3D Printed Homes could solve housing crisis- Trump Eliminated Funding for it.

Maine was looking at this option - 3D printing for homes - as a possible way of solving the state's homeless crisis. The state needs 80,000+ units, and doesn't have the labor force to build that many homes. Manufacturing looked to be a promising alternative, until the Trump eliminated funding for it. The researchers on this project  lost their jobs and helping combat Maine's chance at affordable housing.

(3D Printed Home created by the University of Maine ASCC)

UMaine center forced to lay off some workers due to funding  

 

WGME-TV. May 25, 2025 

ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine's Advanced Structures and Composites Center has announced the layoff of nine employees, citing federal funding cuts by the Trump administration as the cause. The affected employees were notified on Monday, with the layoffs set to take effect on June 6.

The center, known for its engineering innovations such as 3D printed houses made from Maine wood waste, as well as technology for national defense and civil infrastructure, has been reliant on federal funding since the 1990s.

ABOUT THE First 100% bio-based 3D-printed home  at the University of Maine

Can you imagine what it would be like to live in a home that was printed on a printer? The first ever bio based 3D home printed right here in Maine on the world's largest 3D printer back in 2022.

On Nov. 21, 2022, the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) unveiled BioHome3D, the first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials. BioHome3D was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hub and Spoke program between the UMaine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Partners included MaineHousing and the Maine Technology Institute.

The 600-square-foot prototype features 3D-printed floors, walls and roof of wood fibers and bio-resins. The house is fully recyclable and highly insulated with 100% wood insulation and customizable R-values. Construction waste was nearly eliminated due to the precision of the printing process.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Poo0-S20irk?si=R-TEJpRNBT0YwPTL

(Video: Matt Pouliot from Pouliot Real Estate takes you on a tour of the first ever bio based 3D home, which is still undergoing research on the campus of the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC). ) 

This is the first 3D-printed house made entirely with bio-based materials. BioHome3D was developed with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hub and Spoke program between the UMaine and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Partners included MaineHousing and the Maine Technology Institute. 

Here's a more detailed look at BioHome3D:

• Materials:

  The home is constructed using wood fibers and bio-based resins, sourced locally, which reduces dependence on a potentially constrained supply chain. 
• Process:

  The home was printed in four modules, then moved to the site and assembled. 
• Purpose:

  It's serving as a testbed to see how the bioderived materials perform over time, including their ability to withstand Maine's harsh winter conditions. 
• Research:

  Researchers are using data collected from sensors installed in the home to improve future designs and address potential issues. 
• Future:

  The success of BioHome3D could pave the way for mass-producing affordable and sustainable housing. 

We are excited to unveil more videos for you to take a closer look into what is happening at the ASCC and the University of Maine.

DISCOVERY: New species of elasmosaur (Prehistoric sea monster) Identified!

Dinosaurs have always fascinated me since I was a kid, when I received my first set of fossils. They were little fossils of sea life, like anemonies and trilobites (and I wish I knew what happened to them!)... so I've been reading books on dinosaurs since I was about 7 or so. When new species are discovered, it's exciting to me, and today's blog is about one prehistoric sea monster that was recently discovered.

(Image: Two individuals of Traskasaura sandrae hunt the ammonite Pachydiscus in the northern Pacific during the Late Cretaceous. Traskasaura sandrae, named today in the Journal of Systematic Paleontology, was declared the Provincial Fossil of British Columbia in 2023. (Image credit: Robert O. Clark)

 Giant 85 million-year-old mystery sea monster fossil finally identified 

 LIVE SCIENCE, Jess Thomson May 28, 2025

A brand new species of elasmosaur named Traskasaura sandrae has been identified from three specimens found on Vancouver Island.

Scientists have finally solved the mystery behind the identity of a prehistoric sea monster.

The marine reptile, which could grow to around 39 feet (12 meters) long and had heavy teeth for crushing prey, was previously known from several sets of fossils unearthed over the past two decades.

