// temporary message placeholder
	var sT = 'Message placeholder';

	// general and misc web pages
	var sFlag      = 'The American Flag -- Celebrate Freedom';
	var sCameo     = 'Portrait of Abraham Lincoln';
	var sSignature = 'Signature of Abraham Lincoln';
	var sMaioneBio = 'Click to open a new window for a picture and biographical sketch of Mike Maione';

	// index page
	var sGoogleHome    = 'Click to open a new window for Google\'s home page';
	var sSearchInfo    = 'Click to open a new window with information about using the search feature on this web site';
	var sLincolnAward  = 'Click for more information about the presentation of The Lincoln Award';
	var sRecipientBio  = 'Click for a biographical sketch of the recipient';
	var sRecipientBio2 = 'Click for biographical sketches of all the recipients';

	// membership page
	var sMemForm = 'Click for the combined Membership Application/Update/Donations Form';

	// gallery page (both js and html generated tables)
	var sBigPic = 'Click on the thumbnail to see the picture full-size (a new window will open)';

	// links page
	var sLBC   = 'Click to open a new window for the "Lincoln Bicentennial Commission" web site';
	var sAOL   = 'Click to open a new window for the "Abraham Lincoln Online" web site';
	var sACWHP = 'Click to open a new window for the "American Civil War Home Page" web site';
	var sUSCW  = 'Click to open a new window for the "US Civil War Center\'s Index of Civil War on the Web" web site';
	var sALRS  = 'Click to open a new window for the "Abraham Lincoln Research Site" web site';
	var sGAH   = 'Click to open a new window for the "Great American History" web site';
	var sALI   = 'Click to open a new window for the "Abraham Lincoln Institute" web site';
	var sALC   = 'Click to open a new window for the "Abraham Lincoln Camps" web site';
	var sTLH   = 'Click to open a new window for "The Lincoln Herald" web site';
	var sCWS   = 'Click to open a new window for the "Civil War Studies at The Smithsonian Associates" web site';

	// contact us page
	var sPres      = 'Click to send an email to the LGDC President';
	var sFVPres    = 'Click to send an email to the LGDC First Vice President';
	var sSVPres    = 'Click to send an email to the LGDC Second Vice President';
	var sTreas     = 'Click to send an email to the LGDC Treasurer';
	var sRecSec    = 'Click to send an email to the LGDC Recording Secretary';
	var sCorSec    = 'Click to send an email to the LGDC Corresponding Secretary';
	var sRecCorSec = 'Click to send an email to the LGDC Recording and Corresponding Secretary';
	var sMemSec    = 'Click to send an email to the LGDC Membership Secretary';
	var sLincEd    = 'Click to send an email to the Lincolnian Editor';
	var sWebGuy    = 'Click to send an email to the LGDC Webmaster';

	// archives page
	var sPastPres    = 'Click to see a list of LGDC Presidents, from 1935 to the present';
	var sArtOfInc    = 'Click to download a PDF copy of the LGDC\'s Articles of Incorporation';
	var sByLaws76    = 'Click to download a PDF copy of the LGDC\'s 1976 By Laws';
	var sByLawsRev   = 'Click to download a PDF copy of the LGDC\'s 2001 Revisions to the 1976 By Laws';
	var sByLawUpdt   = 'Click to download a PDF copy of the LGDC\'s Draft Update to the By Laws';
	var sByLawUpdt2  = 'Click to download a PDF copy of the LGDC\'s Update to the By Laws';
	var sByLawsNow   = 'Click to download a PDF copy of the LGDC\'s current By Laws';
	var sForm1023    = 'Click to download a PDF copy of the LGDC\'s IRS Form 1023';
	var sExempLtr    = 'Click to download a PDF copy of the LGDC\'s IRS letter of exemption from Federal income tax';
	var sForm990     = 'Click to download a PDF copy of the LGDC\'s IRS Form 990';
	var sAdobeReader = 'Click to download a FREE copy of the Adobe Reader (a new window will open)';

	// archives_presidents page
	var sArcMain = 'Click to go to the archives section main page';

	// navigation
	var sHome         = 'Click to go to the LGDC home page';
	var sMembership   = 'Click to go to the membership information page';
	var sHonorary     = 'Click to go to the honorary members page';
	var sEvents       = 'Click to see the events schedule';
	var sReservations = 'Click for information about reservations';
	var sResByEmail   = 'Click to make a reservation via email';
	var sGallery      = 'Click to go to the picture gallery';
	var sLiterary     = 'Click to go to the literary submissions page';
	var sLinks        = 'Click to go to the favorite links page';
	var sContact      = 'Click to go to the contact information page';
	var sArchives     = 'Click to go to the archives section';
	var sContribute   = 'Click for information about making a contribution to LGDC';

	// all gallery section child windows
	var sPreviousPic = "Click to see the previous picture";
	var sNextPic     = "Click to see the next picture";

	// all child windows
	var sClose = "Click to close this window";

	// replace the URL in the status bar with a message
	function setMsg(msg) {window.status = msg; return true;}