Rocky J. Squirrel Presents
GEMS+H:
The Stories That Bind Us
Author & Writer:
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The Stories Behind the Story
For more than three decades, I have used writing to explore the people, places, history, and ideas that have captured my curiosity—and to uncover the stories that connect them.
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My writing journey has taken me from student journalism and early writing projects to railroad history, education, Freemasonry, genealogy, and stamp collecting. Along the way, I have written about individuals who shaped communities, organizations that preserve history, and the stories hidden within seemingly ordinary objects and places.
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Today, that same curiosity is at the heart of Rocky J. Squirrel Presents GEMS+H: The Stories That Bind Us.
GEMS+H—Genealogy, Education, Masonry, Stamps, & History—is not simply a collection of separate interests. It is a way of looking at the connections between people, places, objects, and the stories they leave behind.
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Writing has been one of the ways I have explored those connections.
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What follows is a collection of my published and selected writing, spanning from 1990 to the present. Some pieces explore history and Freemasonry. Others examine railroads, education, stamps, or local stories. Together, they represent a journey that continues today.
Recent & Featured Work
I Was Looking for a Stamp Club. I Found a Philatelic Community.
Blog post, September 2026
The Key Was in His Middle Name
Blog post, September 2026
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The Wolcott Foundation: A High Twelve Connection
Blog post, September 2026
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Masonic Covers Unveil the Richness of History
A four-part series was developed for the Dayton Stamp Club's Newsletter. It is expected to be released beginning in October of 2026.
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Part I: Masonic Stamp Collecting Opens Doors
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Part II: Masonic Covers: History Impressed on Paper
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Part III: Masonic Covers: Windows into the Stories They Tell
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Part IV: Masonic Covers: Reflections of Life
Journey of a Pioneer: A Journey West
A Gamification Project — EDTL 6310, Technology in the 21st Century Classroom, Bowling Green State University — June 2026
Journey of a Pioneer: A Journey West is an educational gamification project developed as part of EDTL 6310 at Bowling Green State University.
I granted permission for this project to be used as a published example for future classes of what the Gamification Project can look like.
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This work represents the continuing connection between my writing, education, technology, storytelling, and history.
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Ironic First Day Covers
Letter to the Editor — First Days, American First Day Cover Society — July–August 2024
Washington Post:
Exploring Masonry, History & Community
Through my work with the Washington Post, a Masonic publication, I have had the opportunity to explore the people, organizations, traditions, history, and stories found within Freemasonry and the communities surrounding it.
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These articles reflect one of the ways I have combined Masonry and History—while often incorporating genealogy, education, travel, and storytelling along the way.
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Volume 2, Issue 1 — Fall 2022
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Who is the Widow’s Son?
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Israel Ludlow Puts Hamilton on the Map
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Poinsettia’s Named for a Brother
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Masonic Podcasts—The Short Talk Bulletin
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Masonic Stamp of Approval—Joel Roberts Poinsett
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Wednesday Night Fellowship and Education—Episode 2
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Join Us For Our Annual Labor Day Breakfast
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Washington Lodges Outdoor Raising
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John C. Cole Award Goes to Thomas Durr
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Freemason Book Review—Major General John Frederick Hartranft
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Exploring Masonic Coins—Military Leaders
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LEO’s Spotlight: Brother of the Month, Brother Tom Durr
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Chaplains Corner
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Masonic Calls
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Masonic Jeopardy
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Masonry in the Movies, Part 2
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Our Brothers at Greenwood Cemetery: Brother Carl E. Weilenmann
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Hamilton's Historic B&O Depot (originally Cincinnati, Hamilton, & Dayton Railroad) Donated
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Tidbits from a Traveling Man, Part 2
Volume 1, Issue 8 — August 22, 2022
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Shriners International
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A View to Masonic Education
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The Mound Builders
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Grand Master Brother Paul Revere
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Masonic Stamp of Approval—Paul Revere
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Masonic Podcasts—The Winding Stairs
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Wednesday Night Fellowship and Education
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Freemason Book Review—The Builders
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Exploring Masonic Coins—Government Officials
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Brother & President Arthur St. Clair
