If there was one town in Pennsylvania that had my attention from the get-go... it had to be Jim Thorpe.

Yep. Jim Thorpe is the name of the town.

It's a small Victorian borough, comfortably set at the southern entry of the Pocono Mountains. It's very well maintained and is known for being a kind of an artsy community with museums, galleries, and music venues scattered throughout the old coal town.

The town was originally settled under the name Mauch Chunk, meaning 'Bear Mountain' in the native Lenape language, as one of the mountains looked like a bear sleeping on its side. But in 1953, following the death of Olympic medal winner Jim Thorpe -- his widow and third wife, Patricia, became so upset with the government of Oklahoma (because they refused to build a monument to honor Jim) that she sought out the small PA borough, who was desperately seeking to attract new tourists, and made a deal with civic officials to create a roadside attraction of Jim's tomb.

The unusual agreement also included the borough changing its name to Jim Thorpe -- not to mention, importing soil from Oklahoma and the Stockholm Stadium where Jim won his Olympic medals.

As you can imagine, this event was not without controversy as Thorpe's children wanted him to be buried with his family on the reservation in Oklahoma and have filed numerous lawsuits to try and gain control of Jim's remains. (For more on this, check out NPR's story at the bottom of the page.)

So it final came were my travels took me through Jim Thorpe, PA. I was stoked! 

But, you know what? It was just a grave with a couple of nice statues that looked out of place. "The greatest athlete in the world" (according to King Gustov V of Sweden) is awkwardly laid to rest in a town that he never set foot in, nor is associated with in anyway, except that his burial was meant to take in cash from tourists...but that really didn't happen either.

The funny thing about Mauch Chuck is that it really doesn't need Jim Thorpe there to make this place worth your while to visit. It has art and music and shopping and restaurants and outdoor recreation and a lot of Pennsylvania charm -- it really is one of the state's best locations. Of course, if you do get there, be sure to stop by Jim's memorial...and remember...just because you build it, doesn't mean they will come.

{NPR's report: http://www.npr.org/2011/08/03/138524619/a-fight-for-jim-thorpes-body}

In June of 1890, Dr. JJ Ott went out to a sprawling, natural quarry field in northern Bucks County, PA to collect a bunch of rocks. When he arrived, he made sure to pick up a variety of rubble, enough to “play” a chromatic scale of  pitches. These rocks were special as they made a “ringing” sound (like a metal pipe) when struck by a mallet. Dr. Ott turned the stones into an instrument and at the Buckwampum meeting in Stony Garden, he had the Pleasant Valley Band accompany him, at what may have been the first ever “ROCK CONCERT”. {Wah, wah, waah -- cue the Muppet Show music}

If you’re like me, a fan of Stonehenge or the giant heads on Easter Island, then eastern Pennsylvania is a must-see location you need to check out.

There are two drastically unique rock gardens located approximately thirty miles apart from each other -- Ringing Rocks County Park and Columcille Megalith Park.

Ringing Rocks is a natural deposit of oddly placed volcanic basalt. These boulders have small tubes running throughout the rock which, when struck, makes a ringing sound. Not all rocks in this river of boulders will chimb, but that’s part of the fun. You can spend hours just hiking around the area, trying to make your own rock music. Be sure to use a rubber mallet though, as metal hammers leave damage to these natural wonders. Also, the park is home to Bucks County’s largest waterfall (which stands alone in seeing). (More info: http://www.davidhanauer.com/buckscounty/ringingrocks/)

Columcille Megalith Park is located a few miles north of Bangor, PA and is a collection of local rocks, boulders, and megaliths, put together to recreate the Isle of Iona (off the coast of Scotland). This outdoor sanctuary, made up of over 350 rocks, is the vision of a Celtic spiritualist, Bill Cohen Jr., who wanted to create a gateway to another world. St. Oran’s legend is promoted throughout the park, reminding the seeker that “the way you think it is may not be the way it is at all." (More info: http://www.columcille.org/index.html)

Both parks are free and fun for the whole family and make for a mysteriously fanciful day trip.

Happy exploring!

Happy Valentine's Day Here-A-Yearers!

With today being a holiday in which 60% of Americans celebrate, it is only fitting that I post something that has to do with love -- and the first thing to pop into my mind was the LOVE Park sculpture! 

So, I did a some digging and discovered a little-known secret about the well-known icon:

Robert Indiana, the LOVE symbol’s creator, said the reason why the "O" is tilted is because love isn't perfect. (At the time, he was in his fourth marriage.)

I hope your day is one full of love and that you're actively showing love to others too. 

BTW... I'm very thankful for each one of you who takes time to read, enjoy, comment, and participate in the HAY adventure. I love what I do and I love having people to share in the journey.

Valentine's Day cheers!

{FYI--LOVE Park (officially JFK Plaza) in city center Philly is a popular spot for tourists to snap a cool pic. The iconic statue with the curved "O" has been featured in movies, t-shirts, and even on a postage stamp.}

This might surprise you, but the announcement of the next state in the Here A Year adventure is actually a little bittersweet for me.

I have to leave a state I have genuinely fallen in love with.
I will have to say goodbye to friends who have become family.
I can’t move to all the states people wrote “lists of love” about.
~but~
I will be closer to other good friends.
My senses will have new experiences by switching environments.
I will be able to tell new stories about life in a new state.

I’m sure most of you can relate when it comes to moving someplace new. There’s a happy (sometimes nervous) energy that surrounds the unknown -- but overall -- I can’t wait for the new state! Adventure awaits!

And the winner is...

NEVADA!

There were so many terrific “lists of love” that came my way that I almost changed the journey back to a cross-country trek visiting all the states again. But, after a lot of deliberation, and mental fatigue, I concluded that Nevada will be my next home.

On top of it just feeling right, it also happened to be the state that had the most people asking for me to move there -- here’s a “small” sampling of a just some of their lists:

--“Overall awesome state, friendly laws, and..VEGAS! Trust me, you won't regret it.”

--“Because it is a great place to find love.”

--“The weather may be really hot in the summer but it is a dry heat which makes it very tolerable. The rest of the seasons are just perfect too! Just a great place to live.”

--“WE ROCK!”

--“Low cost of living.”

--“My entire family will be living there in 2013, along with other cousins and relatives, so I will find out how deep is my love for Nevada is very, very soon.”

--“If you don't move here I'll eat your brains.”

--“Because we are just a little more fabulous than all the other boring states.”

--“Snow-capped mountains, plenty of sunshine, and all-you-can-eat buffets rolled into a one glorious state.”

--“Feels right.”

--“We have more mountain ranges than any other state!”

--“Vegas. Graboids.”

--“It is an economically sensible place to live.”

--“The Gold Rush!”

--“People who live in Nevada feel a little more fabulous! Most people think of the glitz and glam of Las Vegas when they hear Nevada, but there is so much more to this state than showgirls and strippers and Cirque du --Soleil. Take a chance on "the silver state." You won't be disappointed.”

--“Lights, Dice, & Great friends.. Where else could one person want to be?”

--“Burning Man...duh.”

So, in just a few, short weeks. I’ll be packing up the Honda, and driving 2,400+ miles to my new home in the “Silver State”.

Thank you to all who sent in your “list of love” -- I enjoyed reading each one and can’t wait to live in your state sometime soon.

Cheers Here-A-Yearers!

To enter, click here and leave me the message, "Be Mine". I'll put the RANDOMIZER to work on Friday night and will contact the winner via email by Saturday (2/7).

Thanks again for being a part of the adventure -- and thanks for sharing the LOVE with your tribe.

