MAKE A NOTE!! -- September 18th, 2002
CIRCULATION - 26,980 (From Around the World! :-)
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A Free Twice Monthly (1st and 3d Wednesday of each month) Ezine with (Hopefully) Useful Info on a Wide Variety of Topics
NEXT ISSUE TO BE PUBLISHED ON/ABOUT OCTOBER 2ND, 2002
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NOTE: Each entry has a suggested "POST IT..." location at the end. We recommend that you print out the ezine, cut out each entry, & post it in these locations to make it easier for you to find when you need it. And if you like what you read, be sure to pass it on to someone else who can use it.
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Henty Historical Fiction
Words will never be able to convey how wonderful these books are; you are just going to have to go out and get one to check out for yourself. If you or someone you know loves historical fiction and adventure, and hasn't heard of G. A. Henty, then you don't know what you have been missing. G. A. Henty was a soldier, war correspondent, adventurer, and gentleman, born in 1832. Before his death in 1902 he wrote over 100 books, short stories, and articles of history and historical fiction. He was known for his exhaustive research, which explains the renowned accuracy of his books, and in many cases he was writing about events where he was actually present. The books span the ages from Ancient Egypt (1250 BC) to the Victorian Era (1902). His main characters are usually young men who start out a little rough around the edges, but during the course of the book grow into courageous men. During the Victorian Era, Henty's books were well known and respected, but over the years went out of print. Now Preston-Speed is doing everyone a service by republishing his books as fast as they can. While the books were written for young adults of the period, they were, and continue to be enjoyed by young and old alike. Many families read the books to their younger children as well. Most children will be hooked after reading just a single book, and how great to see them learning so much about history and enjoying it as well. If you are a teacher who would like to read a book aloud to a class, there are also study guides available for some of the books. Christmas is coming, and if you know someone who enjoys historical fiction, this is where you should shop. I have found that the publisher, Preston Speed, has the best prices around, and very low shipping rates. They also are in the process of taking orders for a new Henty magazine that will have some of his short stories, reviews of his books, and modern day Henty tales. To find out more about what they have to offer and more about the Henty books & magazine go to... http://www.prestonspeed.com and click on either "Books by G.A. Henty" or "About G.A. Henty" at the top of the page. You can also get info by phone, by calling 570-726-7844. Preston Speed has always been very courteous and helpful with all our orders. I will also recommend a book by William Potter of Vision Forum called, "The Boy's Guide to the Historical Adventures of G.A. Henty". This book provides a listing of the Henty books, in their historical order. So if you are looking for a book to cover a period of history that your child may be studying, then you can find the book's name, when & where it takes place, and a short review. We have found it very helpful. Go to http://www.visionforum.com/boysadventure/ then scroll down to the "5 Boy's Catalog Bestsellers" on the left margin and the book should be there. But I still recommend buying your Henty books from Preston-Speed for the best deals & service. Even if you are already a fan, spread the word & consider sharing the books with others. Maybe Preston-Speed will give you a better deal than where you have been ordering, and don't forget to ask about the pre-publication specials.
POST IT...on your Christmas shopping list, or in your children's history books.
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Lunch Box Ideas
It seems like we always end up making the same box lunches for our families day after day. But here are some sites that may help give new life to those meals. They have recipes, ideas, printable notes for children, and more. Check them out & bookmark them for later use. Remember that if the link wraps to the next line, you may have to type it in yourself.
http://allrecipes.com/features/backtoschool.asp
http://southernfood.about.com/cs/lunchboxideas/
http://family.go.com/recipes/kids/feature/famf98lunchtogo/famf98lunchtogo.html
http://www-rota.med.navy.mil/healthpromotion/kids.htm
http://www.thefamily.com/newsletter/sept-2000/lunchbox.html
http://www.rollercoaster.ie/nutrition/school_lunch.asp
If you prefer to go through a book for your ideas, check out these little numbers for lunch box ideas.
When I was a kid, everyone around me wanted to trade things in their lunch boxes, but my answer was "NO WAY!" I loved those homemade lunches my mom made, I think most kids do, contrary to what TV commercials may try to tell you. So help your kid to be a happy luncher and check out the sites above.
POST IT...in your recipe box, in your favorites list, and on your shopping list.
