The Gift of Words | May 2020

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Cultivating Anchored Community PUBLISHER

MARLIN MILLER KEVIN BILLE

GENERAL MANAGER

SUE WENGERD

SENIOR EDITOR

PHIL BARKMAN

COPY EDITOR

MATT YODER

ACCOUNT MANAGER GRAPHIC ARTIST

ISAAC HERSHBERGER SETH YODER

GRAPHIC ARTIST PHOTOGRAPHER CUSTOMER SERVICE CUSTOMER SERVICE

LANDON TROYER BETHANY TROYER JANELLA SCHLABACH

KAREN RABER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DR. GORDON WILSON

CONTRIBUTING WRITER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FERREE HARDY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

NORITA YODER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

TORRY MARTIN & DOUG PETERSON

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DR. TERESA HOXWORTH

JUNE AD SALES DEADLINE

MAY 5, 2020

Plain Values is published monthly by Room to Bloom. Room to Bloom is a nonprofit, tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3) organization. Please contact us with any questions regarding Plain Values.

PO Box 201/2106 Main Street, Winesburg, OH 44690 Phone: (844) 260-4578 | Fax: (330) 601-4099 www.plainvalues.com | reachout@plainvalues.com

THE FORMALITIES This publication and its contents are © 2020, Room to Bloom. Individual copyrighted items, trademarks, etc. contained within are the property of their respective copyright holders. No part of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed by any means without authorization from the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ offers, products, or services, and publication neither expresses or implies an endorsement.

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CONTENTS OHIO

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ISSUE 83

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M AY 2 0 2 0

MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

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RIVER ROCK GARDEN MARKERS

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A fun and practical way to mark your plants in the garden this year! Children and adults alike will enjoy this spring-time craft.

WALKING CATHEDRALS

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You don’t have to travel to Paris to see one of the world’s greatest cathedrals. If you look carefully, one may be walking around in your own backyard.

WE ARE NOT HOME YET

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Home is one of the dearest words in any language.

It’s that one place where we belong. No need to knock.

FUNDS AND BENEFITS

Every month we provide a listing of opportunities to help out those in need. Pray for them, and support them financially if you feel led to do so.

THE GIFT OF WORDS // 13

NEW COLUMN - GOOD STUFF!

Bella’s story is one of thousands, but it lends a glimpse of how the gift of words has impacted each of those lives. Bella and her parents hope her story will inspire others with disabilities and provide them with the same opportunity.

HOMESTEAD FURNITURE // 35

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A brand new column from our General Manager, Kevin Bille. Every month this column will be filled with bits of wisdom that life has taught him.

IN THE HOME OF FELIX MANZ'S MOTHER // 63

THE BEAR REMOVAL TEAM

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TAIL DOCKING AND DEWCLAW REMOVAL

ON THE COVER

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

AAC devices, like the one shown in this photo, are being used to give a voice to the voiceless.

Every advertiser in this issue of Plain Values can be found here, along with the page their ad is on.

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MESSAGE from the

PUBLISHER words by: MARLIN MILLER One day in the first year of my wife’s teaching

He wants to make his thoughts and preferences known,

career, one of her students entered her classroom, and

but you will have to work to understand him through

excitedly began to share about her afternoon plans.

sign language, grunts, and word approximations,

“Mrs. Miller, today I am going with my mom to go

mostly made up of vowel sounds. Kind and gentle with

see Stanley Steels.”

no judgment, he patiently shows us what he wants or

“Oh, wow!” Lisa responded. “That sounds like fun.

needs by pointing to his communication chart, or waits

Who is Stanley Steels?”

for us to ask him a list of “yes” and “no”

The student’s eyes grew round

questions since those are two words of

with disbelief, and she replied, “You

the dozen he is able to say clearly.

don’t know Stanley Steels?” She shared

Many of us take our ability to

a look of amusement with a few other

communicate for granted and are

students who were nearby.

easily able to share our thoughts,

Lisa thought for a moment and

ideas, needs, or wants. When a portion

said, “No, I don’t.”

of the message gets tangled, such

The student said in awe, “Well,

as the case with Stanley Steels, we

what do you cook with then?”

struggle to make our points or the

Totally confused, Lisa said, “I use

connections we are aiming for, and it

my pots and pans.”

can cause confusion. Most of us have

“That’s Stanley Steels!” the student

probably never tried even to imagine

exclaimed with a smile and went on

what it’s like to communicate using a

with her morning work.

method other than speaking when, in

As Lisa shared the story with me later in the

reality, there are many different ways to connect with

evening, she told me she had quietly laughed to herself

one another.

as she realized “Stanley Steels” was indeed one and the

Our feature story this month spotlights an

same as her “stainless steel” cookware.

incredible tool that provides a way for individuals with

Our seven-year-old son, Bennett, is one of the

special needs to make their voices heard.

As always, may you find joy in the simple things. //

sweetest little boys you will ever have the chance to meet.

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© TED STEVENS, AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. USED BY PERMISSION.

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

GIFT WORDS the

of

words by: KAREN RABER

Imagine for a moment that you are six years old. You long for a pet dog, love french-fries, and like Berenstain Bear books. But you are stuck with a significant problem: you can’t talk. No one knows your preferences; in fact, your family isn’t sure you have preferences or if you can even process thoughts because you never say any words or nod your head. Now it’s your seventh birthday, and your family has planned something special. You feel excitement as you travel toward your favorite restaurant, but… they turn in at Spaghetti Warehouse.

“Can’t we please get some fries at McDonalds?” you want to say, but your tongue won’t formulate the words.

After dinner, you arrive back home, and Mother says, “Now here’s the real surprise!” Daddy is holding a round bowl in which

BELLA YODER WITH HER SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST AT AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

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the proverbial gold fish is swimming laps about the perimeter. “Its name is Goldie!” announces your sister.

“Isn’t it pretty?” Well… Goldie is alright, but you had wanted a dog for years! You had imagined how it would jump on your lap, lick your face, and wag its tail. You had imagined how it would cock its head and look at you with understanding eyes because it couldn’t talk, either. But Goldie won’t be doing any of those things.

Daddy places the bowl on the side table and chooses a story for bedtime. It’s Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss. “No, no, no, Daddy,” you wail inwardly, “Don’t you understand I’m past that level? I want you to read The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors!” You feel trapped inside an uncooperative body as you listen to Hop on Pop for the one-hundredth time. Then Mother tucks you into bed and kisses you. At that moment, you wish more than anything that you could tell her how much you love her. The frustration of it all causes tears to trickle down your cheeks, making poor Mother worry. “Oh dear, you must be sick!”

Okay, let’s stop imagining. Most of us reading this article aren’t six, and most of our tongues can formulate words. We feel understood. But this frustrating scenario may provide us with a glimpse of how life feels for children who are, indeed, trapped inside an uncooperative body. For them, the blessing of being understood is only a dream. How do you suppose a nonverbal child would feel if someone introduced them to a device that could talk for them? Wildly excited, maybe? Well, here’s the good news: a company named PRC-Saltillo has been making these dreams an exciting reality for children and adults for over fifty years!

