Trail of Hope

Today marks the one month anniversary of the Trail of Hope. I find it hard to believe that it has already been a month of walking, traveling, and journeying along this inspiring Trail! I am very close to having covered almost 500 miles thus far.

The past month has been nothing short of exciting, challenging and an experience of a lifetime. I’ve encountered all different types of weather from torrential rain, to snow, to some intermittent sunshine. Sometimes I think to myself that I should have counted how many days and nights it has rained along the trail. It is the rain that has been the most difficult to maneuver in. It can be distracting. When it is pouring rain, I have to pay attention to the road, the cars and what is right in front of me and rarely have time to reflect and think. I’m hopeful the April showers will pass and I’ll be able to enjoy sunny days along the Trail as I venture though Ohio.
In addition to the challenging rain, I feel accomplished having mastered the climbing and descending of the many mountains. At times it was hard when I traveled 30 miles of peaks and valleys but I feel incredible for having made it through!

Looking back, it was great to pass through and visit so many historical places in Pennsylvania. These places moved me in many different ways. I have enjoyed seeing variety of diverse landscapes and encountering different walks of life. I have come to treasure the brief and assorted interactions I’ve had with people along the way.

I’m also really happy I’ve had the opportunity to photograph different things from road signs to landscapes and even the rainy parts of the Trail. I’m looking forward to the many photographic opportunities that will come my way in the future.

Physically and mentally I feel great. My spirit is still strong and eager to continue along the journey. I’m excited for what is to come!

Friendship:
by William Penn

-   Friendship is the next Pleasure we may hope for: And where we find it not at home, or have no home to find it in, we may seek it abroad> It is an Union of Spirits, a Marriage of Hearts, and the Bond thereof Verture.
 
-    Friends are true Twins in Soul: they Sympathize in every thing, and have the Love and Aversion.
 
-    One is not happy without the other, nor can either of them be miserable alone. As if they could change Bodies, they take their Turns in Pain as well as in Pleasure; relieving one another in their most adverse Conditions.
 
-   A true Friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a Friend unchangeably.

Earth, Teach Me
Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.        -  An Ute Prayer

Salem -name comes from “shalom” and “salaam,” and means Peace.
Early settlers to the city included the Religious Society of Friends Quakers.
 The city was active in the anti-slavery movement of the early-to-mid 1800′s. Still standing are many of the beautiful homes, with their hidden rooms and secret passageways, connecting them to the famous Underground Railroad.
Active in the abolitionist movement of the early- to mid-19th century, Salem acted as a hub for the American Underground Railroad, with several homes serving as “stations.” Salem retained many of these homes, but none are open to the public at present.

QUAKERS
 Disgusted by vanity and uninfluenced by vice, George Fox felt unique and alone in his philosophies. Growing up in 17th Century England, under the powerful rule of the Church, Fox searched to feed a yearning deep within his soul. At the age of 19, he left his father’s house carrying nothing but the clothes on his back and his Bible in search for what he called a “greater light.” Fox spoke to many professors of religion but always left these discussions with a sense of dissatisfaction. He simply wanted a religion where man can communicate directly with God without having to mediate through a professor, a clergy, or a powerful institution such as a church.

​Fox’s vision would eventually give way to the formation of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. Granted, any spiritual movement which challenged the Church of England’s doctrine would naturally be subject to great opposition. Quakers encountered a great deal of persecution, brutality and violence for the sake of their religion.

​ The religion is based upon the principles of unity, peace, quality, integrity, and simplicity. William Penn is considered one of the most famous Quakers in history. Penn founded the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1682 which became a safe haven for Quakers to grow and practice their faith.

​Today there are five branches of the Society of Friends in the Americas. Commonly known as “Friends,” Quakers gather on Sundays for “Meetings for Worship.” During these meetings, the members mediate and speak openly if they feel called to share something of spiritual significance with the group.

Yesterday, the weather was horrible. It was raining off an on throughout the day and was very windy. At times the wind was blowing so hard that I found myself being pushed backwards as I tried to move forward! I imagine it is the same feeling one would feel when they are pushed backwards by the waves of the ocean.

