The COVID-19 Report

This isn't something I would normally do, but let's face it: right now we are living in some interesting times. Like the rest of the United States (and indeed, the world), Pennsylvania is experiencing difficulties related to COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, and a lot of places are closing or changing plans.

I can't really do much to help with the situation at all, obviously, although doing so is my natural inclination. What I can do, at least, is compile what I know about programming changes in order to keep you, my readers, updated on the situation at any places you intended to visit. I mostly track such stuff in my own native eastern Pennsylvania, so I don't have much information about anything very far to the west - if you know of something which should be on this list, by all means leave a comment here or on the blog's Facebook page. I'll update this post periodically with new information as I receive it; if a particular historic site interests you, I encourage you to keep an eye on its website and/or social media so you have the latest details. And you can always visit some of them by rereading posts here on MarkerQuest!

It's worth mentioning that many of these organizations are non-profits which rely on public contributions (like entrance fees) in order to keep their programs operational. If you're in a position to donate to any of them which are especially dear to you, please consider doing so. Many donations are tax-deductible, and you'll make it possible for them to continue to do what they do once the pandemic is no longer a threat. Some of these organizations also have virtual gift shops, which is another way in which you can support them during this difficult time.

Please remember to wash your hands often, don't hoard the toilet paper, and look out for your neighbors - especially if they're elderly or immunocompromised. (And believe me, you know more immunocompromised people than you think.) Thank you to the social media team at Discover Lehigh Valley for some of this information!

Last update: March 16, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.: All nonessential businesses across Pennsylvania have been ordered to close by the Office of the Governor. Trash collection will continue; essential businesses such as medical services, grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations will remain open. Restaurants may offer takeout or drive-thru service only. Basically, this list is now somewhat obsolete, because pretty much everything is closed. But I'll keep it up because the links may be of use to people.

Indiantown and Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Annville, Lebanon County

This rightly should have been posted two weeks ago, but it turned out to be more complicated than I expected; I also haven't been feeling my best, thanks to all the shifts in Pennsylvania's weather.

Before we get started, I wanted to let my readers know that the PHMC has begun sharing this year's marker dedication ceremonies on its calendar. The first one will be in Chester County next month, when a marker will celebrate musician Jim Croce. I'm not sure whether I'll be able to make it there myself, but we'll see!

My initial intention with this post was to do it simply about the "Indiantown" marker. The thing is, there's not a whole lot to say about that one. So I ended up having to bundle it in with Fort Indiantown Gap, about which there's plenty more information, and the result is that you get this massive twofer - or if you want to be picky, a fourfer, since Fort Indiantown Gap has three markers to its name.

Samuel Phillippe, Easton, Northampton County

Just like my last post contained an admission that I'm not exactly a devotee of football, this one contains an admission that I'm also not into fishing. Unless it's a fishing minigame in one of my video game adventures, you're not likely to find me holding a rod and reel.

Some of my friends went to Easton last year for their annual Garlic Fest. My best friend Andrea was of the party, and she texted me photos of a couple of markers from near the festival, one of which is today's subject. I remember getting this one and thinking it was something of a strange topic to honor on a historical marker - but as I've repeatedly had cause to discover, I am not as smart as I like to think I am.

Pottsville Maroons, Pottsville, Schuylkill County

Today we're going to be looking at a subject that doesn't usually interest me: football. After all, this is Super Bowl weekend coming up! Sure, I cheered as much as anybody else when the Eagles won the 2016 Super Bowl - I live in Eagles Country, after all. And I did spend my final two years of high school as a member of the varsity football team. (No, really, I did. I was the equipment manager.) But in general, I'm not super enthused about the sport. 

However, today's story is one that I find pretty intriguing despite my usual apathy for the topic, because the controversy has endured for nearly a century. Who really won the NFL championship of 1925?

Bryden Horse Shoe Works, Catasauqua, Lehigh County

Before I get started on today's post, I wanted to share something from the PHMC - today, January 15th, is Museum Selfie Day! Do you have a picture of yourself visiting one of Pennsylvania's museums or historic sites? Share it on social media and use the hashtag #MuseumSelfie so they see it! (Somewhat ironically, I do not have any such selfies.)

Growing up in Catasauqua, two things in particular stuck with me in terms of my education. One, I became an excellent speller, mostly in self-defense. Two, the town has a peculiar place in Pennsylvania's history. I mean, it's literally the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, thanks in part to founding father David Thomas. It has, as of this writing, six different PHMC markers, which is kind of impressive when you remember that the town is roughly a mile square in size. Most of the subjects of those markers are fairly well known to me, and indeed I've already covered Father Thomas and George Dery. However, today's subject was one that had me scratching my head a little bit, because what's so special about horseshoes?

Ole Bull's Colony, Coudersport, Potter County

Happy New Year, everybody! I heard from quite a few of you since the last post, and I really appreciate all the kind wishes for my recovery. Doc says it will take a while for my lungs to get back to normal, but I'm a little better every day and it's good to be back on the computer.

To kick off 2020, we're going to take our first trek up to Potter County. By 'we' I really don't mean myself, though, because to be perfectly honest, I've never been there. But my sister Liza, who has contributed photos to this blog in the past, went up to Cherry Springs State Park in Coudersport, and sent me pictures of today's subject while she was there.

2019 Retrospective, 2020 Plans

Hi everybody, and thanks for being so patient. When I wrote about Hawk Mountain a few weeks back, I mentioned having missed a post due to being extremely sick, and that I was still "not quite firing on all cylinders." As the blog's Facebook followers learned not long afterward, it turned out that I had a pretty serious case of pneumonia, which is not the way I had planned to spend Thanksgiving. I've been doing a lot of resting these last few weeks and I'm getting better, although the cough lingers. I was sorry to keep everyone waiting so long for a new post, but I'm grateful for how much attention the Hawk Mountain article received in the meantime.

Because I'm still recovering, it's been hard to conduct any real research since my doctor handed down the diagnosis. It's also the holiday season, which is busy enough on its own, and I have a job in retail so my time is at an even greater premium. So what I thought I'd do to wrap things up for 2019 is to take a look at where this blog has been, and talk about where I'm planning to take it in the new year. No pictures, just a bit of a chat with your intrepid blogger.