Flat Elin

 Hello,

Flat Ellin had a nice visit with us here in Tokyo, Japan.  She stayed here on Yokota Air Base with us.  We ate sushi together and had some wasabi and ginger with it.  We also showed Flat Elin our kokeshi doll collection.  These are traditional wooden dolls that you can find in different styles and shapes created by different artists throughout Japan.

We also visited the Friendship Memorial to honor the  friendship between Japan and the United States.

Then we took Flat Elin to view Mt Fuji, which is the highest mountain in Japan and is an active volcano, although it is not expected to erupt anytime soon.

We had a great time and we sent Flat Elin to Korea for a new adventure.

Sincerely,

Liz Monson

Flat Elin

 Flat Elin is in Fussa, Tokyo, Japan with the Monson family.  She is staying on Yokota Air Base.  And will be seeing and tasting some Japanese things.

Flat Abigail

 Today we started early and visited Historic Downtown Franklin. The city of Franklin was founded October 26, 1799 and was named after Benjamin Franklin. There were so many sites to see and lots of history.

Lotz House - In 1855 a German immigrant Johann Albert Lotz purchased 5 acres in Franklin and over the next three years built this beautiful house. He was a master carpenter and also built pianos. Can you imagine building this house and pianos with no tools that plugged in or had batteries? During the Civil War he didn't think it was safe for his family so he moved them to another location. It turned out that his house was used as a hospital for all the wounded soldiers. When the war was over he had many repairs to be done but moved his family back home. Today the Lotz House is a museum and visited every year by many people.

Saint Philip Catholic Church - This church was the first catholic church in Williamson County, Tennessee and founded by just 26 families in November 6, 1871. Today the church is very active and has many, many families that attend worship.

Williamson County Courthouse - This courthouse was built in 1858 and is located on the square. In 1871 it was damaged by a tornado but was restored and still used today.

Confederate Monument - This statue is of a Confederate Soldier that represents the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War. He is located in the middle of the square across from the courthouse. When they were installing the statue a worker broke off a piece of his hat.  Now he is known to the locals as Chip.

Historic Downtown Franklin - Downtown Franklin has 15 blocks of brick sidewalks and stunning renovated historic buildings. It offers shopping, restaurants, antique shops, clothing stores, art galleries, and much more. Millions of visitors come each year just to visit the downtown area. This time of year all of the stores have beautiful Christmas decorations.

Franklin Theatre - This theatre was built in 1937 and not anything like the new theatres we have today. It has been totally restored and used for many things. There are plays performed here, movies and also live music.

Historic Franklin Presbyterian Church - This church was organized in Franklin in the year of 1811. However this building was not constructed until 1842. During the Civil War the church was used as a stable for horses and supplies. It remains open today for worship service.

After our busy morning we headed to Cracker Barrel for a mug of hot chocolate. It warmed my tummy.

I have enjoyed my visit to Franklin and learned so much about it's role in the Civil War. I know that later we will study about President Abraham Lincoln our 16th President who was in office during the war.

My bags are packed and I have 311 miles to travel home to Batavia, Ohio. It's important for me to get home before Christmas. I want to be in my own bed on Christmas Eve. I think I have been a pretty good girl this year. I have done my homework, cleaned my room, and listened to my parents. I hope Santa will leave me something under the tree.

To all my Classmates in Class 3B, my family, and friends -

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

Flat Abigail

 Today is December 21st and the first day of Winter. This is called the Winter Solstice, the day with the fewest hours of sunlight the whole year. This is also the shortest day of the year. We had a few light showers early this morning but the sun finally came out. Since it was a mild day we decided to visit a few of the parks in Franklin. There are 14 parks in Franklin, no matter where you live you can spend time in a park.

First we went to Winstead Hill Park which consists of 61 acres. This park is famous for being a Command Post during the Civil War. There are lots of monuments and a cannon used during the war. The park is very beautiful and peaceful with a paved walking trail. You walk through the woods and over a small stream. It is very popular for people who have dogs. The dogs like to romp, play catch, and enjoy the open spaces.

Our second stop was at Pinkerton Park. This park has 34 acres with walking trails, several playgrounds, picnic tables, and grills. Also it is next to the Harpeth River. The river is 115 miles, winds through Franklin and very popular. There are many places that you can rent a canoe to travel down the river. As you can see I played on a lot of the equipment. Look how high I climbed and there was so much to do. I finally had to finish my visit sitting on a tree stump.

