Interesting Things to Know
Church cemetery wrought iron fence history recently revealed
No one knew the date the wrought iron fence was installed on the east side of the Stephens City United Methodist Church (SCUMC) cemetery grounds. It is believed the iron gate served the third church as the entrance to the SCUMC cemetery. Eighty feet of the iron fence remains today and church elders wanted to ascertain when it was manufactured. We do know that an American wire fence bordered most of the cemetery in the 1930s through the 60s and still exists on the north side.
On this site, construction of a log meeting house began in 1788 and was completed in 1789. The cemetery was established in 1790 and the oldest tombstone dates to 1809 and the newest to 1906. The log meeting house served until 1827 when it was torn down and replaced with a brick one on the same site. During the Civil War, the church suffered considerable damage as the sanctuary was used as a hospital to treat both federal and confederate wounded soldiers. The 1827 church sanctuary was repaired after the war, but eventually the church was considered “unsafe” and “uncomfortable” for worship. In 1882, the congregation replaced the 1827 building with a more spacious facility on the same site. It was noted at the time that the foundation of the old log church could be seen when the 1827 building was demolished.
I discovered two ornate old wrought iron corner fence posts (in the photo above) buried near the 120-year-old elm tree that was cut down in February 2020 to make way for an expanded children’s play area. Fences around cemeteries, especially wrought iron fences, served both practical and otherworldly purposes. In terms of practicality, wrought iron fences were placed around a cemetery to prevent wild animals from entering the grounds and digging up recently buried human remains. Our Colonial ancestors wanted to be assured that the remains of their loved ones would be well intact for their resurrection on Judgment Day, so they erected sturdy and gated wrought iron fences with spear tipped bars.
Wrought iron fences were also placed around cemeteries to protect the living from the spirits of the dead. People believed that the ghosts of their dead loved ones could follow them from the cemetery if preventative measures were not made. Iron was believed to ward off both benign and evil spirits. Just as it was believed that spirits could not cross water, so it was believed that they could not move through or past iron. If you have ever seen an iron fence that has the upper portion of its bars pointed in towards the cemetery — rather than away from the grounds — you can be assured it was constructed that way to ward off spirits.
Wrought iron (sometimes called puddled or charcoal iron) is the traditional material of the blacksmith. It is a mixture of nearly pure iron and can resist corrosion, is not brittle and seldom breaks. It is soft, relatively malleable and easily worked. As a result, it is often found as delicate artwork.
According to Sandra Bosley, executive director of Preservation of Historic Winchester, the gate decoration appeared to be similar to the 1880 “Buckeye” wrought iron fence. Bosley virtually visited the remnants of the wrought iron fence for some historical investigation. The eighty feet of fence fortunately retained the gate, which is one of the most likely places to find a manufacturer’s mark or other distinguishing maker characteristics. This gate was by far the most distinctive Bosley had the pleasure of examining, with an elaborate crest on the top with crossed halberds, heraldic sea snakes, and scroll-like decorative flourishes around the central finial. Although the label where the maker’s mark should be was long worn away by time, the gate design alone was unique enough that Bosley could say with relative certainty it was a “Buckeye” wrought iron fence from the 1880s.
Naturally, having found such a distinctive architectural piece but never having heard of it before, it seemed like a good time for Bosley to do a little more investigation into the parent company. Buckeye fences were just one of the products produced by Mast, Foos & Company. Although founding dates have been contradictory, Bosley was inclined to believe the company was founded in 1876 by Phineas P. Mast and John Foos in Springfield, Ohio, after Mast had undertaken earlier ventures in buggy and farm implements. In addition to the Buckeye fence, the company also produced wind engines, force pumps, lawn mowers, and lawn sprinklers. The company existed for almost 100 years after various acquisitions and remains well-known in Springfield, Ohio, particularly as Phineas P. Mast helped to found the local historical society.
The late historian Mildred Lee Grove’s grandfather, Milton Boyd Steele was a Stephens City resident and a devout Methodist and Sunday School teacher. I am speculating that Mr. Steele, who was in the mercantile trade, had a long-time business relationship with Mast & Foos and recommended that the Methodist church purchase their fence from that company in 1882.
Health
Mosquito Season: Staying Safe with the Right Repellent
With mosquito season in full swing, the buzz isn’t just about the annoyance of itchy bites—there’s a serious side to these pests. Mosquitoes are notorious carriers of dangerous diseases like West Nile virus, malaria, and dengue fever, making effective repellents crucial for comfort and health.
DEET, developed by the U.S. Army in the 1940s and available commercially since the 1950s, remains one of the most effective ingredients in mosquito repellents. Despite early concerns about its safety, public opinion has largely shifted, favoring DEET’s effectiveness over potential risks, especially in areas prone to mosquito-borne illnesses.
How does DEET work? It doesn’t repel mosquitoes in the traditional sense. Instead, it confuses them. DEET interferes with the receptors on mosquitoes’ antennae, effectively dulling their ability to detect and feed on human blood. This makes DEET-based products a top choice for preventing mosquito bites.
