Today is all about the famous ghosts of Pennsylvania. Certainly, every spirit was at one time very important to people on earth, but some of the ghosts in the Commonwealth are known around the world.
Take Ben Franklin, one of our founding fathers. He's said to still wander the corridors of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Not only that, but in Philly's Library Hall, some claim to have seen his statue come to life and dance in the streets. He's also been seen carrying books inside the building, though he never has too much of an armload to pass up pinching the rears of female passersby. Old Ben's still full of life! Some catch sight of him at Growden Mansion in Bensalem Township, flying his kite, still trying to catch a buzz.
If you ever dine at Baleroy Mansion in Chestnut Hill, you might catch a glimpse of Thomas Jefferson in the dining room. He'll be the ghost standing by the tall grandfather clock.
Betty Ross apparently didn't budge from her home after death. She's been seen in the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia.Alexander Hamilton hangs around the First Bank of the United States in Philly, while Benedict Arnold's been seen at Powel House in the same city.
During his lifetime, Edgar Allen Poe used to frequent the General Wayne Inn in Merion, Pa., and must have grown attached to the place because he's occasionally still seen there. "Nevermore" doesn't apply to him, apparently.
Our first president, George Washington, still rides through Valley Forge National Historical Park, while our former vice president, Aaron Burr, sometimes visits the Aaron Burr House inn in New Hope.
So far as I know, no one's ever been successful in getting autographs. But then, maybe no one's ever tried!:)
Here's a recipe I found in our local newspaper that sounds delicious and easy - my favorite kind of treat:
Pumpkin Banana Smoothie
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 cup milk
1 banana, sliced
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Spoon pumpkin puree into a re-sealable bag and freeze 8 hours to overnight. Remove pumpkin from freezer and allow to soften to room temperature, 5 to 10 minutes.
Pour milk into blender. Add pumpkin, banana, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.
Blend until smooth, about 3 minutes.
Makes 2 servings.
Starting tomorrow, be sure to visit every day for tales of ghostly encounters, ghoulishly good recipes, and some delicious giveaways!
