University of South Carolina Libraries
THE NEWBERRY SUN, NEWBERRY. S. C. HISTORY IN MINIATURES . . . Crowded into the 4,000 square feet of Roadside America, world’s great est indoor miniature village, is the panorama of American history: (1) Sleepy HoUow is typical of the pio neer days of the West; (2) Shrine church is a replica of a memorial chapel in the Alps; (3) a pioneer vil lage of 300 years ago is reconstructed; (4) the airport, laid out like a real field, lends note of modern ity; (5) an idea of the scale on which the miniatures are built is obtained by comparing Laurence Gieringer with the figures he is placing on a railroad station platform, and (6) the village of Fairfield* represents the modern era. Picturesque Miniature Village Depicts History of America WNV Features. Childhood disillusionment at the shattering of a dream did not deter Laurence Gieringer; instead, it embarked him on a hobby which over a span of 44 years has resulted in creation of a pic turesque miniature village which has attracted nationwide atten tion and lured millions of visitors. With the passionate covetousness of a child, the 5-year-old Laurence used to sit nightly in the window of his home in a Pennsylvania valley and gaze longingly at a house on the mountainside—a toy house, it seemed to him, as its lights blinked enticingly in the distance. He want ed that tiny house, wanted to pick it up in his hands and bring it home. When his repeated pleas to set out in quest of his house were ignored, the little boy finally became des perate and, stuffing a banana and a few crackers into his pockets, trudged off up the mountainside in search for the little house. Search ing parties were out all night and at 6 o’clock in the morning the frantic parents finally discovered the grimy but undaunted boy two-thirds the way up the mountainside. Bitter at being overhauled, the boy was com forted only when his parents agreed to tak^ him to the end of the road. Dream Shattered. Disillusionment clouded Lau rence’s eyes when he beheld just an other ordinary sized house with no lights at all in the bright morning, no enchantment, no magic lure. But Laurence Gieringer’s dream was not ended; in fact, it had only begun. Today, at 54, he owns countless lighted houses that he can pick up in his hands, along with churches, barns, bridges, highways, railroads, lakes, fields, grist mills, fac tories and scores of other min iature models depicting the archi tectural and industrial pano rama of the America of the last few hundred years. Collectively they are known as Roadside America, which is situat ed four miles west of Hamburg, Pa., between Harrisburg and Allentown. Roadside America had its begin ning four years after Laurence’s abortive attempt to bring home the lighted house from the mountaintop. With his younger brother, Paul, he had climbed another mountain near Reading. Far below them Reading looked like a city inhabited by doll men. Fascinated by the sight, Lau rence said eagerly: “Paul, wouldn’t it be swell to build little houses the same size they look from here?” Thus was born the idea which was to grow into a project enchanting millions of visitors every year. Delving into their venture with en thusiasm, the boys scoured the li brary for books on American ar chitecture from the pioneer days to modern times. A kindly art teach er gave them drawing lessons at three cents for plain sketching, five cents for pastel work, the fees covering only the cost of material. Early difficulties soon induced Laurence to adopt an arbitrary scale of three-eighths of an inch to a foot, a scale he has employed through all the intervening years. Pictures and stories of the way the early settlers in Amer ica had lived induced Gieringer to build history into his minia tures. His models, he decided, could show the development of American home and business life as exemplified in the struc ture of homes and business buildings. As a result, there now are threfe separate sections, one depicting the life of the early settlers, another that of Pennsylvania at the turn of the century and a third showing a modern setting. Gieringer plans a fourth eventually—his version of the village of tomorrow. Built From Scraps. Scraps of wood, discarded tin cans, wire, pieces of metal, pipe cleaners, paper and numerous other odds and ends have been