On Christmas Night, 1776, George Washington and the Continental Army mounted a surprise attack against the British by crossing the Delaware River and marching to Trenton, New Jersey. Washington Crossing Park marks the site where Washington’s troops were encamped, as well as the location where they launched the boats across the Delaware River that ensured their victory. This successfully saved Washington’s army, and help lead the Continental Army to final victory. This action by George Washington was one of the most important events in U.S. history.

The Friends of Washington Crossing Park (FWCP) are working tirelessly to open Washington Crossing Historic Park for tours and educational programming. FWCP understands the importance of the park as a historical treasure and cultural gem. In light of recent budget cuts, we believe strongly that now is the time to move forward, take action on this long-standing Bucks County Park, and re-open the doors.

A nonprofit group, FWCP has been formed to pursue and create fundraising, membership and volunteer opportunities. Your donations and assistance will help support our efforts.

When financial budgets cuts by the state of Pennsylvania threatened to cancel the 2009 Christmas Crossing event, FWCP formed as an ad hoc group. We successfully mobilized time and financial resources to see that this significant event succeeded.

While establishing a board of directors, by-laws and nonprofit status, FWCP has continued to host events traditional to the park. FWCP will partner with The Pennsbury Society and will open Bowman’s Tower this May. Very soon, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission (PHMC), we will open the doors to the historic homes at the park and give guided interpretive tours to visitors. 

How can you help our efforts?

Volunteer: There are dozens of volunteer opportunities at Washington Crossing Historic Park from manning the visitor center gift shop to caring for sheep. We need help for special events and on a regular basis. It’s a great way to make friends and connect with the community. No experience is necessary but if you have a special interest or talent, we will find a volunteer opportunity that suits you!

Become a Member: We have several different membership levels. Members are invited to all FWCP events and receive an e-newsletter. Levels are: Patriot ($25 or 20 hours volunteer service), Infantry ($50), Oarsman ($100), Lord Stirling ($250) and General Washington ($500+). Membership dues are used to fund programming and events. Join today by using the Donate link on top right.

Donate: FWCP has ambitious plans to open and improve the park.
http://www.friendsofwashingtoncrossingpark.com

Your donation will help us fulfill our goals.

Without so much as a thought, we can flip a switch, and turn on a light in a dark room, operate this fancy computer I get to use on a daily basis, and charge up the ipod, and all manner of portable appliances we have become dependent upon in our daily lives. When we are thirsty, or need to wash our clothes, the turn of a faucet handle will provide a seemingly unending supply of fresh water, and almost if by magic, the things we find no longer useful in our lives, can be put in the trash bin to go off to who knows where … but it isn’t here, and that is the important part … or is it?

When I began considering the massive integration and collective cooperation we have as a society, the geek in me began to see subtle flaws in its implementation; then the more I dwelt on the issue, the more important these flaws became, until I can no longer take anything for granted; danger, grave danger, lies everywhere, and we as a society are blind to its inherent flaws. Sure, I like a nice hot shower, probably more than most folks; to get that shower though, I have to rely upon lots of other people; people I don’t know, to do things that quite frankly, I don’t understand. The public works people maintain the public water supply, and actually keep the city’s waterline in proper working order; send off water samples for tests, treat waste water, and scope out new well sites among the vast number of other things they are required to do, to actually get water out of the ground, or reservoir, and out to the populous. The electrical workers have to maintain not only the power generation plant, but they also have to install and maintain tens of thousands of miles of high power electrical lines to get the power out to the customer. Power generation facilities across the continent are connected in very complex and highly volatile network, and require tens of thousands of people, on a daily basis, just to keep it working. Our trash is collected and consolidated into huge holes in the ground, designed to hide the excess of our ways. In essence, we just live our daily lives and use these things without a thought about any problem or potential problem that might exist in the system … and that is a very dangerous situation to be in.