The weather slowed me down a little but nonetheless, I crossed the state line into Ohio. The first little town I walked through was Poland, Ohio. In the town, there was a statue of two Polish generals that served during the Revolutionary War. The two Polish soldiers were freedom fighters. I was moved that this little town was named after my homeland.

Today the weather is much better. The wind is nice and quiet and it isn’t as cold as it was yesterday with all the rain. I’m headed towards Salem, Ohio where I will rest for the evening. The city was founded by a Pennslyvanian potter named John Straughan and a New Jersey clockmaker named Zadok Street in 1806. The city’s name comes from “Shalom” and “salaam” and means “peace.” The early settlers of Salem were Quakers! It seems fitting that I spend a night in this nice city.

First little town in Ohio on the Trail of Hope.

The township was founded by Jonathan Fowler, who fell in love with Yellow Creek which flows through Poland. Fowler owned an inn near the river which still stands as the oldest building in Poland. 

For years after Revolutionary War, all over new United States, there was a feeling of gratitude and respect for those who had come from other countries to assist in the cause of freedom. This respect was quite often expressed by naming towns in honor of the heroes of that war. 

Poland statue, “American Freedom Fighters ” honors General Thaddeus Kosciuszko, the brilliant engineer who fortified Bemis Heights during the battle of Saratoga in 1777 and was responsible for saving West Point during the war. 

His passion for Polish independence burned so greatly that he felt he must be a part of this quest for independence by fledgling nation called the United States of America.

Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, a cavalry officer who is known as ” the father of America’s cavalry.”  He was killed in the Battle of Savannah in 1779 and is buried there.

A letter to George Washington from General Pulaski stated : ” I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.”
The people of Fowler’s place had the desire to honor these two foreign heroes and not to slight either man decided to name this community Poland after their country of birth.

This weekend, along the banks of the Delaware River, a very special event will be taking place. As a gentle breeze sweeps along Penn Treaty Park, locals, tourists, families and friends will gather together to eat, drink, dance, and maybe even learn something new.  This event is Fishtown’s third annual Shad Fest.

 On April 23^rd, from 11am until 6pm at Penn Treaty Park, Fishtown will celebrate Shad Fest. This event is near and dear to my heart. Each year I’ve attended, I’ve had the opportunity to memorialize some festive moments through my photography. I have always enjoyed celebrating the heritage of Fishtown with my fellow neighbors and their family and friends.

The event is both recreational and educational. You will learn new things about the Delaware River and a little bit about the history of Fishtown, specifically how it was given its name. There will also be promotions from local and regional businesses, live music, activities for children, and most importantly, beer and fish to enjoy! In addition to the festivities, you can participate in the Kenzinger Challenge Run, a three mile non-competitive scavenger hunt highlighting Fishtown’s and Kensington’s breweries and taverns.

Fishtown offers numerous events and festivals throughout the year. It is the community spirit of this neighborhood which makes me proud to be a resident of Fishtown. I’ve spent a great deal of my time walking the streets of this riverfront town, taking many different pictures of life and the community. I’ve complied each unique photograph into a book entitled, “With Love From Fishtown.”

I’d like to invite you to take a look at this book. If you look towards the bottom of my blog, on the right hand side, you’ll see a link to my store. In my store, there is a flipping book sample of “With Love From Fishtown.” This allows you to flip through my book digitally to see what it is all about. The book with give you a little taste of the riverfront neighborhood I have come to call home.

Friedensstadt —  City of Peace
Indian name – Languntoutenunk 
( on N. 18 Rt., North of Wampum Village)
In April 1770, accepting an invitation from three Delaware (Lenni Lenape) Chiefs to move to the Beaver Valley, the members of the Moravian mission lead by David Zeisberger, traveling in 15 canoes, went down the Alligheny River, on down the Ohio, and up the Beaver River , where the mission village of Friedensstadt was found. 

The missionaries encouraged the Indian’s sports, all except warfare, went with them on hunting and fishing trips, and lived the life of their Indian friends.

The Christian Indians, however, were surrounded by far more numerous pagans, their own kinsmen, who mocked at them for doing women’s work, who under the influence of liquor insulted and injured them, and who even in sober moments rebuked and condemned them for deserting the folkways of their tribe.