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Masonry in the Movies
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The Masonic Society
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Masonic Book Club
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Our Brothers at Greenwood Cemetery: Edward M. Miller
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Last One Day Class for the Foreseeable Future Announced
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Tidbits from a Traveling Man
Volume 1, Issue 7 — July 27, 2022
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Scottish Rite's Dyslexia Centers
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Valley of Cincinnati’s Holy Saints John Festival
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Hamilton’s History: The First Settlers
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Brother Edward Vernon Rickenbacker
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Masonic Podcasts—The Tyler's Place
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Masonic Stamp of Approval—Eddie Rickenbacker
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Freemason Book Review—A Deserving Brother: George Washington and Freemasonry
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Exploring Masonic Coins—The Presidents, Part 2
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Who Would Have Guessed: A Spy Within Our Midst
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I Am Freemasonry
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Our Brothers at Greenwood Cemetery: Charles E. Miller
Volume 1, Issue 6 — June 22, 2022
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Ohio Masonic Home
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Allied Masonic Degrees—Featured Appendant Body
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The Holy Saints’ John (Who Are These Guys?)
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After Becoming a Mason, Now What?
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Hamilton’s History: The Beginning
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Brother Joseph Warren
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Masonic Podcasts: The Traveling Man
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Masonic Stamp of Approval: Charles Lindbergh
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Freemason Book Review—The Great Wagon Road
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Exploring Masonic Coins—The Presidents
Volume 1, Issue 5 — May 11, 2022
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HUGS—Hamilton Urban Garden Society
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Royal Scofield Society—April’s Appendant Body
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Becoming a Master of the Craft
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Masonic Podcasts: Whence Came You
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Masonic Stamp of Approval: Irving Berlin
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Creating a Masonic Journey and Legacy
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Exploring Masonic Coins and Their Symbols
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Freemason Book Review: Anderson's Constitution
Volume 1, Issue 4 — March 11, 2022
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Cleaning Up Our Waterways, Land, and Local Bird Sanctuary
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High Twelve—Appendant Body of the Month
Railroad & Transportation Writing
My interest in railroads provided another avenue for exploring history through stories. These articles examined railroad equipment, operations, local history, and the people and companies connected to the railroads.
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Cowcatcher Round Up
September/October or November/December 2006
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The Trashing of ALM Boxcar 1605
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Timetable
Winter 2006
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Brock on the Wabash Update
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Extra! Extra! Read All About It: Indiana Limestone Shipped on the Ma & Pa
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Modeling the CIL Limestone Gondolas the Ma & Pa Delivered to Turner Construction Company
Summer 2005
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Delivering the Goods
Fall 2004
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The Reawakening of a Railroad Nut
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Blog Posts
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The Orange & White Named Railroad Cars — 2021
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The Orange & White Named Railroad Cars pt. 2 (cars 6000–8000) — 2021
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Juice Train — April 12, 2021
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Norfolk Southern Heritage Units — August 31, 2021
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Norfolk Southern's Dayton District — September 2, 2021
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Railfanning the Cincinnati-Hamilton-Dayton, Ohio Area
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Reading Heritage Unit NS 1067
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Shortline Railroads of America
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Virginian
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Glendale
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Hamilton OH Railfan
Earlier Writing
My writing journey began long before GEMS+H had a name.
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New Jersey Writing Workshop in Texas Book
Summer 2001
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Homeward Bound: My Journey — included in a compilation
Web Blog
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A Teacher's Rendering of Erik Anderson's AF4C Offering
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Chess: Making the Grade for Inner City Children
The Page — The King's College Student Newspaper
Vol. 3, No. 6 — October 1990
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The Ball Gets off the Ground for King's Athletic Ministry
Writing, Research & The GEMS+H Journey
Looking back across this collection, I can see connections that were not always obvious when each article was written.
