History-2 November 1778

As I continue on with extracting information out of the Michael Shoemaker book for the relations of Carol Taylor Gillespie, I continue to find some very interesting history.
When I was a girl it was popular for genealogist to have Indian blood.
So here I am on page 562 and there is a story about a small girl of about 4 years old. The Wyoming Valley, in Pennsylvania is an area under attack by both the Indians and the Tories. A home was attacked and a small girl was found hiding and kidnapped. For more than 50 years the family searched and pleaded with officials to find this missing sister. Finally after many mishaps with the information it finds it's way to the family. They are finally reunited in her home on the Miami Indian Reservation in Indiana. They find she was treated as a treasure, because she was white with beautiful red hair. She married an Indian Chief named She-po-con-ah and her name had been changed to Mac-on-a-qauh. They had four children and she had adopted all the Indian ways. When they found her she remembered her capture but had forgotten English.
Her story can be found in full on the internet :
Biography of Frances Slocum: The Lost Sister of Wyoming.
enjoy

When we first purchased the purple tracker there were a few comments made about how manly the color was. Well yesterday it got a fashion redo and now it does look a little more manly. Although color really doesn't have anything to do with it. It's all about the fun we have with it.

Valentines!

Valentines Day has come and gone. But not without lots of notes, chocolate and heart pancakes. This year Mike and I attended two dances. One was a barn dance (14-19) where I wore my tennis shoes and jeans, and sat on a buffalo (brass) for a picture. The adult dance was in Sunday dress with my new hot pink heels. This was their first time out of the box. They only lasted about 6 dances before I left them under the chair for dance 7. Then off to home. We didn't leave with the senior citizens but we didn't stay till the last dance either. Lots of friends everywhere. It's good to be loved and to love.

Scouting-just for fun!

Something most people don't know is that Michael has been awarded quite a few scouting awards over the years. These are the most recent.
2006-Commissioner Hall of Fame
2007-Boy Scout Hall of Fame
2008- Commissioner Hall of Fame again.
This year was a little different. I received a phone call from Jennie who wanted me to write something about Mike's service with the scouts and this is what I wrote.
Mike Gillespie has been serving in the BSA for about 20 years. In that time he has been Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Scoutmaster, and Varsity Coach, and is currently serving as a Unit Commistioner and on the District Advancement Committee. When serving as Assistant Scoutmaster with Richard Packard, Richard taught him a principal that he lives by. The young men had planned a hike and on the day of, only one young man showed up. They went anyway, had a great adventure and came back with a great story to tell. That day he learned that EVERY young man is important and that every young man deserves enthusiastic, trained leaders to show the way. Over the last 20 years we have watched as he has encouraged both young men and their leaders to become their best and have fun doing it.
(Side note: the hike they went on that day is permanently been closed)
This year this note was in the program with several others and two awards were given to him

1-National BSA Veterans Award
and
2-District Award of Merit

He spends lots of time and effort to do his best.
When they give him awards though I can still see some of the shy 8th grader I knew.

Happy Birthday
Dawn

Grandma Gillespie and Dawn

Several decades ago two young kids were living in Marshall, Texas, and taking Lamaze classes in Longview,

Feb 3rd, was a Saturday and their 5th of 6 classes. They needed a graduation certificate in order for the new dad to be in the delivery room. After the class they asked if they could have the certificate, and the instructor agreed. The drive home was only 35 miles, they returned home and went to work in the family store. Later that afternoon, water broke, and the trip to the hospital was taken. Ginger and Mike used all their new found skills and breathing techniques, their room was the quiet one, the other delivery rooms had the typical TV show delivery's, moms screaming and hollering. After several hours, at 10:09 p.m. Dawn Starr was born. She was a beautiful baby and today is a beautiful woman.

Happy Birthday Dawn

Groundhog Day

Sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy

Thanks Phil

As with all Gillespie traditions, there is humor and subtle meanings buried deep inside. Groundhog day is no exception, How many families would have a celebration commemorating a furry little rodent in Pennsylvania, that is drug out of his nice warm burrow, before several hundred weird people, to see if he has a shadow or not? Well our family is one of them. Thanks Dad! That is the great thing about traditions, people may come and go, but what you have for traditions will remain as a legacy forever. ( sorry Brenda, I didn't mean to go here but I did.) Don't worry my eyes are leaking also. It starts with Feb 2nd and next comes Valentines Day, I don't know if the rest of you still do this but I still have to make the valentine hearts with the candy stories for my children, at least the ones still at home, the rest of you need to continue on your own. Right now I can't think of what comes next, but I know that Brenda just made the red velvet cup cakes. So it continues, the eating of the sausage (ground hog for those of you who haven't caught on yet.) We love you Dad and we miss you!