First Semester Report Cards

As most of my blogging friends will know, both Brandon and Jordan are in high school. Brandon is in grade 11 and Jordan is in grade 9. Both of the boys like high school so much more than they did elementary school and it showed when their progress reports came yesterday.

Both boys did excellent. All of their marks were in the 70s, 80s and 90s, except one. Jordan just made 60% in music. He made it by the skin of his teeth as they used to say, just barely getting a passing mark. This is great for a boy who just made it through grade 7 and 8 with quite low marks.

I'm very proud of both of them. They're doing a great job and looking ahead to their future. Right now, Jordan is aiming for computer design as a career. Brandon isn't sure yet. He's trying new things and this semester has two cooking classes, one horticultural class and mandatory English. It's nice to see both boys doing so well.

Happy Valentine's Day

Wishing all my dear blogger friends a Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Nine Span Bridge

This is the nine span bridge at Caledonia, Ontario. If you can't read the fine print, it says, "Caledonia's famous nine span bridge, the only one of its kind in Canada."

The bridge was built between June 7th and November 19, 1927. That was a major feat back then. The bridge, over 80 years old, is 72 feet 7 inches in length. There was a two day celebration when it was declared open my government officials.

In 1984, major work was done on the bridge to reinforce it. Motorists still use the bridge today, even though a bypass has been constructed around the city.

I remember traveling over this bridge as a child and thinking how large it was. Back in the 50s, it was the biggest bridge I'd ever seen. It was thrill to cross the arched bridge and watch the water of the Grand River flow over the dam.

The picture was probably taken in the late 50s. The area has really built up since that time, but the bridge remains.

Black History Month: John W. Jones

Leesburg, VA, June 21, 1817

John W. Jones was born into slavery on a plantation belonging to the Elzy family. He worked on the plantation for 27 years, at which time he feared he would be sold by his elderly and ill master. He fled along with four other slaves.

Slave hunters found them in Maryland, but the four managed to escape. They made their way to Pennsylvania, which was a free state. Exhausted and starving, they hid in a barn belonging to Nathaniel Smith. They were found by the owner's wife and given food and a safe place to rest.

After recuperating, the slaves made their way to Elmira, NY., which was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. It was the only stop between Philadelphia and St. Catherines, Ontario, where the slaves were headed.

In 1851, Jones became an agent on the Underground Railroad of Elmira. During the next nine years, he helped 860 slaves escape. There were times he aided up to 30 runaways in one night...some in the First Baptist Church and some in his home. None of these runaways were ever captured.

Jones made an agreement with Northern Central Railroad employees in 1854. Fugitive slaves were hidden in the Freedom Baggage Car that traveled directly to Niagara Falls. Most of Jones' "baggage" was delivered to St. Catherines.

In 1847, Jones became sexton of Elmira's First Baptist Church. He kept records of the church's dead. He buried 2,963 Confederate soldiers from Elmira Prison Camp in Woodlawn Cemetery during the Civil War and kept immaculate records of these men. Only seven of these soldiers are listed as unknown. Jones received $250 for each buried soldier the government. He used the money to buy a farm on College Avenue. His house still stands on Davis Street.

Jones served as sexton of First Baptist Church for another 43 years. When he died on December 26, 1900, he was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.