Archive for Peninsula
The mayor deputized a posse to try to capture the renegade reptile. Although they men of the posse followed up on every lead, they were unable to find the snake.You can also wander down the trail to Deep Lock Quarry, part of the MetroParks, serving Summit County. Celebrate Hobo Days with food, stories and the crowning of the Hobo King and Queen.
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The Peninsula Python Returns: A My Town Monday Post
Ronda Russell, the proprietor of Peninsula’s Downtown Emporium, loves the Village of Peninsula and it’s history. She says, and rightly so, that Peninsula is full of stories. The story of the Peninsula Python is unique, one that was told all over the world in the summer of 1944. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing some of Ronda’s stories about the Python and the festival she spearheaded in it’s honor. For more information about Python Day, slither on over here.
Last summer, I wrote about the story of the Peninsula Python:
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.
What do you think?
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Post a comment and I will enter you in 2009′s first Peninsula Python Posse drawing for an official badge! You will have a chance to join Peninsula Python Posse members Amy, Terrie , Sam, Travis, Barrie, and Eryl.
As always, Travis Erwin, an official PPP member, is the man at the helm of My Town Monday. Slither on over there and see what he has to say.
Wordless Wednesday: Reflections
The Joy of Discovery
When I was about 6 years old, I found 2 pennies buried in the garden in which my father and I were planting radishes. I was amazed at the discovery of this treasure, although I didn’t quite understand why it was still shiny. My dad told me that the soil had protected them from the air and that was why they still shone. it wasn’t until many years later that my dad told me that he had put the pennies there so that I would have the joy of discovery.
Last weekend, children of all ages shared that spirit as they explored the Village of Peninsula, finding fairy houses and gardens. Here are some photos of the Fairy Garden behind our studio and gallery, Elements Gallery. Enjoy!
Stroll into Spring: A My Town Monday Post.
It was a busy weekend in the Village of Peninsula, nestled in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. It was a time for discovery and adventure as the yearly Spring Stroll welcomed the new season to the Valley.
The population soared as families came to the Village to share in the magical adventures of the season. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway brought Thomas the Tank Engine to the Valley again this year.
Fairy houses and gardens were all over the Village. Ronda from the Downtown Emporium created a map, and fairy lovers of all ages looked to see if they could answer all the questions: how many fairies live here? can you find the octopus? what is the name of the fairy house?
Imagine yourself discovering some of these magical dwellings. Look carefully; you might just see a sprite.
Come back on Wednesday and you’ll see more photos of the fairy dwellings behind our studio and gallery.
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Take a moment to realize that in the United States, Memorial Day is more than a 3 day weekend. To read more, hop on over to Travis Erwin’s. He is the guy who is the MTM chief cook and bottle washer. He always has something interesting to say, and also posts links to other bloggers who write about their towns.
The Fairies Are Arriving!
The population of the Village of Peninsula will grow this weekend. Fairies are arriving, bringing their gardens and houses. If you are in our neck of the woods, stop on by. This year’s Spring Stroll brings magic!
Here is a preview of some of the hand work of the fairies. The Village of Peninsula, OH, gently resisiting change since 1827.
Changing the Course: A My Town Monday Post
The Village of Peninsula, OH, population 601, is an inland town. Gerry asked what many folks want to know: how did the Village get its name?
Look at the map below. You see the Cuyahoga River on the left side of the map, and a loop in the center of the photo.
The loop is where the River flowed before its course was changed. In April, 2008, I wrote:
The Village of Peninsula, population 602, is nestled in the hills where the Cuyahoga River bends sharply. Years ago, before the Valley Railway came through town, the old river made a meander that formed a peninsula. When the train was planned, 2 bridges would have needed to be engineered and built in order to cross the crooked river called the Cuyahoga. Instead of doing that, the engineers decided to cut through the neck of Peninsula’s peninsula, changing the course of the Cuyahoga.
If you want to see who is coming to the Village next weekend, fly on over here.