The research underscores the superiority of DEET in prolonging the time until the first mosquito bite. A New England Journal of Medicine study found that DEET products were significantly more effective than other repellents. For instance, a product with just 6.65% DEET can protect for about 112.4 minutes, while options with higher concentrations, like OFF! Deep Woods, with 23.8% DEET, offers up to 301 minutes of protection. In contrast, citronella-based products lag behind, providing only 10 to 20 minutes of relief.
However, when it comes to children, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises caution, recommending that repellents for young users contain no more than 10% DEET. The debate continues among experts regarding the safety of DEET products for children, but the consensus is clear on one point: DEET is effective.
For those looking for more information on choosing the right mosquito repellent and understanding the safe use of DEET, resources such as health.harvard.edu provide valuable insights.
Staying informed and prepared is key as we navigate through peak mosquito season. Whether camping, hiking, or just enjoying an evening in your backyard, a good repellent can make all the difference between a pleasant outdoor experience and an uncomfortable, risky one.
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Unlocking Laughter: The Power of Knock-Knock Jokes for Kids
If you’re an uncle, aunt, or grandparent eager to connect with a young child, mastering the knock-knock joke is a must. Children, especially those around five, find immense joy in the simplicity and predictability of a well-delivered knock-knock joke. These jokes aren’t just about causing a burst of giggles; they’re key to engaging with children in a way that lights up their brains with joy and laughter.
A 2012 study sheds light on how humor activates similar regions in the brains of adults and children. While adults have more developed centers for humor, five-year-olds are just beginning to grasp the structure of stories and jokes, including a start, middle, and end. This developmental milestone makes knock-knock jokes an ideal form of humor for them, tapping into their newfound understanding and appreciation of sequence and surprise.
The journey into humor begins even earlier than five, tracing back to the first chuckles elicited by a game of peek-a-boo. Laughter and humor comprehension are not just about the momentary joy they bring; they are integral to the development of creativity, empathy, and resilience. Publications like The Globe and Mail have highlighted these benefits, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a sense of humor from a young age.
For those looking to become a favorite relative, here are a few knock-knock jokes guaranteed to delight:
- Knock, knock.
- Who’s there?
- Tank.
- Tank who?
- You’re welcome.
- Knock, knock.
- Who’s there?
- Howl.
- Howl who?
- Howl you know unless you open the door?
- Knock, knock.
- Who’s there?
- Boo.
- Boo who?
- Don’t cry, it’s just a joke!
These jokes are simple yet effective tools for creating moments of shared laughter and joy. They do more than entertain; they build connections, enhance understanding, and contribute to a child’s emotional and cognitive development. So next time you’re planning a visit to a young relative, arm yourself with a collection of knock-knock jokes. You’ll not only be the star of the hour but also play a role in fostering a lively sense of humor that carries lifelong benefits.
Interesting Things to Know
Harnessing Your Sixth Sense: How to Use Intuition Effectively
Intuition, often called a “sixth sense” or a hunch, is a powerful mental tool that can guide us through decisions when logic alone isn’t enough. Psychologists from York University in Toronto have explored the origins of these intuitive insights and suggest practical ways to harness them effectively.
Understanding Intuition
Intuition operates as an ability to understand something immediately without needing conscious reasoning. It allows us to make decisions quickly, especially when we have limited information but a wealth of relevant experience. This sixth sense can often seem like it comes from nowhere, yet it’s deeply rooted in our past experiences and knowledge.
Enhancing Your Intuitive Abilities
- Expand Your Knowledge Base: Intuition is stronger in fields where you have more expertise. Invest time learning and expanding your knowledge to improve your intuitive abilities, especially outside your current areas of expertise. This broader understanding sets the stage for more frequent and accurate insights.
- Take a Step Back: To cultivate intuition, engage deeply with your questions and potential answers, then take a deliberate break. Activities that fully relax and occupy your mind can refresh your cognitive processes and lead to breakthroughs when you revisit the problem.
- Trust Your Gut: Experience fuels intuition. Trust your gut feelings, especially in areas where you have deep knowledge. While intuition sometimes contradicts logical reasoning, it often points toward innovative solutions that logic might miss.
- Verify Your Insights: While intuition can lead to rapid conclusions, validating these insights with facts and data is crucial. Before acting on a gut feeling, cross-check it with reality to ensure it stands up to scrutiny. This process confirms the validity of your intuitive leaps and can prevent potential mistakes.
Intuition as a Problem-Solving Tool
Intuition isn’t about making random guesses. It’s an advanced form of cognitive processing that blends past experiences with present awareness. By fostering your intuition through learning, relaxation, trust, and verification, you can enhance your decision-making skills in both personal and professional realms.
Remember, while facts and data are crucial, there comes a point in decision-making where you must rely on intuition’s less tangible yet profoundly insightful power. Embrace it as a complementary tool that, when used wisely, can lead to more holistic and effective problem-solving.