October 2000

deb@lightpatch.com

Festivals for Travelers, Sites of the Month, Special Feature, Quotes, Opinions, Rants, Praises.

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Special Quote "The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different." --Aldous Huxley

The Artsy Site Of The Month: Stevo's Hawaiian Music Guide The instruments of Hawaiian music, sources, links, FAQ and more.		Personal Home Page Of The Month: Not Too Bad Home Steve Larsen's intricate meeting doodles and more.
Web Page Design Site Of The Month: WebmasterBase Great articles on everything from choosing a site-hosting company to tips on what to do once your site is up and submitted to search engines.		Seasonal Site Of The Month: History's Afterlife Beliefs A little go-along to think about at Halloween. Spirits, ghosts, demons, other? Is anyone out there at all? See what several religions teach.
Just Fun Site Of The Month: Beadie Critter Patterns Some of these seem a stretch to me, but have a look.		Downright Serious Site Of The Month: Air Force Security Blocked Access To Kids' Science. Someone in the Air Force wanted to protect its personnel with your tax dollars.
Historical Site Of The Month: History of Volleyball It's over 100 years old.

Much more than a card shop. Click on the logo to see for yourself!

Think you know it all? Prove it at Frenzi.com. And if you don't know something you can get some answers there.

September Events

For October Travelers

October 2-7, 2000 West Side Nut Club Fall Festival West Franklin Street, Evansville, Indiana.	79 years old, this festival features parades and lots of entertainment (some gleaned from talent competitions). There is a tug-of-war contest, and each day a local middle school or high school student is honored for his or her academic achievement. Foods available include baked sweet potatoes, fried pickles, cream of broccoli soup, caramel apple slices and minestrone (over 120 food booths in total). More information: Call 812-424-4881.
October 4-8, 2000 Great Tastes Of Houston Downtown, Houston, Texas.	Music and games for all ages, plus samplings of Houston restaurants and showy competitions in tasks such as ice carving. There will be beer and wine at the event, for those who monitor such things. Details: Call 713-522-9723.
October 5-7, 2000 Seymour Oktoberfest Second and Chestnut, downtown, Seymour, Indiana.	Carnival, arts and crafts, hot air balloon race, talent show, entertainment, quilt show, parade, baking contest. Admission is free. Hours are 11-11 each day. More information: Call 812-523-1414 or 812-522-4020.
October 5-7, 2000 Amish Harvest Festival 240 U.S. Highway 20, Middlebury, Indiana.	Arts and crafts on display and for sale, plus antiques and collectibles and a quilt raffle. There is entertainment and food. Please do not bring pets or cameras. Small admission charge for those over age 12. Further information: Call 219-825-5129.
October 5-8, 2000 Houston Greek Festival 3511 Yoakum Boulevard, Houston, Texas.	Many Greek food specialties, including souvlaki, tiropita, dolmades, salad, baklava, loukoumades. There will also be costumed dance displays, tours of the cathedral, a gift shop and music. Entry prices are available with or without food, and food may be purchased separately a la carte. More: Call 713-526-5377.
October 6-7, 2000 St. James Court Art Show St. James Court area, Louisville, Kentucky.	In its 44th year, the show now features 600-700 juried artists who not only sell their wares, but demonstrate such work as gourd carving, leather tooling, wood turning, and paper making. There are food concessions available and admission is free. Please do not bring pets. Additional details: Call 502-635-1842 or 502-634-8950.
October 6-8, 2000 Pink Palace Crafts Fair Audubon Park, Memphis, Tennessee.	Music, storytelling magic shows and dance demonstrations accompany the arts and crafts exhibitions at this event. (the Pink Palace mansion is nicknamed so because of its pink marble exterior. It was supposed to be the home of the founder of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store chain, Charles Saunders.) More information: Call 901-320-6320.
October 7-8, 2000 Great Italian Festival Eldorado Hotel/Casino, Reno, Nevada.	Arts and crafts, spaghetti sauce cook-off, Columbus Day Parade, grape stomping contest, Bocce Ball tournament, gelato eating contest, entertainment, gourmet Italian buffet (which has an extra charge and includes treats such as baked polenta with teleme cheese, antipasto, pasta salads, mushroom ravioli, tiramisu, cannoli, soft-serve spumoni ice cream and chocolate chip cheesecake.) Further details: Call 800-777-5325.
October 7-8, 2000 Harvest Moon Festival Downtown, Sheridan, Indiana.	Watch chain saw sculptors or have a caricature made of your face. There are carriage rides, arts and crafts booths, bake sale, book sale, softball tournament, kids corner, pancake breakfast, pumpkin decorating contest, classic car show, bingo, food vendors. Further information: Call 317-758-2504.
October 7-8, 2000 Pioneer Days Fowler Park, Terre Haute, Indiana.	A recreation of a 1840's village sets the scene for this event, with costumed "pioneers" demonstrating the crafts and skills of that era. There is no admission charge, but may be a parking fee. More: Call 812-462-3391.
October 7-8, 2000 Art In The Park Bicentennial Park, Boulder City, Nevada.	As many as 350 exhibitors participate in this event, held in the one Nevada City without legalized gambling. It hasn't kept people away from the festival. Over 200,000 are expected to visit. While you're there, you can tour Hoover Dam or take a cruise on Lake Mead. Further details: Call 702-294-1611.
October 7-8, 2000 Port Hueneme Harbor Days Hueneme Beach (Surfside Drive at Ventura Road), Port Hueneme, Californa.	Fishing derby, car show, kite demonstration, childrens events, arts and crafts, treasure hunt in the sand, food vendors, music, Bavarian wine and beer garden. The Port Hueneme International Film Festival runs concurrently at the former Cultural Center. More information: Call 805-487-4470.