utilized as construction materials for Giering er’s intricate models. An idea of the scope of the exhibit may be gained by noting some of the materials which have gone into its making. They include 9,520 feet of board lumber, 4,000 feet of build ing paper, 1,728 feet of railroad and trolley track, 11,080 feet of electric wire, 513 light bulbs, 12,000 pounds of plaster, 4,000 miniature figures, 10,000 miniature trees and shrubs, 250 pounds of nails, 42 gallons of paint, two barrels of green sawdust, six tons of stone, 8,000 pounds of sand, 145 miniature railroad cars and 1,700 feet of tracks for trains and trolleys. Highlight among the miniatures is a high-spired church with beauti fully handpainted windows, a task that required months of exacting la bor as Gieringer sought means of i <» creating stained glass. As visitors mill about the village, the lights are dimmed and fro mthe open door of the church pours religious music from a tiny organ. Outside the church a ragged tramp leans lazily against a white fence, a dog at his heels. When the organ strains fade, a different type of mnsic issues from a large barn, in which an old-fashioned barn dance is pro gressing. Nearby planes seem about to take off from an air port while a few feet away peo ple are packed into a grand stand watching a baseball game. Animation marks the exhibits. There are youngsters walking on narrow curbstones, a boy whose feet are tangled in an electric wire, dogs sniffing at fire hydrants, women hanging out their washing or gos siping over back fences, trolleys and train in operation, water wheels turning grist mills. Receive Wide Acclaim. ' The Gieringer exhibits have been widely heralded as the world’s greatest miniature village and the most unique and detailed master piece ever evolved. A staunch exponent of hobbies as a means of preventing juve nile delinquency, Gieringer in sists that “hobbies keep children off the street,” adding that “if youngsters’ hands are busy, they don’t get into mischief.” His dream is to see establish ment of a national hobby cen ter where exhibits of all kinds can be shown to inspire other hobbyists. Throughout the years both Mr. and Mrs. Gieringer have worked with countless children from nearby schools and orphanages. Although Gieringer allows boys training in his workshop to use me chanical equipment, all of Roadside America has been built completely by hand and with ordinary carpen ter tools. Originally set up as a Christmas display in the Gieringer home for showing to neighbors and visitors, the miniatures later were exhibited in a Reading fire house and in a local park, all earnings going to charity. The present Roadside America was established in 1941, a portion of the proceeds still going to charity. Although wartime gaso line rationing shattered attendance, a record number of visitors viewed the displays last season and still larger crowds are expected this summer. Circuit Rider Travels 954 Miles Weekly To Reach Parish KANSAS CITY, MO. ~ Traveling nearly a thousand miles every week end to preach to his congregation, the Rev. E. V. Johnson, 33-year-old former army chaplain, ranks as the modem version of the old-time cir cuit rider. A train, however, sup plants the horse as his mode of trans portation. Every week from Tuesday through Friday, Mr. Johnson attends classes at Central Baptist Theological sem inap’ here. On Friday he hops a train for his pastorate at Locust Grove, Tex. Leaving Kansas City at 9 p. m. Friday, he has a 12-hour train trip before reaching Canadian, Tex., where his wife and two chil dren, Sharon, 8, and Mary Vesta, 4, are waiting to take him the 16 miles to Locust Grove by car. On the return trip, Mr. Johnson leaves Locust Grove on Monday to catch a train back in time for opening of classes Tuesday morn ing. The round trip is 954 miles. A railroad pass is a big lift for Mr. Johnson’s weekly trip. Locust Grove is a small commu nity where church services are held in a schoolhouse, but the young min ister is spearheading a movement to build a church. Before entering the army as a chaplain, Mr. Johnson was pastor of the Boswell, Okla., Baptist church. IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL S UNDAYI chool Lesson By HAROLD L. LUNDQUIST. D. D. Of The Moody Bible Institute of Chicaso. . Released by Western Newspaper Union. Lesson for February 16 Lesson subjects and Scripture texts se lected and copyrighted by International Council of Religious Education: used by permission. JESUS AT THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES LESSON TEXT—John 8:12-11. 