One key fossil was a complete but badly-preserved adult skeleton from about 85 million years ago, discovered in 1988 on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It was thought to come from a group of long-necked reptiles known as plesiosaurs. However, until now, scientists weren't sure if it belonged to a new species or a previously discovered one.

"The identity of the animal that left the fossils has remained a mystery," F. Robin O'Keefe, a professor of anatomy at Marshall University in West Virginia, said in a statement. "Our new research published today finally solves this mystery."

In a new study published May 22 in the Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, O'Keefe and colleagues formally classified all the fossils as Traskasaura sandrae. 

This species is so different from other marine reptiles that researchers assigned it to a brand new genus, Traskasaura, within a subgroup of plesiosaurs called elasmosaurs.

Elasmosaurs, like other plesiosaurs, lived throughout the Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago) alongside the dinosaurs and shared the oceans with other marine reptiles, including ichthyosaurs and mosasaurs.

Plesiosaurs were characterized by having small heads on long necks, broad bodies and four large, paddle-like limbs. The mythical Loch Ness Monster is usually depicted as a plesiosaur. They are thought to have breathed air and probably had to surface regularly, akin to modern-day marine mammals.

The first T. sandrae specimen was unearthed in 1988 in the Haslam Formation on Vancouver Island, was formally described by scientists in 2002 and dates back to between 86 and 83 million years ago. Other fossils found in the same region include a right humerus and an "excellently preserved" juvenile skeleton.

Tyler Passed: Part 3: What I Hoped For: Signs from Tyler -With Help from Others

When our Dachshund, Tyler passed, I was afraid that my intense grief would block signs from him. But he had help from one of our other dogs in spirit to break through that grief and give comforting signs. Tyler passed on the exact day of a special birthday that told me who was waiting for him in spirit. Then there was a number sign to confirm it. Later that week, Tyler would make himself known through a toy, a ride and a couch.

CERTAIN DAY - Our Weimaraner, Buzz Wyatt was born, July 29, 2004. Buzz was the one who passed tragically in 2005, but awakened my abilities to how pets communicate from spirit. It was not a coincidence that Tyler's passing was on Buzz's birthday. It was Buzz letting me know that he was there to greet Tyler in spirit. That was confirmed later.

(Photo: A screen shot of the exact time I picked up my phone on July 30th. A sign from Buzz) 

NUMBER SIGN - Buzz passed on February 22, 2004. I realized that whenever I saw "222" that was a sign that Buzz was around.  The day after Tyler passed, we were driving and I was in the passenger seat. In the middle of a conversation, I happened to reach for my phone (for some reason). When I turned it on, "2:22" was the exact time. That was another confirmation from Buzz that Tyler was safe with him in spirit. 

(Photo: Buzz the Weimaraner- Photo from Feb. 2005-  let us know that he was there to greet Tyler when he crossed over in spirit).

THE TOY CONFIRMATION -  On July 30, one of our neighbors gave us a gift basket with a candle in it, and what happened to be Tyler's Favorite toys- 2 "Loofa dogs." They had no way of knowing that as they've only met Tyler outside and we've never talked about his toys. Tyler must have influenced them to pick out that specific toy (out of the thousands), so we would know he's okay. 

(Photo: Tyler on July 29, sitting in bed with his two most favorite toys- a yellow and red stuffed "Loofa dog.")

MAKING NOISES AT THE DRIVE THRU -     On July 31 at 3pm, we drove to one of Tyler's (and our) favorite places- the Dunkin' Donuts drive through. Dash and Cody were  both sitting with us in the front seat and there was nothing in the back seat. But, while we were waiting at the window, I heard a rustling in the backseat of the pickup truck. I looked back there and of course there was nothing there. I know it was Tyler. The only unusual thing is that he didn't bark (because it takes a lot of energy from spirit to do that).   

