Ashley and the Presidents: George Washington, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman

Ashley the Traveling Teddy has been on a  presidential

Ashley with a Revolutionary War soldier at the New Windsor Cantonement, New Windsor, NY. Betsa Marsh photo

tear lately, starting with George Washington and romping through the eras of Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman.

Ashley, who travels for the third-grade students of St. Joseph Consolidated School in  Hamilton, Ohio, visited Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh, NY, where the General spent more time than anywhere else during the Revolutionary War.   This is where Washington created and awarded the first purple heart badge.

Nearby, at the New Windsor Cantonment State Historic Site in Vails Gate, NY, 8,000 soldiers, civilians and artisans built the last winter encampment of the Revolution. Ashley met her fetching young solider here, and learned about the Purple Heart.

Along the Hudson River, Ashley also visited the childhood home and presidential library of Franklin Roosevelt, and got friendly with the President and First Lady Eleanor.

She also couldn’t resist hopping into a shot of FDR’s Oval Office, recreated at his Hyde Park museum.

Ashley in FDR's Oval Office, recreated at Hyde Park, NY. Betsa Marsh photo

And half-way across the country in Independence, Mo., home of President Harry Truman, Ashley pulled another Zelig stunt, hopping into history on a whistle-stop campaign train with President Truman, his wife Bess and their daughter Margaret. Ashley was in the Kansas City area with the Society of American Travel Writers, co-sponsors of the Traveling Teddy geography education outreach with Build-A-Bear.

Ashley whistle-stopping with the Trumans at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Mo. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley Explores Dubai – Have Camel, Will Travel

Ashley meets a friendly camel at the Bastakya heritage district in Dubai. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley the Traveling Teddy learned about the United Arab Emirates during her quick trip to Dubai, where she came very close to a camel and met some students from an international school.

Ashley travels for the third-grade class of Meredith Schroeder at St. Joseph Consolidated School in Hamilton, Ohio. The Traveling Teddy program is a geography outreach of the Society of American Travel Writers.

She toured the Bastakya heritage district in Dubai, and then sailed out into the Gulf of Arabia, past the Atlantis resort. She got a bit sunburned, but is was worth it!

Ashley meets Tess, Tara and Jack of the Wellington International School in Dubai. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley sails past Atlantis in the Gulf of Arabia. Betsa Marsh photo

All That Glitters: Ashley Prospects for Welsh Gold

Ashley gears up for her gold mine tour. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley the Traveling Teddy became a deep thinker on a recent tour of Wales–very deep, down 70 steps into a dark  shaft once worked by Romans 2,000 years ago.

Ashley travels for the third-grade class of Meredith Schroeder at St. Joseph Consolidated School in Hamilton, Ohio. The Traveling Teddy program is a geography outreach of the Society of American Travel Writers.

The Romans, who built a fort nearby at Pumsaint,  searched for gold at Dolaucothi using a drift mine into the hillside rather than a vertical shaft. They used fire and water to crack the quartz, and little children ages 10 to 14 would then sort out the quartz, looking for gold. It took a ton of quartz, according to Ray Miller of the National Trust, to yield an ounce of gold about the size of a peanut.

Archaeologists have found fragments of the Romans’ water wheels

Ray Miler of the National Trust teaches Ashley the ropes. Betsa Marsh photo

on the mining site. They’re now on display in the Cardiff Museum.

After the Romans, small-scale mining resumed in 1853 and grew until 1912, when, according to the BBC, the complex geology of the site brought an end to work there. Miners returned to Dolaucothi one last time between 1933 and 1938, after which the equipment was sold off.

Today, the National Trust has reconstructed the mineyard to the 1930s period. There’s a gold exhibit, a shop with rare Welsh gold and a tea room.

You can, of course, pan for gold there–Ashley tried her paws, but didn’t find enough to quit her day job as traveling ambassador for the students of St. Joseph.

Ray Miller of the National Trust welcomes Ashley and other travelers to the Long Adit, the Roman opening to Dolaucothi Gold Mine in Wales. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley Savors the Sweet Side of New York

Ashley the Traveling Teddy indulged her sweet tooth in New York City’s

Ashley with all-day suckers at Economy Candy in New York. Betsa Marsh photo

Lower East Side, popping into Economy Candy and Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery.