31-36; 9:1-8. MEMORY SELECTION—I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life John 8:12. “The Light of the World i» Jesus!” Who does not remember with what delight we as children sang, “Come to the light, ’tis shin ing for thee . . . The Light of the World is Jesus.” How precious was the truth that thus flooded our souls! Has the passing of the years dimmed the beauty and glory of that light in our hearts and lives? Do we need it renewed? God is will ing and ready. Jesus is the light, and just as the sunlight sheds its glory on an awakening world at dawn, so Christ sheds abroad the light of God in. the hearts of be lieving men. The writer of these lessons pens these words with the prayer that as this portion of God’s Holy Word is studied and taught, that light may break forth on many a soul lost in the bewilder ment of this dark world. Our study centers around three simple words fraught with beauty and rich in meaning. I. Light (John 8:12-16). The text says, “Then spake Jesus.” When? Just after he had silenced the hypocritical accusers of a woman taken in sin, and had spoken the word of peace to her troubled soul. She was to "go and sin no more” because she had met him who is the light of thj world. They that follow him “shall not walk in darkness”; they are the children of light, they have the very light of life. How sad it is that with the light of the world shining in all its bright ness, men loved their own darkness. The Pharisees, instead of receiv ing the Light, had to argue, and to do it on a low, fleshly plane. They even accused Jesus of being a liar. Think of that! So it is that men may reject the Light of God and go on into a dark ness made deeper because they have seen the light. Now we look at our second beau tiful word. How sweet it sounds as we repeat it— II. Freedom (vv. 31-36). Free! Four letters, but what a depth of meaning! Chains have (alien off, prison doors are open. The one who was bound is free. But here we are concerned with an even more important liberty, the free dom of the soul. Many there are who boast of their independence, but who are merely slaves. Jesus said: “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (v. 34) not its toaster. How shall they be freed? Note hree things in these verses. (1) A •ondition—“If ye continue in my vord.” This means not only a pro- ’ession of faith, but a daily appro priation and realization of his truth n life. (2) A promise—“Ye shall enow the truth.” The philosophies if men profess to be a seeking after ;ruth, but how few there are who ook to the one place where it can ie found—in Jesus Christ. (3) A •esult—“The truth shall make you !ree.” Truth always sets free. Men are enslaved because, as in some foreign lands, they have not lad the opportunity to learn the truth (we have failed to send it), or lecause they have rejected it. Freedom and light can lead only to III. Vision (John 9:1-5). This is one of the most instructive passages in Scripture. A man bom ilind is seen by Jesus. His disciples lote his interest and begin to theor- ze on a theological question. They lad learned so little of the com passionate spirit of Jesus that they saw in this blighted life only an il- .ustration of a theological problem. May God help us that we may never ie so blind. Jesus goes at once to his blessed work. He was in the world to do the works of God. He and the Father always work. Let us follow his ilessed example. The King’s busi- less requires haste. Let us work “while it is day, the night cometh when no man can work.” By a loving and gracious act, Jesus stirs in the heart of the man that faith which causes him to go, to wash, and, glory to God, he sees! Such a personal experience of the iivine power of the Son of God leaves no doubt in the man’s mind that the One who caused him to see “is a prophet.” All of a man’s foubts concerning the deity of Jesus Christ disappear when he becomes lis Saviour. Do not fail to read the remainder if the chapter and note how this nan’s faith was victorious in the !ace of trials, persecution, and even if excommunication; for outside the :emple