I was named for my mother’s sister. She was named for my grandmother’s favorite actress at the time. I have met one or two Phyllises in my time, but not many. When I was growing up, kids had trouble either pronouncing or spelling it and I really hated my name. But now, I kind of enjoy being different.
I went on the state Department of Health Web site and checked out some of the names given to newborns and found that there was only one Phyllis born in Pennsylvania in 2006 (the most recent record I could find). As far as girl names, I’m right up there with Plum -- another unique name for that year.
The most popular was Ava, with 872 girls given that name.Checking out names for other coworkers, I searched for Natalie and found 357, to which Natalie replied, “I knew I wasn’t unique.” Actually, there are 11 Uniques -- which I guess makes them not so.
On the boys’ side, the most popular was Jacob with 1077. There were 407 Justins (another coworker) and 95 Scotts (my husband). Unfortunately for this poor child, there was one Chubby. Would I love to jump ahead to elementary or middle school and see what comments that name gets!
You know, there are some countries that legislate what names are permissible to give your children. For the sake of some children, that might not be a bad idea.

Nov. 16 is the first day of the National Education Association’s American Education Week. Aside from parents, there is no group of people more influential in our children’s lives than their teachers.
I can still remember the teachers I had during my years in the Great Valley School District -- the fourth-grade teacher who let me be the first to read a new book because she knew my father was in the hospital at the time, or the sixth-grade teacher who increased my fascination with science by bringing in cow parts from the local butcher for us to dissect.
Now it’s my daughter, Kate, that’s influencing a future generation. After a few years of working in research, she decided that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of students and inspire others -- in particular females -- to go into science, so she went into teaching.
She is now an AP biology teacher in Maryland and just loves her work. She is so proud of her students -- especially last year’s class valedictorian who went to University of Maryland (where my daughter went) and majored in environmental science and policy/biology, just like Kate.
So thank a teacher for influencing and making a lasting impression on you and future generations.

Good news for all you toy lovers out there. There have been some new inductions into the National Toy Hall of Fame, part of the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, N.Y.
Joining past inductees such as the bicycle, kite, marbles, crayons and Mr. Potato Head (one of my favorites) is (drum roll ....) THE STICK!!!
According to a press release from the museum, longevity is the key to getting into the Hall of Fame. The stick certainly fits that bill. It was also praised for its low cost and its ability to inspire learning and creativity. Think horse, sword, boat ...
In these hard economic times, what a great gift to to give to your children for Christmas. I have a few I can sell at a discounted price. Won’t your kids be pleased to get something that has been enshrined in the Hall of Fame!

The following appeared in the Berwyn Post in November 1944

To My Buddy

By S/Sgt. M.T. Purish
You’ve left my side to go the way young men have gone before

You heard the call, you did not wait
So straight you held your head aloft,And steps that carried you boldly toward

The warrior’s goal and passed that too.
The heights that soared about our heads,

Did melt before you and fade away.
You knew no fear, my gallant friend,

It never touched your heart.
Somewhere beyond this earthbound man upon the velvet sky,

A brilliant star flares up and beckons in the night.
So long, my comrade, Good-bye dear friend, the roll is being called up there,

Among the heroes of our land.
Dedicated to my Comrade Sgt. Maurice S. Houston, who gave his life so that these United States might be forever what he saw in them.

Maurice Houston was my uncle. I never knew him, but I heard a lot from my father about how his brother lived and died. He grew up in Berwyn and graduated from Tredyffrin-Easttown High School. When World War II broke out, he served in the Intelligence Section of the Army Air Corps with the 5th Bomber Command in the Pacific. He died at the age of 30, killed in action on Aug. 12, 1944, on Biak Island. His name is now part of the Hall of Heroes at the Chester County Courthouse.

On Veterans Day, and throughout the year, remember those men and women who fought for our country.