(Photo: A picture from May 2025 of Tyler napping on a couch with his favorite Loofa dog toys).

SHADOW OUT OF THE CORNER OF MY EYE - At 7pm on July 31, I was sitting in the living room on the couch reading, while Dash was snoozing in his bed at my feet. Tyler usually lay next to me on the couch. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought Tyler was there and I actually reached over to find an empty couch.

MORE NUMBERS FROM OUR SPIRIT DOGS-  I've associated 444 with our dog Sprite (for some reason), and it showed up on August 1st, as well as Dolly's 1111, and Buzz's 222 that same day. (Franklin is 333, but he didn't make an appearance that day). All of these are numbers that our dogs have been sending me whenever they are around.  Seeing three of them in one day tells me that Tyler has joined the pack.

Idiot of the Week: Conservative Father Moved Family to Russia to Escape "Woke" America... Now in Russian Army

This week's idiot is a Texas father who moved his family to Russia to get away from "woke people and drag queens." He said that he also believes in the Russian cause to take over Ukraine.  He joined the Russian army to get citizenship for his family, and he may be going to war for them.  There is ZERO sympathy for the bigot. In fact, more of bigot idiots should join that family. 

Conservative dad moved to Russia to get his kids away from 'woke' — now he's in their military

Ariel Messman-Rucker,Advocate, July 22 2025

A conservative Texas family moved to Russia to escape “woke” culture and get their children away from queer people, but they may be regretting their choice after the father went into the Russian military.

In a YouTube video titled, “Why we moved to Russia,” wife DeAnna Huffman admitted that the family packed up their lives and moved to a conservative foreign country because they wanted to “be away from the things that we feel are disrupting our children’s lives” while showing pictures of drag queens, Pride parades, headlines about children’s TV shows with queer characters, and LGBTQ+ kid’s books.

But according to The Telegraph, the family’s attempt to escape “woke” America, has landed father Derek Huffman in the Russian military.

The 46-year-old father of three daughters moved his family to Istra, 25 miles outside of Moscow, through Russia’s “shared values” visa program that is meant to attract foreigners who “embrace Russian values” and want to escape “the harmful effects of Western neoliberal policies.”

Once in Russia, Derek Huffman agreed to join the military, despite having no experience as a soldier, his wife said in one of their videos.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/kmxIcfyMatE?si=Q-iW5-0CFhOFnU-c

“Unfortunately, he feels like he’s being thrown to the wolves right now, and he’s kind of having to lean on faith, and that’s what we’re all doing,” DeAnna Huffman admitted in one of her vlogs for the family’s YouTube channel “Huffman Time.”

Although Derek Huffman posted a short video telling his family he missed them while wearing army fatigues on Father’s Day, there have been no new messages from him since then. But The Telegraph reports that on July 20, there was a link posted on their channel to a Telegram group requesting help from the U.S. government, though the message was subsequently deleted, and it is unclear who created it.

"We are asking the United States government to save this family,” read the single message in the group, along with a photo of DeAnna Huffman and her daughters crying.

While running away to Russia because of your anti-LGBTQ+ views seems like an extreme choice, the Huffmans are not the first Christian family to do so. Last year, Arend and Anneesa Feenstra packed up their 10 children and headed to Russia to escape “left-wing ideology,” and the “trans” and “LGBTQ+” community in Canada, whom they didn’t want near their children.

The Huffmans left the United States for very similar reasons, telling Russia Today that they were sick of the public education system’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ people. “The final straw was when we found out my daughter Sophia learnt about lesbians from a girl in her class. She didn’t fully understand it, but for us, that was enough to realize something had to change,” Derek Huffman said.

 In a video update while he was in military training, DeAnna Huffman admitted to struggling without her husband and talked openly about Derek losing weight because of the military food and training three times per day. “I tell you, I’ve been pushed beyond my limits, further than any time in my whole life. The Russian army is no joke,” Derek Huffman said. 

