September 11, 2015 By Maryanne Datesman Leave a Comment We can all remember exactly what we were doing when we heard—and saw—the horrendous events that occurred 16+ years ago today. Those events are burned into our collective psyche as we reflect back on … Continue Reading about Reflections on 9/11: Timeless, Inevitable Questions about War […]
September 1, 2015 By Maryanne Datesman Leave a Comment Did you ever wonder what life was really like 100 years ago? Well, Vintage American Ways has a collection of The Youth’s Companions for the years 1880 to 1920—over 2,000 of them—containing thousands … Continue Reading about Throwback Thursday: A Fast Food Restaurant 100 Years Ago […]
The last few years have been really tough, causing many of us to ponder who we are and what our life priorities should be. On a personal level, we have been forced to weigh balancing work and family. On a national level, we are subjected to increasingly acerbic debate about who we are as Americans, […]
June 21, 2017 By Maryanne Datesman Leave a Comment Times are tough. We’re facing a lot of important issues in the United States and instead of thoughtful, serious discussions, many political leaders and commentators on television have resorted to … Continue Reading about Civil Conversation: Finding Common Ground → Filed Under: Civil Conversation, Cultural Values, […]
Maryanne George Datesman | Chautauqua 2017 4th of July Fest Have you ever heard of Chautauqua? It’s a magical place where you can experience the past, the present, and the future, all in one day. Surrounded by historical structures dating from the 1880s and 90s, you are in the past. You are in the present […]
Welcome to the official website for American Ways: An Introduction to American Culture 4th Edition, a textbook for English as a Second Language (ESL) Learners. View the Book. Many people today are talking about American values and asking important questions: What are American values? What is happening to traditional values in the United States today? […]
September 1, 2015 By Maryanne Datesman Leave a Comment Did you ever wonder what life was really like 100 years ago? Well, Vintage American Ways has a collection of The Youth’s Companions for the years 1880 to 1920—over 2,000 of them—containing thousands … Continue Reading about Throwback Thursday: A Fast Food Restaurant 100 Years Ago […]
As we traveled home after a recent family reunion, the always asked question came forth as the air conditioning in the car took hold, and we relaxed for the drive home. “What was your favorite part … Continue Reading about A Time for Families → A few years ago, the topic of conversation among family […]
Donna Reed is one of my dearest friends and the only one I’ve ever known who had a truly happy—even idyllic—childhood. We have shared a rich professional life as well as a fun-filled friendship, with … Continue Reading about The Death of the Dining Room: Donna Reed Reflects on How Families Communicate → Former President […]
Jodi Crandall is truly one of a kind—a charismatic professional who is “down to earth,” kind, generous with her time and her advice, a creative dynamo, and a genuinely caring person. We’ve worked … Continue Reading about JoAnn (Jodi) Crandall: In Recognition of Her Lifetime Achievement Award from Washington Area Teachers of English to Speakers […]
October 1, 2015 By Maryanne Datesman Leave a Comment This article was written in 1914, at the beginning of World War I. News dispatches were describing battles taking place in Europe and there must have been some confusion about the names of these … Continue Reading about Battles That Have Two Names: It’s a Matter […]
Last weekend was Mother’s Day and Donna Reed posted a lovely essay about memories of her mother. She paints a warm picture of a caring woman who surrounded her children with loving attention. We all know that a mother’s concern for her children does not end when they become 21. Indeed, that is when the […]
This article was written in 1914, at the beginning of World War I. News dispatches were describing battles taking place in Europe and there must have been some confusion about the names of these … Continue Reading about Battles That Have Two Names: It’s a Matter of Perspective →
September 18, 2014 By Maryanne Datesman Leave a Comment “Battling the Armyworm for 100 Years” Last Saturday we were sitting around a fire pit in a friend’s yard, roasting marshmallows for s’mores, when the subject of lawns came up. Our friend said he … Continue Reading about Battling the Armyworm for 100 Years → Filed […]