When I read the blog title, I think it sounds like a lost book in the Harry Potter series -- LOL! -- you never know... :)

I'm in Punxsutawney for the 117th weather prognostication from the world's most famous groundhog, Phil. Promoters are expecting a large crowd (possible up to 40,000) to be at the ceremony, so I'm going to get there by 5:00am to see if I can get a good spot for the event at 7:20am. What a great tradition!

For those of you who can't make it here, you're in luck, as you can watch the whole shebang go down **live** here. And for those who think the who thing is a little silly, let me tell you more about the tradition that dates back before the Roman empire. 

(Adapted from "Groundhog Day: 1886 to 1992" by Bill Anderson)

Groundhog Day, February 2nd, is a popular tradition in the United States. It is also a legend that traverses centuries, its origins clouded in the mists of time with ethnic cultures and animals awakening on specific dates. Myths such as this tie our present to the distant past when nature did, indeed, influence our lives. It is the day that the Groundhog comes out of his hole after a long winter sleep to look for his shadow.

If he sees it, he regards it as an omen of six more weeks of bad weather and returns to his hole.

If the day is cloudy and, hence, shadowless, he takes it as a sign of spring and stays above ground.

The groundhog tradition stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and for centuries the custom was to have the clergy bless candles and distribute them to the people. Even then, it marked a milestone in the winter and the weather that day was important.

The Roman legions, during the conquest of the northern country, supposedly brought this tradition to the Teutons, or Germans, who picked it up and concluded that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, an animal, the hedgehog, would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of bad weather, which they interpolated as the length of the "Second Winter."

Pennsylvania's earliest settlers were Germans and they found groundhogs to in profusion in many parts of the state. They determined that the groundhog, resembling the European hedgehog, was a most intelligent and sensible animal and therefore decided that if the sun did appear on February 2nd, so wise an animal as the groundhog would see its shadow and hurry back into its underground home for another six weeks of winter.

This passage may be the one most closely represented by the first Punxsutawney Groundhog Day observances because there were references to the length of shadows in early Groundhog Day predictions.

The ancient Candlemas legend and similar belief continue to be recognized annually on February 2nd due to the efforts of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club.

The Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper is credited with printing the news of the first observance in 1886 (one year before the first legendary trek to Gobbler's Knob):

"Today is groundhog day, and up to the time of going to press the beast has not seen his shadow."

To me, it's remarkable that this fun tradition survived and that it puts this town on the world's map -- everyone seems to know who Punxsutawney Phil is, and that he is the highest ranking groundhog in the New World.

By the way, since 1887, the groundhog has seen his shadow 100 times, and not seen it 16 times to predict an early spring. Also, www.groundhog.org has a ton of great info about Groundhog Day -- check them out. And let's hope that Phil's shadow stays away and that this winter will be done shortly. 

Groundhog Day cheers Here-A-Year-ers!!

I ♥ senior citizens.

There, I said it. It’s out, and I can’t take it back. I just simple LOVE them!

Maybe I’ve played too many games of shuffleboard or horseshoes to make a clear judgement on that statement -- or maybe it’s the cookies and brownies that come by the bucket loads from all the grandmas I amassed over my travels -- whatever the reason, all I know, is that I have a lot of fun with those who are often called our elders.

So, when I got the chance to volunteer at the Windy Hill Senior Center in Spring Grove, I jumped at the opportunity!

I was introduced to this organization by a group of senior line-dancers, one Wednesday afternoon, at the local coffee shop. They were a rowdy bunch of ladies whose conversation spilled over to me (they actually got me to blush) while talking and joking about their last dance session. One of the ladies eventually asked me why I was in their small town and I told her about my Pennsylvania adventure.

Once they heard about Here A Year’s mission to connect people to good organizations and charities, they immediately told me about their senior center and its director, Tammy Miller.

And, so, after a few more laughs and another shot of espresso, I promised the ladies I would swing by to see if I could get involved somewhere. I also told them I would make it to one of their line dance classes before the year was up -- this would come back to haunt me (just look at the slideshow above).

I went directly from the cafe to meet with Tammy, and after a short introduction, I asked if there was anything I could do to help out. I was thinking I could teach a computer class, or help serve meals, or whatever -- but it just so happened that she was looking for a person to facilitate a class called, Sages & Seekers.

S&S is a program which brings teenagers (the seekers) together with someone over the age of seventy (the sage) to share life stories with each other, which in turn, help break down age related barriers in the community. It’s an eight week series that met once a week, and ended with an hour-long program where the seekers “show off” their sage to their family and friends.

It didn’t take me long to accept the task as I basically said, “when do we start”? Tammy was thrilled!

- - - - - - -

Now, I don’t usually end a blog in the middle of a story, but I am today.

Why?

Well... I kind of already wrote about this event on another blog... and since I’m contracted with them (meaning I can’t repost it after it’s posted on their website), I encourage you to read {in a Paul Harvey voice} “the rest of the story” over at Create The Good’s blog. >> "Connecting through conversations"

BTW...I hope you love senior citizens too! If you do, leave me a comment about how you connect with them in your community.

Monday cheers Here-A-Yearers!

What can I say? -- I’m blown away...again!

On this, the second time around, hundreds of people voted for my next location -- and holy guacamole -- I can’t get over how many passionate pleas there were. Granted, I asked everyone to create “Lists of Love” about their favorite state, so I shouldn’t of expected anything less than long accolades of glorious environments.

Again, I’m simply blown away, which is why I thought you’d like to hear some of these “lists”.

Here’s a handful of my favorites:

Texas: “Because its where we live! It’s ginormous, so there's a ton to explore, help with, be transformed by, and love.” ~B.M.

Iowa: “Because it's the greatest state in the Union. And living in Missouri has given me a better appreciation for states that don't smell like tobacco. Or not as much anyway.” ~A.K.

Washington: “Why not come visit the total opposite coast and experience what our great state has to offer?! We've got beaches, Crystalline Mountains, desert beauty and remoteness! We also offer a big city that you'd never get tired of exploring! Also, native Indian heritage, cuisine and Indian dancing islands. Or take a cruise around Puget sound.. You'd love it!! And if you come to our Eastern side of the state you wouldn't even need an umbrella!” ~J.P.

New York: “It's THE state.” ~J.W.

Georgia: “We are so rich in history and there are so many different areas all over the state. We have the coastal areas (Jekyll, St. Simons, and Tybee Islands) all the way to the mountains in the north where the Appalachian Trail begins!” ~K.W.

South Dakota: “Oh, let me count the ways on why I love the great state of South Dakota. It's a state that truly matches it's slogan. "Great faces and great places!" It's a state that offers many opportunities and many places to explore. In what other state can you see the buffalo roam and the faces of four presidents carved in rock/stone? South Dakota provides a place for one to be close to family and friends. Oh, and who can forget South Dakota taking part in all four seasons. South Dakota would be a great place for your face! Come visit SD and let it become one of your favorite states.” ~M.J.

Nevada: “If you don't move here I'll eat your brains.” ~J.C.

Louisiana: “The People and The Food! The people of Louisiana are unlike people in most any other state and, in fact, are very different in different parts of the state. In other words it will be like visiting several states at one time. But wherever you are in the state, the people are wonderful -- full of love and life! As the French would say, there is a "joie de vivre" unlike in any other state. The food is beyond compare. You would never go hungry -- even if you have to stop and knock on a door to be invited in for a meal. Or drop by a tailgate on a Saturday afternoon baseball or football game and be offered good fellowship and great food -- even as a stranger! You are welcome here! And the "welcome" will come in many dialects, languages and accents! All of which will truly mean, "please come in, sit for a spell (a year) and we promise you will not want to leave!" I surely don't want to leave!” ~V.T.