PRC-Saltillo is a company that started out small, but because its founders had a great vision, it has grown into a phenomenal worldwide organization, giving a voice to 50,000 individuals annually. Ed Prentke, who worked at a local hospital, and Barry Romich, an engineering student at Case Western University, established it in 1969 as The Prentke Romich Company (PRC). Because they both had the vision to help individuals with disabilities, they combined their talents and set up business in Romich’s basement. They worked to create assistive technology

PRC CONSULTANT LaCONDA ROSS AND DEVICE USER BETO WITH HIS ACCENT 1400 ©2020 PRC-SALTILLO. USED BY PERMISSION. PLAIN VALUES

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primarily for those with spinal-cord injuries. At the time, the goal was to enable individuals to do things such as operate light switches and answer a telephone. Soon, however, the focus of PRC shifted from general assistive technology to communication. Technology was moving toward synthesized speech and computers, and the company worked toward communication solutions for people with severe physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and ALS. The enterprise grew and was moved to Shreve. At this time, a young teenager who would play a vital role in the future of PRC began his employment there. Dave Hershberger was sixteen and a sophomore in high school, but because of his family situation, he contemplated dropping out of school and acquiring a full-time job.

Fortunately, Dave had a guidance counsellor who didn’t think that was a good idea. Knowing that Dave enjoyed working with electronics and technology, he arranged for him to work half-days at PRC while attending school.

Dave loved working with technology, and he remembers the time clearly when he realized that this particular field was where he wanted to work for the

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rest of his life. The company had been working on a project for several years, and finally, it was time to test their technology with several clients from Houston.

One of these clients had cerebral palsy, and another had sustained severe head injuries. It was the first time Dave interacted with the clients using the technology he had helped to create. After seeing the difference AAC (augmentative and alternative communication) made for these individuals, Dave realized he could never find anything else that would give him the same satisfaction.

By 1995, Dave was in charge of engineering and longed to work with a broader spectrum of individuals.

The devices they had at the time were sophisticated and quite effective, but only for a specific population.

Dave saw that there were others who had language or cognitive barriers such as autism or Down syndrome and was interested in bringing them into the AAC family.

At the time, PRC was unable to work toward that goal, so Dave formed the Saltillo Corporation in 1996. Saltillo operated independently until 2007 when the companies rejoined at PRC’s current location in Wooster. When Dave became the CEO in 2018, the two companies were merged with the name PRC-Saltillo.

PRC-Saltillo is excited about the interest in AAC spreading

across

the

world

through

technology

information sharing. They now have offices across the United States, and also in the UK, Canada, Germany, and Australia, and are providing products to several other countries that have organizations wanting to work with PRC-Saltillo. Because they have devices in English, Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, French, German, and Dutch, thousands of people across the world are speaking for themselves and being understood! And now, it’s time we

©2020 PRC-SALTILLO. USED BY PERMISSION.

meet Bella, one of PRC-Saltillo’s enthusiastic fans! Bella

PRC USER SEAN USING HIS

Yoder is ten years old, sweet, sassy, and loves words. Like

ACCENT 1400 TO COMMUNICATE

any typical ten-year-old, Bella loves to talk. Talking for Bella, however, is anything but typical! To communicate her opinions and thoughts, she uses her AAC device, which looks like an iPad but has been custom built by PRC-Saltillo to provide the access options Bella needs.

To speak, Bella must first choose a group of organized words in her AAC device with the switch mounted on her wheelchair. The device reads the words to her through a small speaker beside her ear. She must then, with a series of taps to her switch, choose the words she wants. The device then speaks the words audibly, so that those with her can understand what she wishes to say.

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A YOUNG MAN USING HIS AAC DEVICE TO COMMUNICATE IN SCHOOL

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© TED STEVENS, AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL. USED BY PERMISSION.

ago,

Yoders; Bella had already proven that study to be false!

communication might well have been as attainable for

If

Bella

had

been

born

sixty

years

As Julie says, “Those words don’t tell the entire story,

her as choosing to climb Mt. Everest! Bella was born

and they should never be used to define an individual’s

with a rare disorder called GM3 synthase deficiency.

potential. Even children with significant disabilities are

Her body is unable to produce the enzyme GM3, which

able to communicate! It’s a very unfair statement to say

is vital for brain and neurological development. When

that a child is incapable of communication if you aren’t

reading about her disorder, there are phrases such as

giving them the tools they need to accomplish it. If you

“severe intellectual disability,” “devastating neurological

would tell me to bake a cake but not give me the oven, I

disease,” and “complete dependence.” Words such as

couldn’t bake it.”

these can be extremely disheartening to the parents

Fortunately for Bella, she has wonderful parents

and caregivers of individuals with GM3. Interestingly

and has been surrounded by a fantastic group of

enough, Bella’s parents, Craig and Julie Yoder, had

teachers and therapists. Bella’s parents had observed

attended a conference where they were told that no

her inquisitive eyes since she was a young child, and felt

individual with GM3 had ever achieved reciprocal

that she comprehended what was happening around

communication. Imagine the consternation of the

her and what was being said. What she had lacked was

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"...IT WASN’T AS SIMPLE AS JUST BUYING A DEVICE AND HANDING IT TO BELLA. EVERY PERSON IS UNIQUE AND THEIR NEEDS VARY..."

BELLA YODER LEARNING HOW TO USE HER AAC DEVICE WITH THE HELP OF HER SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

a tool that would give her a voice. Bella went through a

she said, “Well, maybe someday Bella can use a device

great early intervention program and has been attending

like the ones my husband works on.” After she left, Julie

the Holmes County Training Center since she was four

looked at the PRC-Saltillo website and she knew that

years old. It was here that the groundwork was laid that

this was just what Bella needed.

would be so essential to using an AAC device.

But it wasn’t as simple as just buying a device and

Although Bella’s school was incredibly supportive,

handing it to Bella. Every person is unique and their

AAC devices weren’t a customary solution for non-

needs vary, which is why PRC-Saltillo offers a wide

verbal students. It was an interesting event that first

variety of access options for their devices. Some children

introduced the Yoders to AAC. They had recently

may be able to operate an iPad, and downloading the

bought a bed from Marlin and Lisa Miller (owners of

company’s apps may be all that’s needed to give them

this magazine), and because the bed wasn’t working out

a voice. Others need more unconventional methods to

for them, Julie had advertised it again. The buyer was

communicate. One of these options is a device operated

a very kind lady who happened to be the wife of one

by a switch. By using a hand, knee, elbow, foot, or

of the developers at PRC-Saltillo! In the course of their

other body part, the switch is activated, allowing the

conversation, they talked about Bella’s disability, and

user to select words, letters, or symbols as they are

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being highlighted by the device. When an individual is unable to control a device through touch, one option may be Look, a high-tech eye-tracking module, which detects where the gaze of the user is concentrated and then makes selections accordingly. Another option is NuPoint. This method uses optical sensors to track the user’s head movements to make on-screen selections.

Which one would be right for Bella?

At this point, Bella’s speech-language pathologists (SLPs) at Akron Children’s Hospital, in Ohio, played a significant role in pairing Bella with the device appropriate for her. This evaluation period was overwhelming but also informative. Her pathologists first tried eye-gaze and head tracking without success, but when they tried auditory scanning with a switch, it clicked for Bella. She needed to learn how to operate the switch while listening to the auditory commands of her device, and remember the order of the words. It was hard work, but an exciting new world unfolded for Bella!

At first, Bella worked with eight words including more, stop, go, yes, and no. When she had mastered those, she was given sixteen words. Then one hundred.

Bella’s parents were amazed and delighted to see the transformation in their little girl. She was able to communicate, and it was as they had thought—Bella had opinions!

Then one day, Bella’s therapist suggested that they move her to a level of several thousand words.

Julie wasn’t excited about the idea. Her little girl was doing so well with one hundred words; wouldn’t she be overwhelmed with so many new ones? Her SLP didn’t think so, and the extra words were added to her device.

