On to Philly

June 22-23, 2017

I left for Philly.  I planned to visit my friend Ronnie who had moved to a John's Hopkins Rehabilitation Center above Baltimore.  On my way, I discovered that she was having a colonoscopy that day, so I couldn't see her.  Bummer!  I made it to Philadelphia to my long time Shaklee friend, Dell.  It has been 29 years since we have seen each other, wow!  We had a great visit.  She is a Minister and so was her late husband. She had not been reading my blog and was not aware of my enjoyment of the pool, but she, out of the blue, asked me if I wanted to go to the pool.  OF COURSE, I DID! 

We zig-zagged through town to Yeadon, PA to a wonderful large "L" shaped pool.  I learned a little of it's history on the way over: The land became available and The Nile Swim Club of Yeadon, PA.,was established as a nonprofit on Sept. 30, 1958, after two black families were turned away from the now-defunct Yeadon Swim Club. Ground was broken in May 1959, and the non-exclusive Nile pool and clubhouse opened in July at a cost of about $150,000.  Finding financial support for the black-owned and -operated club was quite an accomplishment at a time when there weren't many concentrations of middle-class African-Americans.  My friend used to be on the board of Directors and she and her husband were very active in the organization. She said she was encouraged, by my coming and re-joined.  We had a great time!  It was good to be back in a pool!

She has an adopted daughter who is living with her, (Renee) and I adopted her too.  She is sweet.  The next day, I took her downtown and then after I returned to pick up my Shaklee shaker I left at Dell's, I headed for Harrisburg, PA.

Well, on my to Harrisburg, I put in my GPS that I didn't want to pay any tolls, sooooo, it took me on an interesting, wonderful travel through Lancaster County where the Amish are.  It was so beautiful, miles of deep green fields with an occasional horse-drawn buggy, horse-drawn farm equipment and several road-side signs for fresh vegetables, home-made bread, jams, jellies and fruit.  Later I saw traffic backing up and I took and exit that said Welcome center.  I stopped and two ladies were at the door that said closed.  I asked them if they were closed and they said. "After you".  I was so happy because I had to go to the bathroom.  I also told them that one of my ancestors was Hans Herr and I understood that the oldest homestead in Lancaster County was built by him and was an attraction.  They gave me the information and I stopped by.  It was after closing hours, but three men were standing by the Blacksmith shop talking.  I walked over to them and asked if any of them were related to Hans Herr.  Two of them were distant cousins!  In fact, one of them was also an 11th generation grandchild of Hans Herr, like I was. 

The other man was a Kauffman, related by marriage, which I was also related to.  The one that was a Blacksmith and his wife came and met me and she gave me two items that he had made that I could put on my key chain.  She also gave me his business card which had a beautiful bird, she had drawn.  I also saw an old black walnut tree that they thought was planted by my ancestors and I got some so my Sister could try to plant them in Oregon.  They were so nice and took my picture by the House that my 11 generation grandfather had built, cool!

As soon as I arrived at FTHCM of Harrisburg, Sister Young took me to dinner for crab cakes, which were delicious!  We fellowshipped and then I followed her to their beautiful home.  I had a wonderful night's sleep and woke up with the intension of writing this blog.  Instead I ended up watching the wild rabbits and birds in their back yard and fellow-shipping, so I didn't get this done until late.  All in all a glorious day.  I will attend church at FTHCM of Harrisburg tomorrow and plan to leave Monday morning for FTHCM of Belpre.