From Skilled Hands

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.

My Town Monday: A Plethora of Pythons in Peninsula

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

PLEASE COME BACK LATER FOR MORE PHOTOS. These skilled hands are continuing to edit and post Remember to post a comment for a chance to be a part of the Peninsula Python Posse.

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.

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.

Of Animals, Gardens and Art

fromskilledhands — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:39:42 +0000

Besides her family, Cuyahoga Valley artist Pat Raeder’s main interests are animals and gardening. She considers herself lucky because she gets to play with dirt all year long. Each has its season: from the middle of August through Thanksgiving, and into the new year, Pat works with clay. In April, she begins the design process for her incredibly beautiful gardens.

The Jungle Series has developed over time; Pat worked on sketches for the series for many months. This group of pieces gave Raeder the opportunity to “stretch” as an artist: the pieces are more complex than those she has done in the past, and she has used more color. When I look at the work, I see a range of forms, each with it’s own character. Some are whimsical, some more serious; all have personalities and a story to tell.

Jungle Fruit
Stoneware clay, decorated with underglazes; on wood base
12″ x 12″ x 22″

Synchronicity is an interesting thing. Although Pat had taken a sculpture class in art school, she didn’t focus on clay. About 35 years ago, Pat Raeder’s husband was given a potter’s wheel and a kiln. He gave it to Pat for Christmas, and they put it in their basement. Teaching herself to throw on the potter’s wheel, Pat’s work slowly improved. But throwing wasn’t her main interest. She began to notice other potters’ work, and the variety of styles and techniques. Finding her niche in hand building, Pat has made jewelry, garden art, animals and this series. The repetition involved in producing the work over many years is a process of study and refinement, so that the artist’s hands and heart know what to do. Pat said that once she started thinking about the Jungle Series, new ideas “kept popping.” I am glad they did.

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.

And the Newest Member of the Peninsula Python Posse is:

fromskilledhands — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 02:21:50 +0000

Eryl Shields, across the Pond in South-west Scotland. We are an international bunch, we are, hailing from the United States (Ohio, Texas and California), France, and Scotland.

Did Somebody Say Food?

fromskilledhands — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:33:38 +0000

Barrie Summy is not only the newest member of the Peninsula Python
Posse, she is also the chief cook and bottle washer for the Summer Recipe Round-Up.
Barrie writes:

Today we’re sharing recipes for side dishes, salads and desserts. With these tried-and-true recipes, we’ll be extremely popular and get invited to all sorts of picnics this summer. And if we don’t want to go, we’ll stay home and be very well fed.

These skilled hands are not known for following recipes. They tend to follow my Grandmother’s kind of cooking.
Years ago, my sister wanted to know how to make some of my grandmother’s recipes. First she asked her how much of each ingredient to use. “As much as it takes,” was my Grandmother’s reply. Then she asked how hot the oven or stovetop should be. My Grandmother said, “Cook it at a temperature hot enough to cook it, but not hot enough to burn it.” How long to cook it? “As long as it takes.” So my sister followed my Grandmother with measuring spoons and measuring cups and dutifully wrote down the ingredients. Then she made the recipe.
It tasted different. Certainly not as good as my Grandmother’s.

So here is my recipe—kind of—for Cabbage Salad:

Cut up a cabbage in slaw-sized pieces. Place it in a large bowl. Add any other sliced or shredded vegetables, i.e.: carrots, peppers. I add nuts of some kind, usually almonds or walnuts. I also add Craisins, or strawberries (fresh) or raisins. Add white basalmic vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Toss and refrigerate.

It really is good. Even without a recipe.

Wander on over to Barrie’s place. You’ll find recipes from all kinds of folks. Post a recipe on your site, let Barrie know, and she’ll add you to the Round-Up.

My Town Monday: Of Men and Boats

fromskilledhands — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 13:51:23 +0000

The Ohio and Erie Canal played a critical part in the development of the Cuyahoga Valley. The workers toiled long hours for 30 cents a day and whiskey at night.

Most of the employees of the Peninsula boat yards were locals; like the builders of the Canal, most of the laborers remain anonymous. Some not only built canal boats, but also they also erected buildings and bridges. Many of the boatyard workers also worked on the boats, making them “canalers.”

Canal boats were 79-81 feet long, and about 14 feet wide. Their width was limited by the size of the locks through which they traveled. New vessels needed about 3 1/2 feet of water in which to float; older vessels required a bit more depth since they accumulated “seepage water.” Once the stomping grounds of canal mules, the towpath is now used as a trail, of which over 70 miles is complete. I’ll explore the trail in a future post.

The cool thing is that many of the buildings still stand. In other places, old foundations are visible. The stories of the people who carved this Village are alive and well. It is the people who give us a sense of place, a place that is home. The Village of Peninsula, population 602, celebrates its history as it embraces its future. An interesting place to be.

The Village will celebrate the Peninsula Python Festival on Saturday, July 19. There will be activities, exhibits, contests and special events to commemorate the Peninsula Python. Join us. We’ll have fun. I promise.

