The individual right to own a gun
is reaffirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court
in the District of Columbia v. Heller



"There seems to us no doubt,
on the basis of both text and history,
that the Second Amendment conferred
an individual right to keep and bear arms."

*   *   *
"It is not the role of this Court to
pronounce the Second Amendment extinct."

Justice Antonin Scalia, writing for the majority

Click here to   support the NRA

Welcome To My World John Dallas Bowers

Curious what it's like here in Villanova right now?
Scroll all the way down to check our current weather conditions.

FREEDOM

Please continue to scroll down to see more of my story

Click here to see assorted video clips of moments in my life.

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Face-to-face: happiness is snuggling with my grandnephew
(Thomas Newton Ward, IV - Thanksgiving 2001)

Side-by-side: Thomas and I reconnect at Christmas 2007.
It turns out we both love pistols and the piano. Genes rule!

A LOOK AT MY STORY

The early years (l to r): Drexel Park, ca.1942; Ocean City, NJ, ca.1945; Drexel Hill School, 1952 & 1954

Welcome to my website.

To reach the page of choice, simply click on the link provided.

* * *

Click here (or on the logo above)
to visit my professional website



Click here
to visit my blog, which is in its infancy

Here's what it looks like around my home about now

• The Barn -- It's summertime in Villanova, and the Vornados are whirring
  

• "A Different World" (1986) -- So far, yet so near
• "Passages: the long good-bye" (1988) -- My daughter goes off to college
• "Home – er, here – for the holidays" (1989) -- Jennifer returns home for Thanksgiving vacation
• "Star Found Dead in Local Aquarium" (1990) -- Thoughts on the departure of a long-time companion
• "So Long, Dad...and thanks." (1992) -- I wrote this Father’s Day piece shortly after my Dad’s death

• "An evening at the Waldorf" (Gourmet, 1978) -- A great hotel plays a key role in a touching tale of love and courtship
• "The amazing grace of Christmas morn" (The Washington Times) -- Wesley Pruden's great piece on John Newton
• EPIC (John Eldredge) -- "There is a larger story, and you have a crucial role to play"
  

• John Dallas Bowers, LLC -- This is where you'll learn what I do for a living
  
• Cousin George (1792 - 1864) -- A bit of history on my estimable cousin, George Mifflin Dallas
• Spring Garden Soup Society (1852) -- One of the volunteer venues in which I serve
  
• The Graduate (1858) -- My great-grandfather's diploma from Philadelphia's prestigious Central High School
• Abraham Lincoln: The Final Photograph (1865) -- It was a windy afternoon on the White House south portico
  
• The Bowers Family (ca. 1906) -- My great-grandparents and their children sit for a formal family portrait
• Continental Mills (ca. 1930) -- A lithograph and brief history of my father's company
• Marjorie Hallahan Bowers (1910 - 2003) -- Words from Mom's funeral service, December 10, 2003
• Crozer Keystone Health System -- My involvement as a volunteer in healthcare began in 1986
• 2008 "Men in His Image" Beach Retreat -- Friends gathered for an excellent weekend of fellowship, reflection, and fun
  
• Trapshooting on Easter Saturday (2008) -- It was a gorgeous day for pulverizing clay targets with friends
  
• "Cardiac Cath?" "No Thanks, Just Had One" (2008) -- The rabbit trail that led to an excellent experience
  
• My Beretta AL391 Urika Trap Shotgun (2007) -- This renowned 12-gauge semi-automatic will maximize my modest skills
  
• Visiting the Wards at Christmas (2007) -- It was great reconnecting with my niece and her family
  
• Christmas Dinner at Home (1957) -- A family gathering at 463 Eaton Road, Drexel Park, PA
  
• Christmas Day (2007) -- Photos and video clips from a wonderful day of celebration
• The Christmas Table (2007) -- Waterloo Gardens had just the treats to create a festive atmosphere
  
• FOR SALE: 10-gauge Black Powder shells (2007) -- Jon discovered his shotgun is actually a 12-gauge. Oops.
  
• I've Just Seen Jesus (2007) -- This soaring duet by Sandi Patty and Larnelle Harris is simply amazing
  
• A Majestic Ash Bites the Dust (2007) -- Mortally wounded, this beautiful tree needed to come down -- fast!
  
