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WHAT?? They cut the Hanukkah story?? I found that part of her saga to be the most compelling. I first read Rebecca’s series a couple years ago and thought it was so well done, especially her conflict over how to handle the pressure to join in Christmas activities. From what I’ve heard in general, AG is really taking the guts out of their historical books. Which is heartbreaking, because those series meant a lot to me growing up.

So it looks like Rebecca’s new illustrated books have cut out her Hanukkah story entirely. Which is, of course, not merely about Hanukkah, but about Rebecca feeling ostracized and conflicted because her teacher at school is making her do a Christmas project, even though she doesn’t celebrate it. That’s pretty big loss if you ask me. It’s a hundred years later and many kids today are still being made to feel like outsiders and un-American because of their beliefs. It’s a shame they won’t have that story to help them deal with that conflict. 

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Alice celebrates her heritage!

Hi, everybody! It's me, Alice, and today I've got an important message for you: LEARN YOUR HOMETOWN'S HISTORY! I promise you, even if you live in a plain little town, the story is more interesting than you think. Your town is a microcosm of world history. If you trace your home's timeline, you get an up-close look at an example of the larger picture.

Take my hometown of Dayton, for instance. Here's a story that goes from prehistoric glaciers to woodland Indians to log-cabin pioneers to cutting-edge industry and innovation. And if you think about, it, that's a lot like the story of America as a whole. But with local history, you get to live with that story, hands-on and in-person. There's nothing more exciting than seeing actual buildings and artifacts from the past. They're historical puzzle pieces! Each one helps resolve the abstract image you have of how it was in the olden days.

Luckily for me, Dayton has done an excellent job of organizing and preserving its story. I could easily spend all day at Carillon Park, which is a little "village" of Dayton's historic buildings and artifacts that have been collected into one place. You can walk around the pretty paths, surrounded by tall trees, and go inside historic structures and galleries of cool items that, together, form a portrait of Dayton's past.

Why Carillon Park? It's named for the stately tower of bells marking the entrance to the park.

Get your ticket, and off you go! Isn't it such a pretty park?

Off to the right, we have rustic Newcom Tavern and a one-room schoolhouse. They're not just for show -- you can go right in and explore!

Here, let's go in the schoolhouse.

Can you imagine all 8 grades crammed into one room with only one teacher?

You can almost hear the old schoolmarm rapping someone's knuckles...!

Back outside, we can get a closer look at Newcom Tavern. The coolest thing about this place is that it's the oldest building in Dayton -- from 1796! Imagine your hometown as a wild and woolly wilderness with nothing but a bare-bones tavern along a river.

Speaking of bare-bones, how about this 200-year-old Shaker home?

Look at this setup! It makes you stop and question how much stuff you actually need to to get by.

I wouldn't mind living here, in a way. When I look out the front door and enjoy a peaceful scene like this, it doesn't seem too bad, huh?

Back on the main path, we come to an old printing shop. They actually still print stuff here using old-fashioned methods. Come on, let's take a look inside!

Holy moly, who knew it took so much equipment to put letters on paper?

Next, we'll visit an exhibit that's very important to me -- the 1913 Flood gallery. When Dayton was flooded in 1913, it seemed to me and my family that the world was ending. We woke up that morning to hear thunder booming, church bells ringing, and factory whistles blowing, all warning us to hurry, run, the levee has broken. Houses were ripped from the ground, tossed like children's toy blocks, and gas explosions torched the heart of downtown. People scuttled along telegraph lines to save themselves, while others tore holes in the roofs of their homes so they could climb just little higher and escape the current. Look at this photo of a house tipped over, as though a giant had picked it up and dropped it carelessly.

History can hardly be more vivid than this artifact of the Great Flood. It's a light bulb salvaged from a school building. Flood water got trapped inside the bulb and remains there to this day. Over a century after the calamity, we can still see a cupful of the very water that caused so much devastation.