Arkansas: “Arkansas has a reputation for being full of ignorant rednecks and hillbillies, but there really is more to us than that. The Ozark Mountains in the NW corner of the state is one of the most beautiful places in the country with lots of places to hike and camp. NW Arkansas is full of industry leaders, such as Wal-Mart, Tyson, and JB Hunt. You can also visit Bill and Hillary Clinton's first home in my hometown of Fayetteville, a city by the way, which was listed as one of the most beautiful cities in the country by Parade magazine. If you're interested in volunteer opportunities, there is a high rate of poverty in the central and SW/Delta regions. I'm sure there would be plenty of opportunities. Besides, what other state has a razorback as its college mascot? Come to Arkansas!” ~K.D.

Texas: “Because its where we live! It’s ginormous, so there's a ton to explore, help with, be transformed by, and love.” ~B.M.

Montana: “There are so many fascinating things about my home state. While it's not as populated as all other states save WY and AK, it's got culture in abundance. There are museums and ghost towns and tourist attractions galore. There are National Parks and fun places to be found everywhere. There are quirky towns and college towns and teeny tiny towns. We also have a huge need of volunteer sources in everything from the homeless shelters to animal rescues. There is much need in our state as well as more than enough beauty. If you come here you won't be found wanting for hospitality either!” ~M.F.

Nevada: “People who live in Nevada feel a little more fabulous! Most people think of the glitz and glam of Las Vegas when they hear Nevada, but there is so much more to this state than showgirls and strippers and Cirque du Soleil. Take a chance on "the silver state." You won't be disappointed.” ~J.H.

Iowa: "We have the same number of cows and people! Cow tipping, cow milking, and cow counting are all beloved pastimes." ~H.D.

Again, thank you all for voting. Here A Year is only here because of you.

I wish I could post every reply I got, but that would simply overload your inbox. (Maybe I’ll share more throughout the selection process.)

Also, I’ll be announcing the winner on Friday, February 1st -- something to look forward to.

Cheers!

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

Obviously, this man needs no connection to Pennsylvania to be honored on this website -- but you know me -- I found one -- MLKjr graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, PA. I love it when I able to link good people to this great state. (Truly, in Pennsylvania, you don't have to look too far.)

"Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's ‘Theory of Relativity’ to serve. You don't have to know the Second Theory of Thermodynamics in Physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love, and you can be that servant."

~Martin Luther King Jr. - excerpt from "The Drum Major Instinct"

One way to motivate yourself onto greatness is to emulate those who are worth emulating. Martin Luther King Jr. is one of those people whose words and actions always seemed to match up. He became a servant to make the world better (and arguably, to correct the world's faulty beliefs). He stood up to oppression and moved a country to action.

Thank you Dr. King for your life and testimony.

For more information about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., start by visiting The King Center's website.

There are over 14,500 manufacturing establishments housed inside Pennsylvania's borders. Everything from apple sauce to Zippo lighters are produced in the Keystone State -- then shipped all over the world to be enjoyed.


I remember, as a child, watching Mister Rogers go through a factory each week on his show. It wasn't until I moved out here that I discovered Fred Rogers was a PA native and that the show was filmed in Pittsburgh, which made it easy to go down the road to the local marble/bubbles/chocolate factory.

Of course, the tours aren't reserved just for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, but are open to everyone who wants to see how things are made. There's even one county, York, in South Central PA that hails as the "Factory Tour Capital of the World" and hosts an annual Made In America Tours Event each June.

I decided it would be fun to tour a handful of factories during the winter as the crowds are smaller and the heat from machines and ovens would be warm welcome to the weather outside. I took lots of pictures and put them together in a slideshow below. 

The factories I went to were: Hershey Chocolate World / Harley-Davidson Assembly Plant / Martin & Co. Guitars / Renovah Pretzels

Today is Benjamin Franklin’s 307th birthday. Happy birthday Ben!

I figured today would be a great day to add Franklin to my “Gods of Pennsylvania” list -- and if this list were like the pantheon of Greek gods, Franklin would Zeus.

Although Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston, he is better known as a Pennsylvanian, spending most of his life in Philadelphia (even being the President of PA for three years). His resume includes being an author, activist, diplomat, inventor, musician, politician, postmaster, printer, satirist, scientist, and statesman. He is often referred to as "The First American" and is still looked highly upon as one of the most important figures in American history.

Franklin had a fierce belief in being a virtuous person and having a country that was morally in-tune (their civic duty). This was evidenced by his active involvement many “do-good” organizations along with volunteering his time to help the poor.

At the age of twenty, Franklin was looking for ways to build up his own character and created a list of thirteen virtues:

1. Temperance: Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

2. Silence: Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

3. Order: Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

4. Resolution: Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

5. Frugality: Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

6. Industry: Lose no time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

7. Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

8. Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

9. Moderation: Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

10. Cleanliness: Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.

11. Tranquility: Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

12. Chastity: Rarely use venery (sexual indulgence) but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation"

13. Humility: Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Even more than his striving to be upright, Franklin is known for his witty words, and is still one of the most quoted individuals in history. Some of my favorites:

“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”

“Never ruin an apology with an excuse.”

“Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.”

“If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking.”

“To find out a girl's faults, praise her to her girlfriends.”

Other well-known quotes:

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”

“Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.”

“God helps those who help themselves.”

So, take a moment to honor the memory of this man by sharing this story, or your favorite Franklin quote, with your world.

Three cheers, and long live the memory of Benjamin Franklin!

A big thanks to everyone who entered -- don't forget -- there's always new contests around here, so be sure to stay subscribed to the blog.

And keep your fingers crossed as we're hoping Punxsutawney Phil doesn't see his shadow so Spring can come early.

My time in PA is quickly coming to a close.

As of today, I technically have eleven weeks (or 77 days) until I depart for my next location and adventure. Trust me, it won’t be an easy move as I feel there is still so much to see, learn, and do. Also, I’m not looking forward to saying goodbye to all of my new friends and forged bonds...ugh.

But alas, I must start thinking ahead as March 24th will surely sneak up on me -- like the quote says, “luck favors the prepared” {Louis Pasteur paraphrase} -- I need to begin laying the foundation of my next journey thoughtfully and intentionally.

Of course, this means I will be doubling my duties as I am still 100% immersed in the world of Pennsylvania, plus being 100% in preparation mode for what lies ahead. If I do this right, you shouldn’t notice a decrease in blogs, videos, or volunteer hours - but you will start to see the coming project woven into the conversation stream.

To begin, I want you to know that voting will be a little different from last time. I’ve had many (and I mean many) people message me, telling me they can’t wait to vote for my next location. As much as love getting those notes, I must be open and as honest as possible with all of you -- so -- after much research (and lots of good counsel), I’ve decided to change the methodology of voting.


Here’s what I mean:
Voting will begin on Monday, January 7th and will end on Monday, January 21st (9:00pm-EST) - anyone can cast ONE VOTE for a state they would like me to move to for a period of one year - along with this vote, they must tell me what they LOVE about that state (i.e. why I should move there) - then, on Friday, February 1st, I will announce which state I will be moving to based upon its LIST OF LOVE.


It’s not that I don’t trust the populace, I do, but I want to make sure all the states get a fighting chance -- not just the big territories with lots of voices.


So -- what are you waiting for? Start spreading the love! (Click to tweet.)


Head over to hereayear.com/vote to cast your ballot for my next chapter.

There are a handful of events that stand out as Pennsylvania originals: The Little League World Series, Groundhog Day, and the New Years Mummers Parade.

So... it was only natural for me to show up early on January 1st to get a front-and-center seat for what is traditionally known as America’s oldest folk parade. But I’m a rookie when it comes to this experience as the parade lasts over six hours (2008 and before it lasted eleven hours!) which means there was no reason to get there early.