October 7-9, 2000 Paradise City Arts Festival Tri-County Fairgrounds on Route 9, Northampton, Massachusetts.	220 artists are chosen to participate in this event. There is a magician to entertain the children, plenty of jazz music, and food ranging from stir-fry dishes and wood-fired pizza to espresso and pumpkin cheesecake. Admission is charged, and parking is free. No pets, please. Further information: Call 413-527-8994.
October 7-15, 2000 Albuquerque International Balloon Festival Balloon Fiesta Park, Albuquerque, New Mexico.	Approximately 1000 balloons participate in this event, which includes a balloon glow, races, special shapes rodeo. Admission is charged for those over age 12. Ticket information: Call 800-422-7277.
October 13-15, 2000 Sugarloaf Crafts Festival Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland.	This is the only fall Sugarloaf Crafts Festival held in Maryland and draws more than 30,000 visitors. The mainstay of the event is the work of artisans from the United States and Canada, and many artisans demonstrate work such as glassblowing, iron forging, marble sculpting and furniture making. Their is a marionette show and dress-up theatre especially for children, and food is abundant with offerings such as funnel cakes, London Broil and fried sweet potatoes. There is an admission charge. When you call, ask about their discount coupons. More information: Call 800-210-9900.
October 13-15, 2000 Tustin Tiller Days Columbus Tustin Park, Tustin, California.	Parade, carnival, entertainment, all celebrating the agricultural history of the area. There is no admission charge. Further details: Call 714-573-3334.
October 13-22, 2000 Parke County Covered Bridge Festival various Parke County locations, Parke County, Ohio.	This event clebrates the 32 covered bridges in the area. The tourist center in Rockville is your headquarters for maps and other information. Enjoy bridges, fall foliage, arts and crafts, antiques, flea markets, entertainment and food. Additional information: Call 765-569-5226.
October 14-15, 2000 Bayou City Arts Festival Hermann Square downtown, Houston, Texas.	Creative Zone for children, more than 300 artists displaying their wares, music, beer and wine tents, food. Further information: Call 713-521-0133.
October 14-15, 2000 Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival Main Street, Half Moon Bay, California.	This is the festival's 30th year, with the Great Pumpkin Parade, arts and crafts, a haunted house, giant pumpkin competition, pie-eating contest, pumpkin carving contest, costume contest, and many pumpkin-filled treats to munch. There is no admission charge. More: Call 650-726-9652.
October 14-15, 2000 Blue River Festival Morsches Park, Columbia City, Indiana.	Craft and food vendors, flea market, displays of antique tractors and engines, children's games, entertainment. There is no admission charge. Additional information: Call 219-248-5180.
October 14-15, 2000 Sedona Arts Festival Sedona Red Rock High School, Sedona, Arizona.	There is an admission charge to this festival in its 10th year, but as with many such events, the proceeds go back into the artistic community. 100 selected artists display their work, and there are art and shopping areas for children. Jazz, swing and chamber music accompany the art displays. There is also a raffle and plenty of food. More: Call 520-204-9456.
October 14-15, 2000 Fall Fest Downtown, Knightstown, Indiana.	Face painting, pancake breakfast, train rides, yard sales, sidewalk sales, antique malls and gift shops, entertainment, arts and crafts. There is no admission charge. Further information: Call 765-345-5290 or 765-345-5665.
October 14-15, 2000 Chalk La Strada Little Italy District downtown, San Diego, California.	Over 40,000 people jammmed the streets last year, so more area is being added to the festival site. The festival celebrates Italian heritage, and in particular, the Italian tradition of street painting. There will be plenty of opera and other music, street art by selected artists, a childrens area (for $10 kids get their own chalk kit to keep and can decorate in designated areas). On Sunday the street festival gets a boost from the Columbus Day Festa with a parade, food and entertainment. More details: Call 877-DO-CHALK.
October 21-22, 2000 Westheimer Street Festival Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas.	Arts, crafts, food, bungee jumping, entertainment. Additional information: Call 713-522-6548.
October 21-22, 2000 Crawford County Sorghum Festival Crawford High School on State Route 66, Marengo, Indiana.	Entertainment, local arts and crafts, food. No admission charge. Details: Call 812-968-3303.
October 28-29, 2000 Wild Wonderful Chocolate Festival Oakhurst Community Center, Oakhurst, California.	Arts and crafts, chocolate sampling booths, antique car show, chocolate pudding wrestling, pancake breakfast, choctail party and chefs' cookoff, horseshoe pitching contest, many more chocolate-related events. More: Call 559-683-1993.
September 30 - October 1, 2000 Hilton Apple Fest Festival grounds off West Avenue and Rt. 259, Hilton, New York.	This event is celebrating its 20th year. Arts and crafts, auto show, Apple Of Your Eye photo contest, book signings, musical entertainment. Additional details: Call 716-234-3378.
September 30 - October 2, 2000 Buffalo Roundup and Arts Festival Custer State Park, Custer, South Dakota.	The public is invited to experience the annual roundup of the park's 1500 bison, which are checked, vaccinated and then either released back into the park or sold at auction to control the population. There is also an arts festival, a pancake breakfast, and a chile cookoff. More information: Call 605-255-4515.
September 30 - October 3, 2000 Four Flags Area Apple Festival Festival Grounds at 17th and Lake, Niles, Michigan.	Games and carnival rides, crafts, parade. Further details: Call 616-683-8870.
It's always best to call ahead to verify festival information.