Still worried, Julie wheeled Bella from the hospital, telling her that she now had thousands of words to use. Bella answered with her device, “I should!” At that moment, Julie knew that it would be all right. Bella had needed more words and she was able to say so!

Bella enjoys going to school and likes to tell her parents all about it. One day a dog warden had come to school with a dog from the kennel. Bella loved the dog and used the word “loves” with her talker while he was there. When Julie picked her up, she asked Bella about the dog. She chose these words: “Wished, was, likes, needs, to Christmas.” Julie is pretty sure Bella

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Augmentative and Alternative Communication AAC devices, like the one shown above, can be used to give a voice to the voiceless. Every person longs to be understood, and knowing that dream can become a reality is cause for us all to “clap greatly”!

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Bella was one of the first in her school to get this type of device, they are hoping that it has opened the doors for others to use AAC devices as well. She also hopes that Bella’s story helps others to understand that even though an individual may have a severe disability, they may still be capable of using a communication device.

Just because an individual is non-verbal doesn’t mean they have nothing to say.

One question that families ask the Yoders is, “Who can help us find a device for our child?” Their answer is, “A skilled speech-language pathologist.” SLPs provide

"BELLA’S PARENTS AND THE STAFF AT HOLMES COUNTY TRAINING CENTER ARE SO EXCITED TO SEE WHAT AAC HAS DONE FOR BELLA. IT HAS BEEN LIFE CHANGING!"

that first essential learning foundation for a child, which enables them to use AAC as they mature. Because it takes a different language development process for someone non-verbal, there’s so much groundwork that must be in place before using a device. Understanding their own language must come first, and then the device becomes the tool to express that language.

Speech-language pathologists are also the vital link in connecting children with an appropriate AAC device and helping them learn how to use it. Not all SLPs, however, are trained in in this last step and may not fully understand how speech devices can improve a child’s quality of life. Because PRC-Saltillo understands this, they provide representatives all over the nation who offer support to individuals and refer them to professionals who can help.

wants a dog for Christmas, but Bella needs to ask her

Bella’s parents have also played an essential part

Dad about that!

in bringing her to this achievement level by their

Another day, one of Bella’s teachers helped her

enthusiasm and perseverance at home. An informal

create a card. They asked her who she would like to give

study conducted by Dave Hershberger lends some

it to. Using her device, she said, “Mom.” As they asked her

interesting insight to this aspect. Dave performed the

questions, she provided the words to fill in the blanks.

study to determine what factors played into the long-

What was she feeling that day? “Happy.” What did she

term success of device users. In his research, he looked at

like doing at school? “Draw and color.” Her favorite

all types of disabilities and all types of devices, including

color? “Red.” Finally, they asked her what she would like

equipment from other companies. Interestingly, there

to tell her mom. Bella replied, “Love and kind.” When

was one constant through each of the successful

they asked her if she would like to sign the card, she

stories—it was dedicated parents. He says, “You may

used her device to say, “I need help.” Julie said, “It was

have the best AAC therapist in the world, but how many

the first time I received anything from Bella, and the

hours does your child spend with them? It’s constant

first time I knew how she felt about me! I love that she

interaction and affirmation from their family that

is able to express herself and that we can get a glimpse

keeps them going. This happens with speaking children

into her personality by the things she says.”

too. Parents may think if they take their children to a

Bella’s parents and the staff at Holmes County

therapist for an hour or two every week it will make

Training Center are so excited to see what AAC has done

up for a lack on their own part. It doesn’t. It is constant

for Bella. It has been life changing! Julie says that while

interaction that’s a huge part of success.”

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Another question many families have is, “What do communication devices cost?” That answer depends on the device and the needed access of the individual.

If using PRC-Saltillo’s apps is an adequate option, the cost is quite minimal; however, when a more high-tech access option is necessary, the cost may make a device seem unattainable. The good news is that the devices are covered by health insurance policies since they are regarded as medical devices. Other programs and grants are also in place to help defray the cost of devices for those with no insurance. While the figures may seem high, it’s as Julie says; “You can’t put a price on giving someone a voice. It’s life-changing!”

Recently, Bella and her parents had the opportunity to meet Dave Hershberger and tour PRC-Saltillo’s facility in Wooster. Bella chose the words, “I, we, love,” as they were talking about her device. When she saw where the devices were made and the expansive inventory, she chose the word “wonderful.” On the way home, her parents asked her if there was anything she wished to tell people about her talker. She replied, “Clap greatly!”

Bella’s story is one of thousands, but it lends a glimpse of how the gift of words has impacted each of those lives. Bella and her parents hope her story will inspire others with disabilities and provide them with the same opportunity. Because, after all, every person longs to be understood, and knowing that that dream can become a reality is cause for us all to “clap greatly”! // PRC-Saltillo (800) 262-1984 If you wish to learn more, visit their website at www.prc-saltillo.com

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

SPRINGTIME REFRESH Now that spring has arrived, many of us are eager to enjoy time spent outside to take advantage of nicer weather. A big part of the outdoor experience is having a great outdoor space in which to relax.

Whether you’ve got a patio, porch, deck, or even a gazebo to enjoy, there’s nothing better than spending time with family and friends on a comfortable furniture set. And don’t forget about the interior! Spring is the best time to spruce up the inside of your home, too.

Outdoor Furniture for Spring There’s a lot to consider when you’re thinking about new outdoor furniture to enjoy this spring. We created a handy Outdoor Furniture guide (available at Homestead), but here are a few of the top tips.

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Material Matters When it comes to outdoor furniture, there are a

outdoor space as refined as the inside of your home.

variety of materials from which to choose. We’ve selected

Either way, Homestead offers nearly endless ways to

some of the finest woods to use in our patio and deck

customize furniture so that it fits your space exactly the

furniture, such as teak and ipe—two examples of fine

way you like it.

hardwoods that are able to withstand water, weather,

Think About Your Space

and insects just as well as many poly materials.

When it comes to outdoor living, the only thing

However, you’re not limited to just wood—we also

restricting your furniture choices will be the size and

carry wicker and aluminum products from top brands

shape of your space. Some people with large patios may

like Lloyd Flanders and Woodard. There’s no need to

want to choose furniture that fits to scale, so creating a

sacrifice quality, comfort, or style when selecting your

cozy seating area with cushions and sectional couches

outdoor furniture.

is a great option. For those looking to maximize space,

What's Your Style?

a lovely bistro set or bench can also make a great

One of the great things about outdoor living is that

entertaining area.

you have truly endless options when it comes to style.

It’s also smart to consider how you intend to use

Perhaps the inside of your home is filled with lovely

your deck, patio, or porch. Will it be primarily a seating

neutrals and warm colors. There are no rules when it

area? Do you envision eating meals there? Is there

comes to outdoor furniture style! Here’s an opportunity

space for a grill or smoker? Asking yourself some basic

to indulge in more colorful, refined pieces that you

questions can help you select the perfect furniture for

might not try otherwise. Or, perhaps you prefer an

your outdoor living area.

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A New Leather Gallery One of the newest additions to our Homestead showroom is our Leather Gallery. This is a showcase of all of our leather options that customers can browse as they decide which style is perfect for their home. We carry Bryant Leather, our in-house brand that is fully

AN INDOOR SPRING SPRUCE-UP

customizable. All Bryant Leather products feature solid

Don’t forget about the inside of your home!

hardwood frames, eight-way hand-tied decking, and

Springtime is the perfect opportunity to add a little

top-grain leathers. Any leather sofa, love seat, couch, or

color and life to your home. Bring the freshness of

recliner can be customized using our Leather Gallery—

spring inside with a new furniture set or a cozy chair to

simply choose the style, color, and size you want!

spruce up your interior.

