August 10, 2006
Ok, this is going to be one of the last entries in this blog section. Soon the blog button will disappear all together as we are going to be shifting this aspect to an easier to update and edit area of the MediaWiki powered Genealogy Wiki Site area of CasaWood. Or, go directly to our new wiki area to find the home of 'Our Blog.'
Have you seen the wiki area yet? There is a growing amount of information being developed there including stories and memories about people, places and events regarding ancestors. Also, there is a page to announce upcoming events. Further, there is going to be a portal section where anyone of our users wanting there own blog page can start one. It is a great aspect of the site's growth and you are welcome to come by anytime.
See you at the wiki...Gary
July 9, 2006
The summer is well under way. We've passed the spledor of the fourth and have enjoyed fireworks, cookouts and enjoyment. Thank you for joining with us and we hope you are able to find information useful for your research.
April 1, 2006
It's April Fool's Day and we escaped the day without a single practicle joke. Spring time is quickly arriving in the Wasatch and we are preparing to reset our clocks in the tradition of daylight savings time. It is easy enough, spring forward one hour in the spring, fall back one hour in the fall.Before we know it we will be falling back but for now we spring forward. Are we the only ones? Here is what we learn from Pearson Education Services;
Comparisons Around the World
More than one billion people in about 70 countries around the world observe DST in some form. Here are interesting facts about some of these countries:
* Most of Canada uses Daylight Saving Time. Some exceptions include the majority of Saskatchewan and parts of northeastern British Columbia. In the fall of 2005, Manitoba and Ontario announced that like the United States, they would extend daylight time starting in 2007. The attorney general of Ontario commented that "it is important to maintain Ontario's competitive advantage by coordinating time changes with our major trading partner, and harmonizing our financial, industrial, transportation, and communications links." Other provinces have indicated that they may also follow suit.
* It wasn't until 1996 that our NAFTA neighbors in Mexico adopted DST. Now all three Mexican time zones are on the same schedule as the United States.
* Also in 1996, members of the European Union agreed to observe a "summer-time period" from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October.
* Most countries near the equator don't deviate from standard time.
* In the Southern Hemisphere, where summer arrives in what we in the Northern Hemisphere consider the winter months, DST is observed from late October to late March.
* Three large regions in Australia do not participate in DST. Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland stay on standard time all year. The remaining south-central and southeastern sections of the continent (which is where Sydney and Melbourne are found) make the switch. This results in both vertical and horizontal time zones Down Under during the summer months.
* China, which spans five time zones, is always eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and it does not observe DST.
* In Japan, DST was implemented after World War II by the U.S. occupation. In 1952 it was abandoned because of strong opposition by Japanese farmers.
March 12, 2006
We wanted to take a moment and wish Jacob and Joshua Wood a happy birthiday! Jacob, it has just been 23 years and Josh, only 25 years since you have entered our dimension! What a joy to have these two fine young men join our world. Jacob and Ashley are now living in Portland, Oregon while Josh is making a life in Milton-Freewater, Oregon. We also want to wish a very Happy Anniversary to Michelle and Trace! Wow, 7 years have already passed while you two still seem to be newlyweds! We are so happy you are all a part of our life.
Speaking of being a part of our lives, Kimball Everingham has just recently provided vital information regarding the Hollopeter line of our genealogy. Kimball is a professional genealogist that has donated so much, well documented, information on Shirley's Hollopeter family we just had to say thank you Kimball. If you are looking to enhance your genealogy we fully encourage you to contact us to contact Kimball so he can help you enhance your tree! He has the best details of resources and information than anyone we know. Let us help connect you to him!
February 20, 2006
I cannot believe it has been over a month since I dropped a brief note here. Time is flying as work hours and life keep moving along. Shirley is getting ready to start a new position with a new law firm tomorrow. My hours at work have stretched to nearly 60 per week. The site is growing along nicely when there is time to play. All-in-all, life is moving in good directions here and we hope that is true from where you are as well.
Today we are taking a brief break from the hectic schedules we normally face. Today we are spending a few moments to reflect on the past leaders of this nation, the U.S.A. as we celebrate President's Day. We have not always had the best, nor perhaps the brightest, leaders in the office of President. I am certain if you and I discussed each one we would find some we agreed were good, others we would agree were not and still others we would differ on in our humble opinions. So goes the discussion of politics.
No matter, despite the challenges we face today our country is still among the best in the world. So today we reflect on the leaders and in between we think of each of you and hope you are all well!
January 7, 2006
Well, here we are in a bright new year and already a week has passed. There is some really exciting happenings over in the genealogy site. The Courtney, Ewing, Richman and Hollopeter family information is expanding. There are new cousins working on the Wood, Reissig, Carbaugh and Cook families.
