Story
Love in the Time of Ice Cream Sundaes, Part 1
On July 29, 2020 by ElyseOnce upon a time, there was a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. He fell in love with a girl whose parents disapproved, and they ran away to be together. . . Sound familiar? I guarantee you haven’t heard this story, which is “as unique a romance as ever a pair of young
Story
5 Ways to Break Your Lease
On July 15, 2020 by ElyseHave you just been offered a new job—in a city across the country? Maybe you moved in with your significant other after a few idyllic dates, and three months later, the honeymoon is over—but your lease isn’t. Or perhaps you’re haunted by your new wife’s deceased husband—when he tells you to vacate the premises, you
Story
Alternative Fourth of July Activities
On July 1, 2020 by ElyseIn many parts of the United States, Fourth of July celebrations will be (or at least, should be) a little different this year: no large crowds gathered together to ooh and ahh over fireworks, no hamburgers and hotdogs grilled at neighborhood barbecues and definitely no regiments marching around in powdered wigs. Fortunately, history is full
Story
Coming Soon to a Theater Near You: The Many Lives of Phoebe Hessel
On June 17, 2020 by ElyseSome lives were made for the silver screen. Phoebe Hessel (née Smith) is one of them. Spoiler alert: Her adventures as a British soldier in the 18th century took her to the West Indies and battlefields across Europe. However, her story doesn’t end there. After incomprehensible tragedy as a wife and mother, she went from
Story
20th-Century Hot Takes
On June 3, 2020 by ElyseI can say very confidently that the following words, which you are about to read, are very accurate and hopefully, very interesting. – Bob, 1976 This is not Second Glance History’s mission statement, although perhaps it should be. These words were, in fact, penned in 1976 by my father, Bob, in a biographical essay he
Story
How to Travel for Free
On May 20, 2020 by ElyseTravel has been around as long as we’ve had legs to walk on, but in the days before budget airlines and AirBnB, what was an impoverished, wannabe globetrotter to do? Glad you asked. If you’ve read Beginner’s Guide to Travel Writing, you’re ready for John Henry Richardson’s master class on maximizing your sightseeing while minimizing
Story
Battle for the Ages
On May 6, 2020 by ElyseIn the early years of the 20th century, an epic conflict was fought on battlefields across the globe. It would ultimately impact millions of lives. I refer, of course, to the clash of morality vs. the tango. Put on your dancing shoes, and get ready to rumble! In this corner, we have the upstanding, waltz-dancing
Story
Letters from the Front Lines
On April 22, 2020 by ElyseWhen this you see, remember me, though many miles between us be. – George Deal to Sarah Cole Deal; Memphis, Tennessee; February 1863 It is a truth universally acknowledged. . . that most people’s letters are insufferably boring. Mine included: If rambling on about the weather was an Olympic sport, I’d have several gold medals,
Story
Even More Nuggets from Norfolk
On April 8, 2020 by ElyseUnless you literally live under a rock, you know there’s nothing remotely funny in the news these days. Fortunately, thanks to the digitization efforts of the fine folks at the Foxearth and District Local History Society, we can laugh at someone else’s. While no era has a monopoly on tragedy, the 18th century gives any