I have written about people and their families, explored history and historical places, created and shared educational material, examined Freemasonry and its traditions, and used stamps and other objects as gateways into history.
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Those interests eventually came together as GEMS+H:
Genealogy — discovering the people and families behind the stories.
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Education — helping others understand and connect with what we learn from the past.
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Masonry — exploring its people, traditions, history, and continuing influence.
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Stamps — using small pieces of paper to open doors to much larger stories.
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History — bringing people, places, events, and experiences together.
The subjects may change, but the purpose remains the same:
The Stories That Bind Us.
Every article, project, and presentation is another opportunity to ask questions, uncover connections, and share what those
discoveries can teach us.
And the writing continues.
2026
I Was Looking for a Stamp Club. I Found a Philatelic Community, Blog Post, September 2026
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The Key Was in His Middle Name, Blog Post, September 2026
The Wolcott Foundation: A High Twelve Connection, Blog Post, September 2026
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Masonic Stamp Collecting Opens Doors, will be published in Dayton Newsletter, expected Vol. 55, No. 10, October 2026.
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Masonic Covers: History Impressed on Paper, will be published in Dayton Newsletter, expected Vol. 56, No. 11, November 2026.
Masonic Covers: Windows into the Stories They Tell, will be published in Dayton Newsletter, expected Vol. 56, No. 12, December 2026.
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Masonic Covers: Reflections of Life, will be published in Dayton Newsletter, expected Vol. 57, No. 1, January 2027.
Journey of a Pioneer: A Journey West, A Gamification Project, EDTL 6310, Technology in the 21st Century Classroom, Bowling Green State University, will be used as a published example for future classes of what the Gamification Project should look like, request granted June 2026​
2024
Letter to the Editor--Ironic First Day Covers, First Days (American First Day Cover Society), July-August 2024
2022
Who is the Widow’s Son? Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Israel Ludlow Puts Hamilton on the Map, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Poinsettia’s named for a Brother, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Masonic Podcasts--The Short Talk Bulletin, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Masonic Stamp of Approval--Joel Roberts Poinsett, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Wednesday Night Fellowship and Education--episode 2, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Join Us For Our Annual Labor Day Breakfast, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Washington Lodges Outdoor Raising, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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John C. Cole Award Goes to Thomas Durr, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Freemason Book Review--Major General John Frederick Hartranft, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Exploring Masonic Coins---Military Leaders, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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LEO’s Spotlight Brother of the Month Brother Tom Durr, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Chaplains Corner, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Masonic Calls, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Masonic Jeopardy, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Masonry in the Movies, part 2, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Our Brothers at Greenwood Cemetery: Brother Carl E. Weilenmann, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Hamilton's Historic B&O Depot (originally Cincinnati, Hamilton, & Dayton Railroad) donated, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Tidbits from a Traveling Man, part 2, Washington Post, Vol. 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2022)
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Shriners International, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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A View to Masonic Education, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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The Mound Builders, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Grand Master Brother Paul Revere, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Masonic Stamp Of Approval--Paul Revere, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Masonic Podcasts--The Winding Stairs, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Wednesday Night Fellowship and Education, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Freemason Book Review--The Builders, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
Exploring Masonic Coins--Government Officials, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Brother & President Arthur St. Clair, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Masonry in the Movies, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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The Masonic Society, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Masonic Book Club, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Our Brothers at Greenwood Cemetery: Edward M. Miller, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Last One Day Class for the Foreseeable Future Announced, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Tidbits from a Traveling Man, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 8 (August 22, 2022)
