see many of these beauties anymore; but when I do see them it makes me smile.

There's a pond for those that might want to fish here in the park. The rec. center holds classes for adults and children alike all year long.

German Village has a traditional Haus and Garten Tour on Sunday, June 28th from 9 am to 6 pm. This years tour marks the 50th anniversary of this enjoyable and well attended event. You could enjoy sitting in the park to rest during your tour. Mark your calendars now.

See you next Friday, March 25th for another adventure with Flat Stanley

**Things to do when you visit a park to make it special and educational for the kids
Learn about a flower that's growing
Draw a picture of the park
Draw a picture of flowers
What animals are in the park, draw them
Is there a plaque? Learn about the Park. How did it get it's name?

Hilton Head, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is the destination for many summer vacations for families for fun in the sun and on the beaches. It's also the golf destination for many groups with more golf courses then almost anywhere else to pick from. It has though, so much more to offer. On a cool January day hubby and I did some tromping around the Island. This wonderful Veterans Memorial honors Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine Veterans of all wars from Hilton Head. The memorial reads, "From a Grateful Nation". You're looking down towards The Memorial here with a natural amphitheater in the foreground. Low lands grasses, and walkways surround The Memorial.
As you approach either side there are steps honoring the various services.
The walk way and platform of The Memorial are filled with names in honorary bricks, I assumed these bricks have to be purchased from friends and family. I wasn't able to find anything about the bricks, but in my research found The Park had been dedicated on Memorial Day in 2005. Several of these bricks are particularly intriguing to me. Notice upper left Isaac Calderon a WWII Veteran and recipient of The Purple Heart. Beneath and to the right are JC and TL Hudson. I assume JC and TL to be brothers with the same last name, being listed side by side, and noticing the numbering beneath the bricks of 675 and 676...sequential numbering. I believe the sequential numbering is an indicator of the order the bricks were purchased. I'd like to learn more about these brave men. The two brothers, and The Purple Heart Recipient.
The Park is quite beautiful and while it wasn't hot and sunny during our visit, it was quite moving; perhaps even more fitting that the sky looked so ominous making the area very serene. Though due to the beauty of the park, it's benches and walkways; would think it an awesome place to come in warm weather and spend some time.

Am posting close up pictures for you of each of the services. Here The Merchant Marine, perhaps the branch one hears the least about?

The Coast Guard
The Navy, it's seal probably very familiar to most.
Marine Corps.
Army
And Air Force

This memorial is located in Beaufort County on Shelter Cove Lane near Mall Blvd. Please take time away from the beach, the sun, the golf, and shopping for souvenirs and visit this awesome memorial. It's the least we all can to remember those who've done so much for us.

The only thing I've been able to learn about the brothers is that they were Radiomen, 3rd class aboard The Escape and The Durable Escape. A friend found this picture of The Durable

Other Hilton Head Blog Posts:
Signer of The Declaration
Who's Slacks are These?
Fish Hall and Barkers Field
8 other posts, please use the blog's search this blog box to see all 11 posts related to Hilton Head

Schiller Park Part II (German Village)

In Part I of Schiller Park we learned this park is old, has a very long and rich history, was involved in books being burned, involved politically long before being politically correct came into the picture. This park is much more then grass and trees. You expect grass and trees at any and all parks, but this one has much more to offer and learn and enjoy. You can read Part I HERE
Schiller Park named for Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, a man of enlightenment can to this day enlighten all who visit and take time. As you stroll about the park, walk or run about the park, chase children and dogs about the park..........take time. On the paths that surround beautiful flower beds are poetic phrases and quotes to ponder.

When most people think of William Tell, they probably think about Robin Hood and arrows and apples on peoples heads. However here in stone are some of his words to ponder, to contemplate and to share.
There are many quotes in the park. I photographed a few of my favorites. The date on these 2 quotes of William Tell, 1804 I found interesting. You see Ohio became a state in 1803. So, one year later these important words were written. These words are still quite meaningful today, some 207 years after they were spoken.
Now this quote, "In The Sanctuary of Your Heart with God, the words are not as important as faith." This gave me pause. Perhaps this woman who was executed by her cousin Queen Elizabeth kept her sanity during her imprisonment by having her inner thoughts and faith. Queen of Scots, wrongly accused of poisoning her husband, imprisoned and executed...she had a short a tragic life. Schiller wrote a play, a tragedy about her life.
Joan of Arc, how can one not be inspired when thinking about her and her words? When a young women she lead France forces in The Hundred Years War, was captured and sold to The English and burned at the stake at the young age of 19. Years later, she was found innocent. She believed she was lead by visions from God and followed those visions knowing she was in harms way.

