Vol 38 • No. 8
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July 2017
Old Glory represents 240 years of history
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By Tom Emery Banners and bunting depicting the American flag are displayed in abundance over the 4th of July holiday. In fact many flags have remained on display since June 14, Old Glory’s 240th anniversary. Today’s Stars and Stripes has gone through a lot of changes since the Continental Congress adopted it in 1777. The admission of new states and a surprisingly vague design are attributed to that leeway. It’s also a matter of debate as to who created it and who sewed it. Legend says that Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, was approached by a committee headed by George Washington to create a new banner for the colonies. She allegedly came up with the familiar blue background that enveloped 13 stars, one for each colony, according to one of her grandsons. In 1870 he went public with the
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story and it quickly became part of American lore. However, many scholars dispute it, citing a lack of historical record of any contact between Ross and Washington. Some credit our flag’s creation to Francis Hopkinson, a New Jersey congressman and signer of the Dec-
laration of Independence. He had designed a naval flag with stars and stripes, but when he requested reimbursement from Congress in 1781 for the new flag, he was rebuffed. Many historians believe the first American flag was the Grand Union, which had 13 alternating red-and-
white horizontal stripes and a blue canton containing the united crosses of St. George and St. Andrew. Some accounts believe that flag was first used when Washington assumed command of the Continental Army. He wrote: “We hoisted the Union Flag in compliment to the United Colonies.” American defenders at Fort Schuyler, N.Y., also displayed that flag in August 1777. Another writer notes that the first use of the Stars and Stripes was at the battle of Bennington, Vt., also in August, 1777. The Bennington Flag had nine stripes and 11 stars, which surrounded the number 76. Two more stars were on the top corners of the blue field. Adding to the debate is a flag that hangs in the public library in Easton, Pa., that has 13 red-and-white stripes and 13 stars in the blue field. It was first flown on July 8, 1776. Various See Old Glory, page 12
I scream, you scream – July screams ice cream By Leslie Chaffin Pistachio, butter brickle, Rocky Road, Cappuccino Chunky Chocolate, key lime pie...the list of ice cream flavors is virtually endless, especially with today’s “designer” flavors. In 1984, July was designated National Ice Cream Month, and the third Sunday is National Ice Cream Day. Several Wichitans remember their favorite ice cream parlors. “Dipper Dan’s was my ice cream spot,” said Lisa Rathert “Bubblegum was my favorite flavor, though I also liked vanilla with caramel topping.” Others mentioned Squeezer’s Palace, Peter Pan and Ferrell’s. Current
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purveyors such as Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins, College Hill Creamery, Marble Slab, Cold Stone and others continue to be favorite destinations. Ferrell’s was here from 1983 to 1990. In 2009 it reopened with some locations in California. Squeezers in Riverside was open on and off since the 1970s, with several different owners. It sold fresh juices and ice cream treats. The last owner closed it in 2015. Peter Pan was sold to Braum’s in Tulsa in 1967 with the stipulation that it could not sell in Kansas for 10 years. At that time Braum’s was the only family-owned dairy that milked its
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging or call your county Department on Aging: 1-855-200-2372
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Soda fountain opened in 1932. own cows. There are several Braum’s in WichSee Ice Cream, page 17
Butler County: (316) 775-0500 or 1-800- 279-3655 Harvey County: (316) 284-6880 or 1-800-279-3655