Before I get too far ahead, I probably should let you know what a mummer is. Well...in ages past, it was a person who went door-to-door after Christmas, dressed in disguises, to perform skits and songs (much like Bushnickle of the PA Dutch). When people from these traditions immigrated to America (mainly to Philadelphia), the after Christmas elements mixed with the New Year celebration of walking down the street, firing guns in the air (later to be replaced with shouting and fireworks). Ultimately, this turned into a mob (mostly men) dressing up in colorful outfits and painted faces - dancing and strutting down streets - then organizing into different associations and brigades to compete in various parade categories on New Years Day in Philly.

My first impression of the event was: WOW! I feel like I’m at a Mardi Gras or something. My second impression was: have most of these people been partying since last night? Both were correct as the parade has the flashy flare (lots of candy and beads) of a New Orleans hoopla, and yep, many of the participants have been drinking since December 31st.

If I had to give the parade a MPAA rating, it would be PG-13 as there were open containers everywhere (a police officer I talked with said it causes more trouble taking the drinks away than just letting it be), plenty of public intoxication, a few sexually suggestive skits and costumes, and some questionable practices involving racial stereotypes (I’m trying to give these individuals the benefit of the doubt as I’m not quite positive they knew it was questionable).

With that said, there was still a lot of good, wholesome, family fun to be had -- not to mention the multitude of hot pretzel carts being wheeled around (mmm...). The string band division, to me, is the most enjoyable part of the parade. These unique groups have some of the most outlandish costumes, plus they march with instruments that aren’t traditionally easy to carry (i.e. 40 pound double basses and baritone saxophones).

I think my favorite aspect of this event is how open and casual the participants, spectators, and even the police are as everyone interacts with everyone.

While waiting for their brigade to move forward, three girls from the crowd crossed the barricade to chat with the group’s banjo players - this turned into a small dance party as the girls, banjo players, and a traffic cop all started to dance and jive. Sweet, sweet fun!

I also talked with one string band founder who had been marching in the parade for over fifty years. He was extremely excited to have his son, grandson, and now great grandson marching side-by-side with him through the streets of South Philly.

It turns out, having multiple generations participate in the festival is a pretty normal thing. One couple, dressed up as a clock and the moon, had their infant dressed as a cow (fastened to the moon) and paused every few seconds to proudly showcase their newborn to the crowds along the boulevard. This kind of thing could be seen throughout the day.

Overall, I had a blast and a half! I thoroughly enjoyed myself and would strongly encourage anyone to check out the Mummers Parade. If you can’t be here on New Years Day, be sure to swing by the Mummer Museum on South Second Street. It’ll be worth your while to do so.

Happy 2013 Here A Year-ers!

Located southwest of Philadelphia (almost to Delaware), Longwood Gardens was originally inhabited by the Lenni Lenape tribe. After Europeans started to settle the New World, William Penn sold this area to the Quaker family Peirce, who farmed the land until they sold it to be developed and preserved by the du Pont family. Almost a million people go through the gardens in an average year to soak in the 1000+ acres of floral and fauna.

My hyper-experience with horticulture came this past week as my Delaware friends included me in their annual tradition of touring the gardens during it's display of winter / holiday landscapes. I must say, this is a must see if you're in the area. No matter the season, plan on spending an afternoon or evening at Longwood Gardens. (It's a little pricey, but think of it as a donation to keeping the area preserved to be enjoyed.)

On New Year’s Eve, the vast majority of you will either be in New York City watching the ball drop or you’ll be watching the Times Square celebration on television. But why not make this tradition even more fun by dropping a wooden cow from a silo or a replica of the world’s largest ‘shoe house’?

Well, in Pennsylvania, you can.

PA boasts the record for having the most diverse listing of things dropped throughout the state on New Years Eve.

Here’s my pick for the craziest of the crazy Pennsylvania New Year’s Eve droppings:

1. Lebanon:

A 100+ pound stick of Lebanon Bologna is dropped. The owner of Lebanon Bologna is Godshall's Quality Meats who donates the giant meat stick for the festivity, which is encased in a frame and suspended from a fire department ladder truck. When the celebration is over, the bologna is donated to a local rescue mission.

2. Bethlehem:

A yellow illuminated Peep made out of fiberglass is dropped. This heavenly display of yumminess weighs in at 85 pounds and measures 4½ feet tall, 5 feet wide, and 6 feet long. The marshmallow treat was born in Bethlehem and is still manufactured there today  - talk about a going into the new year with a sugar hangover!

3. Dillsburg:

Two pickles are dropped, one at midnight UTC (known to the locals as ‘Mrs. Pickle) and the other at midnight EST. The two pickles have progressed through life together as their story evolves year after year. In 2011, the Mrs. was pregnant, which means we might be on the lookout for a third pickle drop in 2012.

4. Lisburn:

A pair of yellow "britches" is dropped. Yellow Breeches Creek goes through the village which is why they drop this item. (Legend has it that when the British troops crossed the creek, the water stained their uniform pants yellow.)

5. Falmouth:

A stuffed goat is dropped. This small community in the shadows of the Three Mile Island power plant, has an annual goat racing day in September. The dropping of a stuffed goat is in honor of their fall tradition.

Here’s a short list of other things towns drop throughout Pennsylvania:

(Links are all to YouTube videos of past events. Here A Year is not responsible for the content on those videos.)

-Allentown: A Liberty Bell replica is dropped to commemorate when the original was stored in Allentown during the Revolutionary War.

-Akron: A shoe is dropped.

-Beavertown: A beaver is dropped.

-Blain: A wooden cow is dropped from a silo.

-Bradford: A ball is dropped.

-Carlisle: An Indy car is dropped.

-Cleona: A pretzel is raised.

-Cornwall: A Cannonball Drop commemorates the historic Cornwall Iron Furnace.

-Duncannon: A sled is dropped.

-Easton: A ten-foot Crayola crayon is dropped at 8pm to accommodate children's bedtimes.

-Elizabethtown: A giant M&M is dropped at midnight UTC to correspond with its sister city in Ireland.

-Frogtown: A frog is dropped.

-Gratz: A wildcat is dropped.

-Halifax: A Hemlock tree is dropped.

-Hallam: A replica of the Haines Shoe House is dropped.

-Harrisburg: A strawberry is dropped.

-Hershey: A Hershey Kiss replica is raised.

-Hummelstown: A lollipop is dropped.

-Ickesburg: A french fry is dropped.

-Lancaster: A red rose is raised.

-Lewistown: A bag of Hartley's potato chips is dropped.

-Lititz: A Moravian star is raised.

-Liverpool: A canal boat is dropped.

-Manheim: A ball is raised.

-McClure: A kettle is dropped in honor of the Bean Soup Festival.

-Mechanicsburg: A wrench is dropped.

-Middletown: A metal Rhombicuboctahedron is dropped.

-New Bloomfield: A box huckleberry is dropped.

-New Oxford: An antique trunk is dropped.

-Newville: A big spring is dropped.

-Palmyra: "The Giant Shoe" is dropped.

-Pittsburgh: A ball representing Earth, made of recycled materials, is raised.

-Philadelphia: A ball is dropped.

-Port Royal: A sprint car is dropped.

-Pottsville: A bottle of Yuengling beer is raised.

-Red Lion: A wooden cigar held by a lion is raised.

-Richland: A cigar is dropped.

-Shippensburg: An anchor is dropped.

-Strasburg: Ping pong balls are dropped.

-Shamokin: Coal dropped, turned into a diamond at the bottom.

-Wilkes-Barre: Coal dropped,turned into a diamond at the bottom.

-York: A white rose is dropped.

It’s hard to escape the Pennsylvania Dutch influence during the holiday season as many of the modern day traditions evolved from their traditions.