 This is a change of tune from an earlier video where he talked about risking his life to “earn a place here in Russia.” “The point of this act for me is to earn a place here in Russia. If I risk myself for our new country, no one will say that I am not a part of it. Unlike migrants in America who come there just like that, do not assimilate, and at the same time want free handouts,” said Derek, who according to his wife has a limited grasp on the Russian language.

Hero of the Week: Millie, a Maine State Police bloodhound helps rescue 5-year-old with autism

 Last week's hero was a Chihuahua that helped a rescue of his dad from a glacier. This week's hero is Millie, another dog who found a missing child.  

(Photo: Millie the Bloodhound. Credit: Maine State Police) 

Millie, a Maine State Police bloodhound helps rescue 5-year-old with autism

May 17, 2025 WMTW-TV

PALERMO, Maine — A 10-month-old Maine State Police bloodhound is being hailed as a hero once again after locating a missing 5-year-old girl with autism Friday evening in the woods in Palermo.

Officials said the child had gone missing from her home on Rowe Road, Palermo, Maine, prompting a search by law enforcement and wildlife officials. Maine State Police bloodhound Millie, alongside her handler, Corporal Eric Sucy, and Maine Game Warden Julia Horst, tracked a scent trail approximately one-third of a mile from the girl’s home.

The girl was found around 5:30 p.m. in a cedar swamp, standing waist-deep in water but uninjured, officials said.

This isn’t Millie’s first successful rescue. Back in April, the bloodhound helped bring a missing 77-year-old woman from Rockport safely home.

Tyler Passed: Part 2: Giving him the BEST Day

 In yesterday's blog, you read about how quickly cancer took our 14 1/2 year old black and tan, lovable, always-happy, protective, playful, toy-loving dachshund, Tyler.  When we woke up on Tuesday, July 29th, we knew it would be Tyler's last day, because cancer metasticized in 5 of his organs (we learned just 5 days before). So, we planned the BEST day for him.

(Photos: A collage of Tyler's favorite activities that we did on his last day, July 29, 2025)

He came to us as a rescue dog at around 1 year old, heartworm positive. We fostered him, healed him, adopted him, and he bonded with our Weimararner, Dolly, who passed in Oct 2020. Since then, Tyler was our Rock.

FAVORITE TOYS - We made sure his favorite toys were with him all day. He loved "loofa stuffed dogs" - especially a red one and yellow one. Now, Tom has the yellow one and I have the red one. 

(Photo: Tyler with his 2 most favorite toys: yellow and read "loofa dog toys")

FRESH COOKED HAMBURGER, CHICKEN and ROAST BEEF 

On Monday morning, July 28th, when we knew Tyler was failing, I cooked hamburger and chicken and got sliced roast beef in addition to the sliced turkey we always have. Tyler enjoyed his meals and he still had an appetite.

MORNING WALK / RIDE! -  We bought a wagon 2 years ago before we moved from Maryland, because Dash was getting old (he's 17 now) and doesn't walk entire distances. Since Tyler was paralyzed in his back legs, we took him for a "ride" during our walk, and Dash joined him a couple of times. 

POSING FOR WAGON PICS - Tom and I stopped to get a wagon picture with Tyler.

SITTING OUTSIDE IN THE GRASS- One of Tyler, Dash and Cody's favorite things to do is to sit outside in the backyard on the grass and watch nature. They sometimes like to look into our backyard forest, where squirrels race and birds fly in and out. So, even though it was hot, we found shade and sat outside for an hour in the morning. 

DASH AND TYLER ALWAYS TOGETHER- Dash, our 17 year old Chihuahua/Dachshund Mix, immediately bonded with Tyler 7 years ago when he came to us. They do everything together. Since Dash's vision has been failing over the last couple of years, he's always followed Tyler. He would sleep next to Tyler, and they woud eat together, do agility together and walk together. On July 29th, he walked over to Tyler who was laying on the grass (unable to move), and lay down next to him.

