From Skilled Hands » Python Festival

Wordless Wednesday: Preparing for the Python’s Return to Peninsula

fromskilledhands — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:18:30 +0000

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The Python Returns to Peninsula: A My Town Monday Better Late Than Never Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:07:16 +0000

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.

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The Peninsula Python Returns: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 08:23:43 +0000

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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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.

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My Town Monday: September Days

fromskilledhands — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 20:25:16 +0000

This week we’ll revisit a couple of things in my town.The beauty of this late summer’s afternoon has been calling my name. The infinite azure sky that September brings to Northeast Ohio, warm temperatures and gentle breezes are welcome. We are still cleaning up from the storm that Ike brought us last week. Our beautiful old maple, as old as this old house, succumbed. More on that in another post.

The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railway is a wonderful way to explore this beautiful Valley. Join me as we take a ride:

I’ve talked about the special place that is my town, and the feeling that is unlike that in any other place I’ve been. It manifests in many ways, and the Peninsula Python Festival was one.

Post a guess who this PPP member is in the comment section and I’ll enter your name in a high tech drawing (where I draw a name from a hat). You could be the latest member of the PPP. You could win cool stuff and join the other intrepid Posse members, Terrie Farley Moran, Sam, Travis, Barrie, and Eryl.
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The versatile Travis Erwin, is the originator of My Town Monday. Wander on over to his site and see what others have to say about their towns this day.

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My Town Monday: Taking a Leisurely Walk Through Town

fromskilledhands — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:43:13 +0000

The Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, is a place where you can walk. There is a walking tour that shows you lots of interesting places in the Village. I’ve been walking through the side streets of my town, discovering things I’d not seen before, and seeing some things in a new way.

You may remember this corner from Python Day.

Canal Street runs near the Canal. I often wonder what is was like when the canal was in full operation.

Nixon is a 4 month old silver lab. He greeted me as lab puppies do,with a wet tongue and a
wagging tail.

There are houses and barns tucked away on the small, winding roads off Main Street.

No place is perfect, and the hazards of cell phone life are the same no matter where you hang your hat.

Amarillo’s own Travis Erwin is the Master Mind behind My Town Monday. Take a trip on over there and you can see the world through the hearts and minds of bloogers all over this fine planet.

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My Town Monday: the Village of Peninsula, Ohio

fromskilledhands — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:01:16 +0000

Fr. Bernard Cook wrote, “We need to have people who mean something to us; people to whom we can turn, knowing that being with them is coming home.” I have learned that home travels. I have found it in the mountains of North Carolina, in New York City, in Cleveland, Ohio, in Blue Mountain Lake, NY (of which I will write later) and in my town, Peninsula, Ohio.

The folks of Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, pull off some pretty amazing things, from the Harry Potter Fest of July, 2007, to the Peninsula Python Festival of last week.

Ronda, the proprietor of the Downtown Emporium tells me that over 100 names were entered into the Name the Peninsula Python contest. Most were alliterative, some playful, some mythological in nature. Most folks seemed to assume that the python was a male. Ronda says that the official gender-neutral name of the Peninsula Python is Penn.

The world, including the Great Dane on Main (Street), passes by Ronda’s porch:

Here are some more photos of this year’s Pythons of Peninsula and the people who made it all happen.

Cuyahoga Valley Historical Museum

Lily’s Python

Music at the Log Cabin Gallery

Peninsula Library Python

Fisher’s Restaurant Python

Flowers and bikes on Python Day

There is something special about my town, its people, its heart and spirit. Something that truly is like coming home.
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Post a comment and I’ll enter you in the Python Posse Giveaway–and you could win cool stuff, too! You can join the latest member of the Posse, Amy, and her cohorts:Terrie Farley Moran, Sam, Travis, Barrie, and Eryl,
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**As always, My Town Monday is brought to you by Amarillo, Texas’ own Travis Erwin. Take a trip on over to his blog, One Word, One Rung, One Day, and you’ll travel to Cimarron Canyon in northern New Mexico. You’ll also find links to the blogs of other My Town Monday Marauders.

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A Plethora of Python Photos Are Posted

fromskilledhands — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:44:12 +0000

Take a look at more photos from the day of the python. I’ve posted them in the previous post. I’ll continue to post pictures throughout the week.

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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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The Python Has Landed… and Needs a Name

fromskilledhands — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 02:18:45 +0000

I’m back from a wonderful week at Blue Mountain Lake, NY. What an astoundingly beautiful place! I will write more about our amazing adventure, where I climbed a mountain—and more!— later.

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 Python Festival will be tomorrow! The day should be a fine one, and there will be things to do and to see all day long.

The Python, however, needs a name. Post a suggestion, and I will enter your name in another high tech drawing (in which I will pick numbers from a hat) for the latest member of the Peninsula Python Posse.

You can join the latest member of the Posse, Terrie Farley Moran,and her cohorts: Sam, Travis, Barrie, and Eryl, (and you could win cool stuff, too!)

So wander over to our neck of the woods, to the Village of Peninsula, population 602, built by the hands and hearts of generations; gently resisting change since 1837.

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My Town Monday: The Animals That Didn’t Get Away

fromskilledhands — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 01:29:18 +0000

In a previous My Town Monday post, I wrote about the story of the Peninsula Python, where a runaway python, or the story thereof, terrorized the Village of Peninsula in the summer of 1944. Folks have long speculated what happened to the python, although no one really knows for sure.

On July 19th, the Village of Peninsula will celebrate the runaway reptile with the Peninsula Python Festival. From 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM, the python’s story will be commemorated with a costume parade, contests, games, music, artists’ demonstrations, food (does it taste like chicken?), and other events. Python sculptures will be decorated and displayed around the Village. Dolly Python is already adorning the front of the Downtown Emporium on the corner of Main Street and Locust. I am finishing the 2nd paper mache layer of our python. After it is completed, I’ll post photos of it for your viewing pleasure.

Our studio and gallery, Elements Gallery, is featuring the work of Akron artist, Pat Raeder. Pat is premiering her Jungle Series (the animals that didn’t get away). I’ll write more about Pat and her work in a separate post.

**On another note, #2 daughter and I will be traveling to the Adirondacks this week. I’ll try to have a post for next week. Stay tuned….

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Post a comment and you, too can be a member of the Peninsula Python Posse. Sam, Travis, Barrie, and the newest member of the Peninsula Python Posse, Eryl, would love your company (and you could win cool stuff, too!)

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As always, the head honcho of the My Town Monday crew is Travis Erwin. Take a trip on over to his site, One Word, One Rung, One Day, and you can virtually visit places all over this blue planet.

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From Skilled Hands » Python Festival

Wordless Wednesday: Preparing for the Python’s Return to Peninsula

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.

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 Peninsula Python Returns: A My Town Monday Post

Last summer, I wrote about the story of the Peninsula Python:

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?

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.

My Town Monday: September Days

My Town Monday: Taking a Leisurely Walk Through Town

My Town Monday: the Village of Peninsula, Ohio

A Plethora of Python Photos Are Posted

My Town Monday: A Plethora of Pythons in Peninsula

The Python Has Landed… and Needs a Name

My Town Monday: The Animals That Didn’t Get Away