Honorary History Committee Member
Mary Alice (Kyle) Craig
Aug 12, 1912 – May 1, 2011
I know, I’ll call Mary Alice, she will help with my history search. We had many amazing talks about our area. How she babysat Harold Henderson and would hold his hand as she took him to the spring for a drink. Where the bucket of water was kept, with the community drinking ladle that hung over the side of the bucket. Playing the organ at Bethel at age 13. Riding the sleigh on a cold winter’s night with the bells ringing on the horse’s harnesses. One of the many fond memories I have is walking down the hill from Edinburgh Castle in Scotland at 11 o’clock at night with Mary Alice and her sister Louise. Her love of poetry was renowned and she could quote poem after poem. She had our tour bus in tears as she recited from memory one of her favorite poems. As we visited one day she commented, “I don’t why God has let me live this long, but I will be a witness for Him as long as I am able.” I will miss our talks and treasure all our time together. Nancy Gibson
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday, December 24, 2010
W. Leslie Douglas
Bethel Meetinghouse News
W. Leslie Douglas
1913-2010
by Nancy Gibson, History Committee
In the January 2010 Bethel Meetinghouse News there was an article written by Leslie Douglas. I had spoken to him only once to ask if he would write an article about his memories of Bethel. He was so gracious, and said he would be delighted to recall some memories of “my Bethel”. He would send the article in the mail. The following is just a portion of what he shared; “My Dad was an elder in the church and I was always very proud of him when he served communion. I was also proud of my mother because she had a lovely voice and sat in the front row of the choir. Bethel has always meant a great deal to me and I feel very comfortable being a member. I still feel that way.”
I was saddened to hear shortly after publishing his article in the Jan. 2010 newsletter, he was diagnosed with cancer. He went home to be with his Lord November 6, 2010. The Washington Post obituary written by Lauren Wiseman reports: he passed away peacefully at his home in Washington D.C. surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Enon Valley. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. in 1935 and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard in 1937. He served in the navy during World War II. He served as Executive Vice President at the investment firm of Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas and up until a week before his death was still proudly at his desk as he had been for 64 years.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Jean Wallace Douglas of Washington, who is the only daughter of Henry A. Wallace, who was a vice president under Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Progressive Party candidate in the 1948 presidential election. Other survivors include three children, David W. Douglas of Santa Fe, N.M., Ann D. Cornell of Bethesda and Joan D. Murray of Washington and six grandchildren. He lived each day with joy and hope, loving his family and treasuring his friends. Interment will be private. A service in celebration of his life will be held at a later date.” The complete article can be read at http://www.washingtonpost.com/.
I contacted Janet Downing and asked if she would write a few words about her Uncle Les. This was her reply, “I looked through a book Uncle Les had written for his family about his life and there were many things I could have copied, but the most important thing I think he would like people to know is that he felt Bethel Church and his parents gave him the foundation for his faith .He was a humble man who loved his family and friends. The obituaries were humble, like the life he led. Les’s son David lead the Celebration of Life service which was packed with standing room only. Quite a testament to the love of a 96 year old gentleman. Don Dixon, Mary Douglas Dixon’s son. read the 23rd Psalm from his mother’s Bible. His Grandson David Murray spoke about his grandfather. Sandra Day O'Connor, a good friend of Aunt Jean and Uncle Les, gave the eulogy”
Bethel Highlights about Mr. Douglas from the January 2010 article-----
“Les” was baptized by Rev. John Dice July 5, 1914 and became a member June 27, 1925 while Rev. Robert Montgomery was pastor. All his siblings have a bond with Bethel.
Mary Elizabeth baptized 9-29-1904 joined 7-1-1916,
Lawrence McAnlis – baptized 10-19-1907 joined 10-5-1918,
Robert Sterritt – baptized 6-5-1909 joined 10-18-1920,
Charles Floyd – baptized 3-3-1918 joined 10-19-1928.
Hanging in the cloakroom is an “Honor Roll of Those Serving” and Leslie Douglas is among those serving in WW2.
The church records also show his father Robert ( who was called Bert) joined Bethel January 27, 1894 and became an elder May 29, 1915. His mother Maud joined October 7, 1904 by transfer from Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of Little Beaver.
