Fifty-Five Fathers

Do you want to know the story behind the Constitutional Convention which created the U.S. Constitution, but don't have time to read James Madison's notes in full?  Then this is the book for you!

Fifty-Five Fathers by Selma R. Williams is a well-written, concise, and historically accurate account of the Constitutional Convention. 

Whether you're a 12-year-old just learning the history of our nation, a 92-year-old history buff, or anywhere in between, this book is sure to inspire!

 

It will take you through the story of the Constitutional Convention in easy to understand and digestible language. 

Not only will you learn great jewels of historical knowledge, but also be prepared to receive personal epiphanies on how to work with others and build relationships as you study the debates, compromises, and sacrifices these founding fathers made to create for us the nation we have today!

I, of course, do not proclaim this book as a replacement for reading James Madison's notes, the Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers, or any other more challenging primary source materials on the subject.  However, if you are just looking to get your "feet wet" in American history or are looking to re-kindle a flame for freedom  in yourself or your child, this would be a good place to start. 

Unfortunately, this book is currently out-of-print, but you can purchase it from used book sellers here:

http://shop.lemimentortraining.com/Fifty-Five-Fathers-107.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Fifty-Five-Fathers-Story-Constitutional-Convention/dp/0396090338

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fifty-five-fathers-selma-r-williams/1002272911?ean=9780396090373&itm=3&usri=fifty-five+fathers

Happy reading!

Timeline Travelers

Can't afford the bus or traveling to a Revolutionary War Tour?  We
have a quality museum level Revoutionary War program, and we come to you for half the price!

Early American History: A Colonial man will come into your class and demonstrate the issues and everyday items of the colonial and Revolutionary War period, and print and discuss woodcut prints of Lexington and Concord or the Boston Tea Party, which the students can keep.
OR: The students can also hear from General or President Washington himself about the founding of the United States of America.

Lesson plans in alignment with California State Standards can be provided. Props for interactive activities for the children and an accurate historic interpretation will accompany each presentation.
In these times of tight budgets, we offer a cost effective and safer alternative to off-campus field trips! All presentations and activities can be done in your class or on the school grounds-whatever best suits your needs! Call now to reserve your date!

Sincerely,
Steve Clugston
Timeline Travelers
43412 Via Candeleda
Temecula, CA 92592
tel: (951) 235-3608 cell
steveclugston@yahoo.com

WHAT IS PROFIT?

OR...

"Every improvement or advance in knowledge is profit to a wise man."

~Noah Webster

Society today is saturated with the belief that the word PROFIT must be defined in terms of monetary gain.  However, if we look back to Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary definition of the word PROFIT, we find that, although monetary gain is mentioned in a few of the definitions, 4 out of the 7 definitions also cite reading and intellectual gains as PROFIT.  (http://www.1828-dictionary.com/d/search/word,profit).

One of the most enlightening definitions of PROFIT is seen here:

"Any advantage; any accession of good from labor or exertion; an extensive signification, comprehending the acquisition of any thing valuable, corporeal or intellectual, temporal or spiritual. A person may derive profit from exercise, amusements, reading, study, meditation, social intercourse, religious instruction, &c. Every improvement or advance in knowledge is profit to a wise man."

Ashamedly, the modern Merriam-Webster Dictionary boasts a lucrative amount of monetary definitions associated with the word PROFIT (4 out of 8) but never once mentions PROFIT in terms of intellectual, social, or spiritual gain.  (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profit). 

The most important issue here is:

WHAT DO YOU DEFINE PROFIT AS?

If you will apply the 1828 definition of PROFIT to yourself, you may discover that you are much more PROFITABLE than you have previously believed!

If, for a time, you have been duped by the false notion that PROFIT is all monetary and you have therefore been a "failure" -  go read a book, exercise, serve someone in your community, or attend a church service, and re-discover that PROFIT is much more than just monetary gain. 

It is improving and advancing your life, and that of others, in social, intellectual, and spiritual ways.

Now GO and have a most PROFITABLE day!

Remembering Christmas of 1777

As we feast upon our abundant Christmas dinner and snuggle by our warm hearths surrounded by family this Christmas, let us take some time to reflect upon Christmas of 1777.  

The setting was Valley Forge where General Washington was encamped with his troops for the winter.  There were no Christmas trees, no gifts, no firesides to warm their frozen bodies, and no family to warm their lonely hearts.  

"During those months at Valley Forge, hundreds of horses died of starvation...More tragic, about twenty-five hundred troops - a full one-quarter of Washington's army - died of cold, starvation, and disease.  Several thousand more deserted, some two thousand of which joined the British in order to secure the basic necessities of food and warm clothing which were virtually nonexistent in the American camp.  Yet those who stayed gave new vitality to the American army.  They knew they had looked death full in the face without quavering.  Those who survived came out of the winter far stronger than they were when they went into it."  (The Real George Washington, p. 272)

Let's take some time to reflect upon and thank those soldiers (and their families!) of Christmas 1777 which made it possible for us to have our Christmas dinner, our warm homes, and our warm hearts this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas to all!

Veteran's Day Parade

November 11, 2011

Murrieta's Annual Veteran's Day Parade turned out to be a wonderful gathering of local patriots.  See a sampling of pictures below, and hopefully you will be inspired to join us next year!

This month's CONSTITUTION SEMINAR with

Joseph Andrews was a great success! 

Read the testimonials of a few of the attendees:

"I drove two hours to attend the Constitution seminar and it was well worth the time and effort.  I learned how to identify where our Constitution is being trampled and my understanding has been greatly improved."

-Juli

"Ignornance is not bliss.  You cannot change things if you aren't aware.  This was a great awakening."

-Anonymous

"Joseph Andrews enlightened me with his wealth of information in regards to the founding fathers, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution.  What I thought I knew before this semnar is no where near what I need to know in order for me to futher the cause of freedom in this land.  If I want changes within government I first need to be equipped with information in regards to why we have government, what its purpose is in this coutnry, and what the founding fathers' promise was to its citizens.  This seminar has encouraged me to take action to help fulfill that promise."

-Briana

"I loved learning about the connection between the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and evaluating the current political policies in relation to those two documents.  Excellent!"

-Erika

"Transformed my understanding and interest in my country and history in one day.  Helped me learn what citizenship is all about."

-Anonymous

If you would like to be informed of future seminars and other events like this, be sure to sign up for the Temecula Freedom Forum YAHOO!  group.  You can sign up on the link at the top right of this page, or email Brooke McClure at temeculafreedomforum@gmail.com and let us know you'd like to sign up!  It's free and easy to unsubscribe should you choose to do so.  (And of course your email address will never be shared with other parties.)

You may also visit Joseph Andrew's site at http://www.teachconstitution.org/ for more information on his non-profit organization for teaching the Constitution and other founding documents.



Constitution Seminar

 

Saturday, September 10, 2011

9am-5pm

(8:30am Check-in)
41870 Kalmia Street, Suite 110, Murrieta, CA 92592

Joseph Andrews, of The Center for Teaching the Constitution (http://www.teachconstitution.org/) and the National Center for Constitutional Studies (http://www.teachconstitution.org/) will be addressing us.

Mr. Andrews is a national speaker on the Constitution and principles of freedom.

If you have questions or would like to register please email Brooke McClure at: temeculafreedomforum@gmail.com.