****Thanks to Amanda, of the Peninsula Library and Historical Society, for her assistance and generosity in sharing resources, knowledge and time.

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Post a comment and I will enter your name in the high-tech drawing, where I pick a number from a hat; and, you, too, could join Sam, Travis, and the newest member of the Posse, Barrie, as members of the Peninsula Python Posse (and you will win cool stuff, too!).

Amarillo’s own favorite son, Travis Erwin, is the Chief Marauder and founder of My Town Monday. Check it out. You’ll connect with towns all over this beautiful blue planet.

Christmas in June: the Little Blue Santa Rocks!

fromskilledhands — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:58:01 +0000

Last December, I wrote about the Little Blue Santa. I wrote about how we make him, and what the process has meant to me.

The story of this little guy continues to spread, and to enrich our lives and others’. He has traveled to most of these United States, Canada, Germany, England, France and Iraq. He has rekindled memories for people in nursing homes: one woman told us that her Grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease, and had not spoken for several years. When she saw the Little Blue Santa, she started to cry, and began sharing her memories of her youth. Another woman’s blue eyes twinkled as she told us of her childhood memories in Germany.

The Little Blue Santa still makes me smile. He fits in my hand nicely, which makes sense, since we think that he was originally designed as a children’s toy. He has brought people to the Village, and to the Valley with all it’s wonderful resources. He has enabled us to share the process with so many. The Little Blue Santa rocks!

My Town Monday: History is Alive and Well and Living in Peninsula, Ohio

fromskilledhands — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:02:34 +0000

Saturday afternoon, I wandered up Main Street, turned south on Riverview Road and headed to the Peninsula Library and Historical Society. I was looking for more interesting tales, legends and the like to share. As I browsed through the incredible collection of materials devoted to the history of the Cuyahoga Valley, I was amazed by the number of interesting stories, from the early settlers to the residents who populate my town today.

I walked back to Main Street to the beautiful Boston Township Hall, which is the home of the Cuyahoga Valley Historical Museum.

For many years, Peninsula students on the east side of the Cuyahoga River attended school in the upstairs of the Village Hall. Students on the west side of the river went to school in what is now known as the G.A.R. Hall.

The new Peninsula High School was constructed in 1887 of wood Philadelphia siding with a bell tower and a slate roof. This Stick Style building served as the centrally located school for Peninsula Village until well after the turn of the century.

In the second decade of the 1900s, the State of Ohio encouraged the consolidation of one-room schoolhouses into central schools. The Peninsula School was absorbed by the Boston Township Board of Education and a brick addition was built in 1919. A new Boston Township High School was built on Bronson Avenue in 1930 and the Peninsula school was sold to the Trustees of Boston Township for $100 in 1939.

The 1887 wood building became the home of Union Grange #2380 and the brick building housed the Boston Township Trustees, who leased space to the Peninsula Library from 1947 to 1964. In the 1970s, a large addition was built to the east to house the emergency vehicles of the Valley Fire District.

The non-profit Boston Township Hall Committee was formed in 1990 to plan and oversee a $1.2 million renovation, which occurred from 1997 to 1999. Major funding was received from Boston Township with an allocation of $350,000 from the inheritance taxes of the estates of Galen and Ruth Roush. A grant of $275,000 was received from the GAR Foundation, nearly $200,000 came in Community Development Block Grants, $40,000 was received from the Gund Foundation, and $10,000 was received from Ernest and Jean Bender Preston.

The building still houses the Boston Township offices, in addition to rental space, community rooms, and the Cuyahoga Valley Historical Museum, a branch of the Peninsula Library and Historical Society.

At the Museum, I wandered through the current exhibit, Bits and Pieces: Unpuzzling Our Past. This exhibit explores some of the people, events and places that have had an impact on the Valley. I discovered that the Peninsula Python was not the only sensation to be part of the lore of the Village.

It seems like the mid-1940’s were a quite a time for legends. The summer of 1945 brought the Gold Hunt, reported by none other than Robert Bordner; the same man who covered the Peninsula Python story in 1944.

That summer, large-sized bills mysteriously began to appear at local businesses. Mr. Bordner reported the events in a series of stories that lasted for 4 months. Prospectors visited the area to hunt for gold; they searched in all kinds of locations, including the Quarry. Divers recovered a rusty safe from the depths of the Quarry. When the corroded safe was opened, it contained one dime. Bordner admitted that the story of gold was a hoax; he was quoted, “It was a lot of fun.”

Indeed. What do you think?

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Post a comment and I’ll enter you in this week’s Peninsula Posse Giveaway, where you, too, can win cool stuff from this Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602. The Village of Peninsula, built by the hands and hearts of generations; gently resisting change since 1837.
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My Town Monday is the brainchild of Chief Marauder, and latest member of the Peninsula Python Posse, Travis Erwin. Be sure to wander on over to his blog, One Word, One Rung, One Day, where you’ll learn about Travis’ town; and you’ll find links to other My Town Monday players.