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Scottish Rite's Dyslexia Centers, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Valley of Cincinnati’s Holy Saints John Festival, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Hamilton’s History: The First Settlers, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Brother Edward Vernon Rickenbacker, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Masonic Podcasts--The Tyler's Place, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Masonic Stamp Of Approval--Eddie Rickenbacker, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Freemason Book Review--A Deserving Brother: George Washington and Freemasonry, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Exploring Masonic Coins--The Presidents, part 2, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Who Would Have Guessed: A Spy Within our Midst, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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I Am Freemasonry, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Our Brothers at Greenwood Cemetery: Charles E. Miller, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 7 (July 27, 2022)
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Ohio Masonic Home, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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Allied Masonic Degrees— Featured Appendant Body, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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The Holy Saints’ John (Who Are These Guys?), Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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After Becoming a Mason Now What?, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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Hamilton’s History: The Beginning, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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Brother Joseph Warren, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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Masonic Podcasts: The Traveling Man, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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Masonic Stamp Of Approval: Charles Lindbergh, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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Freemason Book Review--The Great Wagon Road, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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Exploring Masonic Coins--The Presidents, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (June 22, 2022)
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HUGS—Hamilton Urban Garden Society, Washington Post, Vol. 1 Issue 5 (May 11, 2022)
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Royal Scofield Society—April’s Appendant Body, Washington Post, Vol. 1 Issue 5 (May 11, 2022)
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Becoming a Master of the Craft, Washington Post, Vol. 1 Issue 5 (May 11, 2022)
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Masonic Podcasts: Whence Came You, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 5 (May 11, 2022)
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Masonic Stamp Of Approval: Irving Berlin, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 5 (May 11, 2022)
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Creating a Masonic Journey and Legacy, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 5 (May 11, 2022)
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Exploring Masonic Coins and Their Symbols, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 5 (May11, 2022)
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Freemason Book Review: Anderson's Constitution, Washington Post, Vol. 1, Issue 6 (May 11, 2022)
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Cleaning Up Our Waterways, Land, and Local Bird Sanctuary, Washington Post, Vol. 1 Issue 4 (March 11, 2022​)
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High Twelve— Appendant Body of the Month, Washington Post, Vol. 1 Issue 4 (March 11, 2022​)
2021
Norfolk Southern's Dayton District — September 2, 2021
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Norfolk Southern Heritage Units — August 31, 2021
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Juice Train — April 12, 2021
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The Orange & White Named Railroad Cars pt. 2 (cars 6000–8000) — 2021
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The Orange & White Named Railroad Cars — 2021
2006
The Trashing of ALM Boxcar 1605, Cowcatcher Round Up, Sept/Oct or Nov/Dec 2006
​
Brock on the Wabash Update, Timetable, Winter 2006
​
Extra! Extra! Read All About It: Indiana Limestone Shipped on the Ma & Pa, Timetable, Winter 2006
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Modeling the CIL Limestone Gondolas the Ma & Pa delivered to Turner Construction Company, Timetable, Winter 2006
2005
Delivering the Goods, Timetable, Summer 2005
2004
The Reawakening of a Railroad Nut, Timetable, Fall 2004
2001
Homeward Bound: My Journey, included in a compilation for New Jersey Writing Workshop in Texas Book, Summer 2001
A Teacher's Rendering of Erik Anderson's AF4C Offering, Web Blog
Chess: Making the Grade for Inner City Children, Web Blog
1990
The Ball gets off the Ground for King's Athletic Ministry, The Page (The King's College Student Newspaper), Vol. 3, No. 6, Oct. 1990
Undated Online Writing
Railfanning the Cincinnati-Hamilton-Dayton, Ohio Area
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Reading Heritage Unit
NS 1067
Shortline Railroads of America
Virginian
Glendale
Hamilton OH Railfan
From Writing to Speaking
Writing has always been one of the ways I explore a story. Speaking gives me the opportunity to share those discoveries with others.
If a story from GEMS+H can inform, educate, or inspire an audience, I'd be glad to bring it to yours.
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Book a Speaking Engagement based on My writing!
Explore GEMS+H
The stories don't stop here. Explore the other parts of GEMS+H and discover more of the people, history, education, and connections that bring these stories together.