W. Leslie Douglas
1913-2010
by Nancy Gibson, History Committee
In the January 2010 Bethel Meetinghouse News there was an article written by Leslie Douglas. I had spoken to him only once to ask if he would write an article about his memories of Bethel. He was so gracious, and said he would be delighted to recall some memories of “my Bethel”. He would send the article in the mail. The following is just a portion of what he shared; “My Dad was an elder in the church and I was always very proud of him when he served communion. I was also proud of my mother because she had a lovely voice and sat in the front row of the choir. Bethel has always meant a great deal to me and I feel very comfortable being a member. I still feel that way.”
I was saddened to hear shortly after publishing his article in the Jan. 2010 newsletter, he was diagnosed with cancer. He went home to be with his Lord November 6, 2010. The Washington Post obituary written by Lauren Wiseman reports: he passed away peacefully at his home in Washington D.C. surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Enon Valley. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. in 1935 and a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard in 1937. He served in the navy during World War II. He served as Executive Vice President at the investment firm of Folger Nolan Fleming Douglas and up until a week before his death was still proudly at his desk as he had been for 64 years.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Jean Wallace Douglas of Washington, who is the only daughter of Henry A. Wallace, who was a vice president under Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Progressive Party candidate in the 1948 presidential election. Other survivors include three children, David W. Douglas of Santa Fe, N.M., Ann D. Cornell of Bethesda and Joan D. Murray of Washington and six grandchildren. He lived each day with joy and hope, loving his family and treasuring his friends. Interment will be private. A service in celebration of his life will be held at a later date.” The complete article can be read at http://www.washingtonpost.com/.
I contacted Janet Downing and asked if she would write a few words about her Uncle Les. This was her reply, “I looked through a book Uncle Les had written for his family about his life and there were many things I could have copied, but the most important thing I think he would like people to know is that he felt Bethel Church and his parents gave him the foundation for his faith .He was a humble man who loved his family and friends. The obituaries were humble, like the life he led. Les’s son David lead the Celebration of Life service which was packed with standing room only. Quite a testament to the love of a 96 year old gentleman. Don Dixon, Mary Douglas Dixon’s son. read the 23rd Psalm from his mother’s Bible. His Grandson David Murray spoke about his grandfather. Sandra Day O'Connor, a good friend of Aunt Jean and Uncle Les, gave the eulogy”
Bethel Highlights about Mr. Douglas from the January 2010 article-----
“Les” was baptized by Rev. John Dice July 5, 1914 and became a member June 27, 1925 while Rev. Robert Montgomery was pastor. All his siblings have a bond with Bethel.
Mary Elizabeth baptized 9-29-1904 joined 7-1-1916,
Lawrence McAnlis – baptized 10-19-1907 joined 10-5-1918,
Robert Sterritt – baptized 6-5-1909 joined 10-18-1920,
Charles Floyd – baptized 3-3-1918 joined 10-19-1928.
Hanging in the cloakroom is an “Honor Roll of Those Serving” and Leslie Douglas is among those serving in WW2.
The church records also show his father Robert ( who was called Bert) joined Bethel January 27, 1894 and became an elder May 29, 1915. His mother Maud joined October 7, 1904 by transfer from Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of Little Beaver.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The following article appeared in March newletter 2010
Happy 97th Birthday Elsie Marshall
Birthday wishes go out to Elsie Marshall who will celebrate her 97th birthday March 28th. Some of you may remember the beautiful Christmas cactus in years past that would grace the front of the sanctuary. It was full of pink and white blossoms, and I do mean FULL. The plant was huge, and still is. It’s estimated the plant is over 50 years old and bloomed this year at Elsie’s home. She loves plants and flowers and is truly one who has a “green thumb”. Her flowers were always a treat to see when she would bring them for the front of the sanctuary. As her eyesight started to fail, she would still be found in the flower patch pulling out those pesky weeds!