A Community Company

Sofas, Sectionals, Armchairs, and More!

We always want to give back to our community, and

One challenge many customers face is being able

that’s why we host events like the SERVE Conference

to find refined furniture that is quality made but also

and Go Eddie 5K. We enjoy the opportunity to engage

can be found locally. Much imported furniture tends

with the community we are so proud to be a part of.

to be poor quality or lacks customization options so

For many people, knowing where their furniture

that it truly fits in with the rest of your home. It’s

comes from is important. Homestead’s factory is located

also not uncommon for a young couple to purchase

right in our backyard, here in Mt. Hope, Ohio. We know

an inexpensive sofa, only to be disappointed just a few

that the best quality furniture is made with attention to

years later when it begins to fall apart.

detail—but that doesn’t mean it has to be short on style.

At Homestead, we carry brands with tremendous

It’s equally important to us that we create furniture that

satisfaction ratings such as La-Z-Boy, Bryant Leather,

is as beautiful and refined as it is functional.

Norwalk, Himolla, Lancer, Stanford Furniture, Dutailier,

Locally, we are known for quality and customization.

and Ultra Comfort. We stock only trustworthy brands

We sell custom furniture that is built to last through

with great track records—so you can feel confident

this generation and the next. For almost thirty years, we

in the furniture you’re purchasing. You don’t need to

have earned the reputation of going the extra mile to

worry about being confined to industry standard sizes

make it right. We believe you deserve to be proud of the

and features when you shop with us.

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WALKING CATHEDRALS

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

words by: DR. GORDON WILSON You don’t have to travel to Paris to see one of the world’s greatest cathedrals. If you look carefully, one may be walking around in your own backyard.

Admit it. Your eyes glaze over when Aunt Marge drones on about her collection of salt and pepper shakers, or when geeky experts wax eloquent about their lifelong obsession, whether toy trains, stamps, quilts, airplanes, or racecars. I’m admittedly a geek about reptiles, with a deep fascination since childhood. In fact, for my PhD I studied Eastern box turtles for four years. But before you thumb past this article extoling the architecture of turtle shells—I promise you it’s more than an oddball obsession.

Even folks who generally dislike reptiles don’t hold the same prejudice about turtles. They even stop to watch when a turtle crosses their path in the great outdoors. What is it about turtles that’s so intriguing? I’ll venture a guess. They capture our attention because turtles are either walking tanks or armored streamlined submersibles.

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Unlike most reptiles, which escape danger by

made out of a type of bone that has many open spaces

hiding or running, turtles carry around a protective

in it (called spongy bone) sandwiched between two thin

shield and home all rolled into one. No other vertebrate

layers of dense, compact bone.

does anything quite like this. A portable home requires

Man-made domes lack solid material between the

special architectural designs—not just on the inside

ceiling and roof, too, because the weight would put too

but for the whole body plan.

much strain on the overall structure. Instead they have

I prefer to think of turtles as walking cathedrals,

internal trusses (braces in the shape of triangles) to

temples that honor the Creator’s architectural skill,

minimize weight and maximize strength. The spongy

built long before Christopher Wren ever conceived of

bone within a turtle shell is similar to having a system

St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

of trusses.

This design is not only light and strong; it’s also

Light But Strong

economical for architects and turtles. Why add the

The first challenge in building a walking cathedral

expense of extra building materials when the roof can

is to be light and strong. What good is a sturdy roof if

be just as strong using a fraction of the material?

it’s too heavy to haul around? Turtle shells are made

Load-Bearing Keystones

of special bones called osteoderms, which grow within and are a part of their skin (a marvel all by itself). To

Thousands of years before the Romans mastered

maximize strength and minimize weight, the shells are

the art of using keystones to bear the weight of arches, 47

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God made special bones (called neural bones) to perform a similar role in the turtle’s upper shell (carapace). These bones brace the shell walls. As a result the turtle’s shell can handle tremendous pressure—like a cow’s stomping hoof—without cracking.

Rafter Supports The turtle’s ribs project at roughly right angles from the vertebrae, like rafters connected to the top beam of a house. However since the ribs are curved, the overall structure looks more like a special type of roof in cathedrals, called a rib vault (whereas typical homes have straight triangular roofs).

Rigid Yet Flexible Seams These mobile homes have some extra designs you won’t find in cathedrals, which give them flexibility similar to modern earthquake-proof buildings. The polygon-shaped bones (osteoderms) in turtle shells are fitted together like puzzle pieces. The seams between these bones, called sutures, function like joints in a sidewalk. When the soil shifts, the concrete cracks along the seams instead of through the middle of the squares.

Some buildings in earthquake regions imitate this structural design, first found in turtles.

The pancake tortoise of sub-Sahara Africa wins the prize for the most flexible sutures among terrestrial turtles. It can squeeze into tight cracks in rocky outcrops (called kopjes) to escape predators like mongooses. Its

"THERE ARE OVER THREE HUNDRED DIFFERENT

shell is so pliable the tortoise can make it conform to

NUANCES OF DESIGN ADAPTATION."

TURTLE SPECIES, AND EACH ONE HAS DIFFERENT

almost any space available.

Internal Buttresses Fancy cathedrals have external buttresses, called flying buttresses, which bear the weight of the roof from

the doors fit so snuggly together that the seam is much

the outside of the building. This opens extra space inside

tighter than those of a top-of-the-line car door.

since the building doesn’t need heavy interior columns

Whether you’re a layperson who’s never studied

to support the roof. While turtles do not have external

reptiles or cathedrals, or a well-trained architect or

buttresses, they have something similar: buttress-like

structural engineer, turtle shell designs inspire endless

thickenings on the internal walls that support the arched carapace.

fascination and amazement. I have only scratched the

Two-Way Drawbridge

right down to the microscopic level. There are over

surface—the intricacies of divine turtle design continue

You may not think of it as an architectural design,

three hundred different turtle species, and each one has

but box turtles also have a hinged drawbridge just like

different nuances of design adaptation. You don’t have

a castle drawbridge. This unique drawbridge has two

to be a geek to appreciate the obvious handiwork of the

openings (front and back), both regulated by the same

Creator, though geeks come in handy if somebody needs

hinge on the bottom shell (the plastron). When closed,

to write about it. //

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Truss-Like Bones

Load-Bearing Keystones

Rigid Yet Flexible

Rafter Supports

Two-Way Drawbridge 49

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

we are not

OUR HERITAGE

HOME YET words by: FERREE HARDY Home is one of the dearest words in any language. It’s that one place where we belong. No need to knock. We open the door and step inside at the end of every day. The surroundings are familiar— the kitchen table, the sink, perhaps a bowl of apples and bananas on the counter. A worn path leads to a favorite chair and the glow of a lamp. In passing, we touch the fuzzy leaf of an African violet and press the soil to see if it’s moist enough. We sit down, breathe deeply, and take a look out the window.

Beyond the house, the sun goes down, backlighting the darkening edges of fields and forests. Lanes and fences define our piece of the earth and pin down our place in community and history.

For many, the home has changed over the years. Once a tassel of kids ran through like wild things. The laundry seemed endless.

We’d drop into bed, asleep before we hit the pillow. But now there’s too much silence, and the laundry is done. We lie awake in the dark.

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GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

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We’re home; sure, it’s the same place, but an invisible ache fills the rooms. Someone is gone.

Home is still one of the dearest words, but when widowhood or other losses occur, our understanding of it experiences some growing pains. Suddenly the size, quality, and heritage of our stuff don’t mean as much. Home is more than a place to live happily, surrounded by good things attained by good work. The best part of home was the person who lived there and how that person loved us and we loved them.