For instance, the central symbol of modern American Christmas’ is a decorated tree. And while the Puritans in Massachusetts were able to ban the actual celebration of Christmas, along with all of the (so called) pagan rituals associated with it, the Pennsylvania Amish, Quakers, Mennonites, and Friends faiths kept their homeland traditions going -- like the Christmas Tree.

Traditionally, they would cut off a limb of a cherry tree on December 4th (St. Barbara’s Day) and would decorate it with candies, nuts, and fruit - hoping for the buds to blossom on Christmas Day. Also, the children would place an empty plate under the tree hoping for the Grishkindel, or Christ-child to leave them treats.

Of course, there are traditions worth mentioning that did not carry over into mainstream culture, but are still practiced in Pennsylvania Dutch communities. Some of most interesting are:

Belsnickel  - Covered head-to-toe in furs and usually wearing a mask, Belsnickel's "mission" was to punish naughty children. You could say he was Santa’s opposite, but really, he was there to scare the children into doing good. Sometimes, Belsnickel would appear weeks ahead of the holiday in the windows of the house and would tap a switch on the pane to frighten the children inside. During Second Christmas (see next item), Belsnickel would appear carrying a bag filled with bells, nuts, and candy as he went door-to-door, again, hitting the windows along the way. The children would then open the door and Belsnickel would throw candy and treats onto the floor and slap the hands of the kids who were trying to pick up the sweets. There are lots of story twists to Belsnickel character, but most involve him punishing children. Dwight Schrute from NBC’s The Office, portrayed Belsnickel in their latest Christmas episode.

{The Office Tweet: Belsnickel Fact: Belsnickel doesn't use elfin slave labor. Yet another reason why he's superior to Santa. http://t.co/rdLBDZvp}

Second Christmas - While most people who celebrate Christmas do so on the Eve (24th) or the Day (25th), the Pennsylvania Dutch reserve the day after (26th), not for returning gifts, but parties, egg dying (what most people do at Easter), and Belsnickling (going around with Belsnickel to deliver treats). Some traditions actually use this day to pull pranks on each other (like April Fools Day). Sounds like a great idea to me!

However you and your family are celebrating this season, I hope you have the merriest of time and make the most of your own traditions. (And be good, or Belsnickel will be in your window.)

BTW...I’d love to hear about your traditions in the comments.

From the moment I stepped inside the central atrium of the Mercer Museum, I felt like Alice falling through the rabbit hole and emerging in Wonderland.

My senses were overloaded as floor after floor contained an eclectic display of pre-industrial tools, seen from a multitude of vantage points, which made each tier of this castle grander than the next.

Simply put -- this place is magical.

Unless you live in the Doylestown area (a northwest Philadelphia suburb), it is doubtful you know much, if anything, about Henry Mercer and his giant, six story, cement building in the middle of the borough.

So -  let me take a moment to introduce you to the man and his mission.

Henry Chapman Mercer was born just prior to the Civil War in 1856, in Doylestown, Pennsylvania to the wealthy Mercer family (Massachusetts textile industry). He was well educated and had lots of opportunities to travel, especially throughout Europe. He acquired a degree at Harvard, then went onto law school at the University of Pennsylvania, but never practiced because his interests turned toward archaeology - this is when he helped found the Bucks County Historical Society and was appointed the curator of American and prehistoric archaeology at the University of Pennsylvania's museum.

His turning point in life was around 1897 when he noticed the quick decay of early American society, which was being replaced by industrialism. Mercer’s story is that he saw a mess of old agricultural tools and household utensils piled together to be sold, and then realized that American pre-industrial history was being discarded. He made it his mission to start saving these items to be preserved for future generations and according to the Annapolis Capital Newspaper, he went about "rummaging the bake ovens, wagon houses, cellars, haylofts, smokehouses, garrets, and chimney corners" for anything Americana.

The collection continued to grow until he had over 30,000 items - and like any good collector, he needed a place to display his wares.  This is where the Mercer Museum comes into play.

In 1913, Henry, along with eight day-laborers and “Lucy” the horse started construction on the 6-story concrete castle (completed in 1916) and filled it with his vast inventory. Every year, more than 80,000 people visit the showroom and leave awestruck over what they see. And since the museum was specifically designed by Mercer to display pre-industrial tools, he created an experience for people to view the items up close and from many different perspectives - this produces an intimate connection to the people who used these devices.

One of the best compliments about the location came from Henry Ford, who stated that “the Mercer museum was the only museum worth visiting in the United States”, and if you have ever been to Ford’s own museum in Dearborn, Michigan, it’s apparent that Mercer inspired him greatly.

So - now that you have a little background, here’s my picks for why he made the Gods of Pennsylvania list:

Passionate

When we see a problem, what do most of us do? We usually shrug our shoulders and wish there was something they could do about it. Well, when Mercer saw a problem, he went about fixing it.

For instance, while he was amassing his collection of pre-industrial tools, he became interested in German Pennsylvanian tile making and quickly realized this craft was going the way of the dinosaurs. Mercer immediately apprenticed himself to an authentic potter in Bucks County where he became proficient in the art. He then followed up by building the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works to preserve the craft (which still operates to this date).

His passion led him to action - something we all should desire.

Visionary

In a few of  Mercer’s books, he talks about his frustration with certain aspects of archeology, especially drawing conclusions from finding items that don’t have a connective line to the present. So his idea was to start with the present (what we know) and then work toward the past.

Also, while he travelled throughout Europe, he became aware that many museums had been destroyed (and with it their collections) by fire. He had the foresight to make his house, tile factory, and museum out of reinforced concrete to ensure they would around for a very long time.

Renaissance Man

Much like Thomas Jefferson and Leonardo Da Vinci, Mercer was well educated and gifted in many fields of study. In his lifetime, he was a lawyer, architect, artisan, engineer, anthropologist, collector, curator, author, historian, and a tile-maker (to name a few).

After talking with Ed Reidell, site administrator at the Fonthill Museum (Mercer’s home), it became apparent that Henry was incredibly gifted at whatever he set his mind to do. Henry’s skill at tile-working landed him the job of creating four hundred different scenes from Pennsylvania’s history to decorate the state Capitol’s floor. His work also shows up at the Monte Carlo casino, Rockefeller's New York estate, the St. Louis Public Library, and Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California.

Upon his death in 1930, Henry Mercer left Fonthill Castle to his housekeeper and the museum and tile-works to the Bucks County Historical Society where they continue to keep his vision alive today.

I highly recommend you put Doylestown on your lists of “must sees” and visit all three of Mercer’s buildings (The Mercer Mile), but if you can’t get there immediately, check out this virtual tour of the main atrium.  (http://www.mercermuseum.org/themes/mysite/swf/p01tm.swf)

To see pictures from my adventure there, click here.

I had the privilege of touring the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, PA last week (thanks to the Here A Year-ers voting me there) and -- WOW -- I was blown away. So this week, I'm spending three days highlighting the adventure, and in doing so, make you desperately want to go see this Pennsylvanian masterpiece.

Let's start with a slideshow (and may I suggest clicking the full page button) >>

We’ve all heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday -- so it seems quite natural to add another day to the mix with #GivingTuesday.

#GivingTuesday (yep, it’s spelled that way with the hashtag and no space) consists of more than 2,000 recognized partners, from all 50 U.S. states, which are either registered charities, or they are for-profit businesses, schools, religious or community groups who have committed to spearhead a project that will benefit at least one 501(c)3.

Personally, I think it’s a great reminder to keep charities in focus during the holiday season. As much fun as it is to give to family and friends, it’s equally fun to donate to a great cause. And trust me, non-profits need your gifts quite badly.

The more I travel around to meet with charitable organizations, the more I hear about how funding is drying up. Mostly because of government cuts, the economic downturn, and general public opinion about some charities. Simply put, they need your help to continue serving their communities.