Elsie is a doer. During her nursing years she had to deliver a baby at home because the doctor could not get there in time. She would always invite anyone to come see her beautiful flowers. “Can I stop by today,” I asked. “Well, how about the day after,” she replied, “I’m painting the ceiling today.” Elsie was a devoted member of our choir for many years, and singing in the choir was one of her greatest joys. Her alto voice was a leader in the group. Some of the notes would go quite low on the scale, but our choir director would say, “That’s not to low for Elsie; she can hit it”. She now has a CD player and enjoys listening and SINGING along with Tennessee Ernie Ford’s hymns.
Elsie loved to crochet and did so until her eyesight made it too difficult. One winter she made about a dozen hats in various sizes and brought them to the church. She invited any one who wanted one to take it. One mother later told her that when her daughter outgrew hers, she put it away for her children. She always enjoyed watching and feeding hummingbirds, and was not at all happy when a cat got one of them in mid air.
Can we talk about sticky buns? Well, Elsie was an expert in the art of making this
delectable treat, and the apple pies could not be surpassed. To this day her children and
grandchildren have tried to duplicate the taste, but to no avail. Elsie was the expert.
We the Bethel family, wish Elsie a blessed 97th birthday. Here is you chance to say happy Birthday to:
Elsie Marshall
Room 220
Avalon Nursing Center
Many happy returns on the day of your birth
May sunshine and gladness be given
May God in his mercy, prepare you on earth
For a beautiful birthday in heaven
By Janet (Marshall)Schaefer
& Nancy Gibson
Happy 97th Birthday Elsie Marshall
Birthday wishes go out to Elsie Marshall who will celebrate her 97th birthday March 28th. Some of you may remember the beautiful Christmas cactus in years past that would grace the front of the sanctuary. It was full of pink and white blossoms, and I do mean FULL. The plant was huge, and still is. It’s estimated the plant is over 50 years old and bloomed this year at Elsie’s home. She loves plants and flowers and is truly one who has a “green thumb”. Her flowers were always a treat to see when she would bring them for the front of the sanctuary. As her eyesight started to fail, she would still be found in the flower patch pulling out those pesky weeds!
Elsie is a doer. During her nursing years she had to deliver a baby at home because the doctor could not get there in time. She would always invite anyone to come see her beautiful flowers. “Can I stop by today,” I asked. “Well, how about the day after,” she replied, “I’m painting the ceiling today.” Elsie was a devoted member of our choir for many years, and singing in the choir was one of her greatest joys. Her alto voice was a leader in the group. Some of the notes would go quite low on the scale, but our choir director would say, “That’s not to low for Elsie; she can hit it”. She now has a CD player and enjoys listening and SINGING along with Tennessee Ernie Ford’s hymns.
Elsie loved to crochet and did so until her eyesight made it too difficult. One winter she made about a dozen hats in various sizes and brought them to the church. She invited any one who wanted one to take it. One mother later told her that when her daughter outgrew hers, she put it away for her children. She always enjoyed watching and feeding hummingbirds, and was not at all happy when a cat got one of them in mid air.
Can we talk about sticky buns? Well, Elsie was an expert in the art of making this
delectable treat, and the apple pies could not be surpassed. To this day her children and
grandchildren have tried to duplicate the taste, but to no avail. Elsie was the expert.
We the Bethel family, wish Elsie a blessed 97th birthday. Here is you chance to say happy Birthday to:
Elsie Marshall
Room 220
Avalon Nursing Center
Many happy returns on the day of your birth
May sunshine and gladness be given
May God in his mercy, prepare you on earth
For a beautiful birthday in heaven
By Janet (Marshall)Schaefer
& Nancy Gibson
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Bethel member Ada White celebrated her 100th Birthday Nov. 6, 2009. The following article appeared in the November church newsletter.
"BETHEL MEETING HOUSE NEWS"
Many things have transpired since November 6, 1909, and why would I pick that date? Because Ada White will be 100 years young. If one was to think about the happenings in 100 years, well, it just boggles the mind.
On a cold, cloudy, Saturday November 6, 1909 a baby girl named Ada was born to Charles W. and Mary Faddis Stewart on a farm on Beaver dam road in Little Beaver Twp. The home is on the bend of the road and has been nicely remodeled. She had an older brother, Merrill, and the family increased later with Margaret and Chester. The family attended Enon Valley Christian Church, where Ada was baptized.