There is also a new effort happening among the cousins working on the Hibbert line. For the first time in three decades plans are being made for a Hibbert family reunion in 2007. This will correspond with the 150th birthday of Ambrose and Ambrosine Hibbert.
All-in-all, 2006 will be an exciting year and we are glad our family and friends will be having a good time throughout the year. Sure, we will all face challenges, heartbreak and frustrations. That's the part of life we just deal with. But, there will be wonderful moments and when you have those, share those!
December 31, 2005
It is that most wonderful time of the year where we wave farewell to the year past and welcome with enthusiasm the year ahead. We want to wish each and every one of you a great new year. Be safe, be hopeful and be focused on celebrating the coming year by having a fantastic year.
We hope we can see as many of you as possible this coming year. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
December 17, 2005
Well, here we are, just over a week before Christmas and time is passing way too fast. It is a time of year that we reflect on our family and friends. While living here in Utah we have not had the chance to spend enough time with either. We want to wish each and every one a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Perhaps in 2006 we will be able to spend more time with our loved ones. Perhaps it will be like too many years since we moved here and the opportunity will not present itself. No matter, know that we miss each of you and we will be thinking of all of you during the holiday season and well beyond. If you are going to be anywhere near Salt Lake City please get in touch and lets get together. If we are able to reach out to your area we will let you know. In the meantime do join us on the Internet. It may not be the same but it helps.
Peace and love to all ~ Gary & Shirley & Waggles!
December 7, 2005
As we remember the events of 64 years ago it will do us good to understand how those events shaped us today. The Japanese attack pulled us into the war, true, but at the same time change us from a policy of isolationism to one of global interactivity. Today we are still active in the global world and many believe it is time we return to a more isolationist approach to foreign affairs. No matter what our personal beliefs on that are we should take the time to reflect on the sacrifices made in order for us to even be able to have that debate today. May the families that were changed forever that day know their country appreciates all the challenges overcome to allow us to remain free.
December 1, 2005
Many of us take the time each year to send out a wonderful Christmas letter in order to update what we have done the previous year. This year you can share that letter at the forum as well or, if you prefer, posted here. Let us know how we can help. To post your holiday letter and photos on the forum just register and save as a topic there. To leave it on our blog just email it to us and we will take care of the rest. Happy holidays one and all.
November 24, 2005
We would like to take this moment to pause and share in a special Thanksgiving wish. We hope that each and everyone in our immediate and extended family will enjoy as festive and memorable a Thanksgiving day as possible.
We are thankful for the times we get to share. Though the miles between us are often great the love between us can gap that chasm with warmth, happiness and on-going hope for brighter times.
~Happy Thanksgiving to all!~
November 20, 2005
The Fair Tax Act:
Have any of you read either H.R. 25 or S. 25? If not, it is my sincere hope that you will. The Fair Tax Act was developed by economists and others much brighter than I will ever be. It tackles one side of the problem, how we fund our government.
Funding any government through production has historically spelled disaster. The most glaring example history can offer is the Roman Empire. Our founding fathers learned from history and made production based funding unconstitutional. If we look at the Social Security debate what do we find at the root of the problem? The number of workers compared to the number drawing benefits since it is also funded through production.
I know, you are looking at the tax issues however The Fair Tax Act not only addresses those problems but the funding of these other programs as well. Many will say a sales tax places too much burden on the poor and an income tax does not. If you will study The Fair Tax Act you will see how the poor are protected under the system. We also know that the income tax code is not a protector of the poor as it drives up the cost of goods and services as well as having other, hidden pitfalls that ensnare those proponents claim it protects.
What of the economic challenges we face? Is it possible to ignite an economy, restore competitiveness for our products here and overseas? Can we actually restore incentives for our major corporations to stay in the U.S., build in the U.S. and thrive here? Again, all these issues are addressed in a carefully studied, well supported resolution sitting before our elected officials as you read this. I know you are looking at many different proposals. My plea is a simple one; look carefully into the legislation known as The Fair Tax Act. I close with a simple poem I have written to encourage our representatives to join the fight to end the income tax system and restore our nation to solid funding:
Give us freedom from income tax,
Help our parents to finally relax,
Restore our land of liberty,
Set our precious children free!
Weakening what once was strong,
Tax burdens carried much too long,
Within our grasp is freedom's ring,
Consumption taxes will help us sing!
Please have courage, lead the packs,
Rip out the dreaded income tax,
From its roots so our roots can grow,
Restore our nation and our pride will show!