For me, #GivingTuesday means building a fence at a local animal rescue, donating some cash to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and raising awareness and money for Movember (men’s health initiatives & prostate cancer research) by growing out my ugly stache. (Click here to watch my Movember video or click here to donate on my Movember page.)

So -- if you have a dollar to spare, a hand to lend, or some time to give, please do so this Tuesday (November 27, 2012) as a way to promote and encourage your favorite organizations.

If you’re looking for some suggestions on where to give, here are just some of the places I’ve volunteered at while in Pennsylvania. They’re worth your time to check out and support.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania

The Super Hero Foundation

Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue

Mercer Museum & Fontill Castle

Are you participating in #GivingTuesday?

There is a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving.

And as important as it is to be thankful for a job or home or family or lots of food -- there are many people we should be grateful for as well. Many of whom have passed on, but their ability to make our world a better place lives on.

Since I’m in the state of Pennsylvania this year, why not consider these eight individuals as starting points of praise?

1. Benjamin Franklin - although he was born in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin is better known as a Pennsylvanian, spending most of his life in Philadelphia. His resume includes being an author, activist, diplomat, inventor, musician, politician, postmaster, printer, satirist, scientist, and statesman. He is often referred to as "The First American" and is still looked highly upon as one of the most important figures in American history.

2. Louisa May Alcott - born in Germantown, Pennsylvania, she is known for her literary classic, Little Women depicting everyday life in post Civil War America. She used her influence to be a strong voice in the abolitionist and women’s suffrage movements.

3. J. Presper Eckert - an electrical engineer and a pioneer in the field of computers, along with John Mauchly, he invented the first general-use electronic digital computer. This, along with being the first person to teach a college course on computing, and founding the first commercial computer company, makes him one of the most notable, yet unknown people from the Keystone State.

4. Robert Fulton - American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the first commercial steamboat. In 1800, he was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte to design the first practical submarine in history. His inventions helped usher in an age of faster, more reliable transportation and trade.

5. Fred Rogers - best known for creating and starring in Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, Rogers was crucial in the promotion of early childhood education and is noted for saving PBS back in the 1970’s. He testified before congress over the use of VCR’s in 1979 and is often credited with being the savior of video recording devices.

6. Andrew Carnegie - thought to be the second richest man in history, Carnegie made his fortune in steel. Even though he was mostly known as a shrewd businessman (with a handful of big business blunders), toward the end of his life, he became one of the most charitable individuals ever to walk this earth, giving away almost five billion dollars (in today’s money).

7. Milton Hershey - American confectioner, philanthropist, and the founder of The Hershey Chocolate Company. No campfire “s'mores” would be complete without this man’s contributions. Not only was he a wonderful chocolatier, his contributions to the social well-being of his employees are known worldwide.

8. William Penn - as the Founder of Pennsylvania, William Penn was able to set up the colony as he deemed fit and made it a “melting pot”. He is credited with framing many of the principles for the current United States Constitution and is noted for impressing many ideas of the Founding Father, such as: the freedom of religion, an amendable constitution, and that “all men are created equal”. Penn is also credited with fair trade with the natives and the layout of Philadelphia, which was made the first capital of the United States.

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

{All pictures used are in the Public Domain.}

Hypothetical question:

Greg Gano and Sarah Sellman from American Bear, along with myself undertook that exact experiment a couple of months ago in the beautiful city of Scranton, PA. The idea was to pass out random snacks of kindness while promoting a simple message -- be kind.

Of course, Greg and Sarah were no strangers (bad pun--sorry) to this type of experiment as they had already been doing this type of exercise across the United States starting back in July of 2010. Their cross country adventure had them relying on strangers for a place to crash every night while travelling for two months to all the towns named “Bear” in America.

They simply wanted to see how kind strangers would be to other strangers in need.

Needless to say, their experiment was a success and a movie was made (click here for the trailer), BUT the lessons they learned have gone with them as they continue to promote kindness through their network of other like-minded strangers.

So when Sarah had emailed me, I jumped at the chance to partner with them! I suggested we meet in the middle (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre area) to spread a little kindness on a Saturday morning. And with cupcakes in hand, we took to the streets.

It took a little while for us to find some takers, but once we did, it didn’t take long to pass out pan after pan of delicious cupcakes.

While driving back to south central PA, I had a chance to think about the day. Here are a couple of observations:

1. It doesn’t take much to make someone’s day.

While walking around downtown Scranton, we had the chance to interact with a variety of people - some were waiting for the bus, others were heading to the Italian Festival, and one gentleman was waiting for his sister while he was on his way back to jail -- all of them remark about how happy they were that we were there. A couple of guys were replacing a sewer line remarked that we were saints, one shop owner thought we were angels, and the two friends under the eaves made a remark that we brightened their day and gave them hope about future generations. This all happened just by showing kindness to a handful of strangers.

2. A smile goes a long way.

Thinking about this event makes me wonder if I should have worn a black trench coat with an evil looking bunny mask to see if what I was wearing would have affected the results of our experiment. The obvious answer is, YES! There is no doubt in my mind that when Greg, Sarah, and myself smiled and were warm and friendly to strangers, they were much more willing to enjoy a cupcake.

3. Strangers aren't usually dangerous.

Yes, I know what we were all taught back in grade school, but is that safety lesson meant to spill over into adulthood? It’s my belief that we tend to be wary of ordinary, everyday people because we were taught that strangers want to harm us. This simply isn’t true, and our “random snacks of kindness” campaign seemed to shine a light on this.

Given all this, when was the last time you showed kindness to a stranger?

Bummed out --

That was my feeling when I checked on plane tickets to go home for Thanksgiving.

Super bummed out --

That was my feeling when I checked on plane tickets to go home for Christmas.

Then -- out of the blue came an email for $79 tickets!

Woohoo!!  My day was made and so was my flight back to Minnesota.

Needless to say, travelling can be expensive, but for someone like me, who travels for a living, I am often asked, “how do you afford it?” Here's a few starters to get you back on the road --

Cook in your car

Everyone needs to eat, which means you are technically not adding extra expenses to your travel budget, unless you are eating out (i.e. restaurants).

I routinely make peanut butter sandwiches on top of my center armrest and keep mayo and black pepper packs in the glove compartment to add to a can of tuna for a quick lunch -- and by all means, keep a small cooler in the trunk.

If you need something heated up, grocery stores, superstores, or gas stations will often have a microwave available for use if you purchase your food there.

I try to save dining out for special occasions like meeting up with friends or clients. This way, I can either take a deduction on my taxes or roll the dice of having someone else pick up the check (remember this works both ways though). And if you’re in a special area that has interesting local cuisine (like cheese steaks in Philly), plan one meal to splurge on, but only order the entree keep it reasonable. (If you need to leave a tip, don’t be afraid to be frugal, as tipping is a matter of pride and should be for service above and beyond what is expected.)

Over the past few years, I've realized that tourist attractions seem to be about up-selling. It’s about getting you into the “trap” of stopping by, and then selling you something you’ll rarely use (or even regret) -- like a superman shirt with a cape attached (worst $30 I ever spent).

The key is to change your mindset about what travel and tourism is. Make it about treasuring the experience, not the merchandise.

Try taking a camera along and take some pictures to display around your house instead of picking up the, made in China, bric-a-brac that will eventually come to rest in the back of your closet.

Also, remember that many of the places you want to see cost nothing to enjoy. Here in Pennsylvania, almost all of the major historical sights don’t charge a dime for admission, not to mention, every one of the 117 state parks are free to enjoy. If you’re more interested attending concerts or festivals, consider volunteering, as many venues will give gladly give you a in for an hour or two of service.