Last week when the news broke, about the earthquake in Haiti, we were complacent … oh, another earthquake in a place most of us had never given a second thought to … but when the gravity of the disaster began to become real for us (thanks Anderson Cooper), we realized that this was much more than your run of the mill earthquake; if there even is such a thing. No, this was much worse, this was the complete collapse of an entire society of people; an entire country is in turmoil, and despair is the nicest thing they have going for them. This was devastation like we have never seen before. Outside of collapsed schools, homes, businesses, and government buildings, were throngs of people, hundreds of thousands of people, displaced. There are perhaps, 2 million people or more, whose daily lives are affected to a degree that we can barely fathom, yet here we sit oblivious to the dangers our own highly integrated society has built for itself; oblivious to the havoc we would face if we were to have our own infrastructure-quake.

Consider that you are reading this, likely on a computer, powered by electricity, generated by a power plant, that runs on uranium, coal, oil or gas. What happens when there is a failure at a power plant? Can’t happen? Think again … across this country, there have been numerous catastrophic plant failures, explosions at solar power facilities, core leaks at nuclear plants, massive turbine failures, collapse of steam pipes, and wind and ice damage to transmission lines … and that was only in the last couple of years. It doesn’t seem that bad though, particularly if you were not one of those affected, without power for weeks on end. As any computer expert would tell you, in order to have a secure and reliable system, you must have redundancy … lots of redundancy. Look at how NASA works … there are redundancy protocols, for redundant systems, for redundant protocols, for backup systems, for backup systems… and yet they still have a track record of having catastrophic, irrecoverable, problems.

That hot shower we take for granted, would be of little concern for those who rely upon a public water source, were that source to become contaminated or unavailable. Consider that, in a town my size, as many as 50,000 people could be left without so much as drinking water, much less bathing water, if a single system goes down. The idea that bigger is better, and consolidation for the common good, is of little concern if you are thirsty.

What we can learn here, is that, smaller, more localized handling of the needs of people will provide a much better solution than massive projects to provide for the masses. Multiple, neighborhood water supplies, will ensure that, in the event of a single failure, the least number of people are affected. If one or more wells stop functioning, there may be a lower capacity of the remaining supplies, but the lower supply is a better alternative than no supply. Electricity generation is another very similar situation… If we have more plants, much smaller than the gazillion megawatt plants of today, spread out in more communities, with shorter transmission distances, the failure of one in a huge network, will be much less problematic than the failure of a single plant providing power to an entire quadrant of the country.

The whole point is, when you put all of your proverbial eggs into a single basket, no matter how big and strong that basket might be, there is a flaw in that basket, a flaw you don’t see … and grandma knew that… thats why she always carried two baskets to the hen house, and why she went twice a day. If one of the baskets failed, she didn’t lose all of the eggs. As a populace, it would do us well to remember that … we need to have many baskets in order to have the least collateral damage in the event one fails. If you learn nothing from the plight of the Haitians, learn this one thing … almost always, a little something is better than no something … and right now, the basket that contained the Haitian infrastructure, has been dropped to the ground by an earthquake nobody predicted.

Carrie Prejean’s answer may or may not reflect my feelings on the issue of gay marriage, however, I am so proud of her for answering that question based on her core beliefs, and not compromising her faith or beliefs in the name of some beauty pageant.

In America we have been afforded the First Amendment Right to freedom of speech, and no one should ever be excoriated for exercising those rights, or for being a person of honesty and integrity.

Now, on the flip side, while this guy Perez Hilton also had the right to ask a loaded question, I am not sure as to why it came as such a surprise to him when he did not get the answer that he was hoping for. Then, for him to go on a tirade against this young lady, is just another example of how the far left side of our culture often handles differences of beliefs.

If he were honest with himself, he would then realize that he was setting her (and potentially himself) up for failure, then to be as pretentious as thinking he can tell her what she should have said, is “really” unbelievable. I would like to ask him, why did he ask her that question, if he (obviously) could not handle the answer, or an opposing point of view?

