Hancock, Massachusetts, USA

What the Round Barn tells us about the Shakers: (1) They were lovers of innovation: Round promoted easy in-and-out flows. (2) They were egalitarian: Round meant no one ever brought up the rear. (3) They were true believers: Round meant life was without beginning or end. (4) They were asexual: Round meant they were never tempted by dark corners. [2019]

Hancock, Massachusetts, USA

They were communal, egalitarian, pacifist, non-trinitarian, and non-sexual. Their village in Hancock was founded in 1870, flourished in the mid-19th century, and lasted until 1960. They were the Shakers, an off-shoot (not surprisingly, given their name) of the Quakers. The building here that looks like a college dorm served as their sex-segregated living quarters. [2019]

Lexington, Massachusetts, USA

It's an off-year election, but the polls are open for local races from Selectmen in Massachusetts to prothonotaries in Pennsylvania to Chosen Freeholders in New Jersey to Soil and Water Supervisors in Minnesota to Police Jurors in Louisiana to school board members everywhere. So, delay no longer: Go Vote! [2010]

Buford, Wyoming, USA

Buford may be the nation's smallest town, but it has competition: Bust, Colorado. May the future of Buford be as bright as Bust's! The current score, though, is Buford 0 and Bust 2. Yes, Buford has dropped to zero residents, but Bust's growth proves there is hope. [2013]

New York, New York, USA

Plate collecting is a major hobby in the U.S., and the Hell's Kitchen flea market looks like the place to go if you are on the lookout for New York plates. These pre-date the vanity era, but don't you love the tiny maps of the Empire State that are pretending to be hyphens? [2017]

Dillsburg, Pennsylvania, USA

All Souls' Day marks the end of Hallowtide. Yesterday was All Saints' Day. What's the difference? For Roman Catholics, the difference is hard to understand for those outside the tradition. For Anglicans, Methodists, and Lutherans, there is no difference, but on the morrow, there will be prayers for congregants who have passed away over the past year. [2018]

Talpin, New Mexico, USA

Today is Hallowmas, a day to honor all saints now in heaven. To that end, families may spend part of the day in cemeteries, even small ones like the Nuestra Senora del Carmen Cemetery. Some cemeteries are locked at 5 pm, though, and, a few years ago, Geographically Yours had to call the local police department to unlock the gates and let him out! [2017]