In the early years we held tight to home—to keeping house, having a family and friends, and setting a good future in place.

We had dreams to fulfill. But now there are only memories, and memories have a stopping point like the edge of a cliff.

Where do we go from here? It’s as though our hearts are homeless and wandering. Life was cut with a spade and hasn’t settled back into place yet. Although we have a place to sleep at night, we have no place to rest—our mind flits like a bird from tree branch to tree branch.

I take great comfort in knowing that Jesus, The Man of Sorrows, experienced this, too. We live longing for the earthly home of our past, and He lived longing for his heavenly home.

Can you imagine knowing the perfect, unbroken fellowship of God’s love in heaven and then leaving all of that behind to come live with the low-life of mankind? Divine love flowed out of Him so much that His disciples seldom understood the extent of His humility, loss, and suffering. He lost everything (Philippians 2:7).

But we have the benefit of the whole of Scripture, so we know that Jesus did it to sympathize with each of our yearnings, weaknesses, and temptations, including all sorrow and the deep throes of grief (see Hebrews 4:15).

We are urged to “approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). What would mercy and grace to help look like in your life? The answer to that question is very personal; the specifics would vary from person to person.

Would you even dare to think about it? Would you confidently approach God in prayer with your requests for mercy and grace?

If we never ask, we will never know if God will answer.

"WE’RE HOME; SURE, IT’S THE SAME PLACE, BUT AN INVISIBLE ACHE FILLS THE ROOMS. SOMEONE IS GONE."

Start by seeking out the truth of the Bible today. Bible reading is spiritual nourishment, and prayer is the breath of our spiritual life. Like food and air, we need them both constantly. Write down what you learn and pray about in a little notebook. If you are fortunate enough to meet with a group of widows, urge them to do the same. Then sometimes, when you meet, you can talk about the verses you read. You can pray together for your needs

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and God’s grace and mercy. I daresay you’ll soon talk about God’s answers to your prayers.

We don’t need to worry, but we do need to ask.

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:26) “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself where she may have her young—a place near your altar.” (Psalm 84:3) God cares. He doesn’t shoo messy little birds away from His altar, and He won’t chase us away, either. While we experience the painful realities of widowhood and the mess of our needs and the feelings about what home means to us now, we can draw comfort and strength from knowing God patiently provides. We are more than sparrows to Him.

"ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS OUR NEST HAS BLOWN AWAY, WE DO KNOW THAT GOD WILL MEET OUR NEEDS FOR A HOME IN THIS LIFE. HE TELLS US NOT TO WORRY. HE WILL ALSO PROVIDE A HEAVENLY HOME IN THE NEXT—A PLACE WHERE WE WILL LOVE AND BE LOVED."

Best of all, we simply are not home yet. Are you looking forward to your forever home? Although it seems our nest has blown away, we do know that God will meet our needs for a home in this life. He tells us not to worry. He will also provide a heavenly home in the next—a place where we will love and be loved. We will recognize our loved ones. We will dwell together forever in God’s perfect love in His perfect place. It will be better than the earthly homes we love so much, better than our earthly marriages, too. Finally, we can rest, and we can love without any conditions; there will be no more sin, and God will wipe away our tears.

Home… at last. // Until next month,

ferree l

ADDRESS CHANGE! To learn more about widowhood, order a copy of Postcards from the Widows’ Path – Gleaning Hope and Purpose from the Book of Ruth. It’s a gentle, biblical guide for widows that has many saying, “This is the best I’ve ever read!” Contact your local Christian bookstore or mail a check for $14.99/copy (paperback, 248 pgs.), along with your address to: Ferree Hardy, 122 Breckenridge Dr., North Augusta, SC 49841. Allow 2 – 3 weeks for delivery. Free shipping for all Plain Values readers! www.WidowsChristianPlace.com

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

" IN THE HOME OF

FELIX MANZ'S MOTHER

"

words by: NORITA YODER On the night of January 21, 1525, the bite of wind might have seemed especially cold as it whipped down the cobblestone street of Neustadtgasse

that

lay

directly

behind the Grossmünster Church in Zurich, Switzerland. Footsteps, muffled by the snow that piled up and tightened already narrow passageways, could be heard if an observer listened carefully on this night. Shadows slid, quiet, down streets hemmed in by walls of concrete houses that ran, connected, in a mismatched row. It was difficult to tell, in the darkness, where one house ended and another began. The night sky was visible somewhere high above the jagged line of rooftops

FROM THE "BEHALT" MURAL, DEPICTING THE FIRST RE-BAPTISM

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if you looked directly up. The sun had long set behind the Swiss Alps when the figures slipped through a door, most likely opened by a woman.

While many of us have heard the names Felix Manz, George Blaurock, and Conrad Grebel, it was most likely a woman who opened the door to fifteen or more of her son’s friends and acquaintances on the night of January 21, 1525. We don’t know what this woman looked like, but we know that she was an extraordinarily courageous woman with sons that followed in her footsteps. She was Felix Manz’s mother, and it is recorded that the first re-baptism occurred in her home on this night.

It was with certainty not the first time these guests slipped through her door, but on this night, the events of the day created an angst that was palpable. What lay behind them was a disappointment so great it pressed them to their knees and into anguished prayers for guidance for what lay ahead. The atmosphere filled with a sacred energy, a commitment so resolute it could only have been born in the furnace of affliction, then shaped on the forge of surrender by a God in whom they were willing to stake their lives. This small group of people possessed a faith deep enough that their actions would shake the known world. The effects would ripple across all of Europe for centuries to come; it would change the church, the government, and the world as it had been

Ulrich Zwingli became minister at the Grossmünster

for 1200 years.

Church, a prominent position for someone so young.

The events leading up to this night were planted in

He was highly educated and an enthusiastic supporter

the soil of greater reforms taking place throughout all

of Luther’s reforms in Germany. By 1523, Zwingli, along

of Europe. People were wearied. The first wave of the

with the Zurich City Council, broke from Rome. The

bubonic plague had spread through Europe between

City Council of Zurich seemed devoted to their young

1348 and 1352 and killed upwards of 60 percent of the

Zwingli, and he to them.

population in some cities. Waves of the disease, spread

As was typical of large churches of the time,

by fleas and rats, continued to break out in Europe

Grossmünster Church was also a University, and

up through the 1800s. Additionally, wars ravaged the

the young minister Ulrich Zwingli, the teacher.

people and the lands, causing even more abject poverty

Surrounding Zwingli were some of the brightest

and death. The church, closely aligned to the state for

students in all of Europe. Included in this circle were

1,500 years and with its own army, had grown corrupt

three young men: George Blaurock, Conrad Grebel,

and no longer cared about the poverty or well-being of

and Felix Manz, whose father was also a priest of some

the people.

order at the Grossmünster.

By the 1500s, disease and death, wars and poverty,

In the years following Zwingli’s appointment as

along with the rapid spread of ideas made possible by

minister of the Grossmünster, he and his group of

the printing press, had prepared Europe for sweeping

students pushed for reforms such as removing statutes

change. In 1519, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five

from the church and permitting priests to marry. In

theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany.

these reforms, the Zurich City Council stood with

In Zurich, Switzerland, a young priest by the name of

Zwingli and his students. But like all energetic and

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zealous youth, Zwingli’s students wanted to carry out to

that ruled their lives could be changed. A favorite

the most logical end what Zwingli was willing to take so

meeting place for these Bible studies was the home of

far only if the Zurich City Council stood with him.

Felix’s mother.

