Ronda Russell, the proprietor of Peninsula’s Downtown Emporium, loves the Village of Peninsula and it’s history. She says, and rightly so, that Peninsula is full of stories. The story of the Peninsula Python is unique, one that was told all over the world in the summer of 1944. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of Ronda’s stories about the Python and the festival she spearheaded in it’s honor. For more information about Python Day, slither on over here.
So the story goes like this: back in the summer of 1944, a traveling circus came through Bath Township, which is a short distance from the Village of Peninsula. There was an accident in the local cemetery, and two large snakes escaped. One was found dead, and the other disappeared—for a short while.
Farmer Clarence Mitchell was tending his corn field. He reported that his dogs were mighty nervous for a couple of days; then they refused to go near his field. Mr. Mitchell looked up and said that he saw the biggest snake he had ever seen, sliding along the ground in plain site. Local historian Randy Bergdorf, of the Peninsula Library and Historical Society writes:
Multiple sightings of the serpent were reported during that summer of 1944; the mayor organized the local Civil Defense organization into posses. Folks with loaded guns responded to reports of the wayward snake. The then director of the Cleveland Zoo, Fletcher Reynolds, pleaded for the life of the snake. He asked that anyone finding the reptile stay calm and phone him with the snake’s location, so he could come and take him alive. Locals came up with plans to capture the snake, from box traps, to clotheslines and sticks, to music.
By this time radio newscasters, and reporters from the United and Associated Presses were regularly reporting on the escapades of the snake that had become the Peninsula Python. The story was reported in the media that was sent to American troops abroad during WWII. Letters from soldiers came into the Village’s post office. Robert Bordner, a reporter from the old Cleveland Press was one of those who wrote about the snake; one of his stories was published in the Atlantic Monthly, in November, 1945.
Sightings of the reptile decreased; some folks wondered if the entire story was a hoax concocted by Bordner. Those who saw the snake stand by their stories.
Post a comment and I will enter you in 2009′s first Peninsula Python Posse drawing for an official badge! You will have a chance to join Peninsula Python Posse members Amy, Terrie ,Sam, Travis, Barrie, and Eryl.
As always, Travis Erwin, an official PPP member, is the man at the helm of My Town Monday. Slither on over there and see what he has to say.
By fromskilledhands (
June 26, 2009 at 9:15 am)
· Filed under Hope, Change
Creativity manifests itself in so many ways. Some I understand, others I just don’t get. But that’s ok. Diversity makes the world an interesting place. There would be no rainbows with just one color or symphonies with just one note. If we want change in the world, we can start by looking in the mirror. It’s time that we let go of our preconceived notions and open our hearts to what the Universe has to offer.
The weather has been good to the gardens in my valley, and Garden Henge has also enjoyed the blessings of Spring. The intense rains earlier this week and the warm temperatures have encouraged the plants and seeds to flourish. Each day is an adventure. I love going out there and seeing what has changed. I have brought a chair out to the garden, and I enjoy my morning cup of tea or coffee in the solitude of the space. Butterflies and insects abound and the majesty of Mother Nature is evident every way I look. Seedlings are emerging from the rich soil, reaching for the light.
We are already enjoying lettuce, peas and onions from the gardens. Here’s a look at what else is growing.
Travis Erwin, My Town Mondays intrepid host, will be glad to know that the rains have also brought out lots of slugs. I think that they would qualify as meat. Wander on over to Travis’ place, and you will find links to other folks’ towns all over this fine planet.
Two years ago on Fathers’ Day, my Dad had a massive stroke. On this day, I reflect on him and his desire to create a life for him and for his wife and daughters, one that had all the things he didn’t have. He would have appreciated this, with its philosophical point of view:
My children have a Dad who is kind, gentle and caring. He has been a pony, a trampoline and a climbing gym. He has fixed broken toys, made dolls and doll furniture. He has read countless books, told stories and colored pictures. He has chased balls, held bikes while his daughters learned to ride and played sleeping rocks. He has fetched frisbees from trees and from the roof and cats from trees. He has been the recipient of many gifts, both tangible and intangible, and he keeps them all in his heart. He has been mentor, guide and confidant, encouraging those in his life to be all they can be. I am blessed to have him in mine.
Cups of Kindness, a show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, has raised enough money to purchase around 27,000 meals—that’s almost 45 meals for the 600 and some folks who live in the Village of Peninsula, Ohio.
Over 70 artists donated pieces of art, 160 pieces in all. All proceeds from the sale of the artwork has benefited the hungry in the 8 Ohio counties that the Foodbank serves. The show opened in early December of 2008, and continues.
Diane Keske Talmadge has been drawing and painting since she was a child. She is an accomplished portrait, landscape and still life painter. Her paintings have a wonderful luminous quality about them, quietly showing how she sees the world. Diane teaches painting and drawing in her home studio and at the Peninsula Art Academy.
Diane has a collection of 25 or so antique teacups, and she puts at least 1 antique piece in each of her still life paintings. When she was asked if she would donate a piece to Cups of Kindness, Diane didn’t hesitate. She painted two of her antique teacups, which are displayed on lovely small easels.This piece, along with it’s companion pink teacup are available here. Please visit Elements Gallery in the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, or the Cups of Kindness website to see this and other beautiful pieces of artwork. Every dollar raised purchases 7 nutritious meals for NE Ohio’s hungry, folks like you and me, who need a hand.
Cups of Kindness: Friends and neighbors helping each other.
The crooked river called Cuyahoga is an integral part of the Cuyahoga Valley and the Village of Peninsula. Artists have tried to capture it’s beauty in a multitude of media. Painters, photographers and artists with sketch pads are regular sights in this Valley.
On Saturday, June 20, 2009, 25 regional artists will converge on the Village, canvases, easels and paints in hand. They will be participants in the first Plein Aire competition that the Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce has hosted. En plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air.” It is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein air painting has it’s roots in 19th century Europe. The invention of tubes that contained pigments made painting portable, and the introduction of the steam engine gave painters a way to travel for their art.
If you’re in our neck of the woods or are in the mood for a beautiful drive, come on over and see us. You can watch the painters, take a hike in the amazing Cuyahoga Valley National Park (did you know that it is the 6th most visited National Park in the country?), take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and explore the Village of Peninsula. Stop in and see Steve and me at our Elements Gallery on Mill Street. We’re looking forward to meeting you.
For more information on the Plein Aire competition, visit here.
Ronda Russell, the proprietor of Peninsula’s Downtown Emporium, loves the Village of Peninsula and it’s history. She says, and rightly so, that Peninsula is full of stories. The story of the Peninsula Python is unique, one that was told all over the world in the summer of 1944. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of Ronda’s stories about the Python and the festival she spearheaded in it’s honor. For more information about Python Day, slither on over here.![[Bloglines]](http://fromskilledhands.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/bloglines.png)
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