Pennsylvania is layered with history, famous for battlefields, declarations and the decade when we held the nation’s capital.
Staggered among our grand history are thousands of little tales, waiting to be uncovered, like a tree near Linglestown that has received historical recognition.
Estimated at 230 to 300 years old, the tree is believed to have been planted in the late 1700s. At its position overlooking the Blue Mountains, the tree may have known the Native American tribes of Shawnee and Susquehannock. It is named after a Native American man rumored to have been buried near its trunk. Disputes among historians give the tree a title of John Gordaway or John Goodway, interchangeably. The Pennsylvania Forestry Association named The John Gordaway/Goodway Tree a “Champion Tree,” acknowledging it as one of the largest in the state with a trunk circumference of 26 feet and canopy of approximately 153 feet.
Drawing a surprising number of visitors, the tree is a popular tourist attraction for nature enthusiasts, historians and birdwatchers and recently hosted a few buses of Dickinson College students. It is situated off Route 34 and Woodview Drive, between Susquehanna and Central Dauphin school districts. Folks can visit the tree but should get the current property renter’s permission first. Be alert when visiting. The grounds are not maintained, and there are animal holes and uneven ground.
Protect & Serve
Linglestown proper is hosting its annual Memorial Day Parade on May 25. The parade will have a one mile run prior, which could be an exciting challenge for families.
The local fire station, Linglestown Fire Company No. 1, will participate in the parade. Like many fire companies, Linglestown is seeking volunteers. Volunteers can elect to be “Participating Members” who help with fundraising, public education, data entry, events, meal prep and other behind-the-scenes work. Alternatively, volunteers can apply to be “Operational Members,” or a person who aspires to become a firefighter. Volunteers must be 14 years or older and, depending on which member type is chosen, there may be training. To help support the firefighters who protect and serve our communities, reach out to your local station for information on how you can make a difference.
Flutter & Fly
For our spring craft this month, we were inspired by a recent personal mishap that challenged us to turn rain into rainbows. The influx of rain this season burst a hole in the roof of our family camper. Consequently, my kid and I spent a ton of time at Lowe’s.
My child, like many children, loves to look at the rainbow wall of free paint samples. I let him take a few when we’re at the hardware store. We stacked up a massive pile of paint samples, indicative of how complex my roofing issue was. Always seeking to reuse and repurpose, we decided to make a butterfly yard ornament out of the brilliant colors.
Butterfly wings are covered in thousands of tiny, overlapping scales that lay like shingles on a roof. The pigment of the scales is how we see color on butterflies, with variations creating the patterns on their wings. Aiming to honor the intricacy of these delicate creatures, we decided to simulate scales on our butterfly ornament.
To make the craft, cut the shape of a butterfly body from black paint samples. Cut out the shape of wings, then cut the inside of the wings to create a silhouette. In the hollow space of the wings, apply packing tape to create an adhesive backing. Next, hole-punch paint samples over top of the wings, letting the circles fall on the tape to create a random pattern of colors.
Once the wings are covered in homemade scales, repeat the process of making the body and hollow wings, creating a mirror image to place on the backside of the butterfly. Cover this side with packing tape to laminate and protect your craft from the elements. Next, hole punch three holes in the head, one for a string to hang it with and two for antennae. Pipe cleaners make excellent antennae, so lace them through the holes then twist and shape to your delight. Add googly eyes to make your butterfly look silly as it twirls in the wind. Finally, mount your butterfly in a tree, on a porch, or anywhere that it can flutter and fly in the spring breeze.
By digging deeper into complex ideas, we found a hidden history right down the road, growing big and broad in the branches of the John Gordaway/Goodway Tree. We learned that even firefighters can use some help and that it takes a community to make things happen. We fixed my camper roof, turning a frustrating task into an opportunity to learn about the coloration of butterflies.
We often think of history as being only in the past, but the reality is that, each day, we build our own.
The John Gordaway/Goodway Tree is located at 2200 Woodview Dr., Harrisburg (near Linglestown). To visit, ask permission from the property renter first.
To learn more about volunteering with Linglestown Fire Company No. 1, visit www.linglestownfire.org.
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