If you’re not afraid of needles, try donating blood in the area where you are going as many blood banks give out free tickets to sporting events, rock concerts, and Vegas shows. If needles aren’t your thing, you can alway check out area casinos to see what kind of entertainment they are featuring for free. You might be surprised how good some of the cover bands are.

Upkeep is key

First off, if you’re going to travel by car, it only makes sense to own or rent a vehicle with better gas mileage. After my Mazda died (which averaged 32 mpg), I went car shopping with hopes of finding something that would offer the same, or better fuel economy. I was in luck as I purchased a Honda that averages 40 mpg! Those eight miles make a big difference as I save around $650 per year. (I’m still laughing at my friend who thought I was insane to want more than 25 mpg. Hmm... I still can’t figure see his logic.)

Secondly, there are a couple of basic techniques to help your car run at peak, cost-saving efficiency: properly inflate your tires, use manufacturer's recommended oil grade in engine, don’t floor it coming off of stop lights, and shed the extra weight in your trunk (or backseat). All these items will save you money in which you can spend elsewhere.

Also, if you’re super interested in saving money with your vehicle, the U.S. government has set up an entire website devoted to fuel economy.

He was the fifteenth President, the last born in the eighteenth century, and was the nation’s only lifelong bachelor Commander In Chief -- James Buchanan -- he is often noted as one of the most ineffective Presidents and is often found on the list of America's’ worst list.

While he was in office, a whole list of historical events happened:

The Dred Scott Case

Chaos in Kansas

Panic of 1857

War Against Utah

Disintegration of the Party

Fort Sumter

Basically, he was a stepping stone that launched Abraham Lincoln into the Presidency and essentially became a cause of the Civil War happening.

A couple of other interesting facts about Buchanan:

In his inaugural address, he announced that he would only be a one term President.

He declined a nomination by President Polk to be a Supreme Court Justice.

For 15 years, he lived with Alabama Senator William Rufus King (later Vice President under Franklin Pierce) sparking allegations of inappropriate relations.

There is a mysterious pyramid monument built over his birthsite in Stony Batter, PA, now a part of a state park.

Happy Election Day!

I love mountains!

So much so, I really should get a bumper sticker that declares my affection for these ancient geographical structures.

Mountains are pleasing to look at, fun to explore, and easily inspire adventurers, which is why they do a great job of being a metaphor for many aspects of life -- not to mention being a great way to illustrate the halfway mark on the Pennsylvania, Here A Year project.

The way up:
Typically, climbing up a mountain is the most challenging and difficult part of the hike, but when looked back upon, it usually contains the most memories. So far, this has been true for my journey as well.

I said goodbye to my extended family in Minnesota, right after having my beagle, Elli, unexpectedly die from a respiratory disease, followed by my grandma dying the week after -- all leading up to living in a strange state, in a bungalow, on a animal rescue farm.

When I arrived, I instantly started my trek of exploring unique cultures - Pennsylvania Dutch, Amish/Mennonites, Mummers, South Philly Vibe, Pittsburgh’s Art Scene, The Cove, People of the Poconos, Commonwealth Capitol District - and it didn’t take long before I was discovering the richness of the state by walking around the annals of history - William Penn’s homestead, Gettysburg National Battlefield, Independence Hall, etc., and celebrating the state by going to festivals and parades, and seeing the land from above in an experimental aircraft (not to mention skydiving), along with diving to the depths of an underwater ghost towns, seeing dogs fly, and fire twirled, and concerts played, and trees being zipped across, and hills being rolled up, and baseball games being soaked up, and kites, kites, kites, and running up the Rocky steps, and laughing at roadside attractions (Centralia, Whistler’s Mother Statue, Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum, Shoe House), and being stuffed with cheese steaks, ice cream, chocolate, chow-chow, and whoopie pies...(I’m out of breath!)

I think you get the picture.

On top of all this, my 225,000 mile-driven Mazda quit (for good), I had a total body poison ivy outbreak, and I was attacked by a goat -- all a part of the adventure!

But most importantly, I’ve made so many wonderful connections with terrific people all across Pennsylvania. Some are virtual through Facebook, Twitter, and the Here A Year website, but most are in the flesh - taking me on tours, showing me the hidden gems of their cities, letting me into their circle of trust and friendship.

This is especially true about the people who are out there, working to make their communities and this world a better place. And of the three verbs I use as a guide through this journey (Live, Discover, Connect), CONNECT is the one I enjoy the most.

So far, I’ve been averaging 18 hours a week volunteering with organizations from all over the state, namely: Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue, Special Olympics Pennsylvania, The Super Hero Foundation, Pyrotopia, Gino J. Merli Veterans' Center, Ivyland 5k, Random Snacks of Kindness Project, and the PA State Parks Department - all with the hope to do more.

At the top:
The best part about making it to the top of any mountain is the view. And with the view comes heightened emotions of joy.

This is true for the halfway point of my lifestyle experiment as well.

The ability to look back and see what has been accomplished as well and getting a vantage point of what might be to come is priceless. I feel like I have good grasp on how the journey is evolving and with that, looking into the future to see what its potential might be.

But I must continue on down the mountain. No one is able to stay on the peak forever.

Coming down:
Most people think that the trek down a mountain is super easy. I disagree.

I don’t see the next six months getting any easier as this venture is not able to survive by me sitting back and coasting. On the contrary, the back half might even be tougher.

When I think about the days ahead, I like to think of them as keeping the momentum alive. Here A Year is just now getting its base of supporters set. It’s just now finding its groove with blog postings and video highlights. It’s just now getting taken as something serious to enjoy.

All a part of what momentum does -- and I hope the snowball effect continues.

I still have many places to go, along with many cultures to understand, and  new charities to volunteer alongside of -- I can’t wait!

With so many things to do, it’s important to get feedback from those who are fellow adventurers - whether that be in person or in the online world. There will be even more opportunities for you to vote on, not to mention the giveaways of sweet PA goodies.

I hope you’ll stick around.

So here’s at the halfway point -- and to many more adventures this year. Cheers friends!

Bill Cosby, of course.

And what does “the Cos” have in common with Pennsylvania? Well -- he was born and raised in Philadelphia, studying at Temple University where he eventually started his stand up comedy career in the city clubs, and even to this day, he maintains a home in Cheltenham, PA -- no doubt he has Pennsylvania blood running through his veins.

Cosby (I still think of him as Doctor Huxtable), is an accomplished comedian, actor, producer, musician, author, and educator (his doctorate is in education and is the recipient of ten other honorary doctorates). On top of this, he’s also a well known activist for Civil Rights and other humanitarian causes like the The Jazz Foundation of America.

In my collection of Pennsylvanian gods, Bill Cosby would be the god of witty wisdom and his icon would be the bee. His quotes are right up there in potency and remembrance with another PA god, Benjamin Franklin.

Here is a sampling of Cosby’s savvy intellect:

“I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

“A word to the wise isn't necessary, it is the stupid ones who need all the advice.”

“Parents are not quite interested injustice, they are interested in quiet.”

“Women don't want to hear what you think. Women want to hear what they think -- in a deeper voice.”

“Old is always fifteen years from now.”

“Every closed eye is not sleeping, and every open eye is not seeing.”

“Sex education may be a good idea in the schools, but I don't believe the kids should be given homework.”

“Gray hair is God's graffiti.”

The best part about this god, is that he still walks the earth, making people laugh while inspiring them to live better lives. Here’s to you Doctor Huxtable!

Talkback: What’s your favorite thing about “the Cos”?

Hex signs originated in the 1800’s as a form of folk art where the “fancy” farmers (those who were not of the Amish or Mennonite faiths, i.e. the “plain people”) would paint geometric shapes onto the sides of their barns. 