A DUNKIN DONUT DRIVE THROUGH LUNCH AND BARK! - Tyler loved to bark whenever we would use the drive through at Dunkin. There was never a time he didn't bark on a trip there. So, we put him on a bed, covered with a pee pad, and he and Dash sat in the back seat as we drove through Dunkin. Tyler happily barked. 

(Photo: Tyler and Dash teamed up to stick their tongues out for the picture)

A WATERFALL PARK - One of the places we like to take lunch is to a nearby park in South Berwick, with a view of a waterfall and a river. The boys love that place, so we took them there. I took Tyler out of the truck and carried him around, showing him the river and waterfall. 

(Left to right: Dash, Tyler, Cody) 

BACKYARD FOREST WALK!! - Because we have a good amount of forest in our backyard, we made 4 parallel pathways through it, to walk the dogs. The boys all enjoy walking through the forest and sniffing out all the amazing scents. 

So, we pulled out the wagon again, and took Tyler on a wagon ride through the forest (since his back legs were paralyzed).   We took Tyler and Dash out of the wagon for a Menagerie group photo with Cody, too.  

(Photo: The Wagonmasters: Dash in front, Tyler in back)

THE TREAT GAME! One of Tyler and Dash's favorite dog games is "find the treat" in a
special dog-shag rug (thanks to their aunt Cindy). So, we dropped treats in the rug and Tyler, Dash and Cody did some treat hunting! 

INDOOR COOL DOWN- We cooled Tyler off with wet washcloths, put him in a diaper and let him nap. He crashed. His breathing became shallow and it was hard to wake him. We thought he may actually pass, but in 2 hours he snapped out of it. His heart was beating like crazy during that time, too. 

DINNER TIME - More freshly cooked hamburger for dinner!   

THREE TREAT TIME - Usually at 7:30pm in our house, we have 3 treat time, where the kids line up for three different favorite treats. We had to do it early (6pm) because Tyler was going to the vet to cross over at 7:20pm. - They all loved their treats. 

SAT ON THE GRASS OUTSIDE- After dinner and three treat time, we went back outside and sat on the grass for an hour. Tyler lay on his side, and seemed exhausted. He continued to dribble pee uncontrollably, so it was good he was outside. 

DRIVING TO THE VET'S OFFICE- DASH'S LOVE- Tyler and Dash always sit in the backseats of our pickup truck (with the seats down and a thick blanket covering it). Tom was driving (with Cody), and when I looked back, Tyler had rested his face on Dash's outstretched legs for the entire ride.

(Photo: Tyler rests his head on Dash's feet in the back seat of the truck going to the vet).

(Photo: Tyler on the afternoon of July 29, 2025, sitting on a pee pad in his bed with his 2 most favorite toys.) 

FINAL GOOD BYE - Damn, this was hard. It was brutal. We cried hard. Tom and I sat on a bench in a room at the vet. Cody was on Tom's lap. Dash sat in between Tom and I. 

  Tyler laid across his favorite blanket on my lap, and his head RESTED on Dash's back. Dash never moved. Dr. Matt gave the injection and Tyler passed pretty quickly, all the while Dash never moved, allowing Tyler to continue resting his head. I was so very touched by Dash's love for his brother. 

  Tyler will be "coming home" in a cedar box with his ashes sometime next week, we assume. In the meantime, we'll give extra love to Dash and Cody, and we each have one of Tyler's favorite toys on our beds. 

   Tyler always wagged his tail. Every day. We both always said he was the happiest dog we've ever known. Now he is with Dolly, Franklin, Sprite and Buzz on the other side. We miss him so much. 

Tyler Passed- Part 1: Toughest Diagnosis- We had 5 Days

Tragically, on Tuesday, July 29th, cancer was too much for our boy,Tyler. Last weekend was traumatic to say the least, for Tyler and for us. But Tyler, our 14 1/2 year old Dachshund, was heroic, strong and determined to not let it stop him from enjoying anything. Today's blog is a timetable of a fast decline of 5 days, so that dog parents can know our story with cancer. 