So much for today but tomorrow will be a visit to historic downtown Franklin.

Flat Elin

 This weekend Flat Elin enjoyed some local food in the community by going to the Ontelaunee Grange Breakfast. The grange is a nonprofit organization that supports the local community and agriculture. She really enjoyed the Pennsylvania Dutch cooking of eggs, home fries and fresh sausage, as well as seeing the farmland of rural Pennsylvania.

Here are a few more photos from Flat Elin’s adventure in southeastern Pennsylvania. Her adventures included local breakfast, hiking, visiting Hamburg, PA Cabela’s and the aquarium there, visiting the Port Clinton Peanut Shop, helping serve at a local church’s free spaghetti supper for the community, and visiting a restaurant with an arcade! 

Now Flat Elin continues her travels hoping to arrive before Christmas. 

This weekend Flat Elin enjoyed some local food in the community by going to the Ontelaunee Grange Breakfast. The grange is a nonprofit organization that supports the local community and agriculture. She really enjoyed the Pennsylvania Dutch cooking of eggs, home fries and fresh sausage, as well as seeing the farmland of rural Pennsylvania

Flat Abigail

 

BRUCE WATERMAN <bruce.waterman@comcast.net>

Attachments

Fri, Dec 17, 2021, 3:39 PM

to me

I wanted to let everyone know that I am enjoying my stay in Franklin, Tn. Since I arrived the weather has been anything but nice. We have had lots of rain, very windy days, and even a tornado alarm one night. We are safe and decided to do some Christmas decorating.

Aunt Betty has a table top tree so one day we put on all of the ornaments. It is in the front window and looks very pretty at night.

Then Uncle Bruce has a train set that we set up on the dining room table. The train set is very precious to Uncle Bruce as it was a Christmas present he received when he was a young boy. This train isn't like the newer trains that run on electric. This train has a key and you wind it up. It still runs and Uncle Bruce is very proud that he took such good care of it.

Last night even in the rain we took a ride to a Christmas light show. I couldn't get out of the car or take many pictures because it was just pouring rain. All the lights and characters were still just beautiful.

In a few days we will visit historic downtown Franklin and send more pictures.

Flat Colin

 I arrived in Saskatoon Canada where there is a lot of snow! Had a great time with the Shirkeys. Visited their cabin at Etter’s Beach and went on a road trip to Regina where we saw a rodeo! Heading back to the USA to Minnesota next. 

Flat Abigail

 I wanted everyone to know that Flat Abigail has safely arrived in Franklin, Tn. She has traveled 821 miles from Ft. Myers, Fl to Franklin, Tn. The trip was long but has been great fun. It is 64 degrees here but raining and very windy. A good day to relax from my long trip.

I am staying with my Aunt Betty and Uncle Bruce. Actually Aunt Betty is my Great Aunt, she is Grandma Cindy's sister. While I am here we plan to visit historic sites around Franklin. The city of Franklin was founded in 1799 and located in Middle, Tn.

We look forward to visiting different places.

Betty

Flat Sophie

 Miss Poux-

Here are some pictures of Flat Sophie's visit to our home in Bloomfield, CT.

1) Flat Sophie looking at our collection of nutcrackers, set up for Christmas decoration.  There are lots of them.  I think she said she counted over 70!

2) Flat Sophie reading in our library.  We love to read!  We love books and have lots of them.  The chairs are very comfortable,  She asked how many books there were - too many to count!  I estimated that we have over 1,000 books.  W also like to borrow books from our town library.

3) Flat Sophie visiting Bob's workshop.  Bob is working on Christmas presents.  This year he is using orange, purple, yellow, and black woods.  Flat Sophie didn't know that woods grew naturally in so many colors.  These woods came from forests in South America and Africa.  Flat Sophie learned that kids are not allowed to use Bob's big machines because they could get hurt in an accident.  Kids are welcome to visit though, if they are wearing shoes.  One of Bob's grandchildren, Josie Wagner, likes to make things.  She has her own kid-size  workbench and some real hand tools!

Flat Sophie will be leaving soon for her next stop.

Bob Sedivy & Betsy Curtler

Flat Sophie

 Here are 2 pictures of Flat Sophie from class 3B when she visited the Glenview Public Library in Glenview, Illinois.  She wanted to read a book in the Youth Services Department and then helped out in I.T. for the rest of the day.

Rich Sedivy