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Legends of America Newsletter - April 2017 |
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| April showers bring May flowers, but this year at our house we didn't have to wait. The mild weather has brought Spring into bloom at Fort Alexander, and we are enjoying the break in routine, working away on our Spring clean/fix list. I think we've hauled six large trash bags of 'stuff' out of the shed this year. How that much accumulates is beyond me, and why we even had some of it will forever be a mystery. Like cat litter. We have two dogs, no kitties, and though I can faintly remember buying the cat litter, for the life of me I can't figure out why. Oh well, add it to the pile ready to be set out for pickup this week.
Kathy had a surprise call from one of our granddaughters in Lawrence, Kansas last week. It was during the school day, so Kathy was caught off guard. "Nana, [insert giggle]...uhm..I mean, Grandma, it's me Graci. I'm standing next to my teacher and we are using Legends Of America as a resource for a project we're doing. You own it right?" I have to chuckle at teenagers sometimes. Apparently it isn't cool to use "Nana" in front of classmates. Graci told us that her teacher loves the website as a social studies resource, and invited Kathy to speak to the class. So, Kathy's reworking her planned trip to Northeast Kansas next week. It will be a fun time I'm sure. I think it's neat when our grandchildren run into our website at school. Makes me even more proud of Kathy, if that's possible.
Speaking of road trips, it's a great time to hit the Mother Road. We always hear from a lot of folks during Spring, planning their road trip down Route 66. We have you covered, from the history of the route in our articles, to guides and more through our General Store. Be sure to check out the special offers below in this newsletter.
Quite a few of our readers are also on ghost town hunts this time of year. We heard from one reader recently that had a rude surprise at the Arizona ghost town of Sunnyside. This is a ghost town that isn't easy to get into, and when they finally got there, they were greeted with "Private Drive" and "Private Property" signs. Not sure when those were added, but it appears this is one ghost town you can scratch off the list for now. Glad we could see it back in 2007 and hope it doesn't completely disappear.
We'll, that's all for now. Back to checking off a few more on the spring clean/fix list. Next up, finding a grass that will choke out some of these weeds.
Dave "spreader dude" Alexander
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What's New on LOA
Here are the latest additions since our last newsletter. |
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| Mills, NM - A Shell of Memories - From our 2013 New Mexico adventure: Don't blink, or you might miss this town in New Mexico that once boasted 3,000 residents. Today Mills has only a handful of homes still active, and a post office. |
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| Sequoyah - Inventor of Written Cherokee - Sequoyah developed a written alphabet based on the sounds of syllables and forever changed the Cherokee Nation.
Phoebe Couzins - Lady Law - One of the first female lawyers in the United States, the first female appointed as a U.S. Marshal, and a well known suffragist, Phoebe Couzins was a trailblazer for women's rights and equality.
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Did You Know?
The American Automobile's history can be traced back to the late 1700's, and Oliver Evans was at the forefront with his vision of a steam powered carriage.
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The Chuckwagon - Western Recipes
Lazy B Corn Fritters
Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup flour
2 cups corn
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. paprika
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
Stir dry ingredients together and add corn. Then add the egg yolks beaten thick and fold in egg whites beaten stiff. Fry in hot lard. Try to use a cold bowl to beat the egg whites if possible. |
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Crossing the Great Plains in Ox-Wagons
From our historic text files - In 1939, Harriet Scott Palmer participated in the Life Histories from the Folklore Project, otherwise known as the WPA Federal Writers Project, to give her account of traveling the Oregon Trail as a young girl in the 1850's.
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Although I was but a girl of 11 years, I distinctly remember many things connected with that far-off time when all of our western country was a wilderness. We were six months in crossing the plains in ox-wagons.
In our home, in Illinois, in the early 1850s, there was much talk and excitement over the news of the great gold discoveries in California -- and equally there was much talk concerning the wonderful fertile valleys of Oregon Territory and an act of Congress giving settlers 640 acres of land.
My father, John Tucker Scott, with much of the pioneer spirit in his blood, became so interested that he decided to "Go West." The spring of 1852 ushered in so many preparations, great work of all kinds. I remember relations coming to help sew, of tearful partings, little gifts of remembrances exchanged, the sale of the farm, the buying and breaking in of unruly oxen, the loud voices of the men, and the general confusion.
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| Big savings on our selection of National Park DVD's from Bennett-Watt Productions. You already save $3 just by adding it to your cart. Then save another 10% off when you use coupon code NEWS10! That's over $5 off now through the end of April. |
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| American Indian Tribes Poster (17" x 24") - Locates over 300 original territories of the major American Indian tribes. Each location has been approved by the tribal council. Artwork is from an original painting by Bill Strobel. Great for classroom and learning projects.
Save 10% when you use coupon code NEWS10 |
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Exposed Gears Gunmetal Pocket Watch (Personalized) -Customize with a possibility of 3 lines, up to 15 characters per line. This watch is a great gift. A gift box is included!
SIZE: Measures 1 3/4" in diameter and includes a 12" removable chain.
On Sale, but save an additional 10% when using coupon code NEWS10 |
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| Route 66 Postcard Coloring Book, by Legends of America - contains 20 postcards of various places along America's Mother Road, each ready for your own artistic touch. Then after you color, remove each and send as a postcard. Complete with stamp placement on the back, and information on each location. Or, keep your finished work as a reminder of fun times traveling Route 66.
Save an additional 10% off sale price with coupon code NEWS10 |
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| The Route 66 Journey Package - Includes the 4th Edition EZ66 Guide For Travelers , the 17th Edition Route 66 Dining & Lodging Guide, and Route 66 8-State Map Series, all updated for 2015. Provides you with all the tools for an easier journey on what can sometimes be a confusing piece of pavement. Suggested retail for all three is over $50, but you save money in this special package offer!'
See our Bonus offer for an even lower price on Legends' Route 66 Postcard Coloring Book! And save 10% more when you use our newsletter exclusive coupon code, NEWS10. |
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| Providing a wide range of photo prints and products from vintage images to our current travels. Thousands to choose from, including historic travel destinations, vintage images, art and more available in many print sizes, including Canvas and Print Wraps. Or put your favorite on a calendar, coffee mug or t-shirt. Just select your favorite and browse our many products in the Photo Shop. As a newsletter subscriber, save 15% on all prints. Just use coupon code News10 during checkout. |
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Follow Legends on Social Media |
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| Legends of America has several Facebook Fan Pages, like one or like them all! Our Legends' fan page provides daily posts of American History and "on this day" articles.
Native American History - periodic posts about Native American traditions, tribes, hero's and chieftains and much more.
We're also on Twitter and Pinterest |
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What Our Readers are saying:
- Love your website! Everything you want to know about The Land of Enchantment! - David, New Mexico
- You gave me some insights on finding Ghost Towns and abandoned trails and mines. Keep up the good work. - Ted, Nevada
- I enjoy every one of your postings. They are interesting, educational and I have learned more from your site than I did in all my years of school and college - Dorothy on Facebook
- I wish these stories were taught in the classrooms. Kids today could use a glimpse of the lives of these men (ref: Pony Express) - Deyanne on Facebook
- Great info - pictures are amazing - Glen, Legends' Photo Print Customer
- I love all the history and cool stuff I learn reading your stories... Becky on Facebook
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