From Skilled Hands » Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Friday Musings

fromskilledhands — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:45:44 +0000

This media has given me the opportunity to connect with people all over this fine planet. It’s become the backyard fence, as we tappity tap our wishes, lies and dreams. I am sipping my morning coffee (with steamed milk and foam), considering the day, and listening to the sounds of folks from the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad getting ready for the Polar Express.

I have a slab of porcelain ready to carve, this year’s ornament to design and gallery things to think about. We’ve had our first snow of the season, and the air is fresh and clear. The sun is shining on the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley. It’s all good.

What’s happening in your neck of the woods?

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The Long and Winding Road: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:04:01 +0000

For the first time in over two years, we were able to take some time off. We decided to go to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. What a beautiful place! The leaves were brilliant, the skies blue, the mountain roads steep and twisting. We hiked trails, climbed Clingman’s Dome and Mount Mitchell, and discovered beauty inside and out. Here are some things we saw:

When I travel, I realize that we all live in the same town on this amazing blue planet. Take a look at what other folks have to say about the places they call home at My Town Monday. And, as always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

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October in the Valley: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:01:59 +0000

Lots of folks think that Ohio is a place you drive through on the way to somewhere else. Until they come to my Valley and feast their eyes upon it’s beauty. Take a look at a bit of this place we call home, the Village of Peninsula, population 602. Feel free, as always, to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

Take a walk on over to My Town Monday to see what others have to say about the places they hang their hats.

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My Town Monday: Plein Air Returns to the Valley

fromskilledhands — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:01:33 +0000

For years, artists have tried to capture the beauty of the crooked river that is called Cuyahoga. Painters, photographers and artists with sketch pads are regular sights in this Valley.

On Saturday, September 24, 2011, a group of regional artists will converge on the Village, canvases, easels and paints in hand. They will be participants in the second annual Plein Aire competition that is sponsored by Peninsula Area Chamber of Commerce. En plein air is a French expression meaning “in the open air.” It is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Plein air painting has it’s roots in 19th century Europe. The invention of tubes that contained pigments made painting portable, and the introduction of the steam engine gave painters a way to travel for their art.

If you’re in our neck of the woods or are in the mood for a beautiful drive, come on over and see us. You can watch the painters, take a hike in the amazing Cuyahoga Valley National Park, listen to music during Music on the Porches, take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, and explore the Village of Peninsula. We’re looking forward to meeting you.

For more information on the Plein Air competition, visit here.

And, as always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone, (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by. Wander on over to My Town Monday to see what others have to say about the places they call home.

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My Town Monday, Early Evening Edition

fromskilledhands — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 22:14:07 +0000

After a wee hiatus due to server issues and life in general, I am back! Been busy in my town, the Village of Peninsula, population 602. We’re enjoying the summer weather and the folks that are visiting my Valley.

Turning Point: a show of wood, continues, and we have some new work. Be sure to come in take a look if you’re in the area. Remember that we ship, so if you see something you like and don’t live here, or are unable to take the piece with you, we can safely pack and ship the piece to your home or office. I’ll be posting some photos of new work later this week, so come back to see what is new in the gallery.

The Peninsula Farmers’ Market, at Heritage Farms, is a welcome addition to my town. Each Wednesday, from 3:30-7:00pm, local growers and bakers bring their items to Heritage Farms. We’ve enjoyed pickles and almond butter, teas, coffees, jellies and vinegars; breads, pastries and produce. I can get my knives and tools sharpened, and can listen to great music, all the while supporting my local economy. Heritage Farms is a family owned farm in Peninsula; it’s been in the same family for over 160 years! Kim and Carol grow gorgeous day lilies, pumpkins and Christmas trees. The grounds are beautiful. Take a look!

And our neighbor across the street, the Peninsula Art Academy, along with the Fiber Cafe, will be hosting a very cool event this coming weekend. The Crooked River Fiber Fling will have classes, workshops, an fashion show, an instructors’ showcase and fiber related vendors. Be sure to visit their website for more information. We’ve made mugs with sheep on them in honor of the event; you’ll be able to purchase them at the Fiber Fling.

And, as always, please 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 other folks have to say about the places they call home.

