Kisatchie National Forest
Kisatchie National Forest spreads over 604,000 acres in five Ranger Districts. Louisiana’s only national forest is divided into six separate sections. Kisatchie were members of a Native American tribe The Kisatchie name comes from a Native Americans tribe called Kichai. Members of this tribe called themselves “Kitsatchie.” Bald cypress trees have knees Bald cypress trees thrive in this forest. One fun thing about bald cypresses is that these trees have “knees” that are a special kind of root. Needle-like leaves turn tan or orange in the autumn and fall early in the season. These giant trees grow to 120 feet tall and live up to 600 years. Pine trees scent the air. Groves of bald cypress trees, bayous, prairies, and gently rolling hills...
Read MoreLetter Carriers Deliver to Homes
by Sandra Merville Hart Before the Civil War, everyone had to visit the post office to pick up their mail. The U.S. Postal Service begins home delivery in Ohio. In 1863, Joseph Briggs, one of the postal workers in Cleveland, Ohio, convinced the officials to deliver the mail for free to those living in the city. Soon other cities received free mail delivery. After the Civil War ended, many soldiers who had been disabled in the war became letter carriers. Only cities with over 20,000 people received free mail delivery. At first, the Post Office only provided free mail delivery to cities with a population over 20,000. After 1887, the number was lowered, but it still didn’t include small towns and those living in the country. Those living on farms...
Read MoreTheodore Roosevelt National Park
If your family is planning a vacation to North Dakota, consider adding a visit to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Three very different sections in the park The park was first established as a memorial park in 1947 and renamed as a national park in 1978. Three completely different sections make up the park: the North Unit is near Watford City; The South Unit is near Medora; and Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch sits in the middle. The Maah Daah Hey Trail All three sections are connected by the Maah Daah Hey Trail, which in the Mandan Indian language means “an area that will be around for a long time.” This trail is 101 miles long. It connects with seven campgrounds. If you walk the trail, you may see horseback riders, hikers, and bicycle riders. Teddy...
Read MoreMail by Pail
by Sandra Merville Hart Delivering the mail to isolated areas has been a challenge over the years for the Post Office. In 1845, a new service called Star Routes began. Private letter carriers were hired to deliver the mail these areas, allowing the person to decide the best way to do to the job. Some surprising ways have been used. Stagecoaches Stagecoaches delivered the mail before the Star Routes began. Stage companies wanted mail contracts because delivering mail made the most money. They continued to be used until the early 1900s. Mail bags were stored under the driver’s seat. Horseback riders replaced some of the stagecoaches. Water Routes A mail boat is used in Magnolia Springs, Alabama to deliver mail. Twenty-five miles by boat would be eighty-five...
Read MoreWind Cave National Park
Over 600,000 people visit Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota every year. Strong winds at the cave’s entrance gave the park its name. In fact, according to legend, wind blew the hat off one of the Bingham brothers who discovered the cave when he stood at the mouth of the cave. 135 miles of cave tunnels Explorers have found over 135 miles of passages inside the cave, making Wind Cave one of the longest in the world. Another unusual thing about the cave is boxwork, formations that look like honeycombs. Cave Tours Several different ranger-led cave tours allow guests to explore Wind Cave. A two-hour candlelight tour takes visitors back in time while exploring by candlelight, but you must be at least eight to join this tour. Summer Campfire Programs Campfire...
Read MoreNeither Snow nor Rain
by Sandra Merville Hart “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Many people believe that this quote, which means that postal workers will deliver the mail regardless of the weather, is the official motto of the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service does not have an official motto. Although our country’s post office doesn’t have an official motto, there’s a good reason for the confusion. This quote is engraved on the outside of the building of the James A. Farley Post Office building in New York City. This building, which is the main post office in the city, is located at 8th Avenue and 33rd Street. The motto was used in ancient...
Read MoreSite Editor
If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. The gospel he teaches and preaches is not his own nor is it the opinion and words of theologians and scholars who study Scripture as though God’s word is dead.
Rather, he receives teaching daily by revelation from the living Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised. Our Lord says, “I came that you might have life and that you would have life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10) The Pirate Preacher believes we are to participate in making the fullness of Jesus complete in others.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a Writers’ Coach.
DevoKids on FaceBook!
Jehovah Jireh: The Incredible Provider — A super Hero Graphic Novel