I asked Ada in Sunday School, (which she never misses), if I could put something in the history news article about her 100th birthday. “Well, I suppose, but I don’t want a lot of “faloop”. Faloop, I said, what is that. “Oh, it’s just a word I made up, I don’t want a lot of fuss.” Well we won’t make a lot of “faloop” just a little!
There were so many questions I wanted to ask, I didn’t know where to start. So I started with school days.
“One didn’t just wait for the school bus,” she said,” “we walked”. “A friend Helen Witherspoon would walk to my place and we would walk to the Coal Ridge one room schoolhouse about a mile east of us.’ There were 8 classes in that one room,’ she said. “ There was no such thing as canceling school because of the snow. We walked in knee deep snow, no matter what.”
She helped out on the farm as most children did, and earned the privilege of learning to drive her Dad’s new car. “It probably was a Model A Ford he bought in Enon.” You could order any color of car as long as it was black.
She didn’t have to walk through the snow when she attended Enon Valley High School. She got to drive the horse and buggy. Ada graduated in 1926, the same year the Women won the right to vote. There were only seven members in the graduating class. “Mr. Kettering was the teacher, and his handwriting was so good”. “After high school I went to New Castle Business School and stayed in New Castle with relatives.”
The year Ada was born there was no such thing as band-aids, bubble gum, penicillin, disposable diapers, wheaties, zippers, duct tape, sunglasses or Tupperware. The 1910’s New Mexico & Arizona became the 47th & 48th states and Edison demonstrated the first talking motion picture.
KDKA Pittsburgh started broadcasting. Lindbergh’s first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean was 1927, penicillin discovered in 1928, and on November 29, 1928 Ada Stewart and Harry White were married in the church manse by Rev. George Neill.
Our records show she joined Bethel October 22, 1929, it’s just a coincidence that the Stock Market Crash and the great depression was the same year. Some of the popular songs of the 1920’s were: Ain’t We Got Fun, Just Wild About Harry, and April Showers.
The decade of the 30’s was a busy time for the young couple. A daughter Marian joined the family in May of 1930, a son Robert in 1935. The year 1936 they purchased a farm located on Route 551 and is now know as White Acres. Electricity came to the farm and their first purchase was a refrigerator which was bought in Bessemer. I asked, “what did you think of the transition from oil lamps to electricity” “why, it was wonderful! You know when the electricity goes off now how much we all miss it, well it was just as wonderful to have it come on!”
We had a crank telephone and party lines. We would call the operator and tell her whom we wanted to speak to. I went to use the phone and I could hear people talking on the line. Well, someone had forgotten to hang up their phone and I could hear them talking among them selves. It was the next day before they realized the phone was not hung up. If you had a party line there are no secrets.
What would you say has been the most exciting thing you have seen in these 100 years? “Why, when the men walked on the moon, that was really something”
Headlines in 1937 were the Hindenburg disaster and the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the Star Spangle Banner was made the National Anthem, drive-in movies, the discovery of the planet Pluto. The news at the White household was the arrival of son Paul. By the time the 1950’ and 1960’s rolled around there were seven grandchildren to add to the family. The family had a big surprise in the 1960’s when they read in the paper: Ada White passed her driving test. “Didn’t you tell anyone,” I said. “No, Harry and I got my permit. I practiced driving Bob’s car. I think the car was a Dodge or Plymouth. He was in the service and the car was just sitting there. Harry took me to take the driving test which was in New Castle behind the Armory near Cascade Park”.
February 1970 Harry passed away, as well has Charles and Mary Stewart. Ada continued to work and live on the farm, raising chickens and selling eggs until 1995 when she sold the farm and moved to her daughter’s home in East Palestine, Ohio.
Ada is a charter member of the Mizpah Sunday Class and had been active in the Lois Haspels Circle, W.C.T.U., Margaret Dice Missionary Society. Minutes of the Margaret Dice Missionary Society show that at the April 1951 meeting Ada was in charge of the devotions. She chose to read a children’s story written by Elsie Egermeir based on” Matthew 3:1,12; Strange Preacher in the Wilderness”. Ada enjoyed AARP meetings and dinners at Enon Valley.