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Pythons in Peninsula!

fromskilledhands — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 14:46:52 +0000

Today is the day that, each year, folks in the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, celebrate the python that panicked this Valley in the summer of 1944.

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!

The winner of our blog and Facebook drawing for the python book and CD is Jo. I’ll be sending her a copy of the book and CD this week. And check back next week for photos and maybe a video of this year’s Python Day. Speaking of videos, here’s one from our 2009 Python Day. As always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

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Turning Points

fromskilledhands — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 19:53:46 +0000

Platter by Joseph Smith; photo by Ron Wayton; graphics by Sarah Bures

Turning points. We all experience them in our lives. Moments in time when things just change. And so do we. This show, a show of wood, is just that: a time to show new work and a renovated gallery.

We are looking forward to showing new work by Brian Becker, Jim Duxbury, Dave Kish, Larry McCardel, George Raeder and Joseph Smith. Join us on Saturday, June 25, from 4-7 pm; have something to eat and drink, and meet some of the artists.

Lots to do in the Village of Peninsula, population 602. Artists’ reception for Visions of the Valley, at the Peninsula Art Academy; Desserts and Designs at Ohio Hardwood Furniture; Summer Comforts at the Log Cabin Gallery, the Wine Bar at the G.A.R.

Explore Peninsula

There’s antiques and collectibles at the Downtown Emporium , CVNP and nature related items at Park Place. Yellow Creek Trading Company has a great selection of design and gift items, and there are books at Fire and Water Books and Bakery. You can rent a bike at Century Cycles, ride the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, hike in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Hungry? Grab a bite to eat at Fisher’s Cafe or the Winking Lizard.

The Village of Peninsula, gently resisting change since 1837.

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Spring Comes to the Cuyahoga Valley: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:38:26 +0000

Spring has finally come to my town, the Village of Peninsula, population 602. We have had 2 days with sunshine and without rain! The redbuds are in bloom; people are emerging, smiling, welcoming the green that isn’t mold. Take a look at Spring in my Valley. And, as always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by. Then wander on over to My Town Monday to see what other folks have to say.

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History is Alive and Well : A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 01:19:35 +0000

My town, the Village of Peninsula, population 602, is a busy place. We are nestled in the gorgeous Cuyahoga Valley, surrounded by the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and we are the home of creative and independent people. The legacy of independent thinkers is a long one; one had to be ready to take risks in order to carve out a life in the Valley.

The Peninsula Valley Historic and Education Foundation does a lot to celebrate the rich history of this place. Collaborating with the Ohio Humanities Council, the foundation will be presenting a Civil War lecture series. This series will initiate the Sesquicentennial Anniversary of the American Civil War, a war that impacted the Village, the country and the world. The programs are:

4/14 Ohio in the Civil War, presented by Mark Holbrook

5/12 An Evening with Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theater, presented by Mel Mauer

6/30 Lee, Jackson and Longstreet, Traitors All? presented by William F.B. Vodrey

7/28 Gettysburg and its Aftermath, presented by Carol Zeh

8/25 The Civil War through the Window of American Art, 1861-65, presented by Jesse Bryant Wilder

All programs begin at 7:00pm, in the Auditorium of the G.A.R. Hall Museum, and are free to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, feel free to call 330.657.2528.

While you’re in the Village, take a walk and see what else we have to offer. You won’t be sorry!

And, as always, feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by.

Check out what my fellow MTM Marauders have to say by visiting here.

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Walking the Path: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 19:09:53 +0000

I have often said that we all live in the same town, spinning on the same spaceship we call Earth. The enormity of what has happened in the past week is hard to describe in words; and the photos are surrealistic. This is beyond imagination. Each story, each photo, is more intense than the previous one. But in the midst of all of this, I believe in the human spirit, and our connections to each other and to the Universe.

There is beauty within us and all around us; our studio and gallery are in the middle of the Village of Peninsula, nestled in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Take a moment to see one of my favorite trails in the Park, the Tree Farm Trail. And, if you are so inclined, say a prayer for those of us who are facing challenges that we cannot fathom.

As always, please feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve stopped by. And take a look at what others have to say about the places they call home, over at My Town Monday.

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