From my point of view, Perez Hilton has inadvertently brought a negative light to his cause, and has given Carrie Prejean a national spotlight to further go one and speak on behalf of her beliefs.

I really do wish that the people out on the fringes could learn to articulate their arguments, and disagreements in an intellectual and philosophical way, as opposed to resorting to slander and name calling.

I would also like to say Kudos to Carrie Prejean for not selling out in the name of some pageant.

I hope that she will be a positive role model for future contenders.

Mark

I am fortunate. I live in a state where Tax Freedom Day comes a week earlier than calculated by the Tax Foundation. Florida is one of the few states where the residents enjoy no state income taxes. We do however have a sales tax, but then every state except Delaware has those.

Its not that I live under a rock and think public services are done out of the goodness of the hearts of people. Wouldn’t it be great if they were? The problem I have with taxation is that seldom does the taxpayer have any input on how much they should pay and what services they should get for their money.

I read with interest how our local city was able to improve its ISO rating by spending some money in infrastructure, equipment and personel. At first glance this is great, a lower ISO rating allows residents to enjoy a lower premium for their fire insurance. A quick check on my own insurance rates don’t have me saving anything, yet the increased tax burden for more personel and equipment (some of which is obsolete), is there to obtain this lower rating. I attribute it to our government doing what government does best, and that is spending money.

But today is a good day for other reasons as well. Today marks the 62nd anniversary of the breaking down of the color barrier in Major League Baseball. Jackie Robinson, at age 28, in a time when racial segregation was in full swing, became the very first African American to play for a major league baseball team when he stepped onto Ebbets Field in Brooklyn to play for the Dodgers. Other notable events that happened on this day in history are: The 1945 liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camps in Nazi Germany and in 1850 San Francisco was incorporated. However, while you are still reeling from the woes of paying your 1040 taxes, things could be much worse. On this day in 1912, 1500 people died in a tragic event that could never happen, when the Titanic sank in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg and on April 15, 1851, President Lincoln called out Union troops and declared a state of insurrection after an attack on Fort Sumter in South Carolina.

So while you trek to the post office with barely enough time to make it before the doors lock at closing time, consider yourself fortunate to not have experienced any one of the many events that surely are significantly more tragic than writing a check to Uncle Sam. Be thankful for the ability to take another breath, and remember those around you whose tax burden has decreased, not because of loopholes, but because of loss of income. I use this day to remind me how fortunate I am to live in Florida and in these United States.

Today is Friday, April 10, 2009. Most people in the workplace look forward to this day as another day off, an early beginning to a long weekend or the day when they can get something done that isn’t already bogged down with other responsibilities. But Good Friday is so much more than that.

For the better part of the last 2000 years, the Christian religion has observed the Friday before Easter as Good Friday. The origins of Good Friday are mostly unclear, but it is apparent that early Christians brought together in remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus began observing Good Friday annually on the day of His death on the cross. This tradition became entrenched in the Christian religion and today we observe it annually 3 days before Easter. The reasons being the same as the early Church, but without the same knowledge of the why behind the day.

I’ve often heard people say, “Have a Happy Good Friday”, and while I appreciate the genuine nature of their salutation, I also cringe when I consider the reason for the day. Certainly this day holds more meaning than another day off from work, it is the day set aside so many years ago, by people we have no remembrance of, to observe the somber occasion of the crucifixion. Certainly this day is not a day to be happy about, unless perhaps you don’t hold Jesus in the high esteem that the Christian faith does. Even then, when we have other days of the year where we commemorate the sacrifice of people for the good of the world, seldom do we observe those days as a happy occasion.

Now that we know why we have Good Friday, you don’t have to go about with a somber face throughout the day, Instead you should take the appropriate time to reflect on the sacrifice made so many years ago, in order to save a Godless world.