This surely has been one of the best times to live. She has gone from riding a horse and buggy driving an automobile and watching men landing on the moon. Halley’s comet was seen in 1911 and 1986. Telephones advance from wind the handle on the box to cell phones, that take pictures and play music and can fit in a shirt pocket. Electricity has lightened the world! We have T.V. to watch things that happen around the world at the time they are happening. There have been eighteen presidents since 1909, President Taft being in office when she was born.
She has heard fourteen pastors deliver sermons, and if we count the interims, Rev. Joe Hopkins, Rev. Dave Lingle that would be sixteen. Now the seventeenth minister has been added with Pastor Mark.
Ada has enjoyed eight great grandchildren and a great great grandson. On the day I visited with Ada, she received a dozen red roses from her grandson Dick. She said, “It’s not my birthday yet,” he said, ‘I know, but you deserve them.” From all the Bethel family we wish Ada a very, very blessed, 100th Birthday.
Wouldn’t it be great if she received 100 cards from the Bethel Family.
Ada White
48780 Heck Road
East Palestine, Ohio 44413
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A HUNDRED YEARS MAKE
1909
The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Only 14% of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8% of the homes had a telephone
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
The competent accountant could expect to earn $2000. per year
A dentist made $2,500 per year
A veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year
A mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME
90% of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as “substandard;
Sugar cost 4 cents a pound
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen
Coffee was 15 cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month and used Borax or egg yokes for shampoo
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their county for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30
Crossword puzzles, ice tea had not been invented.
There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day
Two out of every adult could read or write.
Only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacist said, “heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health”
18% of households had a least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A.
Just try to imagine what it maybe like in another 100 years.
"BETHEL MEETING HOUSE NEWS"
Many things have transpired since November 6, 1909, and why would I pick that date? Because Ada White will be 100 years young. If one was to think about the happenings in 100 years, well, it just boggles the mind.
On a cold, cloudy, Saturday November 6, 1909 a baby girl named Ada was born to Charles W. and Mary Faddis Stewart on a farm on Beaver dam road in Little Beaver Twp. The home is on the bend of the road and has been nicely remodeled. She had an older brother, Merrill, and the family increased later with Margaret and Chester. The family attended Enon Valley Christian Church, where Ada was baptized.
I asked Ada in Sunday School, (which she never misses), if I could put something in the history news article about her 100th birthday. “Well, I suppose, but I don’t want a lot of “faloop”. Faloop, I said, what is that. “Oh, it’s just a word I made up, I don’t want a lot of fuss.” Well we won’t make a lot of “faloop” just a little!
There were so many questions I wanted to ask, I didn’t know where to start. So I started with school days.
“One didn’t just wait for the school bus,” she said,” “we walked”. “A friend Helen Witherspoon would walk to my place and we would walk to the Coal Ridge one room schoolhouse about a mile east of us.’ There were 8 classes in that one room,’ she said. “ There was no such thing as canceling school because of the snow. We walked in knee deep snow, no matter what.”
She helped out on the farm as most children did, and earned the privilege of learning to drive her Dad’s new car. “It probably was a Model A Ford he bought in Enon.” You could order any color of car as long as it was black.
She didn’t have to walk through the snow when she attended Enon Valley High School. She got to drive the horse and buggy. Ada graduated in 1926, the same year the Women won the right to vote. There were only seven members in the graduating class. “Mr. Kettering was the teacher, and his handwriting was so good”. “After high school I went to New Castle Business School and stayed in New Castle with relatives.”
The year Ada was born there was no such thing as band-aids, bubble gum, penicillin, disposable diapers, wheaties, zippers, duct tape, sunglasses or Tupperware. The 1910’s New Mexico & Arizona became the 47th & 48th states and Edison demonstrated the first talking motion picture.
KDKA Pittsburgh started broadcasting. Lindbergh’s first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic Ocean was 1927, penicillin discovered in 1928, and on November 29, 1928 Ada Stewart and Harry White were married in the church manse by Rev. George Neill.
Our records show she joined Bethel October 22, 1929, it’s just a coincidence that the Stock Market Crash and the great depression was the same year. Some of the popular songs of the 1920’s were: Ain’t We Got Fun, Just Wild About Harry, and April Showers.