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School & Other Charities
Ah yes, school fund raising time, when kids can sell so much but the schools and clubs can get so little. So here are some tips for some painless fund raising for your school and other charities that you may want to tell your schools about. First of all, most schools that have catalog sales do allow for a straight donation. This is definitely the way to go, since more money actually gets to the school. But if you do see something that you can use whether subs, wrapping paper, or coupon books (I've found that the latter are often outstanding deals), then go ahead, but just read carefully to make sure you are getting what you think you are. If you are in heavily school occupied territory :-) you also might want to consider sticking a note on your door that says you have already purchased your school fund raising products from someone else, but try to spread out your donations to all your kid friends in the neighborhood. Now here are some programs that you may not be familiar with and are open to both public and private schools. Many businesses, grocery & office supply stores in particular, now have programs where a percentage of your purchase goes to the school you designate. This includes Food Lion, Giant, and Office Depot, among others. Mailboxes Etc has a similar program for every box they pack & mail for you (hey, Christmas mailing season is fast approaching). So make sure your schools let the parents know about these programs and how to sign up. In many cases they can just register their grocery card online. Ask at other local businesses too. Some of the charity programs aren't just for schools, but you can also designate churches, or other non-profit groups. Even some utilities offer charity programs. For individual fundraising, UPromise can help you earn money towards your own children's college education. Find out more by going to http://wwww.upromise.com
POST IT...with your school's principal, or other charity representative.
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Label, Label, Label
Here we go with all our new gear back to school and into other programs, but will it all return home at the end of the day? This is the time to set aside a day just for labeling, if you have children with any property at all (although adults are also wise to label their gear). Use a permanent black marker and put as much identifying info as you can on the gear, but try to avoid putting a child's first name on things (predators can use that too easily). If you are the only one in the group with your last name, then that will do, if not, then add a first initial. If you are with a team traveling to other locations, try to put the team name on also. Try to label things where they can be easily seen while being used. That way if someone picks up the wrong gear by "mistake", then you can spot it easily on someone else. If the item can't be labeled, try to put a small dot or line on the item where it can be seen, but isn't very noticeable to others. On items with pockets, like jackets or gear bags, also throw name, address, & phone into a pocket to make it easier for someone to return to you if found. If a child does lose gear through carelessness, perhaps just give a warning the first time that if it happens again, the replacement will come out of their spending money, or you will take it out in chores, and DO IT. If your child suddenly shows up with new gear, do your best to find the owner, don't just assume that it is long forgotten, and encourage your child to do the same.
POST IT...near your school calendar.
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Recipe: Blondies (from Sarah B.)
Here is something for those lunch boxes; a lighter version of brownies. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream 1/2C butter or margarine, 3/4C each white sugar and brown sugar. Add 2 eggs and 1tsp vanilla. Combine 1 1/2C flour, 2 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp salt together and then add to mixture. Mix well. Add 1 bag Heath brickle or similar toffee bar pieces and mix. It will be very thick. Spread into a greased 9x13 pan and bake 25-30 min. Remove when golden brown. The edges will be chewy, the middle soft. Cool, then cut into squares. Store in airtight container, they dry out quickly. Enjoy.
POST IT...in your recipe box.
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Back Issue Treasure: May 6th, 1997 Issue (Mosquito Protection, Forgotten Cookies, Long Distance Certificates, and more)
This issue was only our second one ever. I thought you might enjoy it for the mosquito protection in particular. With all the new cases of West Nile, and even malaria (DC area) cases as well, this is a good time to have a good insect repellent. You can read about one that is very cheap, lasts a long time, doesn't usually stain, and has been popular with the military in the field for years. You can also get a recipe for cookies that you put into the oven and then turn the oven OFF, yes really (fun for the kids). Info on getting some free long distance and much, much more. To retrieve this back issue click HERE.
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Final Words
JOKE (from Geoff C.)
A man walks into a store and sees a thermos. "May I help you?," asks a store clerk. "Yeah! What's that?," asks the man. "Why, that's a thermos! It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold!," says the clerk. The man buys it and the next day he goes to work carrying this thermos. His co-workers ask what it is, and he tells them. "It's a thermos. It keeps hot things hot, and cold things cold." "What do you have in there?," they asked. The man replied, "Two popsicles and a cup of coffee."
QUOTE
"Courage is not the lack of fear. It is acting in spite of it."
--Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain)
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