In Germany, when Martin Luther dared—as others

It is significant that records tell us the first re-

had before him—to speak out against the corruption

baptism took place “in the home of Felix Manz’s mother.”

in the church, he made his arguments based on what

Since Felix Manz’s father was also a minister at the

he termed sola scriptura, or “scripture alone.” In

Grossmünster, he was not permitted to marry but could

Switzerland, Zwingli and his students followed this same

have a mistress. Such was Felix Manz’s mother. That her

approach of sola scriptura to push for reforms in Zurich.

home was situated near the Grossmünster and Felix was

This was a break from the teachings of the established

a young student of Zwingli’s indicates they lived much

Church, which taught that decisions were to be made

as a family and were a part of the aristocracy of Zurich.

by the Church leaders who were qualified to interpret

While the reforms—which included permitting priests

scripture, since they were trained in the original Biblical

to marry—understandably impacted Felix and his

languages of Hebrew and Greek, in addition to Latin.

siblings, they affected their mother most of all.

This new movement of sola scriptura and reading

These private Bible studies began in earnest in the

the scripture in the common vernacular gave rise

fall of 1523, when the group of young students realized

to individuals meeting in groups for Bible studies,

Zwingli would not part ways with the City Council on

something Zwingli encouraged for his young students.

other matters, thus betraying his own belief in sola

As people met together, new ideas blew a fresh wind of

scriptura. It was in these Bible study groups that a deep

hope across Europe and into the masses of people. They

conviction began growing; a belief that the church of

began to see that the drudgery, poverty, and oppression

Christ was made up of adults who voluntarily chose

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BELIEVER’S BAPTISM WAS AN UPSET OF A SOCIETAL SYSTEM IN PLACE FOR 1,200 YEARS.

FROM THE "BEHALT" MURAL, DEPICTING THE EARLY BIBLE STUDY MEETINGS

to follow Him and baptism was the act demonstrating

infants. Although there were frictions and indications

their faith. This stood in direct contrast to the practice

that a ruling would not be favorable for the young group,

of infant baptism, which automatically made a person

still, there was hope in their hearts. On January 21, 1525,

a church member and citizen of the state, liable for

the final day of debate, the Council ruled that all infants

paying taxes.

not yet baptized were to be baptized within a week,

Believer’s baptism was an upset of a societal system

and the issue was to no longer be spoken of. As people

in place for 1,200 years. It reached back to the first 300

dispersed from the meeting, a whisper must have gone

years of Christianity when those who followed Christ

around to meet at the house of Felix’s mother. As they

refused to mix church and state, saying Jesus was their

slipped through her now-familiar door, their hope had

King. Initially, Zwingli sided with his students on this

turned to anguish and so they knelt and prayed to “God

matter. However, when the City Council refused to

in heaven….that he would give to them his divine will

support a church completely separate from the state

and that he would show his mercy unto them.” [ 1] This

and civil authorities, Zwingli chose the protection of the

was not done lightly, “For flesh and blood and human

City Council over his students and reforms.

forwardness did not drive them, since they well knew

It was announced that a final debate was to be held

what they would have to suffer on account of it.” [ 2 ] At

in January of 1525 concerning the matter of baptizing

some point in the evening, George Blaurock fell to his

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knees, requesting to be baptized on the confession of his

If you wish to hear more historical stories like this

faith in Christ. It is believed that the remainder of those

please call or visit the Amish & Mennonite Heritage

present then also were baptized.

Center. We offer guided tours of "Behalt" - a 10 ft. x 265

This first re-baptism happened in the home of

ft. cyclorama oil-on-canvas painting that illustrates the

a woman who loved her children and raised them as

heritage of the Amish and Mennonite people from their

something of a single parent, who opened her home and

Anabaptist beginnings in Zurich, Switzerland, to the

heart to those who wanted to study God’s word, and who

present day. Behalt means “to keep” or “remember.” We

chose the ultimate sacrifice in following God. Two years

are open Mon-Sat 9:00-5:00 and are located near Berlin,

later, she stood with a second son on the bank of the

you can find us at 5798 County Road 77, Millersburg, OH

Limmat River that flows through Zurich in the shadow

44654. Please call (330) 893-3192 for more information or

of the Grossmünster and called out encouragement to

to schedule a day or evening group tour. //

her son Felix while she watched him be drowned. He died for the convictions that had grown in their hearts NORITA YODER IS A HISTORIAN AND THE ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR OF

through the study of scripture in her home, and the

THE AMISH & MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER.

decision they had made to follow Christ wholeheartedly

1) Estep, william r. The anabaptist Story (nashville, TN: Boardman Press, 1963), 13.

that January night.

2) Ibid, 13.

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

PT Part

One

I

THE BEAR R E M O VA L TEAM

words by: TORRY MARTIN & DOUG PETERSON Sam scented a bear outside. We could tell by the way he was behaving. He was switched on, and his barks were coming fast and furious. He didn’t take a breath between barks, and he lost complete control of his saliva, dog-spit flying in every direction.

If we could translate his barks into human speech, I’m sure he would be shouting, “THERE’S A BEAR THERE’S A BEAR THERE’S A BEAR THERE’S A BEAR THERE’S A BEAR!” It was about four a.m. when Sam exploded into a nonstop barking frenzy, and in the Alaskan summer, that means it was just getting light outside. Rob and I both woke up to Sam’s outburst, and Rob went straight for his pistol—a .22 caliber Ruger. Then he nudged open the door to the cabin, and there it was—the black bear we had seen in the vicinity on about six occasions. The bear was only about seven feet from our door.

We waited for it to move along, but as time ticked by, this bad-news bear wouldn’t budge. The creature blocked the trail

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CANINE CORNER

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leading down to our vehicles, which was going to pose a problem for both Rob and me if this she-bear didn’t clear out. Rob had to take a work-related flight in a matter of hours, so he needed to get down the trail to his van. And I needed to take a flight later in the day for one of the most important professional events of my life—the Christian Artists Seminar in the Rockies near Estes Park, Colorado. I was scheduled to compete in the acting division of the seminar, which also featured contests in music, writing, and singing.

Rob decided to put a fright into the bear, so he aimed at the ground, not far from the large creature, and shot at least ten times. The dirt kicked up, and the bear finally moved—but it came right on back. It lumbered around the small belt of trees directly in front of our cabin, winding up back at our door.

“Shotgun,” Rob said, handing me his pistol.

I was like a nurse at surgery, handing scalpels to the physician. Once again, Dr. Rob took aim at the ground directly in front of the black bear and fired away with his shotgun, kicking up another spray of dirt. The bear backed up a couple of feet, but that was as far as it went.

This bear was not afraid of anything, and a bear that has lost its fear of humans (and guns) is a very dangerous bear. We later learned that this same bear had been rummaging in the trash outside of a nearby house, trapping two boys in their garage for a couple of hours. This bear was clearly a menace to both people and pets—although in Alaska, folks are usually smart enough to never leave a dog outside. Dogs tied outside often attract bears, which gobble up all the dog food and then drag the pet off into the bushes for dessert.

We continued to wait out the bear, but it was not going anywhere. There was no way I was going to be able to leave the cabin, suitcase in hand, and simply say, “Excuse me, Mrs. Bear, I’m late for my flight, but if you’ll just move to one side, I promise to share my bag of inflight peanuts with you.”