• 2007 Taste of Radnor Photo Contest -- The winning photos highlighted in a full-page story in the Suburban (188 kb pdf)
  
• Pride and Prejudice (2007) -- Julia Warner delivers a boffo performance as Elizabeth Bennet
  
• Denny Gilbert -- In Memoriam (2007) -- My dear friend and brother in Christ is now with the Lord
  
• Taste of Radnor Photo Contest (2007) -- These are my entries for this second annual event held at the Wayne Art Center
  
• Pistol Practice at French Creek (2007) -- Jon Weaver and I spent several enjoyable hours perforating targets at 25 yards (see the video)
  
• Radnor High School Homecoming (2007) -- It was a beautiful night for football; too bad Radnor lost
  
• Pistol-Packin' Pals Shoot-em Up at DCF&S (2007) -- Jon Weaver and I take to the target range (and amaze ourselves)
  
• Save the Radnor-St. Davids Post Office (2007) -- A local treasure may soon be gone forever
  
• Ruth Ann's Commencement Celebration (2007) -- Friends and family fete Ruth Ann Batstone on her life transition
  
• Lee Hewitt Celebrates 60 (2007) -- Dozens of friends and family gather at the Claypool's lovely home in Devon
  
• My Father's Day Dinner at Blackfish (2007) -- Jennifer and I had read a tantalizing review and couldn't resist
  
• Our Night at Arnold's (2007) -- The boys tear up the track at Arnold's Go-Karts
  
• Main Line Jazz & Food Festival (2007) -- The rain held off just long enough
  
• Christmas Night (2006) -- I join Jennifer and her mom for a delightful evening
  
• 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (2006) -- And Santa was good to his word
  
• "Nightlight" (2006) -- Suddenly, the northeastern sky turned silvery-white
  
• "Taste of Radnor" Photo Competition (2006) -- Newspaper coverage of the winning entries (621kb pdf)
  
• The Warner's Multiple-Birthday Celebration (2006) -- My neighbors invite me to join the festivities
  
• A Sunday Drive to DC (2006) -- Celebrating Jennifer's birthday with dim sum and a movie
• FIRE! (2006) -- Neighbors escape injury as flames destroy their home in less than an hour
• UK 2006 -- Photographic memories of my time with Jennifer in London and the Highlands of Scotland
  
• An Afternoon's Delight (2006) -- A surprisingly extended visit with an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
  
• Radnor Fire Company Marks its 100th (2006) -- A century of service celebrated on May 6, 2006
  
• Snow-foolin' (2006) -- Lots of white stuff on Lincoln's Birthday
• Christmas Night 2005 -- The barn was made for this glorious season
• Lunch at the Hallahans (2005) -- Visiting with my adored Aunt Marion and Uncle Jack
  
• Lunch with the DeGraws (2005) -- Ron and I were classmates and good friends at Upper Darby High School
  
• Happy Birthday, Jack! (2005) -- The irrepressible Jack Tompkins celebrates his first birthday
  
• The Stokes' 25th Wedding Anniversary (2005) -- Liza, Ben, and Will surprise their parents
  
• Thanksgiving Dinner (2005) -- We gathered at Susan's for an evening of food and fun
  
• Reconnecting with the Fabers (2005) -- A delightful day with old and dear friends
  
• The Old Order Changeth (2005) -- After 28 years of stellar service, it was time for an equipment upgrade
  
• Uncle Jack's 88th Birthday (2005) -- John Dallas Hallahan celebrates with his family
  
• UDHS Reunion - Part Deux (2005) -- Reconnecting with Grace Manwiller Hay after 45 years
  
• Father's Day 2005 -- Another delightful day with my daughter in Washington, DC
  
• Scenes from my 45th Reunion (2005) -- Upper Darby High School's Class of 1960 reunites at the Airport Hilton
  
• January 23, 2005 -- Shoveling out from a big snow on the day the Eagles clinch the NFC title
  
• Christmas Day (2004) -- Reprising a timeless and treasured tradition with my daughter
  
• Fall's Finale (2004) -- Contrasting maples against a deep blue Hallowe'en sky
• Election 2004 -- Buoyed by a vote of of historic proportions, George W. Bush is elected to a second term
• The Rehearsal Dinner (2004) -- Stan and Jennifer celebrate the night before their wedding
• The Wedding (2004) -- Stan and Jennifer commit their hearts and lives to each other
• The Reception (2004) -- Warm words, wonderful food, and lots of dancing
  