he met Jesus and took him is his Lord. As Dr. Scroggie puts t, “His excommunication was a promotion. He went from the syn- igogue to the Saviour.” Let Children Play and Frolic! (See recipes below) Youngsters’ Parties Has your youngster had a party recently? There’s;, nothing quite so ’ excellent for social training for the youngsters as having a party com pletely their own. Social graces, un selfishness and consideration of oth ers can be taught easily this way. Of course, a child may look upon this purely as fun, but he can’t help absorbing some social sense about the affair even if he is young. I don’t suggest that / any parent wield ' WtCK. 'fTOn a strong arm overhim.but there are little ways of coaching him to see that his small guests are com fortable, and the fact that they have come to see him in his own home gives the child a certain awareness about his role in the matter. As a mother, you should be care ful in planning the food for the chil dren and seeing that everything goes smoothly. Little tots are apt to get very excited at the prospect of a party, so it’s a good idea to have food simple and easy-to-digest. Since birthdays are good occa sions for parties, you might plan a simple supper party for the young sters. Creamed chicken made with plenty of milk, an easy to get salad of molded fruit, and ice cream and cake is a good starter. *Creamed Chicken. (Serves 4 to 6) 5 tablespoons butter 5 tablespoons flour % cup sliced mushrooms % teaspoon salt 1% cups chicken broth Vi cup light cream or top milk 1V& cups cooked, cut up chicken 2 egg yolks, beaten Melt butter in top part of double boiler, then saute mushrooms in it for 5 minutes. Blend in flour and stir until smooth. Add salt, chick en broth and light cream, stirring constantly until mixture thickens. Add chicken and heat thoroughly. Remove from heat, pour slowly over beaten egg yolks, stirring constant ly. Serve over thin wedges of toast. Molded Salad. (Serves 6) 1 package lemon-flavored gelatin 1 cup boiling water 1 cup cranberry juice or canned, jellied sauce 1 apple 1 orange 1 teaspoon lemon jnice Lettuce, mayonnaise Dissolve gelatin in boiling water and chill until it thickens. Crush the sauce or add the juice to gelatin. Grind apple and orange, leaving skins on and combine with lemon juice and gelatin. Pour into mold and chill until firm. Serve on let tuce with mayonnaise. If a birthday cake is a must at the party, plan to make a delicate white one yourself, frost it with chocolate icing and put the writing on with a tube. If you’re not quite adept at this, practice the letter ing on waxed paper. It can be scooped up and used again. Birthday Cake. (Makes 2 8-inch layers) V6 cup shortening 1 enp granulated sugar 2 cups sifted cake flour LYNN CHAMBERS’ MENU •Creamed Chicken on Biscuits Buttered String Beans with Pearled Onions Tomatoes Stuffed with Cole Slaw Beverage Peach Cake •Recipe given. 2V4 teaspoons baking powder Vt teaspoon salt V4 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 egg whites Cream shortening and sugar to gether until light and fluffy. Sift flour, salt and baking powder together. Add al- ternately to creamed mixture with milk. Blend in vanilla and beat until smooth. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Bake in greased, floured layer cake pans in a moderately hot (375 degree) oven for 25 minutes. Frost with chocolate butter cream icing and decorate with white or tinted butter cream icing forced through a pastry tube. For youngsters who are a little older you might like to have a slightly different menu. If the young sters are able to manage in the kitchen themselves, it might be a good idea to let them dig in and toast hamburgers themselves. Or you might let them fix their own sandwiches from bowls of different kinds of spread. Have milk to drink and serve with ice cream and cake or cookies, and watch them enjoy themselves! Toasted Deviled Hamburgers. (Makes 8) 1 pound beef, ground V& cup chili sauce 1V6 teaspoons prepared mustard 1V4 teaspoons horseradish sauce 1 teaspoon minced onion IVa teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon salt 8 buns or slices of white bread Combine all ingredients except buns or bread. Toast bread on one side in broiler and spread with mixture. Return to the broiler and broil for 6 min utes. If desired, the sandwiches