From Skilled Hands » My Town Monday

My Town Monday: Plein Air Retuns to Peninsula

fromskilledhands — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:47:48 +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, June 12, 2010, 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 (did you know that it is the 6th most visited National Park in the country?), 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 Aire competition, visit here.

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Spring Stroll and Faeries, Too: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 17 May 2010 20:57:55 +0000

Join us in the Village of Peninsula next Saturday, May 22nd, as we stroll into Spring. We will have some faerie houses for you to discover, and a faerie marketplace too. Here are some photos of some of our faerie house builders, and a sample of what you’ll find, both at our Elements Gallery, and around the Village.

In May of 2009, the Village of Peninsula, Ohio, population 602, hosted a village-wide display of fairy houses and gardens. Here is a look at some of them, starting with those at Elements Gallery.

Wander on over to My Town Monday for a look at what other folks have to say about their necks of the woods.

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Mug Shots: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Mon, 03 May 2010 13:21:07 +0000

As I sit sipping my coffee with frothed, steamed milk, I cradle my sacred mug in my hands. The mug’s the thing, more than it’s contents. It’s handle, user friendly; it’s body rounded to fit in my hands. Mugs are a personal thing.

Last summer I asked what you like in a mug. Since Spring has finally really arrived in my Valley, it’s time to ask again. What do you like in a mug?

Send me your mug shot, and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for one of our favorite mugs. Using my usual high tech method, in which I draw a name from a hat, I will draw a name on Sunday, May 9, and post the winner in next week’s MTM post.

Send your photo to me: from skilled hands AT gmail DOT com.

Visit My Town Monday to see who has what to say about his or her town.

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My Town Monday: S-N-O-W

fromskilledhands — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 02:58:01 +0000

The snows fell fast and furious on February 5-6, 2010. Predictions were from 2-4 inches in our area; the Southeastern part of the country was predicted to receive 30 inches of snow and sleet.We received 10-12 inches of the white stuff—-heavy and wet snow covered the roads and everything else. Here’s a look.

Feel free to leave me a comment, or a stone, (o), to let me know you’ve been here.

Wander over to My Town Monday to see what other folks have to say about their towns.

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Holiday Musings: A My Town Monday Post

fromskilledhands — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:39:59 +0000

When 6 of the 8 tiles I had painstakingly carved cracked in the bisque kiln, I was somewhat disappointed. I had expected to have them ready for the holidays. The patterns were wonderful; yet the cracks were certain to migrate through the pieces. I left them on my work table, wondering what to do.

An artist friend came into the studio, and we talked about the pieces that were less than perfect. What is it, I wondered, that makes an item a “second.” Could I embrace the crack as the nature of that particular piece?.

I began to think about the whole concept of perfection. We look at ourselves and question our hair, or our eyes or our body types. We look at our homes or our jobs or our families and compare them with what the dominant culture tells us is perfect.

Nature does not determine that an oak tree or a rock or a lake is less than perfect. Why do we as humans tend to put conditions on our environments, our relationships, our lives?

When Amish women make a quilt they intentionally make a mistake; mid-Eastern rug makers do the same. Only the gods are perfect. A finger mark or tiny crack on a hand-crafted piece is really the mark of the craftsman. It lets us know that the piece was made by a human, with all our imperfections, rather that a machine.

The mark of the craftsman does not detract from the beauty of the piece; rather, it enhances it, I think. And it is the challenges and experiences in life that give our lives texture and richness.

It is, I believe, time to let go of our notions of perfection, and embrace that which makes us human. Keeping that in mind, I wish us all an imperfect holiday.

These skilled hands wish you kind, happy, healthy, loving and peaceful days.

Visit My Town Monday for a look at other places on this fine blue planet we call home. and, if you are so inclined, please visit, Cups of Kindness, our benefit for the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.

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

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My Town Monday: The Steeples of Peninsula

fromskilledhands — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 03:23:13 +0000

The Village of Peninsula, Ohio, is home to several beautiful churches and chapels. Here is a look at the steeples of Peninsula:

Members of the Peninsula United Methodist Church worked long and hard to raise the money to restore the steeple of the historic church. Here is what it looked like prior to the restoration:

The steeple was removed for restoration:

Check back for a look at the beautifully restored steeple.