On Friday, July 25th, we learned he had stage 4 cancer in multiple organs and no treatment possible, and a tangerine-sized internal tumor has put pressure on his spine rendering his back legs immobile. But we were prepared to get him a wheelchair, immune supplments and do whatever it took.  Until Tuesday early morning (2am) he acted like it was an inconvenience  interacted with dog games. But overnight the bottom fell out. This is part 1 of a 2 part blog (Tomorrow's is how he enjoyed his last day). 

(Photo: Tyler rests on his bed in the kitchen while awaiting dinner - instead of walking around)

On June 23, 2025, we noticed two things in our black and tan smooth-haired dachshund, Tyler. One, he had a growth on his head that became large in 4 weeks, then bled open on July 13th. This happened 1 year after we had another pre-cancerous, small tumor removed from near his ear.  On July 15, he had surgery to remove the new growth and a big fatty benign growth on his chest. The results from the head tumor were positive for Melanoma. That should have been a clue.

On Wed. July 23rd, we noticed his back legs were struggling and he was having difficulty walking. We thought it was IVDD (disc disease) and were prepared to get the surgery.

The next day, on July 24th, when Tyler got his stitches out (his head healed in 9 days), we noted his wobbling walk, and asked about his bloated stomach. Our vet, Dr. Matt Robbins recommended an xray of his stomach. It revealed a large mass near his kidney. The doctor sent us to a Vet ER the next day. 

On July 25th, Tyler's back legs were suddenly not working anymore. I took him to the ER in Saco, Maine where they took an ultrasound. Tyler was quiet and cooperative. He was facing this like a hero. Like our Weimaraner, Dolly (who passed in 2020) Tyler knew when someone is trying to help him. He learned it from her. 

(Photo: Tyler's new mode of going for long walks (over his 5 days of decline) in the "dog wagon." Dash often joined him, because Dash can't walk long distances without getting tired.)

After 4 hours, the vet called me in and said she was "So sorry." She said the ultrasound revealed cancerous nodules in 4 or 5 organs: Liver, kidneys, spleen, Adrenal glands and lung. The large growth was on a blood vessel, and inoperable.  She said he cannot take anesteshia to even sample the growths. She was actually shocked that he survived the surgery and anesthesia from 2 weeks before with the head and chest tumor removals. I said he's a fighter. 

She said hospice was the only course of action. 

We were devastated. We carried him in and out to do his business and hold up his back end.  We carried him over to his food bowls (his appetite had not changed).  He even dragged himself to the water bowl when we were not looking. 

(Photo: Monday, July 28, Dash (left) and Tyler (right) enjoyed a treat hunting game. Tyler couldn't walk but sat on one side of it and found the hidden treats.)

He was fighting. We did, too, until it wasn't an option.

We ordered a dog-mushroom supplement on-line that is said to shrink tumors (I checked with the vet and he named the same thing before I told him what it was). We also ordered a dog-wheelchair so he can get around (without us moving his back legs and hunching over, walking around the backyard with him). Sadly, he never got to use either of them.

Even on Monday, July 28th, he was still very aware of surroundings and wanted to be active, although couldn't. But Monday night/early Tuesday morning he took the worst turn, as cancer took away his ability to feel and do #1 and #2. He was just dribbling urine constantly.

Had to Make the Tragic Call. 

Tyler slept on one half of my bed. He has always had many toys surrounding him on the "big bed" and always put one blanket under him, and covered him with another before kissing him good night and telling him how much I love him (since we adopted him). 

At 2am, his bladder control ceased, and he awoke, and realized he peed on his blanket, so woke me up to go out. He was traumatized by peeing in the house. I took him out. He dribbled pee when I picked him up.