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Travis Erwin is My Town Monday’s Chief Marauder. Meander on over to his place, where he has played hookie, and you will not only find out how he did that, but you will also find links to other blogs all over this fine blue planet.
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The winner of last week’s high tech drawing is Mary, who always has something interesting to say. Post a comment this week and you, too, will be entered into a give-away where you can win some cool stuff from the Village of Peninsula.
The Library’s Mural: A My Town Monday Post
If you ever want to know about the history of my town, the Village of Peninsula, population 601, or about the Cuyahoga Valley, go to the Peninsula Library and Historical Society. The library and historical society is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Valley. They have an extensive collection of books, photographs, letters and other materials that chronicle the lives and times of those who settled the Valley. Committed to preserving and promoting the history of the Cuyahoga Valley, the PLHS provides a variety of historical programming. They share the stories of the people who carved out a life in this Village along the river called the Cuyahoga, and the canal called the Ohio and Erie.
The mural on the front of the Library is a beautiful work of art. It was created by the late Honore Gilbeau Cooke. The library website describes the mural:
View photographs of the mural’s construction…
View photographs of the mural today…***************************************************************************************Travis Erwin is the main fisherman on the My Town Monday boat. Cruise on over to his site, and check out the links he posts. You’ll discover lots of things you never knew exisited.
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POST a comment this week and I’ll enter you in another one of my high tech drawings (where I, once again, draw a name from a hat). You’ll have a chance to win something cool from my Valley.
The winner of last week’s drawing for the book about the Cuyahoga Valley is Lana. Send me your street address and I’ll send you your book.
My Town Monday: Musings on a Spring Morning
It is spring in my town, the Village of Peninsula, population 601. The beauty of spring is attended by the things that have waited all winter long.
Gardens need preparation and planting; trees that fell victim to winter and early spring’s storms and high winds have to be cleaned up. Lawns need to be mowed. Dandelions and violets dot the yard and field, their bright yellow and purple blossoms bring sunshine on this cloudy morning. The chickens will be happy; dandelions and other weeds from the gardens go into a bucket to be taken to the chicken yard.
The Village is busting with energy. People emerging from the cocoons of their houses, glad to be out. Spring Stroll will be May 23, with activities and exhibits throughout the Village. Many folks are featuring fairy houses this year. I have a collection of materials ready to create these tiny magical environments. Check back for photos.
What’s new in your neck of the woods? Post a comment on one of this week’s posts, and I will enter your name into another high tech drawing (where I draw names from a hat). You will have a chance to win a wonderful book that has amazing pictures of the Cuyahoga Valley.
**As always, My Town Monday is brought to you by the chief cook, bottle washer and fisherman, Travis Erwin. Travis has, literally, gone fishing this week. The talented Erica Orloff is guest blogging at Travis’ place this week. Check out the links. You’ll travel all over this fine blue planet we call home. **
I am sitting in a coffee shop, waiting while Winston (the wonder dog) is at the vet having surgery for a mass on his gum. The vet said that he didn’t feel good about this. If you are so inclined, send good thoughts our way. DOGGIE UPDATE: Winston is fine! He had a cyst or a tumor that the vet think got infected. So it has been removed, his teeth cleaned, and he should have sweet doggie breath.
A Walk in the Woods After a Spring Rain
We went for a walk in the woods last night. It had been raining on and off all day, and the air smelled like spring rain and fertile soil. There was the quiet coolness that follows a rain, with the only sounds the birds and the dogs playing in the woods.
We ran into my father-in-law and his dog. They slowly made their way through the woods, stopping to look at this and that, and to clear sticks from the trails. The May apples were up, groups of them like families at a reunion. Jacks in the pulpit were all along the trails. Fiddleheads emerged from winter’s sleep.
It’s a good thing to take time to look at things; you see things you’ve not seen before, and things you have seen in a different way. Take a deep breath and take a walk. Let your senses explore the explosion of beauty that surrounds you. Let me know what it’s like.
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