• Political Speech Writ Large (2004) -- Disappearing lawn signs led me to step it up a notch
  
• Dinner at Patou (2004) -- Jennifer and I celebrate her birthday with a delicious dinner downtown
  
• Royals Reunite (2004) -- Lunch reconnections with fellow alums from UDHS (aka The Royals)
  
• The Birthday Boy (2004) -- Friends and family gather to help Ross celebrate his 65th
  
• Fly Fishing in Idaho (2004) -- Jennifer and I make more lifetime memories (five pages of photos)
  
• Pitcher Perfect (2004) -- A catch-up lunch with Stacie and her baseball-loving daughter
  
• My New Neighbor (2004) -- It's nice to have a snake around the place
  
• Baseball with the boys (2004) -- A night of baseball and bonding at the Reading Phillies (two pages of photos)
  
• Memorial Day Memories (2004) -- Watching this Wayne tradition with good friends (two pages of photos)
  
• Confirmation (2004) -- A three-page photo album celebrating the next step in Jennifer's spiritual journey
• Friends (2004) -- These guys are an important piece of my life
• Hair today, gone tomorrow (2004) -- David has been cutting my hair for over fifteen years
  
• The barn in spring - #1 (2004) -- Azaleas and ferns
• The barn in spring - #2 (2004) -- Lilies of the valley, wild phlox, and silla
• The barn in spring - #3 (2004) -- Pieris japonica and flowering dogwood
• The barn in spring - #4 (2004) -- Leather leaf hydrangea and Solomon's Seal
• Barbara and Barbara (2004) -- Two wonderful gals in my life
• April at the barn -- The delicate delights of spring
• Reconnecting at Wynnewood Park (2003) -- Mom gets a visit from her brother and family
• My trip to Washington (2003) -- John, Jennifer, Elena & Keith dine in the White House mess
• My trip to Washington (2003) -- John & Jennifer visit the Anne Frank exhibit
• My trip to Washington (2003) -- A rare, private, after-hours tour of the West Wing
• My trip to Washington (2003) -- John takes the podium in the White House press briefing room
• My trip to Washington (2003) -- Marvelous mementos of a perfect day
• My Myers Briggs Profile (2002) -- Learn more about what it means to be this ENFP
• Dinner dance at the White House (2001) -- Jennifer joins the Bushes for a lovely holiday evening
• Christmas day (2001) -- And the best present was time with my daughter
• Christmas eve at the Halls (2001) -- The lobster fest tradition continues
• Fall at the barn (2001) -- So proud to be an American
• The Wedding of the Year (2001) -- Click here to begin a photo tour of Elena & Bob's big day
• One grand nephew, one terrific day (2001) -- The dedication of Thomas Newton Ward, IV
• One grand nephew, one terrific day (2001) -- More scenes from the post-baptismal festivities
• September 11, 2001 -- Terrorists attack and destroy the twin towers of New York City's World Trade Center
• Summer reunion (2001) -- Up from DC, Jennifer and Elena help Mom and me reprise a wonderful tradition
• Summer reunion (2001) -- The Carlsons join us for a delightful day of reconnection
• Summer reunion (2001) -- Hangin' out and catchin' the rays
• Summer reunion (2001) -- First looks, final good-byes
• Daytrip to DC (2001) -- Mom and I visit Jennifer in her new home
• Mom celebrates her 91st (2001) -- Stan and Barbara join Mom and me for dinner in my home
• Cross-country skiing (2001) -- Jon and Janet invite me to join them in the Poconos
• Christmas dinner (2000) -- The family comes together at my brother's home
• Scenes from my fortieth reunion (2000) -- Upper Darby High School's class of 1960 reunites at Drexelbrook
• Lisa & Matt's wedding weekend (2000) -- The daughter of long-time friends ties the knot in Chestertown
• Lisa & Matt's wedding weekend (2000) -- Scenes from the rehearsal dinner and reception
• Lisa & Matt's wedding weekend (2000) -- Chestertown snapshots
• Girls gotta have fun (1983) -- Just hangin' out on the boards in OC for Jennifer's 13th birthday weekend
• Friends in from Utah (1999) -- Sharing the season and historic Philadelphia with Terry, Pat & Kristen
• Chelsea Place Flowers -- Pinks and purples abound in the summer of 2000
• Ocean City 2000 -- Jennifer and Elena join Mom and me over Labor Day weekend
• Road to the White House (2000) -- Sharing the GOP Convention with my daughter and her friends
• And the rockets red glare (2000) -- More Convention celebrations following GW's acceptance speech
• A final Convention week memory (2000) -- Lunch with John McLaughlin
• Tying the knot (2000) --Whitney and Chad plight their troth before family and friends
• A tale of two Aprils (2000) -- What a difference a week can make!
• A beautiful fall finale (2000) -- Crisp days and frosty nights provide a delightful prelude to winter
• Winter wonderland (2000) -- Let it snow, let it blow, let it melt
• Mom celebrates a milestone (2000) -- Before H.M.S. Titanic, there was Mom
• Summer fun with the Inglenookers (1999) -- Good food, good sports, good friends
• More Inglenook summer fun (1999) -- Refreshment and reminiscing with old friends
• Christmas Eve in Broomall (1999) -- Lobsters, laughter and loving friends
• A New Years reconnection (2000) -- Three generations meet in Media
• Christmas dinner (1999) -- A family gathering at my brother's home
• 'Tis the season (1999) -- This is the tree that was
• Thanksgiving dinner (1999) -- Turkey and all the fixin's with the family at my place
• Connecting at Christmas (1998) -- Selected moments on Christmas Day
• Grandpop (1945) -- The inestimable impact of an early mentor
• Cousins -- Then and (nearly) now
• Summer reunion in Media (1990) -- Close connections with extended family
• Never far from nature (1968) -- Jack & Marion; Marjorie & Bill at Skunk Cabin
• The cabin in Vermont (1994) -- Vacationing with loved ones
• Mothers and daughters (1913 & 1972) -- Elizabeth & Marjorie; Susan & Jennifer
• Travels with my daughter (1998) -- Gorgeous memories of Villefranche-sur-Mer
• Camp Kehonka (1985) -- Jennifer remembers her summers there as the high point of her youth
• Camp Oneka (1981) -- By all accounts, Jennifer loved her first overnight camp experience
  