  I cleaned him up and put a pee pad on his side of the bed and we went back to bed. Neither Tyler nor I slept because he couldn't get comfortable (from the big tumor inside) and he needed to go out at 2:30; 3:00, 3:30 and 4:30am. We came in at 4:44 am (A sign from Sprite on the other side) and I gave Tyler another pain pill. It was obvious the cancer was hurting his organs.  

We finally slept from 5 am until 7am. Then we learned he couldn't control his pooping either. He also had a continual drip of urine. He was also bloated from the tumor affecting his spine, and couldn't get comfortable easily. We called the vet and set a time for 7:20 pm that night to ease his pain. 

SIMILAR CASE- When I shared the note about Tyler's fast moving cancer and passing within 5 days, a pet parent who follows my books said the same exact thing happened to her dog. Cancer throughout multiple organs that had not previously shown itself, then ravaged her poor dog's body within 5 days and he passed from organ failure. 

PONDERING CAUSES-  We fostered then adopted Tyler through a Dachshund rescue when our friend Shelley called us  (thank you, Shelley) about him in 2011.  We saved him from a North Carolina kill shelter as a pup at around 1 year old. He was heartworm positive, so he had to endure 2 painful injections to kill the heartworm. I can't help but wonder if those contributed to his condition.  

TOMORROW'S BLOG - TYLER'S LAST DAY OF EVERYTHING HE LOVED  

HISTORY: U.S. Post Office introduces zip codes July 1963 (and Mr. Zip!)

If you thought Zip codes have been around for 100 years, you would be incorrect! 100 areas in the U.S. had some numbered identifiers during World War 2, but in July, 1963, the U.S. Post office expanded that! In addition, they created a cartoon character called Mr. Zip to encourage people to use the "new" Zip Codes on their mail. That's today's blog! 

U.S. Post Office introduces zip codes 

History.com July 1, 2025

On July 1, 1963, the United States Postal Service (USPS) introduces the Zone Improvement Plan as part of a plan to improve the speed of mail delivery, inaugurating the use of machine-readable ZIP codes to facilitate the efficient sorting of mail at a national level.

The idea wasn’t totally new. In 1943, the Post Office had created numbered zones for more than 100 urban areas around the country. But in the post-WWII boom, that system quickly became inadequate. Between 1943 and 1962, annual mail volume doubled from 33 billion to 66.5 billion pieces, and the average mailed letter passed through an average of 17 sorting stops. Suburbs were sprouting exponentially, and mail transport was shifting from railway to highway and air, making old urban hub systems obsolete.

To automate and streamline this sorting process, the Post Office established the Nationwide Improved Mail Service program, which standardized physical dimensions of the mail and created the five-digit structured code, or ZIP number. 

Who Helped Create Zip Codes? 

The first three digits were invented by Robert Moon, a postal inspector who first introduced his idea in 1944. Another inspector, H. Bentley Hahn, developed the last two digits. 

What do the Numbers Represent?

The numbers referred to a new and streamlined mail-hub hierarchy, consisting of regions, subregions, post offices and delivery stations.

Development of the Mr. Zip Cartoon Campaign

To launch the system, the USPS invested in a massive public relations campaign throughout the 1960s, first targeting bulk mailers like government agencies and magazine publishers, and then individual citizens. Massive advertising campaigns celebrated the new codes in magazines, newspapers, radio, television and public transit. 

A cartoon mascot named Mr. ZIP popped up on lunch boxes, tin banks and board games. Popular singer Ethel Merman recorded a promotional jingle to the tune of “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.” Even cartoon sleuth Dick Tracy endorsed the system. By the end of the decade, ZIP codes had achieved broad public acceptance.

Adding to the Zip Code in 1983

In 1983, with the complexity and volume of mail increasing exponentially, the USPS introduced an extended code called ZIP+4. And in 2024, the agency announced that it was reviving the Mr. Zip character as a source of licensing revenue, with products including children's books, plush toys, bobbleheads, apparel and smartphone cases. 

