Doug+F.

July 7, 1989 was a significant event for the Frey Family (DON'T CAPITALIZE FAMILY). After what was described as many hours of labor, Douglas Alan was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Lancaster. On hand for the wonderful occasion were his dad, grandma, and an aunt. This was a great day but was saddened by the fact that Doug’s grandfather died two months before his birth. The family noted that granddad was looking forward to the birth of his first grandchild. Grandma Frey is the only grandparent that Douglas had since his mother’s parents both died long before he was born. There is also a great-grandmother who is 90 years old.

Douglas’ father works as a sheet metal fabricator and has been working at that job since he graduated from high school. His mother is a certified nursing assistant at a very nice home in Lititz. They have lived in the Grandview Heights area of Manheim Township since Douglas was four years old. It is a wonderful neighborhood, very quiet, with many trees. Nathan Schaeffer Elementary School is close by and the family considers it to be the best elementary school.

The year 1989 was not just the year Douglas was born but a year in which many things took place in Lancaster County, the country and even internationally. Some of the most important will be written here for the interest of our readers.

Just as Katrina did so much horrible damage in Louisiana in the recent past, an earlier flood, in November 1989 caused $48,911,213 in damage to personal property. In May of 1989 Texas was flooded sustaining damages of $59,020,120.

In the entertainment world, the Grateful Dead played their last concert at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia on July 7, 1989. This was the last concert held at this stadium. (John F. Kennedy Stadium 6 Feb. 2008) Today, there are still many Grateful Dead fans. (USE A TRANSITION HERE)The first pilot of the Jerry Seinfeld show aired in 1989. There was some concern that it just would not make it as a television show. How wrong the critics were because it was on the air for nine years before they had their final episode in 1998.

On the international scene one of the most significant historical events took place on November 9, 1989. When the East German government announced, after several weeks of civil unrest, that visits in West Germany and West Berlin would be permitted, crowds of East Germans climbed onto and crossed the wall, joined by West Germans on the other side. The Berlin wall had divided the East from West for 28 years. On that date the wall came crumbling down. This paved the way for German reunification.

The sports world had many interesting things happen in 1989. For the very first time the tennis finals at Wimbledon for both men and women were held on the same day, July 9. (USE A TRANSITION HERE)The American League team won the 60th All Star game in Anaheim, California on July 11. (USE A TRANSITION) Prize fighter Mike Tyson scored a knockout punch on Carl Williams in the first minute of the first round. (USE A TRANSITION) On July 21st, Greg LeMond won the Tour de France in the fastest time recorded to that date.

In science, three asteroids were discovered. Stevenson was the name given to asteroid 5211. H.E. Holt discovered asteroid No. 4745 and named it Nancymarie. E.F. Heflin discovered No. 5182 and called it Bray.

To this writer it appears that 1989 was a year in which many things happened in all fields. Science, entertainment, sports, and international news were all represented throughout the entire year. (YOU NEED TO RETURN TO DOUG FREY AT THE END OF THE STORY.)