Monthly Archives: October 2014

Trolley Tracks and Pierre du Pont’s Early Career

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Roger Walck

There have been several Pierre Samuel du Ponts, all with the exact same name. The one I am talking about is the creator of Longwood Gardens, and the time is the late 19th century. “Creator” is the proper word. He … Continue reading →

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The Second Sleep

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Roger Walck

The posting of 5/3/2009, Sleep, discussed the theory that before electric lighting, people went to bed early after it got dark but got up again in the middle of the night for an hour or so. This pattern of dividing … Continue reading →

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Planespotting Update

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Roger Walck

Following up on the posting of March 14, 2014, Planespotting With Flight Tracker Software, the temporary routing of incoming planes over our house on their way to the Philadelphia Airport was rare this summer. It’s the old law of nature: … Continue reading →

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Pierre du Pont’s Longwood Home

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Roger Walck

When we began volunteering at Longwood Gardens we were told that the Longwood house was only Pierre du Pont’s weekend getaway, his country retreat. His real home, his legal residence, was the top floor of the Hotel du Pont where … Continue reading →

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The Short Life of Lansdowne-Aldan High School

Posted on October 18, 2014 by Roger Walck

Our student council president Fred Weinstein tells me he recently met a woman who said she was in the last graduating class of Lansdowne-Aldan High School before the name changed to Penn Wood High School.  Since we were the first … Continue reading →

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TV by Antenna Update

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Roger Walck

Update of Returning to Rabbit Ears TV, posted October 14, 2013. A few weeks ago, I noticed my son and his family, who live about 10 miles away, use a flat, amplified TV antenna for the occasionally used TV in … Continue reading →

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The Red Hat Ladies

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Roger Walck

You may not know of the Red Hat Society but must have seen them. It is an organization of women over 50 who get together for pure entertainment and comradery. They go to lunch and a show, or a museum, … Continue reading →

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How to Tell If a 1-Year-Old Will Have a Happy Marriage

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Roger Walck

Our local newspaper reprinted the article with this title by Samantha Rodman from the Washington Post. A baby, the mother, and a research assistant (RA) play together in a room. The mother then briefly walks out of the room and … Continue reading →

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Vintage Lifeguarding

Posted on October 5, 2014 by Roger Walck

The typical lifeguard you see at your local community pool is a teenaged boy or girl trying unsuccessfully to hide their boredom. But lifeguarding is an experience they will never forget.  Adults have always taken care of them, and, now, … Continue reading →

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An American Elm and Winter at Longwood Gardens

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Roger Walck

This photo at Longwood Gardens last year is more than a pleasant winter scene—the large tree on the right is one of the few remaining American elms. They worked hard over the years to preserve it. It is the first … Continue reading →

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