You could also find these symbols painted on doors, books, walls, and other household goods.

Hex signs were more than just shapes and symbols, they were a family's story or legend. Careful consideration went into choosing the proper hex sign for each homestead. It wasn’t until the 1940’s, when an eleventh generation Pennsylvania Dutchman named Jacob Zook, started silk screening the patterns onto round disks.

Because of Mister Zook’s efforts, hex signs are enjoyed all around the world, bringing good luck and heartfelt warm wishes to those who see the sign.

I bet there’s one somewhere in the area where you live.

Here’s what some of the most popular designs mean:

Horse Head: Symbolizes protection for your farm animals and pets

Unicorn: A message of piety, virtue, peace and contentment

Pineapple: This sign is meant to give a warm and cordial welcome to visitors

Wilkom Hearts: A Pennsylvania Dutch way to welcome all visitors to your home

Distelfink: good luck and happiness -- if there’s two birds, double the luck

Mighty Oak: brings strength, good health, and longevity the the household

Marriage: a symbol of love and happiness in marriage

Romance: expresses love and romance in a relationship

Irish: bestows the luck of the Irish

8-Pointed Abundance Star: offers abundance and goodwill to everyone

Double Bird Wilkom: another symbol of love and happiness in a marriage

Bless This House: to bless the entire house and all those that occupy it

Daddy: ensures that you will experience good luck throughout the entire year

Bird of Paradise Wilkom: a welcome to one and all

There, in a stretch of river called the Dauphin Narrows, stands a brilliant white replica of the Statue of Liberty which is anchored to an large stone basin, once used to steady a railroad bridge.

From my vantage point, Lady Liberty looks like someone canoed to the middle of the river, took out their LEGOs and built a miniature version of the iconic statue. Actually, she's 25 feet tall and quite solid as she is anchored to the platform with cables.

According to Weird Pennsylvania, this is the second replica of the Statue of Liberty to stand here. The first showed up in 1980 to commemorate the centennial of the real one standing between New Jersey and New York in the Hudson Bay. Of course, by the time the 90's came around, the elements caused PA's Statue of Liberty to wash away leaving a gap in the hearts the locals. 

So, Dauphin Borough raised $25,000 to replace the landmark which brought them to the original artist and local lawyer, Gene Stilp, who then enlisted his friends to help him build a more durable replica. This time, it would be built out of fiberglass, metal, and wood and would be securely fastened to its new home on the river. They helicoptered it in and has been standing proudly there ever since. 

For a great video about the mystery of this statue from CBS News, click here.

What happened next made history.

Team West was down ten runs with only one at bat left in regular play. They drove in four runs before the second out, which brought up Bradley Smith.  He hit a double, followed by back-to-back homers by Kempton Brandis and Hance Smith which tied the game at fifteen and sent it into extra innings.

Southeast wasted no time bringing in nine extra runs to cement their lead and ultimately win the U.S. title, giving them the right to face Japan in the World Series Championship game.

When the dust settled, both teams has scored a combined total of forty runs, both had more runs than hits, and needless to say, the pitching lineups were exhausted.

Joey Hale, the Southeast manager, summed it up best: “We just went through a roller coaster.”

- - -

A handful of events are exclusive to Pennsylvania: Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, and, of course, the Little League World Series in South Williamsport.

South Williamsport, a borough of six thousand, swells to over five times its normal size as it hosts teams from all over the world. The Howard J. Lamade and Volunteer Stadiums, side-by-side in the middle of town, are the game's epicenter for a week and a half in the summer.  This is where thousands of kids dream to be: cracking the ball out of the park, running down the home stretch with teammates and families cheering on.

As incredibly enjoyable as these games are to watch, it isn’t always what's broadcast on television that makes this tournament great.

It's the Little League’s devotion to helping children develop good characteristics—citizenship, discipline, healthy living, and teamwork—that makes this tournament great.  They emphasize this goal on their website: “the Little League Baseball and Softball program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes.”  But there's nothing like seeing it in person.  None of these kids have a hundred million dollar contract or a shoe named after them or even an agent; but there's still an unmistakable innocence to the game.  That's something we would all like to see more of in our world.

If you ever find yourself in Pennsylvania near the end of August, be sure to stop by South Williamsport and catch a game or two.   You'll cheer for the games, but you'll leave inspired by the character of the coaches, families, and players.

Truthfully, I’ve never understood the need to collect and hold on to inanimate objects. I suppose the fact that I own less than 100 items somehow validates my feelings about this.

But today, my feelings changed.

It all happened around 9:30a when the “engine light” came on while driving north on the Garden State Parkway, just outside exit 36 - Atlantic City turn off. The car stalled and I coasted over to the shoulder of the highway. I didn’t think too much about it as my car has over 225,000 miles on it and was starting to show signs of aging. I figured the worst case scenario would be me shelling out $500 for a fuel pump or something similar.

After spending fifteen minutes on the phone talking to a towing service, I finally got an answer that the road I was on was restricted and only the police could have me towed. So I called 911 and was hung up on. Then I called back and was patched through to an authorized towing company.

The truck arrived within twenty minutes of the call --then the operator took care of business, latching the tires and making everything secure. He dropped me off at a nearby service station (Firestone Complete Auto Care) where I paid the man and thanked him for the help.

Three hours later, the doctor (I mean, mechanic) came to me in the waiting room and gave me the diagnosis. “It’s all bad news, I’m afraid. The timing chain in the engine snapped causing a piston to go through its head. She's dead.”

“Okay. Thanks for being upfront with me." I took a breath and continued, "Can I get a second opinion?"

None was needed after I found out the cost of getting one; so I said my goodbyes, cleaned out the trunk, and called the salvage yard.

Needless to say, I was sad.

Sad, that it happened so fast. Sad, that it happened in Jersey. Sad, that life was going to be a little different.

What I couldn’t figure out was -- why was I sad about losing a thing?

As I pondered this question, memories started flooding into my mind about the adventures had in that car. It was the first car I ever owned and I remembered how excited I was to have something that new. I thought about the long, empty roads we travelled and about the time I ended up in lower Manhattan -- not to mention the cross continent trip to each of the states. I laughed to myself while thinking about the many nights I tried sleeping in the Mazda only to be awaken by snow plows, barking dogs, or stabbing pains from the seat belt clip on the driver’s seat. I really loved that car.

I now admit that “things” can have much more meaning and value than just the price tag. They carry invisibile value, a sense of security, and many memories with them.

With all that said, I will miss the silver Mazda (a lot) and our ten plus years together. I can only hope to find a vehicle that lives up to its memory.

How did this bad day get turned into a good day?
Needless to say, this was a bad day. Not just having my car die, but many smaller things which happened after actual event. (No need to name them all -- trust me, it was a very long day.)

But when I finally got out of New Jersey and drove over the Ben Franklin Bridge into Philly, I simply stepped my mind back from the moment and started focusing on the whole.

What I mean, is that when I was going through the events of the day, my stomach had an anxious feeling, my shoulders were tight, and negative thoughts crept in through my subconscious; but when I had a moment to dwell on the day as a whole, it was the good things that stood out.

For instance:

my car didn’t stall on any bridge, dangerous area, or even during rush hours 

the tow truck operator took me to a highly reputable service station 

the service station employees treated me with the highest respect and helped me figure out what to do with my deceased vehicle 

my insurance covered the towing bill ($68) and the manager at the Firestone station chose not to charge me for the diagnostic ($90) 

friends and family called asking what they could do to help 

I made it back home safely

I am so thankful for the people I came in contact with that day. I can’t even begin to imagine what the day would have looked like without them.

Cheers to you all and cheers to the Mazda for giving me 200,000 good miles together!