But the Flood isn't just a story of tragedy. It's a story of heroes who threw themselves into the huge task of saving human lives. Dayton's industrial giant John Patterson of the National Cash Register company (NCR) transformed his factory overnight into a relief center and rescue headquarters. His factory men rushed to build wooden lifeboats like this one. I'll never forget climbing to safety in one of these NCR boats after spending hours shivering on a roof just above the waterline.

Let's switch gears now and go visit the transportation museum to see how Daytonians have gotten around over the years!

This is the oldest surviving U.S.-made steam locomotive, the John Quincy Adams. All aboard!

Walking through an old train car makes me wish train travel were still this luxurious!

But my favorite way to travel is flying! Dayton's most famous citizens are the Wright Brothers, and their world-changing invention -- the world's first practical airplane -- is right here at Carillon Park. Take a moment and think about how much the world has changed because of this very machine! What might the 20th century have looked like without it? How would wars have played out? How would we relate to other countries in business and travel and education... without the Wright Flyer III?

I'd say those Wrights deserve more than just a commemorative bench, eh?

WAY back in the day, covered bridges were a common thing, the toll roads of days gone by.

And boy, did they have rules!

In the main building where you enter the park, there's actually an extensive museum that houses all kinds of miscellaneous Dayton memorabilia. My favorite is the gallery of Dayton-made toys.

Remember NCR? Here's a bunch of their beautiful old cash registers. Don't you wish everything were made to be this ornate and high-quality?

And finally, how about a ride on a Dayton-themed indoor carousel? It's not actually old, but it's still special, because instead of riding horses, you can ride symbols of Dayton history, from the candy box of a local chocolate shop to Orville Wright's dog, Scipio!

Thanks for hanging in there with this long tour, folks. I can go on and on about all the things I love about Dayton history! But really, what I'm trying to tell you is that you should be proud of your hometown, take the time to learn its history, and above all, VISIT the history! It's all right there for you, and it hardly ever costs much money, if any. You'll be so glad you took the time, I promise!

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That’s an interesting point. I guess I’m trying less to avoid bias and more to avoid making definitive statements about AEW’s quality at this point, because I truly believe it hasn’t nailed itself down just yet.

AEW has had only a few sporadic PPVs with which to gain traction and establish both wrestlers and storylines on a major platform. Only when they have a weekly TV program will the true nature of their product begin to take shape and be genuinely comparable to WWE. Fleshing out feuds and building toward big matches feels different when it’s on TV every week than when it’s confined to YouTube and social media.

That’s why I might change my opinion of AEW once they get going on TNT. What they’ve done so far isn’t necessarily indicative of what they’ll continue to do. With factors like TV ratings, who is tuning in, who could be tuning in, the effect of airing alongside NXT... it could cause AEW to tweak itself in certain respects. So to say “If you don’t like it now, you never will” might not be the case after they get in the groove of TV.

I’m eager for AEW’s weekly show to begin BECAUSE

I’m still conflicted about whether or not AEW is actually good. There are aspects of it I like, and others (more than I anticipated) that I do not. But it’s still too early, says I, to fairly assess how AEW compares to WWE as far as booking, match quality, and production value. We need more to go on, which is why the TV show is so important.

I think many people are caught up in the AEW hype storm and think everything the new company does is brilliant. I feel that it’s hard to find truly sober reviews of AEW programming. Many things AEW have done would be tarred and feathered had WWE done it. But it’s the Bucks! and Cody! and Kenny! Right now, they can do no wrong in the eyes of the IWC.

I’m not gonna make any friends for saying this, but at this point, based on the handful of AEW shows we’ve seen so far, I would still watch WWE television over AEW if they ran head-to-head. Although if I knew of a specific segment on AEW involving a wrestler I really cared about, I’d switch over for it. But again, it’s still too early in the game to pick a side. Not that anyone should have to pick a side. We can be ecumenical, can’t we?