may be cut in halves or strips. With the sandwiches, serve a sal ad like cole slaw or one of sliced tomatoes, potato chips or french fried potatoes. If you don’t want the children working in the kitchen for the party, plan to make the meat mix ture early, refrigerate it and then pop the sandwiches in to broil while you are working in the kitchen your self. For children’s parties where ex citement tends to run high, better plan to have checked cloths and old napkins or a paper set so there’s no worry about laundry. The children will feel more at ease, too, if there aren’t too many breakables or things that ruin easily while they’re having fun. Thin glassware is especially undesirable, as some of it is sure to be broken and it may hurt someone. Released by Western Newspaper Union. LYNN SAYS: Did Yon Know? Moist foods always should be kept covered when they are refrigerated or they will dry out. All cooked foods kept in the re frigerator should be kept covered so they keep better and do not absorb odors from other foods. Meat may be bought in larger quantities more economically. Meat should be kept in the coldest portion of the refrigerator or the food locker to prevent spoilage. Cut flowers keep longer if they are placed in a cool place or in a re frigerator for overnight instead of keeping in a warm room. If frozen desserts refuse to freeze, they are too rich in cream or but- terfat. Adding a stiffly beaten egg white or two to the mixture may help the freezing along. Milk loses vitamins if left stand ing on the front porch in the sun. The bottles should be washed and refrigerated as soon after delivery as possible. T ouch-T ypewriting Self-Taught at Home ^O, “hunt and peck” typing ha* ^ no place in a busy, efficient of fice. If you're after a good job you must know touch-typing. What to do? With a chart of the hey and a few simple instructions, teach tt tm yourself at home—it’s easy. Learn, too, the simple rules of typing form that em ployers expect you to know. The valuable booklet “Touch-Tjrpewrit ing Self-Taught,” gives touch-typewriting chart, instructions and exercises for home lessons. Explains rules for typing correct business, social and official letters ao4 tables of figures. * * • Send 25 cents in coin for your copy of 'Touch-Typewriting Self-Taught” to Week ly Newspaper Service, 243 West 17th Street, New York 11, N. Y. Be sure •• write plainly your name, address aad name of booklet. INCOME TAX PAYERS Uncle Sam wants only the legal tax. To save, you should have our easy to under stand Information. Step by step we name numerous overlooked legal exemption* and credits and show exactly how to fill ia Form 1040. with examples, price only 40c. HOWARD COMPANY ?. O. Box 507 - Atlanta 3, Ga. Many doctors recommend good* tasting Scott’s Emulsion bo- cause it’s rich in natural A&B Vitamins and energy-bnildingr oil children need for proper growth, strong bones, sound teeth, sturdy bodies. Help* buSd up resistance to colde too if diet is AAD deficient. Buy Scotfe today! All druggists. SC0TTS EMULSION YEARROUND TONIC END LAXATIVE HABIT THIS EAST WAY! Millions Now Take Healthful Fresh Fruit Drink-Find Harsh Laxatives Unnecessary It’s lemon and water. Yes-just the juice of 1 Sunkist Lemon in a glass of water-first thing on arising. Taken first thing in the morning, this wholesome drink stimulates bowel action in a natural way-assures most people of prompt, normal elimination. Why not change to this healthful habit? Lemon and water is good for you. Lemons are among the richest sources of vitamin C, which combats fatigue, helps you resist colds and infections. They also supply Bi and P. They alkalinize, aid appetite and digestion. Lemon and water has a fresh tang, too-clears the mouth, wakes you up! Try this grand wake-up drink 10 mornings. See if it doesn’t help you! Use California Sunkist Lemons. QDIHTUFIHS always rellsve sore throat coughs—aching muscles of CHEST GOLDS MUSTEROLF U. S. Savings Bonds change to for the tbsuc effect on your smile Efficient Calox vrorkt tmo ttart: 1 Helps remove film...bring out all the natural lustre of your smile. 2 A special ingredient in Calox encourages regular massage... which has a tonic effect on gums ... helps make them firm and rosy. Tone op your smile...with Calox] Made in famous McKesson laboratories. Hi years oj pbarmacesstical knout-bow