Schiller Park can be a quiet place of contemplation, it can be loud and rowdy with children playing and dogs barking, it can be entertaining when The very popular summer Shakespeare Series starts. How fitting is a free Shakespeare in the park program given the literary comparisons of Schiller to Shakespeare?

Take a picnic with you, your blanket or lounge chair to enjoy Summer Shakespeare in the park. Next Friday, March 11th will be the final post, part III of Schiller Park. See you then.

Schiller Park Part I (German Village)

Flat Stanley here in Schiller Park, previously known as Washington Park, and City Park. Schiller Park a large old park has more then grass and trees. Bordered by City Park Avenue, East Deshler, Reinhard Avenue, and Jaeger Street it's a well known spot in German Village in Columbus, Ohio.

The site of family picnics, Shakespeare in the park, large beautiful old trees to sit under and watch the kids and the dogs frolic about, or nap while others fish. This park is active, beautiful and very historical. It's been the place to be, the place to avoid, and happily again the place to be.

Historically it was a place for concerts, for festivals including German Songfests, holidays like The 4th of July. It's even been the spot for The State of Ohio Fair in 1864 and 1865, the Civil War Years. In 1871 it was the place to celebrate the end of The Franco-Prussian War with a Peace Celebration.

A busy, productive and active German-American Community thrived here. Originally the area was called Stewarts Grove. Land purchased here by the city in 1867 was named City Park. Later, on July 4th, 1891 a 25 foot statue of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller arrived from Munich and was dedicated, and thus the park was renamed to Schiller Park.
Schiller was a renowned poet among other things. Many feel his contributions are only surpassed by Shakespeare.

Anti German sentiment was at a fever pitch after WWI, and the parks name was changed once again to Washington Park. The sentiment against Germany, and German people was high. Lusitania was sunk with women and children on it by The Germans. Innocent women and children were killed/murdered and this point was hammered home. German language classed could no longer be taught. Once popular German singing societies suffered. Street names in the area with German names were changed. Books written in German were burned and banned. Books were burned here in Schiller Park at the base of this beautiful statue, as well on Broad Street in downtown Columbus in 1918. According to some accounts I read German Shepherds, and Dachsunds were taken from their owners and destroyed. Nothing German was to be honored or liked. However, one of this countries biggest hero's came from this very German-American Community, flying ace Eddie Richenbacher; who like many German-Americans at the time changed his name to be less German looking and sounding. Eddie Richenbacher became Eddie Rickenbacher.

It wasn't until 1930, the park's name once again returned to Schiller Park.

**Stay tuned for a follow up article on Schiller Park, as this area has a very rich history**
The next time you're in a park, look to see if there's a history, you might be fascinated at what you learn.

Signer of The Declaration

Coming into Hilton Head on Day 1 of a recent trip, we spotted this sign on the right side of route 278. We spotted the sign as we pasted and so turned around at the next wide spot to see what it was. I don't recall seeing this on our first trip to Hilton Head, last year. However, if you're clipping along it's easy to zip right past. We hadn't yet even checked into our condo so stopped only briefly to get a photo and read the sign. Signer of The Declaration, that's impressive.

At the time this tree covered little land with a gate appeared to be private property, and was right next to a small house or house trailer as I recall. We didn't follow the inviting country lane. Though we should have. Apparently the remains of White Hall Plantation and a family cemetery where Thomas Heyward, Jr. is buried is here. This is on the list of things to explore further on our next trip. Yes...we already have a 3rd trip planned to Hilton Head. There is so much to see and do two trips weren't enough.

Signer of The Declaration, POW, slave owner, Captain of a militia. There is much to read about this man. Here's a nice biography and photo/etching of him. CLICK HERE.
And more information along with his burial site is HERE

I didn't follow my own advice here, to check things out and not be in a hurry; but we were in a hurry to get to the condo, check in and unpack; as we had dinner reservations and time wasn't on our side. And normally I would have taken time to look this up while there on the island. Somehow I forgot. Moral, slow down and don't try to put too much in one day. Getting there, checking in, unpacking, grocery shopping, and dinner reservations........too much.