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I’m eager for AEW’s weekly show to begin BECAUSE

I’m still conflicted about whether or not AEW is actually good. There are aspects of it I like, and others (more than I anticipated) that I do not. But it’s still too early, says I, to fairly assess how AEW compares to WWE as far as booking, match quality, and production value. We need more to go on, which is why the TV show is so important.

I think many people are caught up in the AEW hype storm and think everything the new company does is brilliant. I feel that it’s hard to find truly sober reviews of AEW programming. Many things AEW have done would be tarred and feathered had WWE done it. But it’s the Bucks! and Cody! and Kenny! Right now, they can do no wrong in the eyes of the IWC.

I’m not gonna make any friends for saying this, but at this point, based on the handful of AEW shows we’ve seen so far, I would still watch WWE television over AEW if they ran head-to-head. Although if I knew of a specific segment on AEW involving a wrestler I really cared about, I’d switch over for it. But again, it’s still too early in the game to pick a side. Not that anyone should have to pick a side. We can be ecumenical, can’t we?

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Half the fun at Disneyland is edible! Maryellen sampled the delicious magic all over the Happiest Place on Earth and loved every single thing. I mean, look at all this food!

Left to right, top to bottom: Broasted chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and a biscuit (America on a plate -- utter perfection); a beef skewer with “Zulu sauce” (sort of a sweet-and-sour thing) and a Tiger Tail, which is a deluxe garlic breadstick; a chili-cheese dog; a non-alcoholic mint julep, which is officially the most refreshing beverage on this astral plane; a shrimp po’ boy with homemade chips; a hearty breakfast sandwich on a croissant; and a trio of mini pork tacos with fresh salsa on top.

Bless those Disney chefs. I want to eat all of this again, all of it, right now.

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Just listening to Bon Jovi and reading about Henry Clay, as you do

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While at Disneyland, Maryellen stayed at the Paradise Pier, a beach-themed hotel with lots of fun, bright, cheery details. See the big surfer-Goofy statue in the lobby? And check out the awesome view from her sixth-floor room! She had a panoramic view of Disney’s California Adventure park, with the huge Ferris wheel and rollercoaster.

Inside the room, Maryellen loved the Pixar pillow ball on the bed and the adorable “lifeguard Mickey” lamp. And the vintage Donald Duck cartoon poster is better than any boring landscape or abstract painting normal hotels have.

Just off the lobby is an inviting little cafe where Maryellen had breakfast every morning. And right as you walk outside, there are pillars decorated with classic Disney characters enjoying a beachy getaway.

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Maryellen is back from Disneyland!

There’s so much she wants to tell, but her chaperone is still trying to catch up on sleep, so rather than give a day-by-day chronicle of her adventures, I think I’ll instead make posts about specific aspects of her vacation. The first will be about her hotel, then you’ll see the foods she enjoyed, the rides she went on, the characters she met, etc. So plenty of photos a-comin’!

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Trying to breathe normally in anticipation of Briscoes vs. G.O.D. tonight

Think happy Ladder War thoughts, happy Ladder War thoughts...

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On a beautiful summer afternoon, an AG doll just can’t stay indoors.

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ROH UPDATE: Jay Briscoe suffers major injury

Sources close to the Briscoe Brothers have stated that Jay Briscoe's arm has broken off. Early reports indicate that Jay was reaching for an ice-cold beer when he felt a sickening snap in his right shoulder area. We're live on the scene in Sandy Fork as the gruesome situation unfolds. Warning: Some images may be too graphic for some viewers.

"AAAHHH, SH*T! My f*ckin' arm!!"

"Well, Jay, I figger you got it comin', seein' as you done knocked mah teef out years ago."

"Aw, shuddup, ya dumba$$. C'mon and help me glue dis d@mn thing back on."

"Aight, pick yer poison."

"Gotta go wit' da Super Glue. We got da Guerillas nex' month in a Ladder War, so we kaint be messin' around."

"You do know whatch'yer doin', dontcha, Chicken?" "Sure, Jay! Who reads directions, anyhow?"

