Lewis Moten

Unveiling the Code: Institutional Memory & Obsessions

A Glimpse into My World: Volunteering, Learning, and More

As usual, there’s a lot happening in my life. It often feels overwhelming, and I don’t get much time for myself. Finding time to post here is already tough. Thereā€™s so much I havenā€™t been able to mention, but Iā€™m hoping to share a few updates on what’s been going on. On top of everything, I was sick this past weekend, which has left me feeling even more drained.

Rural Broadband

I made a public comment at the Board of Supervisors meeting regarding broadband in neighboring counties. Before that, both Brightspeed and All Points Bulletin gave their presentations. Brightspeed revealed they arenā€™t addressing the southern part of the county, which undermines the entire goal of the Rural Broadband Initiative.

Famous Sister

My little sister is becoming quite the celebrity. Sheā€™s been featured in a couple more Walmart videos discussing the ongoing renovations.

February 12

February 21

Chamber of Commerce

A lot is happening at the Chamber. Theyā€™re getting ready for the Wine and Craft Festival in May, which is the biggest event in town each year, second only to the Christmas Parade.

I attended the non-profit meeting today. Beforehand, I was speaking with someone from the Front Royal Independent Business Alliance (FRIBA), and they werenā€™t aware the meeting was taking place. After a few phone calls, another representative joined us to attend on their behalf. One of the non-profits needs help with their website, so Iā€™ll be stopping by on Friday to see how I can assist.

I also went to the Board of Supervisors meeting, where the library was scheduled to present their financial budget for the next fiscal year, but I arrived a bit early. I stepped out to attend the Business After Hours event at the Stone Branch Center for the Arts. The place was so packed that not everyone could fit into the shot during the ribbon cutting. After some announcements, I returned to the supervisors meeting.

Warren Heritage Society

The archives committee meeting took place last week. Iā€™ve been offering a few suggestions, and I believe weā€™ve come up with some interesting changes that could be implemented to improve how we manage materials and support researchers.

Digitalization of History

Iā€™ve been visiting the Heritage Society to digitize pictures and documents. Recently, I worked on digitizing the Minutes of the Kings Daughters from 1913 to 1920. They were responsible for opening the first public library on Main Street, so I was curious to learn more about who they were and what decisions they made regarding the library. I didnā€™t find much, except that the library was located in their chapter room and that the person managing the library at that time later went on to manage the community library a decade later.

The handwriting varied significantly between meetings, and it was such an old style that I had to familiarize myself with various flourishes. Thankfully, the repetitive phrases typical of meeting minutes helped with translation. The entire document spanned about 100 pages of handwriting, and it took me three days to decipher most of it.

Knocking Down Walls

A couple of researchers came into the Warren Heritage Society looking for information about desegregation and the Kilby vs. Warren County School Board case. At the time, I was reviewing a book on the subject at the library, so I shared what I knew with them. They invited me to watch their documentary at Royal Cinemas.

When I arrived, I hadnā€™t realized I needed a ticket, but a kind gentleman offered me one so I could attend. I learned a lot about the events, and five of the original children involved were there to answer questions. Additionally, a gentleman at the back of the theater shared his own account of his experience as a child.

Tabard Inn Library

While researching our countyā€™s history with libraries, I came across the Tabard Inn Library. I found its story fascinating and dove deep into learning more about these libraries. One of the companyā€™s foundersā€”the same man who coined the term Teddy Bearā€”tried to establish circulation libraries in drugstores across the country before most towns had public libraries.

As I gathered information, I noticed that while Wikipedia had many images related to these libraries, it didnā€™t have a dedicated page about them. So, I created my first Wikipedia page. Even though Iā€™ve had an account for 18 years, I never really got into editing much. My only prior contributions were minorā€”modifying a page about the CitiCar and adding details about the origins of the name Mountain Dew in the Appalachian Mountains, along with some edits to my user page.

As my research continued to expand and uncover new details, I ended up breaking the Tabard Inn Library into multiple pages to keep everything organized and on topic.

Iā€™ve also been working on obtaining a photo of the library station to display on the page. Iā€™ve discovered that similar stations are set up in libraries in California, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. While West Virginia is nearby, itā€™s currently closed for renovations until August. Iā€™ve reached out to the various libraries, requesting permission to use a photo under the public domain on Wikipedia Commons for the page.

The Library of Congress also has a few relevant books and materials in its collection. I had an appointment scheduled to view these materials, but unfortunately, I was sick that day and had to cancel. In the meantime, I decided to purchase a book of my own that used to be part of the systemā€”The Tree of Knowledge.

It seems that people have a particular interest in bookplates, so I scanned the one I found and uploaded it to Wikimedia Commons. I used it to support some of my statements, as it contained plenty of information about how the system worked. An interesting detail I came across was a pencil advertisement for “Brownie The Bobber” and Browns Tonsorial Parlors.