The decade of the 30’s was a busy time for the young couple. A daughter Marian joined the family in May of 1930, a son Robert in 1935. The year 1936 they purchased a farm located on Route 551 and is now know as White Acres. Electricity came to the farm and their first purchase was a refrigerator which was bought in Bessemer. I asked, “what did you think of the transition from oil lamps to electricity” “why, it was wonderful! You know when the electricity goes off now how much we all miss it, well it was just as wonderful to have it come on!”
We had a crank telephone and party lines. We would call the operator and tell her whom we wanted to speak to. I went to use the phone and I could hear people talking on the line. Well, someone had forgotten to hang up their phone and I could hear them talking among them selves. It was the next day before they realized the phone was not hung up. If you had a party line there are no secrets.
What would you say has been the most exciting thing you have seen in these 100 years? “Why, when the men walked on the moon, that was really something”
Headlines in 1937 were the Hindenburg disaster and the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, the Star Spangle Banner was made the National Anthem, drive-in movies, the discovery of the planet Pluto. The news at the White household was the arrival of son Paul. By the time the 1950’ and 1960’s rolled around there were seven grandchildren to add to the family. The family had a big surprise in the 1960’s when they read in the paper: Ada White passed her driving test. “Didn’t you tell anyone,” I said. “No, Harry and I got my permit. I practiced driving Bob’s car. I think the car was a Dodge or Plymouth. He was in the service and the car was just sitting there. Harry took me to take the driving test which was in New Castle behind the Armory near Cascade Park”.
February 1970 Harry passed away, as well has Charles and Mary Stewart. Ada continued to work and live on the farm, raising chickens and selling eggs until 1995 when she sold the farm and moved to her daughter’s home in East Palestine, Ohio.
Ada is a charter member of the Mizpah Sunday Class and had been active in the Lois Haspels Circle, W.C.T.U., Margaret Dice Missionary Society. Minutes of the Margaret Dice Missionary Society show that at the April 1951 meeting Ada was in charge of the devotions. She chose to read a children’s story written by Elsie Egermeir based on” Matthew 3:1,12; Strange Preacher in the Wilderness”. Ada enjoyed AARP meetings and dinners at Enon Valley.
This surely has been one of the best times to live. She has gone from riding a horse and buggy driving an automobile and watching men landing on the moon. Halley’s comet was seen in 1911 and 1986. Telephones advance from wind the handle on the box to cell phones, that take pictures and play music and can fit in a shirt pocket. Electricity has lightened the world! We have T.V. to watch things that happen around the world at the time they are happening. There have been eighteen presidents since 1909, President Taft being in office when she was born.
She has heard fourteen pastors deliver sermons, and if we count the interims, Rev. Joe Hopkins, Rev. Dave Lingle that would be sixteen. Now the seventeenth minister has been added with Pastor Mark.
Ada has enjoyed eight great grandchildren and a great great grandson. On the day I visited with Ada, she received a dozen red roses from her grandson Dick. She said, “It’s not my birthday yet,” he said, ‘I know, but you deserve them.” From all the Bethel family we wish Ada a very, very blessed, 100th Birthday.
Wouldn’t it be great if she received 100 cards from the Bethel Family.
Ada White
48780 Heck Road
East Palestine, Ohio 44413
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A HUNDRED YEARS MAKE
1909
The average life expectancy was 47 years.
Only 14% of the homes had a bathtub.
Only 8% of the homes had a telephone
There were only 8,000 cars and only 144 miles of paved roads
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower.
The average wage in 1909 was 22 cents per hour
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
The competent accountant could expect to earn $2000. per year
A dentist made $2,500 per year
A veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year
A mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year
More than 95 percent of all births took place at HOME
90% of all doctors had NO COLLEGE EDUCATION
Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press AND the government as “substandard;
Sugar cost 4 cents a pound
Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen
Coffee was 15 cents a pound.
Most women only washed their hair once a month and used Borax or egg yokes for shampoo
Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their county for any reason.
Five leading causes of death were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza
2. Tuberculosis
3. Diarrhea
4. Heart disease
5. Stroke
The American flag had 45 stars
The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was only 30
Crossword puzzles, ice tea had not been invented.
There was no Mother’s Day or Father’s Day
Two out of every adult could read or write.