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Cups of Kindness, an art show and sale to benefit the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, had it’s opening reception Saturday, December 5, at our Elements Gallery, and at the Peninsula Art Academy. Over 70 artists once again donated amazing works of art; the proceeds from the sale of the art will benefit the Foodbank.

If you are so inclined, please consider visiting the Cups of Kindness website for holiday gifts. The Foodbank is able to purchase $7 worth of food and grocery items with every dollar raised. We the People can make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors.

One. Cup. At. A. Time.

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Visit My Town Monday for a look at places near and far. Join us! And share cool things about your neck of the woods

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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My Town Monday: Bit of Earth Farm

fromskilledhands — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:25:55 +0000

I have written about Laura Weldon (here), a woman I am honored to call my friend. Laura and her family live on a small family farm in rural Ohio, where they thoughtfully and attentively raise plants and animals in concert with nature. Chickens and cows live uncaged and graze among the plants that grow on the farm.

Laura and I have often talked about the challenges of living our philosophies; neither of us could tolerate doing it any other way. We know that the way we live our lives is a political statement. We try to live by the abilities which we have been given, and by learning other skills that will be of benefit. Laura and her husband and partner Mark have been pursuing a path that is similar to the one we have chosen. She writes:

“I think the real story here has to do with living by one’s abilities and doing what one believes will be of benefit. We’ve always tried to do that, although now the economy has made it a necessity. Not so long ago Mark made decisions that affected employees and corporate earnings, but this past year of unemployment his humble efforts have taken on a sharper focus. He’s sold firewood, honey and produce from our farm. He has custom designed movable chicken coops and built bathroom vanities out of repurposed materials. He and I are working to establish a network linking urban farms to rural farms. A job would be easier, but maybe these times are calling us to live by our essential abilities. I guess that’s how the greater good tends to be advanced.”

Mark’s explorations have led him in many directions, including crafting the beautiful sink pictured below. There is something satisfying about seeing a lovely item that transformed into something just as beautiful.

For more information about the work and products of Bit of Earth Farm, please visit here. If you would like to read more of Laura’s writing, please follow this link.

As always, feel free to leave a comment, or a stone (o) to let me know that you’ve been here.

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Visit My Town Monday for a look at how folks here and there see their towns. You are welcome to join the MTM crew. Craft a post about your town, and post a comment here. Clair Dickson, the chief cook and bottle washer at MTM, will add a link your post.

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My Town Monday– Late Edition: A Different Kind of Post

fromskilledhands — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:43:40 +0000

Jodi, over at the Women’s Colony/Sanctuary, has challenged bloggers to post photos that show the color orange. I looked around my town, the Village of Peninsula, in the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley, and saw the color all over the place. Here is a snippet:

Check back on Wednesday. My Wordless Wednesday post will be sponsored by the color orange.

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My Town Monday’s current host is Clair Dickson. Wander over to the MTM site for links to the posts of other MTM Marauders.

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My Town Monday: A 5K From the Heart

fromskilledhands — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:40:07 +0000

When my brother-in-law died unexpectedly this summer, my husband and his sister lost a brother, my in-laws lost a son, my children lost an uncle, my niece and nephew lost a dad. Others lost a friend and neighbor. Then 33 days later, my niece and nephew lost their mom to cancer.

I am no stranger to the anguish of loss, and to the hard work of grief. These are great equalizers, and experiences no one wants, but everyone will share.

It is one thing to see that there is a need; it is another to actively respond to it and to generate a solution to the problem. One person with an idea plants the seed and nurtures it. And so the Bures-Wershing Memorial 5K Walk-Run was born.

One hundred-fifteen people, from 2-62 years of age, from all walks of life, and assorted locations, shared their common ground. Eighty-six walkers and runners, twenty-three volunteers, and others who couldn’t come, but sent their support. One hundred-fifteen people sharing an experience. One hundred-fifteen people who, with their hearts, reached out.

We all do live in the same town, you know. We breathe the same air, look at the same blue sky and the same full moon. Members, all, of the family of man. When we help each other, we all win. Common ground indeed.

As always, feel free to leave a comment, or a stone (o), to let me know you’ve been here.

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My Town Monday is hosted by the lovely and talented Clair Dickson. For links to others who write about their towns, run—or walk–here.

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My Town Monday: Taking a Break

fromskilledhands — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:28:37 +0000

I am taking a break to deal with some family health issues. Hopefully, My Town Monday and From Skilled Hands will return later in the week. Have a great week.

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