FINAL STOP ON THE TOUR OF CANTON, OHIO.

Friday, July 19 – After all our outdoor touring with John and Pam, we took the tour inside…The Pro Football Hall Of Fame to be exact.

Old entrance

New entrance

Since opening in 1963, the Pro Football Hall of Fame was expanded in 1971, 1978 and 1995, and completed major exhibit gallery renovations in 2003, 2008, and 2009. We have watched the original 19,000 square-foot Hall of Fame museum turned into over 83,000 square feet of beauty.

It was later in the afternoon when we arrived at the HOF. We did not take a tour but did visit the gift shop. It is huge with every type of memorable one can image. If you can't find what you are looking for, they don't make it…bottom line!

2014 Super Bowl hopefuls. Marsha is such a dreamer.

Okay all you true football fans. Who is the guy in the next photo. Answer at end of blog.

The Hall of Fame Game is played in a historic high school stadium called Fawcett Stadium. The Stadium was open so the guys just had to walk onto the field.

The boys talking about what they would do in a 4th and goal situation.

The game will be played in just a few short weeks. Here are the enshrines for this year.

We had a wonderful few days with our friends Pam and John. Thank you so much for stopping by. Thanks for the delicious dinner you bought us at the Irish Exchange. We especially enjoyed the beverages…hehe.

John, Pam, Marsha, Paul

We will give more information on all the HOF events in another blog.

Answer to the photo: A much younger and much skinnier….Mike Ditka. How did you do?

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

"THE MOTHER OF PRESIDENTS"…OHIO

July 17 – Did you know that Ohio is known as "the mother of presidents?" Can you name the eight presidents that came from Ohio? Answer at the end of the blog.

After our fun time at the Canton Garden Center, the "Tour of Canton, Ohio," with Pam and John continued on to the William McKinley tomb.

McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio, but he called Canton home throughout his adult life. His election in 1896 launched an era of Republican dominance that continued until 1910. The circular, domed granite building rises 96 feet above ground and measures 79 feet in diameter.

In 1896, McKinley easily gained the Republican nomination. He addressed selected delegations at his home in Canton in a "front porch" campaign.

Wm. and Ida's home in Canton. The "front porch" campaign took place here. It now serves as the home to the National First Ladies' Library.

McKinley was elected president in 1896 and 1900. McKinley governed during a period of intense American expansionism.

Two "want-a-be presidents" but never-will-be.

Some of President McKinley's accomplishments are:
--Dingley Tariff Act of 1897 which raised import duties
--Gold Standard Act, which based the currency firmly on gold.
--Clayton-Bulwer Treaty to permit construction of a canal in Central America.

McKinley was shot two times by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while the president was visiting the Pan-American Exhibit in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. He died on September 14, 1901. Czolgosz stated that he shot McKinley because he was an enemy of working people. He was convicted of the murder and electrocuted on October 29, 1901.

The bodies of McKinley and his wife lie side by side.

Their two young daughters, who both died as a child, are also laid to rest here.

Looking from the top of the 108 stairs.

There is also a McKinley Museum next door. We did not have time to visit it.

Presidents from Ohio
9th – William Henry Harrison
18th – Ulysses S. Grant
19th – Rutherford B. Hayes
20th – James A. Garfield
23rd – Benjamin Harrison
25th – William McKinley
27th – William H. Taft
29th – Warren G. Harding

How did you do in naming the presidents? More on the rest of our tour in our next blog.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!

 

CANTON, OHIO TOUR - PART 1

Monday, July 15 – Sightseeing with Pam and John was on the menu for Saturday. Marsha had planned a ”Tour of Canton, Ohio” this morning. Paul, the tour chauffeur, started the trip by showing John the best way out of town...LOL They'll be heading North on I-77, and Paul wanted to be sure John could easily get to the proper on ramp.

That accomplished, we headed to the Canton Stadium Park to enjoy the beautiful gardens. The park features a softball complex, a playground, 68 acres of nature and picnic areas, a duck pond, The Canton Garden Center, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Fountain, and a 1.5 mile rubberized walking track with exercise stations. There's also a Children's Garden, located outside of the Garden Center Building.

Our first stop was the Canton Garden Center.

The grounds of the Center contains a children’s garden, carillon bell tower, stone garden and waterfalls, rose garden and a eternal flame to President Kennedy.

Upon our arrival to the gardens, we were greeted with the beautiful sounds of the Carillon.

President Kennedy's memorial stands at the front of the Garden Center's main building.

 

We especially enjoyed the Children s Garden which is well done. They have animals hidden among the plants and an unusual dance on music box. John played a nice rendition of “This Old Man.”

Cute bird bath

Anyone for a little hopscotch?

Kids at play.

Marsha found herself a little friend to pet.

John, Pam and Paul with their special friend.

The grounds contain a feel, taste, see, and hear garden. We had a wonderful time roaming the area and enjoying all the beauty.

We will continue our "Tour of Canton, Ohio" in the next blog.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!