Archive for Peninsula Python
A plethora of pythons are around town, and lots of events are planned. You can find the snakes in the Gallery; see what the Gatehouse Connection Holistic Center has to offer. You can enter our drawing for Steven Farmer’s Animal Spirit Guides, a book and CD set that tells the story of the Peninsula Python, or a free session at the Gatehouse Connection Holistic Center. You can go on a snakey scavenger hunt to find the pythons throughout town and take your map to the GAR Hall to claim your prize. Hungry? No problem! The GAR Hall has a special menu today, and we also have 2 other restaurants in town. There’s a parade at 4 pm, with a people powered python and lots more to see. Explore Peninsula to see what going on!
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Painting the Python
Our python has a new look! She will be outside the gallery for this year’s Python Day.
The Python Comes Back to Peninsula, Ohio: A My Town Monday Post
On Saturday, July 16, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, will once again celebrate the python that, in the summer of 1944, terrorized this little town.
So the story goes like this: back in the summer of 1944, the Cole Brothers 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:
The first sighting of the python occurred on June 8, 1944, along Riverview Road in Northampton Township, about halfway between Ira and Everett. Local farmer, Clarence Mitchell, reported that he had seen a snake 15 to 18 feet long cross his fields and slide into the river. It was spotted later that day by Mike Bobacek on the other side of the river, near Szalay’s corn fields on Bolanz Road. Days later, paul and John Szalay saw mysterious tracks, “like from an auto tire,” weaving across their corn field on Akron-Peninsula Road, a few miles south of Peninsula. Those doubting the existence of the python decreased in numbers on June 23rd, when Mrs. Vaughan on Northampton Road saw the snake climb over the fence of her chicken yard with a noticeable lump in its middle.
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 Stars and Stripes, the newspaper 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. In November, 1945, one of his stories was published in the Atlantic Monthly.
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.
For the past several years, we’ve had a festival to commemorate the rascally reptile. Python imagery abounds throughout the Village, with merchants, residents and visitors joining in the festivities. We have lots of things scheduled, and a parade, with a people powered python. Take a look at last year’s parade, and if you’re going to be in our neck of the woods on July, 16, come down to the Village. You won’t regret it.
As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by. And take a look at My Town Monday, to see what others have to say about the places they call home.
A Plethora of Pythons in Peninsula: An Alliterative My Town Monday Post
Saturday was hot and sunny, and plenty of people came to my Valley to participate in Peninsula Python Day. A plethora of pythons were seen throughout the Village, and the Parade was bigger that it has been in the past. The King and Queen of the Hobos rode a float from the Hobo Gathering at Deep Lock Quarry to the Village.
A wedding was scheduled to take place at the Methodist Church at the same time the Parade was to start. I imagine that the wedding party will remember this day.
Take a look at the events of the day. And, as always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you stopped by.
Slither on over to My Town Monday to see what others have to say about their towns.
Coming Soon: Peninsula Python Festival
The Peninsula Python will return to my Village on Saturday, July 17th. If you’re in our neck of the woods, come down and see what’s going on. You can read about the events that are scheduled here.
Take a look at the 2008 festival. We had a great time!
The Python Returns to Peninsula: A My Town Monday Better Late Than Never Post
On Saturday, July 17, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 601, will again celebrate the python that, in the summer of 1944, terrorized this little town.
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:
The first sighting of the python occurred on June 8, 1944, along Riverview Road in Northampton Township, about halfway between Ira and Everett. Local farmer, Clarence Mitchell, reported that he had seen a snake 15 to 18 feet long cross his fields and slide into the river. It was spotted later that day by Mike Bobacek on the other side of the river, near Szalay’s corn fields on Bolanz Road. Days later, paul and John Szalay saw mysterious tracks, “like from an auto tire,” weaving across their corn field on Akron-Peninsula Road, a few miles south of Peninsula. Those doubting the existence of the python decreased in numbers on June 23rd, when Mrs. Vaughan on Northampton Road saw the snake climb over the fence of her chicken yard with a noticeable lump in its middle.
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.
Here’s a look at the 2009 Peninsula Python Festival. Check back later in the week to see last year’s event.
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 what my fellow MTM Marauders have to say, here. And feel free to join us.
The Python Has Landed: A My Town Monday Post (with a Mug Shot on the Side)
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.
Peninsula Python Festival: A My Town Monday Post
It was a beautiful day to celebrate the infamous Peninsula Python. I am still editing photos, so enjoy a look at last year’s festival.
Take a look at other My Town Monday posts. You’ll read about places all over this fine blue planet.
P Minus One
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.
Thursday Musings
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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