The Indians saw and admired the consistency with which the missionaries practiced their own doctrines, but it must have been hard for them to credit the power of the white man’s religion when they saw people professing that religion engaged in bloody wars and even attempting to enlist the Indians against their enemies.

 Open warfare became an immediate treat, and so the missionaries and their Indians converts decided to accept a kind offer from the Indian Chiefs in Tuscarawas Valley in Ohio.

In April 1773 , the congregation held ” a solemn baptismal transaction which closed the public worship of the congregation at Friedensstadt and praise and thanksgiving was offered” .

The following day the church was leveled.

Yesterday I was really excited for I’d finally be going to what I consider some “real Indian places.” I was eager for the opportunity to discuss the Lenape Indians with the locals of these small villages along the way.

The first village was Wampum, a small little village in Lawrence County. In the village, established in 1796 is made up of about 100 houses. Upon entering the village I was a bit hungry so I found the only eatery in the area. The little diner was situated near the middle of the village. Inside there were dream catchers, paintings, and Indian artwork on the walls. I thought to myself “this is the place.” I ordered some breakfast and started talking to the waitress who happened to be the diner owner’s daughter. When I asked her questions about the Lenni-Lenape, she wasn’t so sure of the answers. I was shocked that it appeared she knew little to nothing about these Indians!  When I asked her about the nature of the diner, she mentioned something along the lines of “our grandparents were kind of Indian” or something like that.

 I was a little disappointed but I thought maybe some townspeople would know a little more about the Indian history of the village. I finished my breakfast and wandered out through the main street of the village. I met a couple of people along the way and mentioned the Lenni-Lenape Indians. Once again, I found that they didn’t really know much about the Lenape or even the history of the town.

After several disappointing conversations, I found a little village square. There was a small plaque which stated that the village is named Wampum and it is named after the Lenni-Lenape Indians. This small plaque was literally the only remnant stating Indians once inhabited that area. Even though the village was founded by white people long before the Indians were driven away, I still thought someone would be able to share some history with me about the place. I left the village in a state of sadness.

The next village I went too was Moravia. This village, much smaller than the first, was comprised of several houses and a little plaque. Finding that plaque was a source of great excitement for me. It stated that the plaque was erected by the local historical society. It stated that in 1770, David Zeisberger, a Morvian missionary, established a mission with the Lenape Indians. The area was called Friedensstadt which is German for “City of Peace.” The Lenape Indians stayed in that area for three years until they were forced to move farther to the Ohio valley. David Zeisberger stayed with the Indians for almost 65 years! This was the first official sign depicting the mission.

While I didn’t get to discuss the Lenape history with anyone, I did enjoy discovering the Friedensstadt plaque. I continued along my way into New Castle to find a place to stay for the night.  It was a few miles off of the Trail but I didn’t mind. New Castle is interesting because there is an Amish connection in the area.

Today I am resting before heading into Ohio. I’m about 15 miles from the state line.

Wampum is scared shell beads of the Eastern Woodland Indian Tribes such as the Lenape. The beads are made from the inner spiral of the Channeled whelk shell and from the Western North Atlantic hard-shell clam shell. Tribes would create woven belts of wampum and utilize them to commemorate treaties, historical events and even weddings. In early centuries, it is said that Lenape Indian girls would wear wampum to show their eligibility for marriage. After the wedding arrangement, a Lenape suitor would give his finance and her family gifts of wampum. Wampum was also used as money. Many early colonists used wampum as currency for trading with the Indians.

The beads are typically in tubular shape and often are a quarter of an inch long and an eighth of an inch wide. Wooden pump drills with drill bits made from quartz were used to drill the shells. To create a polished and smooth looking texture, the beads would be rolled on a grinding stone with water and sand. This mechanism is similar to how rock tumblers create polished stones.

The term “wampum” is said to come from the Wampanoag word “Wampumpeag” which means white shell beads. Wampum was durable and could be carried over long distances. It was also used for storytelling and record keeping.

Perhaps the most famous wampum belt of all would be the beautifully woven wampum belt belonging to English Quaker, William Penn. In 1682, Lenape Indian chief Tamanend, sealed William Penn’s Treaty of Amity and Friendship with a wampum belt. This particular belt has served as a historic symbol of peace and friendship throughout time.