This has been quite a year—another one. We’ve had our share of challenges, and have, I hope, grown because of, as well as in spite of them. 2011 was the year we continued to learn about patience, gratitude, kindness, and love.
These skilled hands wish you and yours a new year filled with love and light, peace and joy, art and music.
Our Saturdays here are much like they are at home, with washing floors and watering plants being a significant part of the plan. Here, however, we unload kilns, look at work, and watch people waiting for the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Here’s a look at my world this day:
What’s happening in your neck of the woods? As always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.
What do over 120 volunteers, a train full of excited children, and a guy in a red suit have in common? If you had been in my town last week, you would have seen the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s special run of the Polar Express.
Vehicles full of people began to arrive in the Village. They proceeded to the depot, emerging in festive attire. The cars kept coming. Soon the tracks were lined with elves, gingerbread folks, snowmen and other fantastic characters. Santa rested on a bench, waiting for his moment.
Doug drove his special train into place. All was ready. Soon train whistles were heard in the distance, coming closer by the minute. As the train pulled into the North Pole, the elves went into action, waving as they welcomed the train.
This was a special train, filled with children with special needs, their families and caregivers. The excitement was palpable. The wee train with Santa aboard rounded the corner, and Santa waved to the children on the train. The train pulled out, and another train pulled into the Village; this one also had special passengers. Once again,the elves and Santa shared their magic, and the train departed, taking it’s special cargo back. Then, as quickly as they arrived, the 120 volunteers departed. It was quiet. But for those moments, their was no question that we were in the North Pole, sharing magic with kids and families who understand what it is to BELIEVE.
As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by. Wander on over to My Town Monday to see who has to say what about the place called home.
Autumn in my Valleyis glorious. The colors of the leaves, sometimes brilliant, sometimes subtle, contrast with the textures of the trees and layers of earth. We hiked the Tree Farm Trail at Horseshoe Pond last week. It was beautifully silent, the only sounds, our feet in the leaves, the birds, and the wind.
As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know that you’ve stopped by. Come by tomorrow to see who won Monday’s drawing.
Peninsula’s Spring Stroll will be here before long. It’s a celebration of spring, which is welcomed in my Valley. Our winters are long, cold and gray, and warmer temperatures and blue skies are a joy.
Last year’s celebration featured fairy houses and gardens. This year’s event will be Saturday, May 22nd and fairies will return to the Village. Here’s a look at last year’s festivities. As always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve been here. And wander over to My Town Monday, where you will find links to other folks who explore their towns.
In May of 2009, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, hosted a village-wide display of fairy houses and gardens. Here is a look at some of them, starting with those at Elements Gallery.
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.
***********
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!
I like looking at photographs because it gives me a glimpse at how the photographer sees the world. Jodi Anderson has asked other folks to participate in her Weekly Color Challenge which she posts at the Women’s Colony. I have participated because it challenges me to examine my world in a different way.
As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know that you have stopped by.
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.
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.
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.
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