The ad listed various services, including manicures, massages, mustache waxing, beard trimming, selling oils, powders, and razors, as well as chiropody, mechanotherapy, and chiropractic care. I also noticed someone had added “Masseuse And What of it?” at the bottom. Curiously, I had to look up exactly what a “bobber” was. Most information online refers to Bobber motorcycles or a Bobber caboose, but I eventually found a list explaining old-time occupations. It stated that a bobber involved polishing metals or unloading fishing boats.

I learned that chiropody refers to foot care (podiatry) and that a tonsorial parlor is a barber shop. The combination of “bobber” and “tonsorial” initially made me think it might be related to tonsils, and the drawing seemed to depict something being removed from someone’s mouth.

Bees?

My journey into learning about bees has been a long oneā€”probably around a decade. During the pandemic, I took courses on Beekeeping and Advanced Beekeeping, earning a certificate for the first class. However, since it was all online, I didnā€™t get any hands-on experience.

Recently, I came across an upcoming class that includes fieldwork, which caught my interest. My main concern is figuring out whether Iā€™m truly comfortable with bees before committing to permits and equipment. Classes started on Monday, and there was a lot to take in. This course feels more immersive than the online onesā€”it provides books, a sample jar of honey, and discounts on equipment. There are also experienced beekeepers in the back of the class who manage their own apiaries and are there to assist and share their knowledge.

Street Organ

My music rolls for the 20-note Grinder Organ have arrived! The boxes look fantastic, and the rolls and paper appear to be of excellent quality. Melvyn Wright has provided outstanding service.

Freemasonry

The day finally arrived to paint bowls with the seniors at the senior centerā€”a project Iā€™ve been working on for a while. The seniors were excited to use their new craft room at the new center, and I was able to gather 22 bowls, paints, brushes, and water cups from Explore Art and Clay so they could each choose a bowl to decorate. The past master of the Lodge and the next worthy matron of OES joined in on the fun. Some of the ladies wanted to continue painting, so I made plans to return next Tuesday to bring the bowls back and let them pick up where they left off.

I attended my second clown meeting at the Shrine, where we covered a lot of topics, and I had a great time. My first scheduled dress-out parade was canceled due to weather, but this weekend, I’ll have another chance to participate and learn how to apply makeup.

I was raising funds for the Hope and Relief Temporary Shelter (HARTS) and joined our Unity in Our Community team for the Coldest Night Out event. Unfortunately, due to illness, I had to cancel my participation in the walk, as well as Last Saturday Breakfast and the Subordinate Lodge Officer Training (SLOT).

With the library presenting at the Board of Supervisors meeting and the ongoing issues with the supervisors, I wasnā€™t able to attend the monthly Royal Arch meeting.

The Masons were also invited to the Warren Coalitionā€™s We Love You Snow Much luncheon, but it was canceled due to weather. We frequently volunteer at their events, often helping out by cooking burgers.

Library

I was invited to a 3D printer workshop, thinking Iā€™d just be observingā€”until I was handed a laptop and put in charge of the class. Surprise! It went pretty well. The Arc of Warren County brought a few gentlemen to learn about the equipment, and since they were interested in fidget spinners, I walked them through finding a model, loading it into the software, and operating the 3D printer. Early on, I realized it was important to let the participants take the lead while I guided them through the process. Looking back, Iā€™m kicking myself for not giving them the chance to use the laptop to search for models themselves, but itā€™s all part of the learning process.

This was my first time teaching a class in the makerspace, though Iā€™ve been assisting with the What The Tech! workshops on Tuesdays. Lately, most attendees have been managing just fine without me. This past Tuesday, there was even an extra volunteer with no one to help, so I skipped the session, did some research, and checked back in afterward.

The laser puzzle workshop that I’m teaching has been scheduled for April 7 at 1pm.

This past weekend, I wasnā€™t feeling well and had to miss the libraryā€™s Q&A forum. I also missed a history presentation about our library by Colleen Snyder, whom Iā€™ve been assisting with research. Fortunately, a video of her presentation was posted online, so I was able to watch it.

I’ve been attending the Warren County Library Board meetings, taking notes, and trying to understand the new board’s direction. Before meetings, Iā€™ve made it clear to the chair that I am not there to represent the library or engage in discussions on its behalf. However, during this most recent meeting, he publicly questioned me again, despite my previous statements that I am not acting as a liaison between the two boards. It seems he is using my presence to his advantage, creating a spectacle by pressing me for details about a closed library board meetingā€”one he falsely labeled as a “secret meeting”ā€”in the midst of his own proceedings.

Today marks the final day of the Day of Giving campaign. This morning, I stopped by the library and shared an update on the board meeting. A reporter from the Northern Virginia Daily dropped by and I was invited me to sit in on the meeting. Later in the day, she included a few of my comments in an article. Given my own experience researching old newspapers, itā€™s amusing to think that Iā€™ve now become a small part of recorded history. While at the library, I also ran into a neighbor in the makerspace and said hello. She mentioned that her sewing machine was in disrepair, so Iā€™ll check the one in my garage to make sure itā€™s in good condition to offer.

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