New Music! Dolly Teams up with Mötley Crüe on Reimagined "Home Sweet Home" on Video/Song

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm one of Dolly Parton's biggest fans, and how she influenced my life to make me an optimist and appreciate the simple things in life. I'm also big into music from the 80s. When Dolly's recent "Rockstar" CD came out, covering 70s and 80s music, I loved it! Now, she's collaborated with a heavy metal band (that I honestly never listened to), and the result is amazing. Plus, it's also benefiting a good cause. Here's the story and video.

Dolly Teams up with Mötley Crüe on Reimagined "Home Sweet Home"

Dolly has teamed up with Mötley Crüe on a stunning new version of the band’s revered classic, “Home Sweet Home,” reimagined as a heartfelt duet. The song is part of From The Beginning, Mötley Crüe’s definitive compilation that traces the band’s storied career from their start on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles to their current status as global rock titans.

VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/U3Xw6Sm3lQY?si=EqhgpbiqkEEgPEYg

Mötley Crüe ‘HOME SWEET HOME’ Featuring the Iconic @Dolly Parton from the forthcoming “From the Beginning”, the definitive collection of Mötley Crüe drops September 12.

To drive home the song’s positive message of hope, a portion of the proceeds from the single will benefit Covenant House, an organization that provides safe shelter, meals, hope and more to help youth experiencing homelessness.

Get the song everywhere you listen to music!
LIST OF LINKS ON VARIOUS PLATFORMS TO HEAR IT: https://crue.lnk.to/HomeSweetHomeID?utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&_kx=WIOSjKZ6WE__UQA6VNZyEEvukXHTajSrKoCOS2IKT_c.WX5AtK

Local: Enjoyed Sunflower Summer at Sandy Hill Farm!

Sandy Hill Farm in Eliot, Maine plants many rows of giant sunflowers, and allows people to walk down the large "aisles" and take pictures. There's an admission to the farm, which also covers a few other things. The experience is usually open in July, so we went!

This year's event ended on July 20th so we got there a couple of days before. It was a nice way to spend 90 minutes or so, and the sunflowers are amazing. Some of the sunflowers had grown to about four or five feet high!  The rows of Sunflowers were amazing to behold.  

The field was in full bloom, and we had good weather with sunshine and highs in the 70s since the heat wave had ended.

We noticed that there were cars from Massachusetts and New Hampshire as well as from Maine. Apparently it's become quite a big attraction during the summer time. If you want to plan for next year. The cost is $7.00 per person on weekdays (Monday thru Thursday) and $10.00 per person on weekend days (Friday thru Sunday). Children 3 and under are free.

As we walked up and down a couple of pathways, it seemed like there was a bee on every other sunflower, so the pollinators were working hard!  

Each ticket entitles the ticket holder to: entry to the field for walking and picture-taking among the blooms and their distinctive metal art, wagon rides on their refurbished train (which is really a small trolley on rubber tires pulled by a tractor), and a single scoop of their Frozen Custard (fancy ice cream).

 There was also a kid-sized pick up truck made of wood that you could pose next to, so I did!

 

(Photo: A panel of fencing in front of the Sunflowers that spelled out "Sandy Hill Farm" on the pickets.)

The day that we went, there were a lot of mothers with children there and they all wanted to board the trolley so unfortunately we were not able to do so. The trolley takes you on a 15 minute ride around the entire farm which is quite extensive.

This is the same farm that puts on a massive Christmas display in the winter time. You may remember it from a blog earlier this year than I posted.

During the Christmas display, They put out close to a 1 million lights and light up trees make tunnels I have vehicles made of lights, polar bears and Penguins made of lights and other things. It's pretty cool in the winter time as well! If you don't remember the blog or missed it, you can see the Holiday light blog here: https://rob-tom-dolly-franklin.blogspot.com/2024/12/saw-amazing-holiday-light-display-open.html