about those jails...

 There has been some news over the last few years about the building of our new Allen County Jail.  They were talking about it when I still lived in my downtown apartment a few years ago, and I paid attention because I could see the 'old' jail, built in 1981, from my 10th floor balcony.  I never felt any concerns for my safety, but it was interesting to see police cars pulling in and out at all times of the day and night. 

   I found out, by doing a little research today, that the construction of the new jail at 2911 Meyer Road is actually underway and the targeted completion date is late 2027.  It is a 400,000 square foot project being built on 44 acres of land and will, hopefully, correct the overcrowded conditions in the current facility.  The new jail is being built because a judge ordered it to be built, to alleviated the severe overcrowding in our current facility.  By the way, Fort Wayne is not a 'hot bed' of crime, but prisoners are brought to our jail from all over the northern part of the state. 

In case you're wondering why I'm thinking about jails at all, it's because, while flipping through "Moments In Fort Wayne History" I came upon a page titled "Debtor's Prison."  This was interesting enough that I have forgiven the author for his lack of information about libraries.  Here is Mr. Bashore's entry written about 1960:

Regional correction centers are the modern form of correction and while they stir much discussion there's one thing of which you can be certain - they include no "debtor's prison," as did the first Allen County jail built in 1825.  Although the Grand Jury contended only a year later that it was "unsatisfactory as a place of safety for persons committed thereto," it was still operating 23 years later in 1847.  The newspaper persistently editorialized for a "more respectable" jail and with good reason.  Escapes were frequent.  One "Houdini" in particular mystified his jailors.  Whenever he was incarcerated, which was frequent, he was back on the streets within minutes.  His secret was finally discovered, though.  It was a loose log he could lift out and replace undetected. A new jail was built and it performed more adequately until 1872 when the present jail was built, and like its predecssors, it, too, is a target for criticism and concern.  

That jail, built in 1872, was evidently replaced by the current one built in 1981 which will be replaced in 2027 if all goes as planned. 

Regarding prisoners, at one time in his working career, my wonder spouse ran a factory in a small town near Fort Wayne.  Many of their employees were in a "work release" program.  They came from jail to work, then back to work again.  While they were in the system they were very good reliable workers.  Sadly, once they were released from jail, many of them lost their jobs for frequent lateness and absences.  

I have a good friend, now retired, who worked for years teaching prison inmates in a different part of Indiana to read and write and other basics of education.  I have always admired her for that work.   I thank her, my wonder spouse, and many others like them, for their committment to trying to make things better and give people a second chance. 

A day to celebrate...

 My west coast brother informed me that today is "National Coffee Day."  My wonder spouse and I celebrated by having several refills of coffee while we ate brunch at the Breakfast Clubb, a cheerful little restaurant on St. Joe Center Road.  I had biscuits and gravy, he had French toast.  We both ordered off the seniors' menu, and the meals, including coffee were $8.00 each, quite reasonable we thought. We were just a little disappointed that we were not 'carded.'  Evidently they could tell by looking that we are both over 65.  

As it turned out, that was our last economizing of the day.  While we were savoring our coffee refills, I told my spouse about a Viking cruise that friends of ours are planning to take in May of 2027, starting in Barcelona and ending in Iceland, with several stops along the way.  We both agreed that this sounded like a really good cruise.  So good in fact, that we came home and (with our friends' very positive respose to the idea) signed up for the same cruise and made a deposit.  

Now you may remember, if you are a faithful reader of this blog, that after our cruise from Tokyo to Alaska last spring, I wrote that that would be our last big cruise.  In fact we are planning a driving trip around the US in October, originally intended to replace a cruise.  Which means that, in addition to a bountiful breakfast, I am now eating my words.  A very tasty treat indeed. 

books, books, books...

 I readily admit that a visit to the library is, for me, like being a kid in a candy shop (except without the calories).  We do have a very fine branch library just across the street from our subdivision, and I visit it frequently, but today I treated myself to some time at our wonderful large downtown library.  Our library is know for, among other things, a nationally renowned geanealogy center (one of the top three in the country) which I really must take advantage of one of these days. 

Because I had such a good time at the library today, I decided to check in the little book "Moments In Fort Wayne History" to see what the author had to say about the history of our local library.  Would you believe that in the 50 pages of this little book there is not a single mention of libraries?  What kind of professional author doesn't mention libraries in a little book subtitled "A Unique Look at the Places and People Contributing to Fort Wayne's Growth."  What about libraries and librarians?  

I have decided that I must make up for this grievous omission, so here's the history that Mr. Bashore didn't include in his little book.   The ACPL (Allen County Public Library) was founded in 1895 as the Fort Wayne Public Library.  It started with 3,606 books housed in a single room at City Hall. 

One year later, in 1896, it was designated as a Federal Depository Library.  That is a library that provides free, open access to official government publications, documents and electronic resources.  Now you know why tax forms are available at the library. 

Today we have a vibrant main library and 13 outlying branches containing millions of physical and digital items. (Not to mention free lunches for kids during the summer.) When I was strolling through the library today I was interested to see that the seats in front of the rows and rows of computers were all occupied. 