Ashley travels for the third-grade class of Meredith Schroeder at St. Joseph Consolidated School in Hamilton, Ohio. The Traveling Teddy program is a geography outreach of the Society of American Travel Writers.

Economy Candy has been dishing up sweets since 1937, and stocks every delectable adults remember from their childhoods.

Ashley with giant Pez dispensers. Betsa Marsh photo

Next up, a light bite at Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery on Rivington Street.  Ashley and her pal Marilyn Marx of New York split an Ooey Gooey with chocolate cake and chocolate-almond buttercream. Yum!!

Ashley, an Ooey Gooey and a cappuccino--perfect! Betsa Marsh photo

And the eating wasn’t done yet! The next day, Ashley attended the VisitBritain luncheon at posh Daniel, and saw Chef Daniel Boulud himself! For a bear who loves to cook, it was a big event!

Ashley at Daniel. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley the Bear Braves the Cookie Smack-Down

Ashley with Cookie Queen Leslie Laine, who wears the royal Cookie Queen tiara and sash and holds the Golden Spatula and star bouquet.

Ashley the SATW Traveling Teddy attended her first holiday cookie exchange this weekend, and got to pose with the once and future Cookie Queen, Leslie Laine. Leslie won the cookie smack-down last year, and repeated this year with double chocolate ginger cookies. Cookie competitors are members of the Ladies Discoursive and Digestive Society of Greater Cincinnati.

YUM! was Ashley’s verdict. The only thing that could have made them better was a big dollop of honey!

Ashley travels for the third-grade class of Meredith Schroeder at St. Joseph Consolidated School in Hamilton, Ohio. Traveling Teddy is a geography outreach of the Society of American Travel Writers and Build-A-Bear Workshop.

Ashley Leads the Candy Cane Express

Ashley bearing candy canes.

Ashley the SATW Traveling Teddy is ready for the holidays! She’s bearing candy canes to her student pals at St. Joseph Consolidated School in Hamilton, Ohio. CRUNCH!

Go West, Young Bear! Ashley in New Mexico

Ashley the Traveling Teddy took the advice and headed to the dry, dusty land of New Mexico. She learned a lot about Southwestern art and Native culture, and about cooking with chiles—WOW!! HOT!!

She started at Encantado Resort and Spa, and had a fabulous jet-lag massage with Sue Robuck. AHHHH!

Ashley with Sue Robuck at Encantado

Resort and Spa. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley travels for the third-grade class of Meredith Schroeder at St. Joseph Consolidated School in Hamilton, Ohio. The Traveling Teddy program is a geography outreach of the Society of American Travel Writers

In Santa Fe, Ashley spent a reflective moment at the altar of San Miguel Mission, the mission church in America, dating back to 1610.

Ashley in San Miguel Mission. Betsa Marsh photo

Walking in Santa Fe, Ashley met Judy Rosetta, a Kewama Indian from the Santo Domingo Pueblo. Judy was making jewelry near Loretto Chapel, and let Ashley try her paw at stringing beads. Judy even gave Ashley her own beautiful turquoise necklace, and Ashley wears it as a fond memento of New Mexico.

Ashley with Judy Rosetta. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley then went north, to visit more artists in their studios. When she stopped by Jeff Brock’s studio, he let her help make more jewelry, and his wife, Star Laina York, surprised Ashley with a giant bear sculpture she’s making! It will eventually be a large bronze.

Ashley with Star Laina York. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley helps Jeff Brock make jewelry. Betsa Marsh photo

Nearby, she traveled to the studio of artist Doug Coffin, a Potawatami Indian whose work has been in galleries around the world. Doug introduced Ashley to his mutant rhinoceros Oswell, about 110 years old from Africa.

Ashley with Doug Coffin and Oswell, the mutant rhinoceros from Africa. Betsa Marsh photo

And finally, how better to wrap up a big trip than with chocolate? Ashley checked out all the extravagant Day of the Dead decorations at Todos Santos in Santa Fe, and met Harmony Heffron. She showed Ashley the milagros, small tokens made for prayer requests and thanks. But these are chocolate, brushed with edible silver and gold. Heavenly!