**WE HAVE CENSORED THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE DUE TO THIS STATION'S CONTENT POLICIES**

"Lookit dat, Jay! Yer arm's back on! I'm a reg'lar doctor, huh?"

Well, ladies and gentlemen, it appears that Jay is no longer in critical condition. However, despite suffering absolutely no blood loss, he will require plenty of rest and chicken noodle soup. The Briscoe family welcomes your prayers and donations of ice-cold beer as Jay gets himself in shape in time for Summer Supercard.

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Geez. 

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Dem Boys celebrating their title win over a nice cup of tea

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THANK YOU! I’m such a novice -- I never even thought of using a 3/4 doughnut... er, circle. And I must confess, I’ve never examined the grain of the fabric. Unless the design of the fabric would make it obvious, I just let it be whatever direction it happens to be. So many great tips to keep in mind!

Every dress starts with a doughnut!

A doughnut-shaped piece of fabric, that is. This is my harebrained method of making a doll dress with a swoopy skirt. Not a straight skirt – one that swishes and swooshes when you spin around. Maybe this is a stupid way of doing it, or maybe this isn’t “my” idea at all and I just derped my way to the proper method. Either way, it works, and it’s not very involved.

My little friend Maryellen is going to Disneyland this August, so she wants her very own Minnie Mouse dress. Cue polka-dot fabric! The first step is to make a pattern for the skirt portion, which is where the doughnut comes in.

Keep reading

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Hot take?

Everyone keeps saying that the Young Bucks are the best tag team in the world. Even Good ol’ J.R. has said as much. But honestly... HONESTLY... are they? They’re certainly the most popular right now, and the most impactful in terms of bringing about substantial changes to the wrestling landscape. But as wrestlers, when it comes to actual wrestling, I just don’t think they can be called the best. They’re very athletic and can do lots of high-speed flips and tricks. They choreograph lots of clean-looking, matchy-matchy, synchronized offense. And it’s all very exciting to watch, especially in person. But is it truly compelling as wrestling? If a match is about hurting the other guy enough to keep him down for a 3-count, the Bucks’ style doesn’t look like it hurts as much as many other teams’. Flippiness doesn’t preclude aggression, but the Bucks’ flippiness rarely looks aggressive. So their in-ring work doesn’t convince me of the prowess their win-loss record and popular hype suggest. Don’t get me wrong -- I LOVE the Young Bucks. But I don’t think they’re the best tag team, if we’re talking about just plain wrestling.

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Fight for the Fallen was better than Fyter Fest for SURE.

I commented previously on the worrisome silliness-to-seriousness ratio of AEW's nascent programming. But after Fight for the Fallen, I'm more optimistic. The main card was pretty much farce-free. The only time I really held my nose was during the opening Buy-In match with the Librarians and Sonny Kiss. (I can't yet tell whether they want us to take Kiss for a legit competitor or a punch line.)

I don't feel comfortable picking apart craft-related aspects of the show, like botches or booking. All I know for sure is how stuff came across to me as a non-wrestler. I will say a few things looked a little sloppy, and some wrestlers did better than others as far as pulling me into the "fantasy" -- that is, making it look real and sensible enough for me to temporarily forget it's all an act. In that regard, Omega and CIMA won the night for me.

But all in all, I thought Fight for the Fallen did a much better job than Fyter Fest of hyping me up for AEW. The show wasn't perfect, but I had a ball watching the whole thing. Even without meaty storylines underlying every match, I loved watching wrestlers just going at it from a bare-bones exhibition point of view. The seemingly all-important question of "Was there heat??" didn't matter much to me as long as the competitors' struggle to out-wrestle each other was interesting enough in itself, which it usually was.

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I had a dream last night that the Briscoes and G.O.D. were having a hardcore match in the middle of a department store and G.O.D. unleashed a couple of snarling lions at Dem Boys, who ran to hide in the staff break room. I went after the Briscoes to see if they were okay, but got distracted by an enticing display of clearance jewelry.