The snows fell fast and furious on February 5-6, 2010. Predictions were from 2-4 inches in our area; the Southeastern part of the country was predicted to receive 30 inches of snow and sleet.We received 10-12 inches of the white stuff—-heavy and wet snow covered the roads and everything else. Here’s a look.
Feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone, (o), to let me know you’ve been here.
Wander over to My Town Monday to see what other folks have to say about their towns.
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.
The Village of Peninsula, Ohio, is home to several beautiful churches and chapels. Here is a look at the steeples of Peninsula:
Members of the Peninsula United Methodist Church worked long and hard to raise the money to restore the steeple of the historic church. Here is what it looked like prior to the restoration:
The steeple was removed for restoration:
Check back for a look at the beautifully restored steeple.
If you are so inclined, please consider visiting the Cups of Kindness website for holiday gifts. The Foodbank is able to purchase $7 worth of food and grocery items with every dollar raised. We the People can make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.
One. Cup. At. A. Time.
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Visit My Town Monday for a look at places near and far. Join us! And share cool things about your neck of the woods
As always feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.
I have written about Laura Weldon (here), a woman I am honored to call my friend. Laura and her family live on a small family farm in rural Ohio, where they thoughtfully and attentively raise plants and animals in concert with nature. Chickens and cows live uncaged and graze among the plants that grow on the farm.
Laura and I have often talked about the challenges of living our philosophies; neither of us could tolerate doing it any other way. We know that the way we live our lives is a political statement. We try to live by the abilities which we have been given, and by learning other skills that will be of benefit. Laura and her husband and partner Mark have been pursuing a path that is similar to the one we have chosen. She writes:
“I think the real story here has to do with living by one’s abilities and doing what one believes will be of benefit. We’ve always tried to do that, although now the economy has made it a necessity. Not so long ago Mark made decisions that affected employees and corporate earnings, but this past year of unemployment his humble efforts have taken on a sharper focus. He’s sold firewood, honey and produce from our farm. He has custom designed movable chicken coops and built bathroom vanities out of repurposed materials. He and I are working to establish a network linking urban farms to rural farms. A job would be easier, but maybe these times are calling us to live by our essential abilities. I guess that’s how the greater good tends to be advanced.”
Mark’s explorations have led him in many directions, including crafting the beautiful sink pictured below. There is something satisfying about seeing a lovely item that transformed into something just as beautiful.
For more information about the work and products of Bit of Earth Farm, please visit here. If you would like to read more of Laura’s writing, please follow this link.
As always, feel free to leave a comment, or a stone (o) to let me know that you’ve been here.
Visit My Town Monday for a look at how folks here and there see their towns. You are welcome to join the MTM crew. Craft a post about your town, and post a comment here. Clair Dickson, the chief cook and bottle washer at MTM, will add a link your post.
When my brother-in-law died unexpectedly this summer, my husband and his sister lost a brother, my in-laws lost a son, my children lost an uncle, my niece and nephew lost a dad. Others lost a friend and neighbor. Then 33 days later, my niece and nephew lost their mom to cancer.
I am no stranger to the anguish of loss, and to the hard work of grief. These are great equalizers, and experiences no one wants, but everyone will share.
It is one thing to see that there is a need; it is another to actively respond to it and to generate a solution to the problem. One person with an idea plants the seed and nurtures it. And so the Bures-Wershing Memorial 5K Walk-Run was born.
One hundred-fifteen people, from 2-62 years of age, from all walks of life, and assorted locations, shared their common ground. Eighty-six walkers and runners, twenty-three volunteers, and others who couldn’t come, but sent their support. One hundred-fifteen people sharing an experience. One hundred-fifteen people who, with their hearts, reached out.
We all do live in the same town, you know. We breathe the same air, look at the same blue sky and the same full moon. Members, all, of the family of man. When we help each other, we all win. Common ground indeed.
As always, feel free to leave a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve been here.
It has been quite a while since I have shared the MTM experience. Life has presented our family with multiple challenges including 3 deaths and the hospitalization of a child. I have learned a lot about community, and have had my feeling that we all live in the same town reinforced over and over.
Fall has come to My Town, the Village of Peninsula, population 601. The leaves are beginning to change as daylight hours grow shorter. The Village is nestled in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley, home of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Valley is an amazing and diverse place with so much to see and do. Here are some photos I took during a summer hike on the Tree Farm Trail. Take a look, and if you are in our neck of the woods, stop and visit. Feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o) to let me know you’ve stopped by.
Who’d a thunk I’d be spending hours editing photos of a festival that commemorates a reptile. Me. Of all people. Who jumps when a wee little snake is seen in the garden.
The Village of Peninsula, population 601, enjoys its celebrations. From the Quarry clean up day, to the 4th of July, to Peddlers’ Day, to Christmas in Peninsula. We know how to celebrate. And the 55th anniversary of the sightings of the Peninsula is no exception. If you want to read more about the Python, slither on over here.
As promised, here is a video of this year’s Python Festival. And I have a new skill: I uploaded it to You Tube!
If you are unable to see the video here, click on this link.
And the winner of my high tech contest (where I drew a name from a hat) for one of our favorite mugs is Rudeek. She will be receiving a mug in the mail soon. Thanks to all who posted comments and sent mug shots
My Town Monday was started by Travis Erwin. Travis has retired from the MTM helm, and has passed the torch to Clair Dickson. She has created a blog just for MTM, where she posts links to bloggers who write about their towns hither and yon.
I’ve shared a fair number of stories about my town, the Village of Peninsula, population 601. It is a wonderful place, a small town with a big heart. A place where folks look after one another.
We have been in the Village for 20 years. We have experienced births, deaths and all that goes on between.
We celebrate creativity, from those who have gone before us and who carved out a life for themselves and for their families in a rough and tumble canal town, to those who, using their hands and hearts create things that, we hope, will enrich our lives and the lives of those around us.
I am thankful to those who took a stand for freedom. These words are important. They were not chosen lightly, and they are as significant today as they were when they were written.
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At our gallery, 
I have written about 
When my brother-in-law died unexpectedly this summer, my husband and his sister lost a brother, my in-laws lost a son, my children lost an uncle, my niece and nephew lost a dad. Others lost a friend and neighbor. Then 33 days later, my niece and nephew lost their mom to cancer. 