I had to admit, however, that part of me didn’t mind missing my flight to Colorado because the idea of performing at the Seminar in the Rockies was about as scary as facing this bear. Our church secretary, Janie Downing, suggested I go to the Seminar in the Rockies because that’s where a lot of people in the Christian entertainment industry first get noticed. I had been

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an actor in California before coming to Alaska, but this

out to us for several hours. Rob needed to get to his

would be my first acting stint in a long time, other than

plane soon, so he asked if he had permission to shoot

a few performances at church.

the bear since it was clearly aggressive. They told us to

Leading up to this event, I had written a sketch

wait it out, and if the creature didn’t go away by the

and performed it at our church, and then our pastor,

time Rob had to leave, he had the green light to shoot.

Jack Aiken, did something he didn’t do routinely. He

So we waited… and waited… and that bear

took a special offering to raise money to send me to

simply would not leave. The bear was so stubbornly

the Seminar in the Rockies. So how could I not go to

determined to stick around that I was beginning to

Colorado and perform if my entire church was behind

think the Church of Latter Day Saints had sent it to

me? I had to go, despite my fears—assuming I could

our door.

get past this bear. And this was no small teddy bear.

Finally, Rob could wait no longer. By this time, the

Whenever I measure the size of things, I use a general

black bear was only a few feet from our cabin. Rob

rule: If I’m ever standing close to something and I feel

positioned himself on the threshold of the front door

svelte in comparison, odds are that it is BIG. This mama

while I moved back and held on to Sam to keep him

bear was about 250 pounds.

from attacking the animal. As the bear turned its head,

Rob didn’t have a bear tag, so he couldn’t shoot

showing its profile, Rob leaned a little to his left, took

the bear legally. He called Alaska Fish and Game and

aim, and shot the bear right behind the ear. There was

told them the situation, hoping they would send out a

a risk that if he didn’t kill the bear instantly, it might

bear removal team to trap the bear and transport it to

turn on us, claws ready. But it would be difficult for

a safe location away from people. However, the agency

any creature to remain standing when someone fires a

said we lived so far away that they couldn’t get a team

shotgun from such close range.

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"SAM WAS OUR PROTECTOR, AND HE WENT BALLISTIC AT THE IDEA OF US BEING OUTSIDE WITH THE BEAR BUT WITHOUT HIM."

The big bruin hit the ground.

It appeared that the bear was dead, but we had to make sure. So I put Sam in a bedroom, and we went to investigate the results—very carefully. This sent Sam into even greater spasms of barking. Sam was our protector, and he went ballistic at the idea of us being outside with the bear but without him.

When we were finally sure the bear was dead, we opened the door, and Sam came tearing out at full speed.

BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK! He was moving so fast that he ran right past the big mound of bear without even seeing it. “WHERE’S THE BEAR WHERE’S THE BEAR WHERE’S THE BEAR WHERE’S THE BEAR?” //

TO BE CONTINUED

TAKEN FROM: OF MOOSE AND MEN. COPYRIGHT © 2016 BY TORRY MARTIN AND DOUG PETERSON. PUBLISHED BY HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS, EUGENE,

OREGON.

WWW.HARVESTHOUSEPUBLISHERS.COM.

USED

BY

PERMISSION.

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

GOD OF WONDERS

WIDOW'S PATH

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

THE CANINE CORNER

TAIL DOCKING AND DEWCLAW REMOVAL words by puppy expert: DR. TERESA HOXWORTH This article will cover the topic of tail docking and dewclaw removal in puppies. I know many breeders have been doing this for a long time, but there may be some tips in my article that you will find helpful to incorporate into your current protocol. I recommend that all breeders get in the habit of checking all puppies under three days of age for the presence of dewclaws, and I especially prefer them to be removed from the hind feet. Tail docking and dewclaw removal should be done when the puppy is three to five days of age. It is much better for the puppy to have them removed when they are at this age, and also much more convenient for the puppy’s new owner.

It is much easier to remove dewclaws at a very young age because when a puppy gets older, removal becomes a relatively major surgical procedure.

Dewclaws, if not removed, can be a problem as the dog gets older because the

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dewclaw can snag on things, and the toenail does not wear down on dewclaws, so they will need to be trimmed frequently. Dewclaws usually are found a little higher on the leg than the bottom four toes and can be on both the front and back feet. While dewclaw removals are optional on some breeds, the presence of dewclaws varies between breeds and even within a litter, so it is VERY important that you check ALL the feet of ALL the puppies in the litter.

Examine the litter of puppies first to make sure there are no signs of illness, diarrhea, excessive vocalizing, or any other signs that may prevent you from performing the procedures. If the puppies seem healthy, you may gather your materials and proceed. You will need a small, clean container, the instruments which you use to perform the tail docks and dewclaw removals, a small amount of disinfectant in your container, a blood stop powder or styptic pencil, and tissue glue. I recommend using a disinfectant such as Chlorhexidine or Betadine to sanitize your instruments in between puppies. I also find it easier to perform tail docks and dewclaw

AS THE DOG GETS OLDER . . . THE DEWCLAW CAN SNAG ON THINGS

removals with an assistant to hold the puppies for me as I work on them.

With your assistant holding the puppy on its back with all four feet in front of you, hold the paw from which you will be removing the dewclaw. If you maintain a little pressure just above the foot, the bleeding will be minimal. I prefer to place a hemostat or clamp just behind the nail and the pad, making sure I am getting right up next to the skin. I place my clamp right up against the leg, parallel with it. I then twist the hemostat and pull to remove the dewclaw.

At this point, you may use a drop of tissue glue to help

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with bleeding and allow the skin to seal back together.

It may also be left open to heal, and blood stop powder or a silver nitrate stick may be used to stop the bleeding.

Tail docking is performed in the same position, with your assistant holding the puppy on its back.

Make sure your assistant is holding both back legs out of your way. If you have difficulty knowing what length you need from this position, you can use a permanent marker to mark the tail at the length you want it to be. I like to use a special scissors with a curved blade called a White’s scissors to perform tail docks, but you may use any blunt scissors. If you push the skin back slightly when you make your cut, you will have a little extra skin to cover the exposed tail tip to allow it to heal with skin covering the bone. You may also angle your cut slightly so that the skin on the top part of the tail— that your assistant is holding downward—is cut a little longer than the side of the tail towards the rectum. This will allow the top part of the skin to cover the tail tip better, and a scar will be less visible. After removing the tail, you may place a drop of tissue glue to help hold the skin together and to help control bleeding.

For each procedure, it is important that you remember to place your instruments into your disinfectant between puppies and also to clean your instruments after each use. I normally give each puppy about 0.1 cc penicillin under the skin after I remove the dewclaws or dock the tails. Monitor the puppies for the next hour to make sure there is no excessive bleeding and that the puppies do not seem distressed.

I suggest that you discuss your instruments and your procedure with your veterinarian if you have any issues or concerns and to be certain that you are performing the procedures properly. //

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR TO SUGGEST FUTURE TOPICS, DR. TERESA HOXWORTH CAN BE REACHED AT DANVILLE VETERINARY CLINIC - (740) 599 - 5991.

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FUNDS an d BENEFITS //

CRIST M. AND ESTHER MILLER FUND

A fund has been set up for Crist M. and Esther Miller. Crist was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, is currently taking chemo treatments, and has ongoing doctor and hospital bills. Any donations and prayers will be greatly appreciated. Thank you, and God bless you for sharing. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Mt. Hope Charities Inc., PO Box 19, Mt. Hope OH 44660. Attn: Martins Creek East Church.

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LEROY & ESTHER MILLER FUND

A fund has been set up for Leroy and Esther Miller. Esther had a bike accident and broke her leg in multiple places. She needed three surgeries and therapy afterward. Their son Eddie was in an accident in 2011 and still needs assistance and therapy. Tax-deductible donations can be made to Mount Hope Charities Inc., PO Box 19, Mount Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Mt. Hope Middle East Church #125.