Remember, even though the occasion isn’t celebratory in nature, on the third day Easter comes, and that is indeed a day of celebration, a time for commemoration and a time to rejoice the resurrection following the tragic events on this day in 33AD. So while I dare not bid you “Happy Good Friday”, I do heartily wish you a Blessed day on this holiest of days.

As many good times don’t last forever, neither does the bad times.

We must be willing to except the good times with the bad, and always remain optimistic through it all.

Mark

• Don’t get angry, you are merely reinforcing their actions
• Don’t retaliate or rebuke them, it only fuels their anger
• Don’t hide from the truth, it hurts sometimes, but it is the truth
• Everyone has prejudices, theirs happens to be against you
• Don’t allow the offender to steal your joy
• Agree with them, they won’t know how to act
• Don’t try and change their mind, it was made up long ago
• Accept that you cannot please them
• Do be kind to them, they will leave you alone

I recall a saying my grandfather used regularly. “Son, don’t let ‘em get your goat!” I used to think he was talking about a real goat, something tangible, but I realized later that he was talking about my emotions. He was telling me to not allow others to influence my emotions in a bad way. It was several years after his death before I understood exactly what he was talking about. Now some 30 years later, I can reflect upon those words and offer the only bit of advice I know how. If someone tries to get your goat, it is best you not let them know when they are close to it, else they will continue. If they get too close, move it. Only you can choose how to react to a situation. Mastery is difficult, and you will never get it perfect without a lobotomy, but over time it becomes easier.

It is your joy, don’t let someone steal it from you!

The time is upon us to give reflection to the meaning of Christmas. For most people, it is a time of gifts, celebration, family and generally having fun. There is nothing wrong with these things. They are part of life and I firmly believe we are supposed to enjoy life. My God has never said He wants us to be miserable, so why should we … ok that is a rhetorical question and it doesn’t really need answering, but some people seem to think that Christmas with presents, food, and fun is being irreverent to the Christian meaning of this time of year.

Of course as a family, we have not spent any more or less on Christmas this year than last. I know that with the economy in an uproar many people are cutting back, particularly with the uncertainty in their employment status. However, we seldom buy gifts at Christmas anyway, electing instead to help with food baskets for local families who are having a difficult time. Last year, this program delivered over 50 baskets to needy families. This year there are already commitments for at least 65 and it is quite possible there will be as many as 80 families helped this Christmas.

To me the joy comes from the giving, and not some trinket or electronic device that your child or significant other desires to have. This joy is much better. It is the joy that comes from within – from seeing the faces of those whose lives are directly affected by the generosity of a complete stranger. This isn’t unlike what Christ did for us. As a stranger in His own land, He gave the gift of eternal life to those who would hear His word and believe.

For me, Christmas doesn’t hold the wonder it once did, instead, my wonder has changed to reverence for the true meaning of Christmas. The gifts I give, although they pale in comparison, is my way of emulating my Lord. I have been asked so many times about being taken advantage of – people getting help who don’t really need it. Of course to decipher it all out and help only those who really need it is daunting, but failing to help those for fear someone may be taking advantage of the situation, doesn’t seem right. In Genesis 18, the Lord was speaking to Abraham and told him that if there were but ten deserving people in the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah that He would spare them all … for the sake of the ten. Isn’t that what Christmas is about? We help those, as our Lord helped us, and don’t dwell on the wickedness for the sake of those we help. Sure we get taken advantage of, but if we can help just ten families out of the thousands in our town, then I believe it is worth it.

Christ gave everything He had … He wrote the ultimate blank check … and gave His life that we might keep ours. The fact that millions in this world rejected Him, doesn’t negate His generosity to those He has saved. Perhaps it is time we stopped thinking about the negative aspects of helping others and focus on the positive outcomes and those whose lives will be forever changed by a simple, seemingly insignificant act of kindness and generosity.

I am proud to have Christ in my Christmas – Perhaps it is time the rest of the world let Him in as well. ]]> http://www.hyperblogcafe.com/christmas-with-christ/feed/ 2