Only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacist said, “heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health”
18% of households had a least one full-time servant or domestic help.
There were about 230 reported murders in the ENTIRE U.S.A.
Just try to imagine what it maybe like in another 100 years.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Rev. Mark Tippin~Installed Oct. 18, 2009
Rev. Mark Tippin- installed October 18, 2009
Mark had served has an elder and deacon before attending seminary. Pastor Mark obtained his Masters of Divinity Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. His undergraduate degree is from Lourdes College, Sylvania, Ohio with minors in Business Administration and Human Resource Management. His first pastorate was serving as solo pastor at Calvin East Presbyterian, Detroit, Michigan beginning July 31, 2006. Mark and Jennifer have been married for sixteen years and have three daughters, Hannah, Lexie and Bethany.
Mark had served has an elder and deacon before attending seminary. Pastor Mark obtained his Masters of Divinity Degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. His undergraduate degree is from Lourdes College, Sylvania, Ohio with minors in Business Administration and Human Resource Management. His first pastorate was serving as solo pastor at Calvin East Presbyterian, Detroit, Michigan beginning July 31, 2006. Mark and Jennifer have been married for sixteen years and have three daughters, Hannah, Lexie and Bethany.
Friday, January 2, 2009
The Mystery of the Bell
We read in our 1868 rules for "Keeping of the House" that the job of the sexton was to ring the bell five minutes before each service. Bethel has never had a belfry. We can only assume it was on a post outside the church. The church has a hand bell which was rung to dismiss Sunday School. Could this have been the bell talked about in 1868?
One of our oldest members, Anna Clark, having joined October 4, 1918 and went to be our Lord May 1988, had said she always could hear Bethel's bell ringing on her way to church at Westfield. Some of our older members remember seeing a rope hanging in the vestibule. Could the bell have been positioned on a post outside the building and the rope coming into the vestibule for ringing?
Other stories were told that a member acquired a bell from an old school house and put it in place to be rung before and after service The bell caused much dissension. Some said it did not have the same tone of a church bell, it sounded like a school house bell. One Sunday morning the bell turned up missing. Many thought the bell was stolen, some felt it was removed by the member causing the most dissent, and others felt it was removed by the person who presented the bell
One of our oldest members, Anna Clark, having joined October 4, 1918 and went to be our Lord May 1988, had said she always could hear Bethel's bell ringing on her way to church at Westfield. Some of our older members remember seeing a rope hanging in the vestibule. Could the bell have been positioned on a post outside the building and the rope coming into the vestibule for ringing?
Other stories were told that a member acquired a bell from an old school house and put it in place to be rung before and after service The bell caused much dissension. Some said it did not have the same tone of a church bell, it sounded like a school house bell. One Sunday morning the bell turned up missing. Many thought the bell was stolen, some felt it was removed by the member causing the most dissent, and others felt it was removed by the person who presented the bell
Friday, September 19, 2008
Rev. William S. Hoffman, Jr 1994-2007
Installed June 12, 1997- Pastor Bill had served for five years at 1st Presbyterian Church of Pemberville, Ohio. He had served a few internships in seminary including a summer internship at Schuller's Crystal Cathedral. He received his M. Div degree from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, Calif in 1989 and Doctorate in Ministry from Pittsburgh Seminary in 2007. Pastor Bill's comment- "I'm greatly indebted to Bethel for giving me the time and encouragement. The dedication page of my thesis book is to Bethel." The pastor enjoyed running and could be see almost any morning running the country roads. His candidate sermon at Bethel included an unforgettable childrens message. Children were asked to come forward and Bill said "follow me," and off he went at a run up one aisle and down the other with the children in close pursuit. While at Bethel he performed 23 marriages & 84 baptisms and was the longest serving pastor since the pastorate of Rev. Dice (1877-1914). Bill and Amy were married August 20, 1983 and celebrated their 25th Anniversary in 2008. They have six children. Anna, Kevin, twins Joe & Ben. Amy had always wanted to adopt a child in need. In August 2006 they traveled to Ethiopia and adopted two, Bereket, a son and Tensai, a daughter. Rev. Hoffman is now senior pastor of East Main Presbyterian Church of Grove City,Pa.
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