Visit to a U.S. President's Summer Home

We recently made a day excursion to Lawnfield in Mentor, OH, a far eastern suburb of Cleveland. Lawnfield is the summer home of James A. Garfield, the 20th U.S. President. Originally a farm, it is now a national historic site maintained by the National Park Service. The house is shown below.











Here are some facts we learned on the house tour that you may find interesting:

1. James Garfield was assassinated in 1881 about four months after taking the oath of office. But he did not die immediately. He lived another 80 days while doctors attempted to heal his wounds and overcome infections. At one point inventor Alexander Graham Bell, using a newly created electrical device, tried unsuccessfully to help doctors locate a bullet that remained lodged in Garfield's body. Because of the then recent invention of the telegraph, Americans nationwide for the first time received daily, if not hourly, updates on his status. This created enormous "mass media" interest over an extended period of time, a new phenomenon. When he finally did succumb, the event caused a stir greater than that of the death of Abraham Lincoln.

2. After his death, President Garfield's wife, Lucretia, added a wing to the home to house his many books and papers, setting the precedent for presidential libraries. The main room is stunningly beautiful with massive white oak beams, Victorian design and even a cement-lined side room for storing papers in a fireproof setting.

3. Garfield is the only U.S. President elected to that office while serving in Congress. (Gerald Ford, another member of Congress who also became President, was not elected into that office.) Garfield was also the last U.S. President born in a log cabin.

4. In this year's Presidential election both candidates are expected to be nominated on the first ballot at each party's convention. That wasn't the case with James Garfield. It wasn't until the 36th ballot that he was nominated. And he didn't have to travel far to campaign. He conducted his campaign primarily from his front porch! Reporters and dignitaries came to see him, in such large numbers that the railroad built a special station near Lawnfield.















James Abram Garfield (1831-1881)

Great Time in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

We recently completed an overnight getaway in beautiful Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, home of the Shaw Theatre Festival. Downtown streets are adorned with beautiful flowers maintained by a local horticultural school. Our bed and breakfast was excellent. We were surprised at how the local area features many, many wineries, helping to make Niagara-on-the-Lake a destination spot for tourists worldwide. On the way home we stopped to inspect Niagara Falls. We could not have asked for more beautiful weather!

















In front of statue of Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw.
















View of Lake Ontario and Fort Niagara which is on the U.S. side of the mouth of the Niagara River. Here is where water from Lake Erie flows (from right to left) into Lake Ontario.
















Inspecting grapes at a local winery.
















Our sightseeing included a visit to nearby Lock #3 on the Welland Canal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welland_Canal) which enables ships and boats to sail between Lakes Erie and Ontario, bypassing Niagara Falls. It just so happened that the freighter Halifax went through the lock while we were there. It was amazing to watch this 225 foot vessel maneuver into the lock with little room to spare. The lock filled with water within minutes, raising the massive ship smoothly and quickly as though it were on an elevator.

Approaching Lock #3.

















The Halifax will maneuver itself into this narrow space bow first. Lock doors at the ship's stern will then be closed and the lock flooded.


















Going up!


















Thanks for the show!
















On our way back home we stopped to admire Niagara Falls. This video shows the views from atop Horseshoe Falls.

On the Peace Bridge between Canada and the U.S., overlooking Lake Erie. (Double click to enlarge.)

Happy Birthday!

We were in New York for several days to celebrate birthdays for Michaela and Nicole. See The Pearce Family blog (http://thepearcefamily.blogspot.com/ or click on the link in the above right corner) for a terrific description of Michaela's second birthday. Hats were a party theme to celebrate Michaela's interest in fashion.


















Michaela shares some birthday cake with Granddad.
















Cake wasn't the only tasty item Michaela enjoyed.






















Partygoers pose for a corn toss photo op.
















Michaela gets a push from Dad in the backyard swing, a popular birthday party attraction.


We also spent a relaxing afternoon aboard Dennis and Alice's yacht, Dacha. Here GB and Michaela toast with water while on the water.
















GB and Granddad provided Michaela with childcare services the next day. GB read many books for Michaela--with great enthusiasm!

















Darrell feted Nicole for her birthday by hosting an outing at the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game at Coney Island. Attendees included Melanie, Amine, Jim, Rachel and Abbie.

















Darrell and Nicole recently vacationed in New Mexico where they took in some fantastic sights, including the Grand Canyon.














To see more great photos go to: http://web.me.com/dkbeasley/Site/My_Albums/My_Albums.html
or click on the link to Darrell and Nicole's Web Album in upper right corner.

Where Did July Go?!!

July has been a delightful whirlwind of family gatherings and activities. It has been a hectic pace but we are so glad to have had many opportunities to be with family.

Recent activities included helping Dave and Lois move to their lovely new home. The family helped by packing, moving and unpacking lots of boxes so that the movers could concentrate on transporting furniture including a piano. Below, Myra pauses for a snapshot while packing kitchen items.
















Dave and Lois now enjoy one floor living in a beautiful new villa not far from their old neighborhood. Here is a view of their retirement community. Residents refer to the body of water as "Golden Pond."












One thing Dave and Lois definitely won't miss--climbing these stairs to their former apartment!
















This month also saw the presentation to David of the family's March Madness tournament trophy. Barb, last year's winner, arranged for a very unique awards ceremony in which the trophy was presented by none other than Slider during the 15th annual family Indians game. Here Slider makes the presentation to David.


Next, we head to New York to celebrate birthdays for Michaela and Nicole and to help usher in August!

15th Annual Zoll Family Indians Game - Wow!

On July 26 the Zoll Family gathered for its 15th Annual Indians Game. Barb planned a series of special games and events including a trip to Progressive Field aboard Lolly the Trolley. But the biggest surprise was a visit by Indians team mascot Slider! See the evidence below.





Neighbors Julie, Tony and family joined the festivities.


Slider greets the most experienced (Dave) and novice (Evan with Mom Sarah) Indians fans.

Slider demonstrates how to dance.

One of the organized events was a sidewalk chalk drawing contest. Here Slider reviews the submissions to pick a winner.
Slider picks the winners.
The winners!


All aboard Lolly the Trolley! The trip to Progressive Field was fun. Unfortunately, the Indians lost to the Minnesota twins.

An Eventful July Thus Far!

First,we were delighted by a weekend visit by Jeff, Lexi, Michaela, Nicole and Darrell, all in town for Courtney's graduation party. Then, Jeff made his move to Washington, D.C. to begin his new job at the Treasury Department. Jim helped with the move. Please see The Pearce Family blog (link upper right corner) for excellent entries about both events in addition to the images below in which Michaeala poses with:

GB and Carly...


Granddad, Keith and Margaret...

Nicole and Darrell...

and Kathy.

Below are pictures of the apartment in which Jeff will reside during the week, in between commutes to home. He has just a short walk to the Metro station.




On Sunday, July 20, Jeff and Jim took the Metro into D.C., a dry run for Jeff's work commute. Below, Jeff stands on Pennsylvania Avenue, in front of the U.S. Treasury building which is next door to the White House.



Jeff in front of the Hamilton entrance on the South side of the Treasury Building.

Jeff models one of his new suits.