• Buddies (1971) -- Jennifer and Mac in the gatehouse
• Beachin' through the years (1903-1986) -- "Down-the-shore" in Ocean City, NJ
• Pomp and Circumstance (1954) -- Class photo at graduation, Drexel Hill Elementary
• Camp Mitigwa (1956) -- Memories of Camp Mitigwa in Rangeley, ME
• Oh baby baby (1942 & 1970) -- A collage of cuties (father & daughter)
• Dance, ballerina, dance! (ca. 1975) -- It may have been the outfits
• Stanleys through the years -- Four generations and lots of similarities
• Mom and Dad (1933 & 1973) -- Lansdowne to Drexel Park: one mile, forty years
• Friends over at Christmas (ca. 1985) -- Michael & Lisa with Michael & Lisa

• Delta Discipleship Men's Retreat (2005) -- A weekend in rustic surroundings examining and pursuing the hearts of men
• Men in the East 2001 -- The official class photo
• Men in the East 2001 -- What's better on a sweltering day than volley ball
• Men in the East 2001 -- Team building with the mid-week ropes course
• Men in the East 2001 -- Carpet squares and swaying cables
• Men in the East 2001 -- Ample food and excellent conversation
• Men in the East 2001 -- Elena:  always ready with a smile and more decaf
• Men in the East 2001 -- Final moments in a wonderful week
• Blinker BeachAway III (2001) -- A Brother Link weekend in Ocean City
• A New Millennium Moment (2001) -- A New Years Imager reunion at Tad's home
• Men in the East 2000 -- The official class photo
• Men in the East 2000 -- Assorted images from a wonderful week
• Men in the East 2000 -- An afternoon of team-building at Sandy Cove
• Men in the East 2000 -- Wall-climbing:  the pinnacle of my personal challenge at Sandy Cove
• My friend, Denny (2000) -- A partner at Sandy Cove, a great buddy in life
• A New Years reunion (2000) -- Getting together at Ben's place
• A Cornerstone Christmas (1999) -- Celebrating with heart-mates and mission partners
• Baptism: a journey begins (1942) -- A commitment made by loving and godly parents
• Men in the East (1999) -- A group of brothers gathers at Sandy Cove