From Skilled Hands » Hobos

P Minus One

fromskilledhands — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 15:57:14 +0000

Signs of the python are all around: Larry has been getting his python ready for tomorrow’s parade; the Peninsula Art Academy’s artful python has emerged from it’s winter resting place. Our python has been enjoying being outside.

We are getting ready for the python scavenger hunt in the Gallery. If you can find them all, you win one! Lots of activities are planned in the Village tomorrow. Slither on over here to see.

While you’re in the Valley, wander on down the Towpath to Deep Lock Quarry. Hobo Days will be in full swing. It starts tonight with the Hobo Jungle Campfire, the official lighting of the hobo campfire. You can enjoy potlatch and hobohemia. Bring a can of soup for the hobo pot. Breakfast will be at 9:00a.m. tomorrow, and there will be activities all day. The election of the Deep Lock Quarry Hobo King and Queen will be at 3:00 p.m.. The campfire will be at 8:00p.m., and there will be more hobohemia Sunday, from 11:00a.m.-1:00pm. For more information, check out the MetroParks, serving Summit County website.

I talked toNaturalist Pat Rydquist (whose hobo name is Hummingbird) about Hobo Days. Thie is the 6th year of the event at Deep Lock Quarry. 30-40 hobos will camp in primitive campsites there. Hobos were really the first “leave no trace” campers. Number 8 of the Hobo Code of Ethics reads: “Always respect nature, do not leave garbage where you are jungling.“ For more information about the Code of Ethics, hobo terminology and hobo symbols, go here.

And don’t forget to send me your mug shot. You could win one of our favorite mugs.

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Thursday Musings

fromskilledhands — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:13:09 +0000

Love this song. Perfect for a July day. Remember to send me your mug shot for a chance to win one of our favorite mugs! Check back for news about the Peninsula Python Festival and Hobo Days this weekend.

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My Town Monday: A Plethora of Pythons in Peninsula

fromskilledhands — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:53:41 +0000

Our Python is at home in front of our studio/gallery. Designed and painted by artist Stephanie Margush, he—or she?— is resting comfortably, waiting for visitors.

The day of the python was a beautiful one in my town, the Village of Peninsula. Python imagery was everywhere, from the fronts of community buildings, to the library, to the front porches and yards of our residents. Take a look:

Downtown Emporium

Century Cycles

GAR Hall

Yellow Creek Trading Company

Park Place, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park Association’s store presented a host of activities and exhibits, including Noah:

Python Posse members were ready for action:

The story of the Peninsula Python was everywhere.

Innkeeper George Hoy, of the beautiful Inn at
Brandywine Falls wrote a wonderful book which tells the story of the Python. George and his dog, Louie, were available as the CD was played in the Village.

The Python Parade was magnificent. Stretching 120 feet, from head to tail, the people-powered python proceeded up Main Street, climbing the hill to Riverview Road and turning south toward the Peninsula Library and Historical Society. This was a great place for the python to park, since the mural commemorating the Peninsula Python is part of the Library.

Much has been said and written about small towns and the spirit that makes them what they are. You kind of know that it’s the right place to be, and that it’s home. The Village of Peninsula, population 602; gently resisting change since 1837.

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You can join the latest member of the Posse, Terrie Farley Moran,and her cohorts: Sam, Travis, Barrie, and Eryl, (Post a comment, suggest a name for the first python, and I’ll enter you in the Python Posse Giveaway–and you could win cool stuff, too!)
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My Town Monday is the product of the vivid imagination of Travis Erwin. Click on over there and read what he has to say about his home town of Amarillo, Texas. Then check out the blogs of the other My Town Marauders.

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My Town Monday: Of Boats and Stones and Hobos

fromskilledhands — Sun, 04 May 2008 19:39:01 +0000

Another tip of the hat to Travis Erwin, the master behind My Town Monday. After your visit here, wander on over to his site; you will find links to bloggers’ sites that will take you all over the world.

Each week I learn more about my town, the Village of Peninsula, located in the stunningly beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. During the halcyon days of the Ohio and Erie Canal and the Cuyahoga River, this town was a center of commerce and industry in the Cuyahoga Valley. Due to a natural waterfall in the River, Peninsula was able to capitalize on its water power. The first sawmill and gristmill in the Village were started by Hermon Bronson. Bronson actively promoted the Village and was instrumental in its being included in the plans for the then proposed Ohio and Erie Canal. The Canal opened in the Valley in 1827, with Lock 29 located in Peninsula. Boat building became an important industry, and more canal boats were built in Peninsula, and neighboring Boston Township than anywhere else on the canal.

Quarrying was another major industry in the Village. Deep Lock Quarry was the source for much of the stone used in the building of the canal locks, and of many of the buildings in the village. The Quarry also manufactured stones, including millstones, grindstones, and pulp stones. These stones were used locally and were also shipped to places like Germany, Russia, and Japan.

Deep Lock Quarry hosted the Deep Lock Quarry Hobo Gathering in June, 2007. Mama Jo, the 2003-2004 Hobo Queen tells a story that could have been told years ago. She writes “LETTERS ARE VISITS WHEN FRIENDS ARE APART.”

This years Deep Lock Quarry Hobo Gathering will be July 18, 19 and 20. It should be an interesting weekend. The Peninsula Python Festival will be Saturday, July 19. Stay tuned

The Village of Peninsula, gently resisting change since 1837.

**#2 Daughter and I are off to LEAF, the Lake Eden Arts Festival in North Carolina. We’ll be back next Monday. My MTM post may be late. Have a wonderful week.

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