On Wednesday, July 2nd, I drove north to Monroe, Michigan, to my cousin's, Rhonda Fogt Shull.  She and her husband, Fritz Shull, always host a July 4th family reunion. I have only made it maybe one time so this was a real treat. It was also a celebration of their daughter, Alexa, graduation from the University of Michigan. She graduated with a degree in psychology.  I stayed from Wednesday till Sunday and once again it was time well spent getting to know Alexa and Fritz better and helping Rhonda prepare for the reunion.  I must say that Alexa is as beautiful inside as she is outside.  Rhonda and Fritz have a beautiful setting for the reunion. Their house sits across from a park and on the other side of the park is Lake Erie!  So they see Lake Erie from their yard and from their porch off their upstairs bedroom they have a perfect view.  If that is not enough, they have a heated pool and jacuzzi in their large backyard!  No surprise they have a great turnout at the reunions.  Fritz also sits up the volleyball net and brings out the corn hole game.  There is plenty to do whether you are young or not so young.  The event lasted Friday and Saturday and then I left on Sunday.
         On Saturday, after all the family left, Rhonda took me on a tour of Monroe.  I was never aware of its history.  As I recall from what Fritz and Rhonda said, their county has the most historical markers of all the counties in Michigan.  The River Raisin is a prominent feature in the area.  The name itself was just weird to me. Why on earth would someone name a river, raisin?  Well thanks to Google I found the answer.  The French settlers named it "La Riviere aux Raisins" for the wild grapes growing along the banks.  To the Americans it became River Raisin.  The city of Monroe is the site of some fierce fighting during the War of 1812 which involved such historical characters such as William Lewis before he became so well known for the Lewis and Clark expedition and William Henry Harrison who became the ninth president of the United States. Please read the pictures of the historical markers below. Additionally it was the boyhood home of George Armstrong Custer. Thank you Rhonda for a wonderful tour of Monroe!
          After leaving Monroe Sunday morning I passed a Bass Pro Shop on I-75 so I, of course, had to stop and get a pressed penny.  Then I traveled on down to Dayton to have dinner with high school friends. I drove to Kathy Taylor Adams house and had a short visit with her husband, Mike, daughter and son-in-law.  And then we were surprised by an impromptu show by Kathy's five year old grandson and his little sister.  What a treat!  Then Kathy and I excused ourselves and we were off in a hunt for another pressed penny!  We found it at the Carrillon Historical Park! See pictures below.  In going through the park we were remined of how much Dayton and the state of Ohio has contributed to modern society, everything from flight to presidents and everything in between.

         

July 4th Fogt-Wical family gathering

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The top and bottom plaques were from a battlefield in Monroe, MI.

This is plaque at the River Raisin Battlefield and explains the battle.

The above plaque was in one of the neighborhoods in Monroe.

The above picture and one below are plaques found next to statue of Custer.

I have included this plaque and picture of the St Pauls Methodist A Church because it was reportedly the church that held a memorial service for Custer.

Yes! Another penny found in Rossford, Ohio.

Almost 21 lb steelhead rainbow trout caught in Lake Erie. I guess Texas doesn't have all the bragging rights!

Picture of a huge 3D mural inside Bass Pro Shop.

Along the walls were quotes.

L-R Mike and Kathy Adams, grandson Luke, granddaughter Mia, daughter Tracie and son-in-law David.  What a beautiful family!

Yes!

The above plaque and two following are in the Carillon Park.

This picture shows 1/3 of the Corliss Engine. This was suppose to be a panoramic picture but obviously I am not as adept as the Dayton folks.

Kathy and Mary Jo, our greeter at the Carillon Park. She had connections with Botkins so needed to include her.  Plus she will be another follower of the blog!

Fran was one of our guides at the park.  She had great stories such as her grandfather had a building or house next to where Orville Wright worked in his later years.  The doctor across the street would make calls on Orville when he was feeling poorly and that same doctor delivered Fran.

THE WRIGHT FLYER III

This arch in downtown Dayton is the length of the first flight.

This plaque was of special interest to Kathy Adams since she works for a patent lawyer.

Dinner with high school friends!

L-R Catherine Crowell, Sharon Koenig, me, Diana Doseck, Kathy Adams