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LARRY & DIANA WEAVER FUND

A fund has been set up for Larry and Diana Weaver. Diana is taking treatments for colon cancer. She will need chemo for four months, then radiation five days a week for six weeks, followed by surgery in Columbus. Thank you and God bless you for sharing. Taxdeductible donations can be sent to Mt. Hope Charities Inc., PO Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660.

Attn: Winesburg NW Church.

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AQUILLA KING FAMILY FUND

A fund has been set up for the Aquilla King family. They have six adult children living at home with myotonic dystrophy, a muscle-disabling handicap. The costs increase as they age.

Thank you. Send to Coatesville Savings Bank, 185 E. Lincoln Hwy, PO Box 390, Coatesville, PA 19320. Make checks payable to Aquilla King Family Fund.

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If you are conducting a fundraiser to assist with medical or hardship expenses, please let us know and we will be happy to feature it for one month at no cost.

Funds must be payable to a bank, church, or charitable organization.

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JOHN & LINDA BEILER FUND

Prayers are needed as the family adjusts to their loss. Donations can be sent to BB&T Bank, PO Box 575, Intercourse, PA 17534. Make check payable to Belmont District Alms Funds.

Memo: John & Linda Beiler Fund.

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SUSAN HOCHSTEDLER FUND

A fund has been set up for Mrs. Susan Hochstedler and her family of five children, ages one to thirteen years old. Her husband, Clemance, died in a farming accident on January 9, 2020. All donations are appreciated. Make checks payable to Mt. Hope Charities Inc., PO Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Salt Creek North Church.

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ROY D. AND EMMA YODER FUND

A fund has been set up for the Roy D. and Emma Yoder family. They have had on-going medical expenses since Emma’s kidney transplant ten years ago. They also have two children at home to care for. Thank you and God bless you for sharing. All donations will be greatly appreciated. Tax-deductible donations can be made to Mt. Hope Charities Inc., P.O. Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Boontown Church.

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RUEBEN YUTZY FUND

A fund has been set up for Rueben Yutzy. Rueben’s wife Kathryn had a horse accident that took her life. He has four children age 6 years and under. Donations will be used for finishing their house and living expenses. Please make checks payable to Rueben Yutzy Fund, Killbuck Savings Bank, Mt. Hope Office, P.O. Box 157, Mt. Hope, OH 44660-0157. If you would like a tax-deductible receipt, call Allen Troyer at (330) 749-9338. Thank you and God bless you.

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24 TH CRIPPLED CHILDREN'S AUCTION June 26–27, 2020

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Mt. Hope Event Center

8076 State Route 241, Millersburg, OH 44654 Friday: Sports Auction begins at 5:00 pm

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(330) 674-6188

Saturday: Breakfast is served 6:30–9:00 am

Auction begins at 8:30 am Health expo and grilling demo: Friday, 3:00–8:00 pm, and Saturday, 6:30 am–3:00 pm A lunch stand will be serving veal sandwiches, pork, and barbecue chicken. Donations are needed. If you are interested in donating items, please call (330) 674-6188. Quilts from across the area are donated, with more than one hundred quilts being auctioned. When donating quilts, have all quilts marked with name and size. Friday night Sport Auction and Saturday Auction funds will go for children born with birth defects and medical problems.

Thank you for all your continued support.

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INDEX of ADVERTISERS A-1 Message Center page 65

Holmes Lumber page 58

Mt. Eaton Greenhouse page 69

A.D.'s Equine Sports Massage Therapy page 39

Holmes Pest Control page 77

Mt. Healthy Hatcheries page 69

Homestead Furniture page 39

MWSB, Inc. page 76

HyR BRIX page 69

Network Radiology page 16

Immunity Therapy Center page 42, 43, 68

Nexalin Technology page 90

JPV Press page 28 - 33

NutriSprout page 76

Keim page 50 - 53

Nutrition Wellness Center page 3

Killbuck Savings Bank page 46

Pomerene Hospital page 10

Kristy Bowling, Attorney at Law page 77

Precision Orthopaedic Specialties page 61

Leon Miller page 16

Premier 1 Supplies page 73

Limitless Land Management page 14

Quality SIPs page 38

Main Street Pharmacy & Wellness page 80

Skyline Homes page 24

Maysville Elevator page 69

Sugar Valley Bicycle page 46

Maysville Harness page 73

Trumbull Regional Medical Center page 60

Mid-Ohio Sporting Goods page 75

University Hospitals page 92

Miller Gun Supply page 72

Utility Pipeline page 86

Miller Packaging page 68

Valley View Concrete page 24

Miller Tech page 91

Wooster Community Hospital page 4, 5

MotherCare Center page 38, 80

Yoder Drilling & Geothermal page 65

Mt. Eaton Care Center page 68

Yoder's Reclaimed Wood Products page 64

ABC Foundations page 14 Akron Children's Hospital page 24 Backyard Herbs page 76 Berlin Gravely Sales page 80 Boontown Sprayer page 39 Brown's Furniture page 80 Charm Sweet Shoppe page 82 Charm Wellness Center page 39 Chestnut Ridge Sewing page 88 Coshocton County DJFS page 88 Creative Holmes page 58 Delta Mustad Hoofcare Center page 86 E-Bikes of Holmes County page 2 Erb's Stove page 61 First Choice Concrete page 82 First Choice Mattress page 58 First Federal Community Bank page 60 Hershey Machine page 38

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When contacting our advertisers, please mention that you saw their ads in Plain Values magazine.

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GOOD STUFF! wi th Kevin Hey, what’s the good word!

I’m the newest member of our staff here at Plain Values, joining in midOctober 2019, and I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this team. I’m just as happy to be spending some time with you each month and embarking on a journey that I’m hoping will have as much of an impact on you as it will on me.

I’ve spent the past twenty years as a head basketball coach at the collegiate and high school levels, as well as being an athletic administrator. Sports have played an integral part of my life ever since I was young and culminated with me playing collegiate basketball at nearby Walsh University and even as far as Germany, where I spent time as a professional basketball player. I’ve met so many people, gone to so many different places, and have an infinite number of things I’ve taken away from the sport to make me who I am today. To say I’m grateful for all of that would be a massive understatement.

There are a number of lessons I’ve learned in my lifetime, and I look forward to sharing these with you. Some topics will include habits vs. goals, humility, preparation, execution, connection, leadership, and attitude, to name a few. This might impact you as a spouse, a parent, a sibling, a son or daughter, a co-worker, or as a friend. But, if you get better as a result of our time each month, then I’m beyond appreciative for that opportunity. I am excited to hear how this will inspire you, possibly transform you, and even bring some positive insight into your life.

At the end of the day, I’m a big believer that we can all focus on what we control in our lives. Most of these topics fall under that philosophy, but I think the message of control is something that resonates in all of our lives, especially

Please feel free to reach me anytime with your thoughts at kevin@plainvalues.com or: Plain Values Attn: Good Stuff with Kevin PO Box 201 Winesburg, OH 44690

now. “Confusion lies in complexity; execution in simplicity,” says Kevin Eastman.

The older I get, the more appreciation I have for “simple.” And ultimately, I feel that our true development comes in two ways. One, knowing what to work on and two, consistently working day in and day out. As I like to tell my own boys or the players I’ve coached, “Embrace boredom!” Very few can maintain the daily grind throughout their lifetime without some difficult challenges.

So, ask yourself, "What do I control in my life?" And once you identify those things, I challenge you to find ways to make them better.

Now that’s GOOD STUFF! //

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