From time to time I have special requests.  Any librarian I have ever spoken with by phone or in person is unfailingly polite and helpful.  So cheers for our local library.  May it grow and flourish for years to come.  

an ancestor worth mentioning...

 My west coast brother has informed me that today is "Ancestor Appreciation Day."  Of course we all appreciate our ancestors, after all, where would we be without them?

But today I will write about one particular ancestor, because this is a story I have always enjoyed.  My aunt, my mother's older sister, wanted to join the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).  Sixty years ago, when she was doing the research, it wasn't as easy as it is now, but she persisted and came up with a link to Phillip Von Steinmetz, also listed as Johann Philips Steinmetz.  The family story, as my aunt recorded it, said that Phillip came to America before the Revolutionary War, fought in the war on the American side, survived, married, fathered 9 children and lived to a ripe old age. 

The reason why he came to America wasn't exactly honorable, although there may have been extenuating circumstances.  Maybe he was hungry?  He was caught poaching (he killed the king's deer) and was going to be hung, but managed to escape and get on a ship to the new world.  Since sailors were always in demand, he may have worked his way across the Atlantic.  I'm just guessing at that, but it makes sense to me. 

Gathering information now is easier than sixty years ago and I have been able to add some facts to the family legend.  

Phillip Steinmetz was born in 1730, baptized in 1733, and was living in America before 1776.  At age 37 (1767) he married Maria Magdalena (Schlauch) and they had one son.

He married Catherine Ann (Geiss) in 1780 at age 49, and they had seven children. 

He then married Margeretha (Gertraund) and they had one child.

Life was not easy or necessarily long for wives in those days.  Phillip died at 76 and is buried in Pennsylvania, where my mother's family comes from. 

So there you have it.  The life and legend of an ancestor whom I appreciate. 

Be alert

According to my west coast brother, and confirmed by the calendar, today is "National Situational Awareness Day."  Basically, this is a day to remind all of us to be aware of what's going on around us when we're out in public.  I must admit that I have often walked around a mall or downtown without paying much attention to who was around me or what might be going on.  I'm too busy admiring fountains and flowers. 

In case you're wondering, like I was, just what does it mean to be situationally aware, here are some answers. 

Situational awareness is 

Being Present: Paying close attention to your immediate surroundings rather than being distracted (such as by cell phones).

Early Recognition: Identifying potential hazards, escapes routes, or threats a split second sooner to avoid harm.

Informed Decisions: Knowing how to respond safely if something unexpected occurs.

As I read through this list, I found myself thinking that this really doesn't apply to my wonder spouse and myself much anymore.  Most of our ventures out 'into the world' are fairly close to home and in areas we consider to be very safe.  On the other hand, in October we will be on a long driving trip through the southwest with stops in cities like St. Louis, Dallas and Nashville.  I do not think of these cities as being dangerous but it won't hurt to stay alert and aware of our surroundings, if for no other reason than to keep us from tripping and falling.

I do remember one incident when knowing to call 911 (an informed decision) helped me.  This was about 12 years ago, so I was in my late 60s.  I was driving on a quiet cross street in downtown Fort Wayne, leaving an evening church meeting that had run late, when I saw a man lying half on the street and half on the sidewalk.  I drove on until I was in the next block, then called the police to inform them of the man I had seen and the location.  They asked me if I was waiting at the scene?  I told them no, I had driven on because I didn't know if it was a trap.  The policeman I was talking to agreed that that was a wise decision, and assured me that they would go to the scene.  I gave him my name and address and drove on home.  I never heard any more about the incident.  But I will always be glad that I did have some sense of how to respond.  

Situational Awareness Day isn't exactly a day to celebrate but you might take a few minutes to consider being present, practicing early recognition, and being ready to make informed decisions.  

Testing

 This is a quick blog to be sure I can blog from my phone  before we leave on our trip. After an exhausting evening of eating treats from Zestos, perhaps the last of the season, and starting a new jigsaw puzzle, I'm just too tired to write more. Yawn...

Novelties?

My west coast brother has informed me that today is the "Festival of Latest Novelties." By definition novelties are "useless, frivolous gifts" like yoyos, Rubik's cubes and Mood Rings.  I have a shelf full of such usless novelties, including a snow globe, a string of Marde Gras beads, a pet rock, an Oragami dragon, several small clay pots, and more.  All treasures, all too precious to throw away. 

However, if you expand the definition of novelties to include new fun things that are also useful the list gets much more interesting.  Items that only recently evolved from novelties to 'necessities' include smart watches, smart phones, tablets and laptops. 

I did find a current list of the top ten favorite gadgets (useful novelties?): 

Apple Air Tag, OuraRing 4, Sony Headphones, Fitbit Charger 6, Kindle Scribe, Anker Portable Power Bank, Wolfbox Jump Starter and Air Compressor, GoPro Hero 12 Black, Universal Travel Adapter, and Ember Smart Mug 2.  

What a great list.  It just makes you want to rush out and go shopping, doesnt it? Or you can click on Amazon.com.  Now there's a novelty that became a necessity.