Tag Archives: Adventure

The Woman Who Told FDR No

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Charlotte Elizabeth Battles is a name you probably haven’t heard but she made history back in her day.

Born in 1864 to a family that owned the R.S. Battles Bank in Girard, Pennsylvania, she was educated, worldly and strong. Her father was Rush Battles, a farmer, lawyer and banker whose bank had been a local staple since 1859. When her father died, she was promoted to fill his shoes as bank president. The year was 1904 and she was one of the first women to serve as a bank president.

She ran this bank until it closed in 1946.

Let us pause here for a moment. Women didn’t get the vote until 1920. She successfully ran a bank for years before she could walk into a ballot booth.

But I digress. She gained fame in 1933 when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt ordered American banks be closed as part of the Emergency Banking Act and she refused to comply.

As a privately owned institution, she believed they were not governed by the state or federal government. In a letter to Roosevelt, Battles said “We’re minding our business, you mind yours”.

They remained open as they always had, placing no restrictions on deposits or withdrawals, but they did serve only existing customers that week.

The Erie Times News published a story about the incident under the headline “Girard Bank Says ‘Pooh’ To State And U.S. Edict.” The funny thing was that it wasn’t even big news back then. The story ran on page 11.

If you visit the Hagen History Center in Erie, PA, you will find a room dedicated to this pioneering business woman who thumbed her nose at the feds.

The exhibit tells the story of her life as a banker but also that of an artist, a world traveler, a gardener and what appeared to be a woman who embraced life fully.

She died in 1952 and her home in Girard is now owned by the Hagan History Center. That’s less than 30 minutes from the Hagen Center in Erie.

This museum has some amazing exhibits including maritime history, Frank Lloyd Wright’s field office, art and stunning mansions to tour. Go visit!

Fairytale Wood

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While wandering through Rebellion Books in Bedford, Pennsylvania I spotted this fantastic print called Fairytale Wood. All the little animals enjoying themselves and living peacefully won my heart. There’s even a black cat.

The colors and details make this image seem simultaneously realistic and magical.

It didn’t seem to be for sale. Sigh. It feels like everything I actually want to buy these days is not for sale.

Turns out, Mary Brett (1902-1990) was an English artist whose illustrations have been known to generations of children. She had little formal training but completed a correspondence course before she began a career illustrating and writing children’s books.

Here’s another look at the painting.

Isn’t it enchanting?

Around Here: Sleep Edition

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Around here, this week has been busy.

Dentist, hair and chiropractor appointments early in the week, busy days at work, a blood drive donation, and an excellent concert one night kept me hustling and on the road a lot. I also got a new phone which has caused another layer of complications.

Unfortunately, I had some sleepless nights too.

Around here we value sleep as a means for overall wellness and it just wasn’t coming. In addition to the tired, I have felt dehydrated and off balance.

This is not a great combination.

So I had a chat with Scout last night. As I carried him to bed, I explained how badly I needed to get some rest. Could he please play quietly if he woke up before me?

Would you believe I didn’t hear a peep out of that little cat for fourteen hours? Long story short, I slept till after noon today – something so rare I can’t recall the last time it happened.

And I’m still kind of tired.

So around here today, I’m thinking it’s going to be a hot shower and fresh pjs kind of day. I am going to light a fall scented candle (because if I don’t go outside it can be any season I want) and curl up with books (maybe even something with illustrations) and pretend that feeling rested and reading is my only job.

Have a great Saturday, friends! At least what’s left of it!

Finally Friday!

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It’s Friday and I’m grateful.

I went to see Lukas Nelson last night on the campus of my alma mater, Ohio University. He did a terrific show that was high energy and nonstop music. If you aren’t familiar, he is incredibly talented with a unique timbre that reminds you of his dad Willie – but his own style.

I’m going to need to channel some of that energy today since I got home well past my bedtime and then couldn’t sleep. But it was worth sacrificing a little sleep. Plus, I got a few snaps of the college green and Court Street which was crawling with young bobcats.

Maybe some of those photos will wind up here. For now, here are a few.

Happy Friday Friends. Let’s go get ‘em!

Dunkle’s Gulf Service Station

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Along the Lincoln Highway in Bedford, PA, there’s a remnant of a time when automobile travel was in full swing and businesses took pride in creating unique spaces to stop for a while.

This is Dunkle’s Gulf Station which was opened by Dick Dunkle in 1933, according to the sign out front.

Isn’t it fabulous?

The tile facade in all its art deco glory was designed to draw the eye and cause a motorist to pull in and ask the attendant to “fill’er up!” They also repaired cars and could tip off your fluids and air up the tires while you waited.

Man, what I wouldn’t give for a full service gas station sometimes when it’s raining or humid or when I’m dressed up to be somewhere.

Mr Dunkle is now gone as is his son who inherited the place so it is now closed. I worry for its future but hope someone with deep pockets finds a way to repurpose the space for future generations to enjoy. It is truly the most beautiful service station I’ve seen and it’s worth saving.

The Lincoln Highway was the first coast-to-coast road in America, cutting through fourteen states over more than 3,000 miles. Long ago replaced by interstate and no longer used for those long road trips, much of the Lincoln Highway still exists and makes for amazing off the beaten path exploring. I would love to hear stories of things you have seen along the Lincoln Highway in your travels.

Chihuly Sighting

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If you ever find yourself in the Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg, Pa. you will likely be impressed by the variety of things to see and appreciate.

There’s one in particular piece you should look for while exploring. In a rather unremarkable stairwell, there is a large Dale Chihuly glass chandelier. You can stand under it on the stairs or you can appreciate it at eye level from a hallway.

Chihuly’s work is recognizable because it’s so different than what most glass artists are doing. He mimics shapes found in nature, the colors are brilliant even when he’s using a monochromatic scheme, and the scale is typically quite large.

A lot of places would be tempted to hang this piece in their lobby so you can’t help to see it. They would want to show it off . At Westmoreland, it’s placed somewhere quiet, somewhere that you feel like you’re discovering it, and where you can quietly contemplate how the glass handles the light.

Interested in the Westmoreland? It is worth the trip. Read about it here.