A bit of rehydrated dried apple adds extra zing to your fresh apple pie. Try craisins (cranberries) in place of raisins in your fall recipes. Great oils for flavoring fall treats Pumpkin Flavor Oil Pecan Flavor Oil Caramel Flavor Oil Butterscotch Flavor Oil Click on the Great American Spice icon to order!

Buy great spices at great prices

Last month we took some of the first clues you may have used in your hunt for the family history and used them to uncover information within a generation or two of your own. But once you have talked to all the living relatives and have gotten the names and dates for your parents and possibly their parents, you may find yourself wondering what to do next. To begin with, use the same sources you have already used to get names and dates for your parents and grandparents. This is somewhat of a treasure hunt, but the "gold" is not always in one place.

If you are not getting any clues on where great-grandparents (and earlier generations) came from, look at the possible time-frame of migrations of groups of people, such as happened in Ireland during the Potato Famine, or the westward movement of people in America in the 1800's following the discovery of gold in California. A lot of people fled dangerous areas during wars. Plagues often left area populations sparse with surviving members of families anxious to begin anew somewhere else. When waterways became accessible to large ships, when railroads were built, when motor cars were invented, and when air travel became available to the average person, people became much more mobile in their lifestyles and had much more freedom to choose where they might live. There is now quite bit of information available online regarding the Civil War between the States. Here's a good general information page on researching people of the Civil War era. Another good site is Genealogy and the American Civil War. This site includes a map which shows whick countries were Confederate and which were Union. Jeanette Braxton-Secret has a book which may help those of you researching black ancestors who fought in the Civil War. Here's a bit of information on the Civil War in Indian Territory. If you believe your Chinese ancestor was in the War, this site might be of help to you. There are mailing lists you can join for giving and receiving specific information. Here's how to join the Civil-War discussion and genealogy list. Broadfoot Publishing Company has books and cd's for sale. Many of the books they can locate are out-of-print. If you narrow your search down a bit and think a particular book or cd will give you more specific information, you might want to search their database.

