June 1, 2018
Did you see Bob’s flag collection displayed at our house on Memorial Day? If not, you may get the chance to see them on Independence Day—weather permitting. He’s well on his way to acquiring a flag with every number of stars, which is challenging since some were only in use one or two years particularly during the mid-1800s when states were joining the country. It wasn’t until July 4, 2007 that the 50-star flag became the version of the flag in longest use, passing the 48-star flag that was used from 1912 to 1959. Prior to the adoption of the 48-star flag, there was no official arrangement of the stars in the canton. While the Army and Navy used standardized designs, various versions of the flag displayed the stars in rows, circles or even star patterns. It’s not that hard to find antique flags, so you may want to ask Bob for some tips if you’re interested in collecting them, too.
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If you’re looking for an excuse to get and about the area, this weekend is one of my favorite events, the Western Loudoun Artists Studio Tour (wlast.org). The fact that it’s free is great, though there’s plenty of opportunity to spend money! Information and directions are available at both the Franklin Park Arts Center and the Round Hill Arts Center,
Since Father’s Day is June 17th, consider getting his favorite chair reupholstered. As you’ve seen from the “before” and “after photos on our Facebook page, new fabric makes all the difference! The 1st Father’s Day in America may have been in Fairmont, West Virginia on July 5, 1908, when Grace Golden Clayton suggested to the local Methodist minister that they hold services to celebrate fathers after a deadly mine explosion killed 361 men. In 1924, President Coolidge recommended Father’s Day become a national holiday, but it wasn’t until 1972, during the Nixon administration, that it was officially recognized as a national holiday. Hope yours is a good one!
Lynne & Bob McCann