Ashley the Bear Tries Traditional Kentucky Crafts

Ashley the Traveling Teddy toured the Bluegrass recently, enjoying the turning leaves and learning some new ursine skills. She met students at Berea College, which for more than a century has offered full scholarships to needy Appalachian students in exchange for their work.

She helped freshman Madison Carey, busy at her loom making placemats.

Ashley helps Madison Carey make placemats at Berea College. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley travels for the third-grade class of Meredith Schroeder at St. Joseph Consolidated School in Hamilton, Ohio. The Traveling Teddy program is a geography outreach of the Society of American Travel Writers.

Then Ashley crossed campus, looking for students at the broom making and woodworking centers, but got lost! Sophomore Jessica Brown was nice enough to hop off her skateboard and walk Ashley in the right direction.

Jessica Brown helps Ashley find her way at Berea College. Betsa Marsh photo

At the broom making workshop, Ashley was lucky enough to chat with senior Alicia Brown. For her first two years at Berea, Alicia, an agriculture major, worked with the pigs at the Berea College farm. For the past two years, it’s been brooms. Ashley had to admit to being sort of relieved.

Alicia Brown shows Ashley the tricks of making brooms at Berea College. Betsa Marsh photo

Ahoy! Ashley Gets Her Sea Paws!

Ashley the Traveling Teddy has taken the helm of several boats recently, and captain and crew all lived to tell about it!

Ashley with Capt. Nick Manuel on the Silva Tall Ship in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Betsa Marsh photo

Ashley travels for the third-grade class of Meredith Schroeder at St. Joseph Consolidated School in Hamilton, Ohio. The Traveling Teddy program is a geography outreach of the Society of American Travel Writers.

This summer, she helped Capt. Nick Manuel take the tall ship Silva out of her Halifax harbor for a breezy tour of the Narrows. She sailed past

George's Island Lighthouse, Halifax. Betsa Marsh photo

George’s Island Lighthouse and met a new friend onboard, 19-month-old Bri Hurlbut from Nova Scotia.

Bria Hurlbut didn't want to give Ashley up. Betsa Marsh photo

Recently, Ashley toured the Bluegrass region of Kentucky and helped another captain steer his ship.

At Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Ashley joined Capt. Richard Herring in the pilot house of the paddlewheeler Dixie Belle for a trip down the Kentucky River.

She got to see the palisades and waterfalls, but she knew the Captain was joshing when he talked about piranhas in the river and snakes on board the Dixie Belle! Eeuuw!

Ashley  with Capt. Richard Herring on the Dixie Belle.  Betsa Marsh photo

She went under the High Bridge, which was once the highest railroad bridge in the world

and got to see the Kentucky flag snap in the breeze. 

ABC: Ashley in Birmingham and Coventry

Ashley the Traveling Teddy, ursine ambassador for Meredith Schroeder’s third-grade class at St. Joseph Consolidated School in Hamilton, Ohio, has been touring the Heart of England. The Traveling Teddy program is a geography outreach of the Society of American Travel Writers.

• In Birmingham, Ashley watched as docent Ruth Allen demonstrated jewelers’ skills in the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter.

Ashley checks out the baubles at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, England. Betsa Marsh photo

Just checking her weight at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter. Betsa Marsh photo

• In Coventry, Ashley toured the ruins of the medieval cathedral, bombed in World War II, and the new St. Michael’s Cathedral next door. In the Herbert Art Gallery, she met up with an armless knight.
  

  Ashley with the knight at the Herbert Art Gallery, Coventry. Betsa Marsh photo

• Ashley toured Warwick Castle and pretended she was the chatelaine!

Ashley as chatelaine of magnificent Warwick Castle. Betsa Marsh photo

• She did get to dream of mansions during her overnight at Hanbury Hall in Droitwich, a 1701 stately home with apartments run by the National Trust. She and Betsa stayed in the South Wing! And met some children playing on the lawn.

Ashley with Luke, Ellie, Samuel and Danny at Hanbury Hall. Betsa Marsh photo

• And to round out her trip, Ashley went cruising on the Birmingham canals, enjoying dinner on the Away2dine narrowboat. Ahh, this is the life!

Ashley on the Away2dine narrowboat on the Birmingham canals. Betsa Marsh photo