Unless all your ancestors were from the Americas, they proabably came here at some point on a ship. To get started finding records of their arrival, see the Immigration and Ships Passenger Lists Research Guide. This link from the National Archives of Canada might provide you with information if your ancestors were Canadian immigrants or Canadian emigrants. If your ancestor was a female, especially a married female, you might have trouble finding records of her arrival or naturalization before the twentieth century. Have a look at Women and Naturalization Records. It is possible your ancestor came here at one of many ports. The Immigration and Naturalization Service has a site about INS Ports of Entry and Their Records.

If some of your ancestors came from Mexico, you'll get some hints on research from Mexican Research. Try the Hispanic Surnames Database. The MexicoGenWeb Project is another growing source for help with Mexican ancestors. LatinoLinks might help you with South American and Caribbean ancestors.

Canadian Genealogy and History Links will help get you started on research for ancestors from Canada. The Genealogy Helplist Canada links to some great sources.

If you plan to visit the National Archives in Washington, D.C. you will benefit from reading Information for researchers. If you plan to visit the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, this site will give you a basic layout of the library plus some tips on navigating your way around both the library and Salt Lake City.

Well, we made it through a bit more information on the United States and countries immediately adjacent. Next month: Europe and Asia!

We're pleased to host the work of artisan Joan Garnand on our little patch of light on the web. Joan's creations are finally finding their way out of her Tennessee community and into the hearts of admirers everywhere. Check out Joan's zucchini/squash casserole recipe. This busy lady also began her TV stint this spring, and is sharing her cake decorating and candy-making skills on a local Chattanooga station.
How many branches of the U.S. military service are there? Four? Did you leave out the U.S. Coast Guard? Most people do. Here's their official site online.
Are you always wanting to know who wrote the music for this or that film? A good starting place for information is Film Score Monthly.		Unfortunately, the cure for some diseases is often linked to money, and in the U.S., money is often linked to lobbying. If you or someone you love has diabetes you might want to take a look at Finding A Cure.
When I was in school we read literature (or translations) from England, Ireland, Greece and Russia, but not from Africa. I did not realize then that we were being a bit short-changed. Much of early African literature is not in written form, but has been passed on through oral storytelling. Here's a bit more about African Literature.		In fall our thoughts turn to crimson and gold leaves, wild rice stuffing, cranberries and Las Vegas. Las Vegas? Well, if you're going to be in that area, call 1-800-289-0917 and find out how to take the tour of Cranberry World West. The tour is free and you might even get a delicious sample from those nice folks at Ocean Spray. NOTE: This link seems to be a brand new one, so you may have trouble reaching it at times.
Do you enjoy getting or receiving different kinds of themed calendars? Calenders.com should keep you busy browsing for awhile.

Find great restaurant reviews and more at DINE.com

We're not currently linking to the Blueprints For Greenbacks site. The author is taking a hiatus from book sales to pursue other interests.		Rubber stamp collectors! Did you send for yours yet? Anne-Made Designs has a 258-page catalog. To get yours, you'll need a check for $8.50. (if you are new to stamping, I should tell you it's a common practice to pay for catalogs) This will get you a full catalog and supplements, plus first-timers get a 3-by-5 card of assorted unmounted stamps to enjoy (Anne's choice).
		Send your $8.50 to: Anne-Made Designs Anne Olney PO Box 697-D Erwin TN 37650 You can tell Anne I sent you, but she'll give you prompt, professional service anyway--it's just her style.

Graphic Hunters, take note! All graphics on this page (except the links to other sites, the Home and the email graphics below) are original. If you want to use any for your non-commercial page, please do. A thanks on your page and a link back to this page would be in order. Do drop me a line or two of email so I can see and enjoy your page.

Deb's Monthly Review is copyrighted! Do be a dear and ask before you lift whole portions of the Special Review or something. Remember! Those of us who publish on the web are not saying our work is in the public domain. When in doubt about your use of someone else's writings or graphics, ask! If you want to use graphics or text on a commercial page, contact me first, please, and we'll work something out.

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