From Skilled Hands

The Village of Peninsula, population 602, is a wonderful place.  Located in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley, the Village cherishes it’s history and also looks to its future.

The Peninsula Library and Historical Society is an important part of the community. It’s staffed by a pretty amazing group of people. It’s the kind of place where people know your name and ask how your family is doing.  In addition to a fabulous collection of books and other resources, the Library has programs and events for folks of all ages and interests. For the past 5 years, the library has hosted a Mini-Tree Raffle. The raffle is a fundraiser for children’s programming at the library and for the Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce. Merchants and community members create and donate a tree to be raffled. This year, 18 trees were donated, and over 200 tickets have been sold. The raffle continues through December 20; and the library is open Monday-Thursday from 9 AM-8PM, and Saturdays from 9-5. Here’s a look at some of the trees. I will post more photos as I am able to edit them. The raffle continues until December 20.

***On another note, the Peninsula Library is a finalist in Playaway’s Picture This contest. The winning Library will win $10,000. Please visit this link and cast your vote. 602 people will thank you.***

As always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone, (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

While a lot has changed since this photo was taken in the early 1900′s, the Peninsula United Methodist Church still sits on the corner of Main and Locust, it’s renovated steeple punctuating the sky.

Horses and buggies have been replaced by cars and trucks, and few people chance walking down the middle of Main Street any more. Folks in our neck of the woods take their holidays seriously. The Garden Club has been decorating the bridge over the river called Cuyahoga for a long time.  And merchants and residents dress up their homes and store fronts for the season.

Our Elements Gallery, along with the Peninsula Art Academy, are inviting artists to donate artwork to Heart, Hands and Home, our gift to the women who are serviced by the Battered Women’s Shelter of Summit and Medina Counties.  The artwork will be given to women and children for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and the winter holidays.  Stop in and visit us and the PAA for artist crafted items throughout the holiday season.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad runs a special seasonal train, The Polar Express, complete with elves and hot chocolate.  They also partner with Heritage Farms, a family owned tree farm that is more than 160 years old. Folks can take the train into town, choose their tree, stop in the Village to shop and get back on the train; the tree they have chosen is loaded on the train for them. Many families have made their trip to Carol and Kim’s tree farm an annual tradition.

On Sunday, December 5, from 1-4:30 pm, flutist Debora Roznovsky and organist Hazel Broughton will present a series of 4 petite concerts at the historic Bronson Memorial Church on Main Street. This Christmas concert and sing-along are a gift to Peninsula’s residents and visitors.

This little Village, nestled in the magnificent Cuyahoga Valley, sits along the river by the same name.  It’s a place where you can walk up the hill to the post office and the library; you can explore the side streets and trails and still have a lot to see. The Village of Peninsula, built by the hands and hearts of generations, gently resisting change since 1837.

Come back during the rest of the week; I’ll be posting more photos of the Village dressed in it’s holiday finery. And, as always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone, (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.   Take a look at My Town Monday to see what others have to say about the places they call home.

The Village of Peninsula, population 601, is bedecked with the finery of the season. As usual, the Garden Club has decorated the bridge, and shops and residents have adorned their places with greenery and bows.

At our gallery, Elements Gallery, we put up pine roping outside, and let the selection of artwork take care if the inside. You can enjoy a cookie or three and watch us work at whatever we’re doing the day you visit.  Take the time to check out our work and the work of the 30 or so artists we represent. Check out the Cups of Kindness display. Wander across the street to the Peninsula Art Academy to see more Cups of Kindness, and a selection of fine work from other local artists. For each dollar we raise, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank can purchase $7 worth of food and grocery items. Take a look at the website; you can purchase items online, and have receive the items in time for Christmas.

The artwork is beautiful, and the generosity of the artists who have donated the pieces, and our sponsors, volunteers, and patrons is so gratifying.  We the People truly make a difference, as we prove the Power of One.  One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.  Visit My Town Monday to read about other people and places.

What does 1 train + a great story + a crew of dedicated staff and volunteers equal?   Take a look at a very special train, when the Village of Peninsula is transformed into the North Pole.  All aboard for the Polar Express!

A little over a year ago, we shared a table at a swim team function with a woman who is on the Board of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank . We started to talk, and I shared my vision of Cups of Kindness, an art show and sale which would benefit the Foodbank.  I thought of the words from from that old song,  “we take a cup o’kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne.”  We decided to, in the words of my English mother-in-law, give it a go.

Seventy -six artists donated over 150 pieces of artwork. The logo, website design and hosting, and photography was donated. Bloggers from near and far wrote about the project.  Artwork began arriving from local and national artists. An author donated 2 signed copies of her book.  The website went live.

We hung the show at our Elements Gallery, and at the Peninsula Art Academy. The opening celebration coincided with Christmas in Peninsula, and it was wonderful!

The website is back up and running, with a new look for Spring and with some new pieces. Please take a look.  And stay tuned for updates about Cups of Kindness, 2009.

Cups of Kindness is truly a testament to the Power of One. It is what we the people can do for each other.  We the people who reach out to our friends and neighbors who are in need. We the people, anonymous all, who, when we help our community, help ourselves. We who are one.

To date, we the people have raised enough money to purchase 22,022.07 meals.  That’s not half bad.

It’s a wee bit chilly in my town, with the temperatures hovering around 2 degrees F, and the windchill plummeting them well below zero. The warmth of community is a pretty wonderful thing. Take a look at my town, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, gently resisting change since 1837.

Outside and inside the Log Cabin Gallery:

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Travis Erwin is the Chief Marauder of My Town Monday. He’s taking a break until after the holidays. In his absence, Junosmom and Chris are posting the links to My Towners. Take a look at their sites; you’ll find links to people blogging all over this incredibly amazingly diverse and beautiful blue planet. You’ll learn a lot and have fun, too.

