Some of my granddaughters have American Girl Dolls.
So I was very interested after visiting Wells College last week to read an article about Pleasant T. Rowland, the founder of The American Girl Dolls. She graduated from Wells College in 1962.
'AURORA, N.Y. — After a five-year makeover at the hands of the founder of the American Girl doll collection, this village of white clapboard and faded brick on Cayuga Lake practically glows, with freshly painted homes, refurbished inns and markets selling dried organic cranberries and cheese made from sheep’s milk.
James Estrin/The New York Times
Pleasant T. Rowland, founder of the American Girl dolls.
The New York Times
Aurora is a village of 750 in the Finger Lakes region.
It was an act of philanthropy by the woman who began the popular line of historic dolls and books, Pleasant T. Rowland. Ms. Rowland, an alumna of Wells College here, gave $40 million to her alma mater to revitalize Aurora’s diminutive downtown and to help reverse the college’s declining enrollment. The money did just that, but not without earning Ms. Rowland enemies: a group of residents who resented her for making the historic village, in their eyes, too fancy and artificial, about as authentic as a dollhouse. "
This town is so beautiful and has brought so much joy to the residents of New York. I find it so sad there is such a contriversity over such growth and development.
Because of so much contention with all the beautiful renovations that Ms. Rowland did in the town...she donated it all to her alma mater and they now receive the income from her renovations.
Elder Bushman and I have driven through many places along all the lake front properties in the finger lake region. We love driving through the town of Aurora. There is always so much going on and people walking to church etc. on Sunday Mornings. I will keep my eye on this town of Aurora, New York. There is a natural light that should be displayed here....Aurora was the Roman Goddess of Dawn in the Arctic regions. The Arctic Glaciers formed Cayuga Lake. It will be fun to see if Ms. Rowland can add lazer lights to the streets and sidewalks....the new computer age can and will bring not only beauty to Aurora but technology to a American Dream...Lets watch this Doll creator closely as she brings New York and Aurora on the map scene...a place to not only drive through but stay awhile. Hurrah for our weekly travels and "OH the places we've seen!"
THE BEAN FAMILY
THE BEAN FAMILY
Sister Adair, an Oklahoma City Temple friend, gave this book to us before we left on our mission. It was written by Rand H. Packer a son of Palmyra Bean Parker. She was the daughter of Willard & Rebecca. Her daughter Pamela and Son-in-law Emery Smith are serving with us in this temple mission. President Broadbent had them tell part of the story of Pam's grandparents life here. Elder Smith told of the boxing side of Willards life and he wore a shirt that had the picture of Willard in his prime boxing years.
He did a good pose of Willard. Elder Bean was able to soften the hearts of so many bitter people here in Palmyra as he stood his ground. He eventually opened a boxing school for the neighborhood children and taught his trade. Most importantly, the sacrifices of the Willard's and their faithfulness opened the way for thousands of Saints to visit Palmyra in later years and partake of the Spirit of the Lord that is here.
Sister Pamela Smith told of her mother, Palmyra's, memories of living in Palmyra. When her mother was 85 years old, Pamela and her sister brought her to the dedication of the Palmyra Temple. That was a humbling adventure for both the daughters and their mother. Pam also shared her grandmothers testimony with us all. She had a tape recording of her grandmothers voice in the 1960's telling of her experiences and mission...it was very touching to listen to Rebecca Bean. Rebecca tells of a visit from The Savior: "He responded, I promise you, if you will go about your work everyday as you have done it this day, you will be equal to it. Now remember these missionaries represent me on this earth and all
that you give unto them you give unto me."
If you get a chance, read this great biography of The Beans!
President Broadbent continued the lecture on the purchase of the Hill Cumorah etc. I love this photo because it shows his enthusiasm for this subject matter. Thank you President Broadbent for bring this history alive to all of us. We love serving in the Palmyra New York Temple and in this area of New York!
We felt so bad to learn of Robin Williams death. I enjoyed him being the voice of Genie in the lamp...ha...since I too am a Genie! I hope he is granted three wishes in his new realm and that the sorrow he was burdened with in this life will bring him hope, as covered through the atonement of Jesus Christ, here and in the hereafter. May I, Genie, recommend to each of you to be a little kinder to those around us. Treat your family members with kindness and give them the hugs they deserve and yearn for. Remember your own "genes" and know you are essential and unique...never, never give up on yourself, please. Again, this life is a test...hung...reversed can sound as genie...or "gnuh"...which we have witnessed can also destroy. Such a terrible loss. "Watch Your Words!" (Mosiah 4:30)
We went on the trolley tour with the Tanners. It was fun to see all the sites in Elmira.
This is where Mark Twain resided when he wrote several of his books.
Susan Crane, Twain's wifes sister, built this study for him beside her home where the Twain's spent their summers. It is inside this building where he wrote "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and the Advntures of Huckleberry Finn.
When we returned back to the Inn...our winter coats, our anniversary gift to each other, had arrived.
Ha! Hopefully the cold won't bother us this New York Winter...we are prepared, we have "Bean" coats !
We went on another adventure Friday. We received an invite from Dale & Danice Tanner to come and go on a Trolley Tour of their area. They live in Horseheads New York. It is just north of Elmira, New York where Mark Twain and his family are buried. Horseheads is a village in Chemung County, New York. The name is derived from the number of bleached skulls of pack horses left behind by the Sullivan Expedition. Sullivan mercifully disposed of his pack horses worn out by faithful service in the campaign against the six nations of the Iroquois Indians. The first settlers in Horseheads found the bleached skulls of all the horses and named the town after them....nice history for a beautiful community.
This is a picture of the famous people who have resided in Elmira, New York....do you recognize any of them?
We went on the trolley tour with the Tanners. It was fun to see all the sites in Elmira.
This is where Mark Twain resided when he wrote several of his books.
Mark Twain wore a straw hat in the summer. This pool at Brand Park built in 1926 had its design based on the upturned straw brimmed hat!
This is the Twain headstone in the Woodlawn Cemetery
This is a picture looking out at the Woodlawn Cemetery
We then went back to Horseheads where the Tanner's took us to their daughters grave. She, her husband and little girl were all killed in a plane crash along with her husbands parents. This is a sad story. They had this beautiful headstone made with the Salt Lake Temple engraved upon it. It was a very tender moment for them to share this sorrow with us.
This is a picture of Danice and Dale Tanner in front of their Horseheads, New York home. They have an absolutely lovely home and a beautiful flower garden in the front of the home. Danice made a lunch for us before we headed back to Palmyra. She really outdid herself...she is an awesome cook...now we know where our former Bishop Tanner got his love of cooking. He is a Chef in OKC, OK. Anyway, we had a lovely, lovely day, an awesome meal and a great visit with a wonderful couple. Thank you Brother and Sister Tanner for your hospitality and friendship. We hurried back to Palmyra and served the evening shift in the temple. I slept all the way back to the Inn. Elder Bushman was able to enjoy the scenery on our drive and the great home cooked meal the Tanners fed us made me warm, toasty and comfortable on our drive home!
And finally we are excited for our grandson Cannon. His birthday is this Tuesday and he will turn 7 next week. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CANNON!
"SHINE ON" CANNON....now the day is here! Blessings to all on this beautiful August week.
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