Articles
These articles by Robin Van Auken run the gamut of topics such as Inspiration, Writing, Publication, and Promotion. Other topics, such as Archaeology, Sports, Travel, History, Science and more, creep in. Robin is a writer of local history books and contemporary fiction. She lives in the Highlands of Pennsylvania and has advanced degrees in Anthropology and Communications. Enjoy the variety.
Also included in this library are contributions by historians and authors Lou Hunsinger, Jr., Tom “Tank” Baird, and Joan Wheal Blank. Some of these articles were published on the Historic Williamsport website operated by Robin, and are now the News of Yesteryear series.
- To see Robin’s articles, keep scrolling below. They are mingled in with Lou’s and Joan’s.
- To see Lou’s articles and contact him directly, CLICK THIS LINK.
- To see Tank’s articles and contact him directly, CLICK THIS LINK.
- To see Joan’s articles and contact her directly, CLICK THIS LINK.
Browse the Articles Library
Protective Magic: Say ‘Abracadabra’
Is there a defense against something you can’t see? Today, we're struggling through a pandemic, a deadly scourge that hasn't been seen in the United States, or Europe, since the 1915 Spanish Flu. With a promising vaccine on the [...]
Heart Stone an Enduring Inspiration
Are you fascinated by rocks? How about fossils, or artifacts? How we visualize, interpret, and transform the world around us has always interested me. I try to be scientific and pragmatic with my actions, but one day my good [...]
Sailing to Alcatraz Island
I found this historic postcard of Alcatraz Island on the Library of Congress while researching it for a recent project in California. I also sailed to the island located in San Francisco Bay one sunny day, enjoying a similar [...]
Protective Magic: Incantation Bowls
How Incantation Bowls Protect from Demonic Forces Believing that malevolent forces caused tumors and other illnesses, Jewish communities in Mesopotamia created incantation bowls (c. 300–700 CE) to trap demons and protect the family. Inscribed in Aramaic with [...]
Grinding Stone: Part 3
Archaeology Find: Drilled Holes in Metate, Bannerstones Last week we had an artifact found by member Jim Carn and pretty much it’s been a part-time job for me trying to validate the find ever since. Jim actually [...]
Grinding Stone: Part 2
Archaeology Find: Metate Confirmed The exciting news today is that during this pandemic Jim Carn has found a real mystery item. We have sent pictures to Gary Fogelman and at this point, he thinks it might be [...]
Grinding Stone: Part 1
Archaeology Find: Metate in Lycoming County, PA I’m taking advantage of the sunshine (aka coronavirus killer). I went fishing and foraging. I was a hunter-gatherer. See the first picture. These are ramps They are not spring onions [...]
Bird Points
Archaeology Find: Bird Points for Arrows The weekend was pretty busy with interaction via email. We are inspiring conversations on typology, archaeology, local history, and artifact identification. Covid19 time indoors has been an opportunity for learning. This [...]
Surface Collecting in the Montoursville
Archaeology Finds: Miscellaneous Points, Adze, Etc. The shared artifacts were found locally by Hunter Duffield. Hunter has been surface collecting in the Montoursville area and Dick Snyder called me and asked that I give him a hand. [...]
Ireland: Land of the People that Sorrow
When planning a trip to Ireland, don't forget destinations that honor the torn country's history. Why "torn country," you ask? Ireland is a country that's been struggling with its identity – one separate from Great Britain – for more than a century.
‘Lost’ History of Andrew Montour in Perry County
“They were driven from the lands on which they had settled and on April 18, 1752, Andrew Montour was commissioned by the governor to settle and reside upon these Indian lands, the Indians on July 2, 1750, having petitioned for [...]
Plum Tree Massacre and Iroquois War on Colonial Expansion
The date was June 10th, 1778. In the east, the Revolutionary War raged and colonial forces under General George Washington were seeing key victories producing a turning point in the conflict. People living here in what would become Lycoming County [...]
The Widaagh Monument in Antes Fort
So, what does a forty-five-foot tall, forty-one-ton monument on private land, the Susquehannock Indians, an ex-bank president in Indian dress-up, and a magical place called Lockabar have in common? Well, historian Carl Becker once said it best, "history is an [...]
The Road to Williamsport
Home of the Little League World Series, and So Much More! The road to Williamsport is heavily traveled, despite the fact that this small city in northcentral Pennsylvania is home to only 29,000 people. That's because Williamsport is home to [...]
Stargazing at Cherry Springs State Park
I visited Cherry Springs State Park (Coudersport, PA) once again, this time staying the full night in the campground. The first time I visited was October 2018 with my sisters Susan Ward and Sharon Tracy. We stopped, on [...]
Don’t Let Fear Paralyze You
I live with the fear that all raccoons have rabies. Or distemper. Or cooties and other germs. They’re cute, but I avoid them. This despite having a childhood friend who had one as a pet. I used to cuddle [...]
Muncy Heritage Park
Muncy Heritage Park Muncy Heritage Park is an archaeological treasure along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River Kneeling in the weeds in what would become Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail, Bill Poulton brushed aside debris. [...]
Find the Beautiful, the Strange at Your Local Botanical Garden
Botanical Gardens Have Historic Roots I am not a botanist, but I enjoy spending time at Botanical Gardens. According to Wikipedia, the inception of botanical gardens is linked to the history of botany, and most 16th [...]
Out of Nowhere? Generating New Ideas
How do you generate ideas? Has it ever been a priority for you? Or do you simply wait for an idea to surface, not wondering how it formed? You may be interested in the concept of producing ideas [...]
The Eager-Beaver Writer
Are you an Eager Beaver Writer? Does this describe you? This person has wonderful intentions, and after riding the wave of motivation, promises to: Wake up early to write Write 1,000 words per day Learn how to use Scrivener Build [...]
Useful Guide to Free Photos, Media and More
As a writer, you're not always concerned with visual or audio artwork. It's often secondary to the Muse dictating the story to you. As a Self-Sufficient Author, however, you need media for marketing your author brand, so how do you [...]
Reawaken Your ‘Sense of Wonder’: Remembering Rachel Carson
Rachel Carson The spirit of Rachel Carson lives on, instilling in the Earth's human population awareness of its fragile environment and an urgency to protect it from toxins. Although it's been five decades since the publication of her [...]
Register Your Author Website Domain Before It’s Gone
Claim Your Name Now Register Your Author Website Domain Before It's Gone What are you waiting for? An invitation? If you haven't registered your name with ICANN as a domain for your Author's Website, then you better get a [...]
Why I Broke up with Smashwords
Why I Broke up with Smashwords Fall In Love with D2D Excuse me, please, but this is a "Rant Post." I've been struggling with the dreaded Meatgrinder at Smashwords for years. In fact, it's been a battle since I [...]
Use BOTH Sides of Your Brain in Harmony
Use BOTH Sides of Your Brain in Harmony Does the left side of your brain dominate your actions, or the right? Are you logical, organized and methodical, or are you intuitive, spontaneous and creative? Or, do you use both [...]