And Happy 17th Birthday to my amazing and wonderful #2 daughter.

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And if you are so inclined, please visit Cups of Kindness, our benefit for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

Each dollar raised purchased 7 nutritious meals. So far, we have raised enough money to purchase over 13,000 meals. That is 21.6 meals for each of the 602 people in Peninsula.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

For the past 3 years, members of the business community have donated mini Christmas trees to be raffled off at the Peninsula Library and Historical Society. The proceeds of the raffle benefits the library’s Carol Wright Children’s Fund and the Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce.

Take a look at this year’s trees:

A young patron helped Library Director Randy Bergdorf draw the winning names.
$535 was raised to benefit the Library and the Chamber of Commerce.
It’s like that in Peninsula, Ohio, population 602.

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Cups Of Kindness continues online and at Elements Gallery and the Peninsula Art Academy. I’ll post an update later today.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

photo of Dream, by Tammy Jo Fuller, by Kari Radney

My friend Kari Radney sent me some photos that she took at the Cups of Kindness opening celebration.This is a collection of photos of pieces that were donated to the benefit as well as pieces by artists we represent at our Gallery.

I asked her if she would be my guest blogger for My Town Monday. Here are her impressions of My Town, the Village of Peninsula, population 602.

Welcome to Peninsula! Come and stay a while,
the places you see are sure to make you smile.

As the train comes in (and it’s hard not to hear it)
it shakes the ground of those who are near it.

Elements Gallery is a place filled with art,
pottery and paintings and work from the heart.

Fishers Pub, is a fun place to eat,
their food is delicious and such a great treat!

The Emporium has lots of antiques
each one has a story and is very unique.

The Winking lizard is a popular spot,
every dish that they serve is fresh, tasty & hot.

Yellow Creek Trading is colorful and fun,
with cute things to buy for everyone.

Kilted Yak, the snow gear shop,
is a place that you should stop

The Towpath is where everyone hikes,
walking or running or riding on bikes.

The Art Academy is another must see,
This place is just filled with creativity.

The Peninsula Library, with tons of books,
all waiting inside, for you to come look.

Century Cycles, the local bike store,
has monthly night rides and bicycles galore.

Love and Love, by Gwen Waight, photo by Kari Radney

These pieces were donated by students and faculty of the Kent State University Ceramics Department, photo by Kari Radney

The Giving Cup, by Nicki Lanzi, photo by Kari Radney

Suncatcher, by Merrily Sprague, photo by Kari Radney

Fused Glass by David Norton, photo by Kari Radney

Fused Glass by David Norton, photo by Kari Radney

Blown Glass Calla Lily by Sue Berry, photo by Kari Radney

Looking up at Blown Glass Plant Rooters by Michael Mikula, photo by Kari Radney

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I am so grateful to many hands and hearts that have participated in our show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. If you are so inclined, please visit our website.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.

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My Town Monday, the brainchild of Travis Erwin, is a wonderful way to explore the world through other bloggers’ eyes.
Travis is taking a break for until January. Junosmom, over at Lifetime Learning, and Chris, at e-Cuniform Scratchings, are the keepers of the Marauders in his stead. Follow the links posted at their blogs and you’ll find stories of places all over this fine blue planet.

Many hands have worked to help Cups of Kindness. There is still incredibly beautiful art available: luminous paintings, sensitive photography, glass and pottery that “sing,” lovely jewelry, fiber, wood and other media that will make your spirit soar.

Last year, my friend, artist, writer and blogger Cat Bennett and I asked, Why Buy Art

-To lift your spirit

-To expand your spirit

-To meet your spirit

-To brighten your day

-To brighten your home

-To brighten your life

-To honor an artist

-To declare your value

-To have fun

-To know yourself

-To inspire yourself

-To inspire others

-To share your wealth

-To laugh

So many reasons.

Art feeds the spirit and soul; it brings light and life to being. Art can make your heart sing and your spirit soar. Something that comes from the heart through the hands. It is no accident that there is art in heART.

When you support an artist, you affirm the creative spirit. You have the opportunity to see the world in a different way, as the artist’s vision is manifested in the piece he or she has made.

This year, we can add, to help our friends and neighbors in a time of need.
Please remember that every dollar that we raise for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank will purchase 7 nutritious meals.

These are some of the amazing pieces that the hearts and hands of some of Northeast Ohio’s talented and generous artists have donated. These pieces and many others, are available on the Cups of Kindness website, and at the Peninsula Art Academy and Elements Gallery in the Village of Peninsula.

Necklace by Carol James

Earrings by Elena Juodisius

Loving Kindness by Dottie Goebel

Batiked Napkins by Wendy Mahon


Soli Deo Gloria by Shannon Casey

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Friends and neighbors helping each other.

“Light One Candle.” Olive, boxwood, bloodwood. Hand turned by George Raeder.

“It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” Chinese Proverb

I have always had faith in the goodness and generosity of us all. Cups of Kindness has been a testament to this; a testament to the Power if One.

So far, we the people have raised almost $1300 for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. That means that we have purchased almost 9100 meals. Many hands and hearts are working together to make this happen.

Please join us as we raise a Cup of Kindness. Remember that each dollar raised provides 7 nutritious meals. When you purchase an item from the website or from our galleries as a gift, you are giving many times.

And if you’re in our neck of the woods, stop by the Village of Peninsula, have a cup of coffee (you can even purchase your own cup), and explore our beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. Ride the train, see Santa and the lights as the Polar Express rolls into town. We’d love to visit with you.

Friends and neighbors helping each other.