HAPPY JULY 4, 2009 HAPPY JULY 4, 2009

Just in time for our nation's birthday, the tiara of the Statue of Liberty has been re-opened. If you've never made the climb to the top of Lady Liberty, I say...Go for it. To be able to climb inside an iconic statue for 354 stairs and then get that view...AMAZING! You will never see New York Harbor's magnificence anywhere like this.

Ever wonder why her crown has those spikes? The Statue of Liberty tiara or crown actually consists of seven spikes that represent the seven continents and oceans that we have on this planet.

Not going to Lady Liberty for this July 4th? Me neither. My plans are to hope we don't have any more rain so the grill can be fired-up.


Hamburgers, chicken, kabobs, hot dogs, brats...whatever you choose it's always tastier on the grill. July 4th seems to be a time for neighbors and friends to gather together and celebrate. But remember what we are celebrating and let's hope the rain holds off so we can watch some nice fireworks tonight.







Rain or shine, Cambridge, NY will be celebrating our collective Birthday!

Happy July 4, 2009.....

Happy July 4th Happy July 4th

Cambridge Life: Another Day in Paradise Cambridge Life: Another Day in Paradise

I'm sitting looking out my patio door at the wondrous display that nature is putting on. It's been an amazing June and the thunder and lightening has put the exclamation point on the month. I'm hoping that this Fourth of July weekend will bring us lots of sunshine and great fireworks. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy the fireworks display going on right now.

Even on a dreary, rainy day life in Cambridge, NY is a show stopper!

SUNDAY MORNING SAMPLIER'S LAST CALL SUNDAY MORNING SAMPLIER'S LAST CALL

Spoonful Sunday Morning Sampler at The Rice Mansion Inn
Sunday, June 28th ~ 9am - 12noon
Sample Savory & Sweet Plates
using locally and regionally produced foods

Sue & Christine have LOVED doing the Spoonful Sunday Morning Sampler at the Rice Mansion Inn. However, this Sunday, June 28 will be the final one for the season.

For the next two months Sue will be wearing her full time catering hat. For Christine- well, she has a few beds to make in addition to breakfast! Both are thrilled with the response to the Sampler and look forward to the comfortable groove the end of September will bring.

The good news is there will be two more Small Plate ~ Full Glass events for the season at the Rice Mansion Inn on July 23rd & August (TBD but probably Thursday the 27th). They hope to continue this monthly event throughout the year.

Both Sue and Christine want to say, "Thank you for your support of our small businesses. The Sampler and the Small Plate events stemmed from our belief that our friends and neighbors- and maybe their friends and neighbors have a similar understanding of food and community. And you do."

The Sampler will start again at the end of September.

See you Sunday ~
best, SueQ & Christine


Savory Plates ~ $6 each
Creamy Spring Greens on Sesame Toast, Two Poached Eggs, Romesco
Red Flannel Hash with Smoked Pork, Poached Egg
Buckwheat Crepe, Greens with bacon & raw milk gruyere Fried Egg
Soft Polenta with Asparagus, Peas & Chive ~ Fried Egg and aged cheese

Sweet Plates ~ $5 each
French Toast, Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote, Maple Whipped Cream
Cream Scone, honeyed Fruits traditionally prepared scone with currants and orange zest lots of strawberries with tropical fruit

Beverages
Help yourself to Coffees & Teas ~ $2.50 featuring Dean’s Beans Fair Trade Organic Coffee
Order a French Press ~ $2.50 Pot of Tea ~ $4.00 Teas available by the pot and are also for sale at BellaVino at the Mansion
Cold Mulled Cider, Honey Sweetened Berry Iced Tea~ $1.50 & $3.00
--
Spoonful Catering: preparing foods gathered from local farms and regional producers and Connecting People to Place, One Bite at a Time

Sue Quillio
P 518.692.9037
F 518.375.3619
E susan@spoonfulcatering.com
POB 43
Greenwich, NY 12834

Christine Hoffer
Rice Mansion Inn
518-677-5741
www.ricemansioninn.com

Hoedown From Rodeo on Vimeo Hoedown From Rodeo on Vimeo

Hoedown from Rodeo from Eleanor Stewart on Vimeo.

By Eleanor Stewart

Summertime and the Grillin' is Easy Summertime and the Grillin' is Easy

Smell that? That amazing blend of beef, char and hops? That, my friend, is summer grillin'. You know, when you pull out the BBQ, rustle up some meaty goodness (because in Grilltown, we're all red meat eating cowboys) and crack open an icy cold beer. And the time for grillin'? She has arrived.

Sure, I live in LA, where you can pretty much grill 325 days a year. (The other 40? Uh, you're out of town. Duh.) But even here, there's something special about summer barbecuing. So when we made these kick ass burgers on Monday, it really and truly felt like summer had arrived.

Even if the weather 'round these here parts isn't exactly co-operating. Um, November? Any interest in trading your 80 degree days for June's high 60s? Thanks.

I think I'll call these Western Burgers, and not just cause I'm feeling so very cowgirly right now. I promise, you take one bite of this juicy, spicy goodness and you'll feel like you're way out West too. Even if you're stuck at your house in Newark. C'mon, get out the grill and live a little. It's summer, and it isn't gonna last forever.

Western Burgers
by Sarah

1 lb beef (I used 92/8 and you can definitely want to go lean beef with these as the bacon adds back fat and juicy goodness)
3 slices bacon, diced
2 chipotle chilis in adobo sauce, diced
1 tbsp worchestershire sauce
salt, to taste (I used uncured bacon, so I went w/ 1-ish tsp)
garnishes (see below for suggestions)

1. Heat grill nice and high.
2. Combine above ingredients. Divide into four patties of roughly the same size.
3. Grill for 3-4 minutes each side for a good medium rare. If you're squeamish about the bacon, you'll definitely want to go medium rare or pre-cook the bacon. We went just this side of rare and are still alive and kickin'.
4. If using a harder cheese, add it on in the last 1-2 minutes of grill time. On the second side.
5. Remove from heat. Add buns (if desired). Garnish to your liking.
6. Pop a beer, turn up the music and enjoy.

Garnishes - grilled buns (sourdough or kaiser), grilled onion, beefsteak tomato, lettuce, muenster cheese (Noah), Cowgirl Creamery's St. Pat's cheese (Sarah), mustard

This wonderful recipe and image come courtesy of my niece Sarah and our family food blog called Attack of the Killer Zucchini.
Next week will have amazing grillin' ideas for veggie lovers!

FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND - 2009 FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND - 2009

What a good weekend to visit our area. Rain or shine, there is a lot going on. Of course, the big news is that Sunday, June 21st is Father's Day.

There are lots of ways to celebrate, but my personal favorite would be to treat Dad to the Sunday Morning Sampler at the Rice Mansion Inn. All the food are locally and regionally produced and turned into fabulous treats by Susan Quillio and Tim Holmes of Spoonful Catering.

Here's a peek at the menue.

Spoonful Sunday Morning Sampler
at The Rice Mansion Inn
June 21st ~ 9am - 12noon

Savory Plates ~ $6 each
Creamy Spring Greens on Sesame Toast, Two Poached Eggs, Romesco Braised Beef & Vegetable Hash
Poached Egg Buckwheat Crepe, Greens with bacon & raw milk gruyere
Fried Egg Soft Polenta with Snow Peas, Turnip & Chive ~ Fried Egg and aged cheese

Sweet Plates ~ $5 each
French Toast, Strawberry Rhubarb Compote, Strawberries & whipped cream
Cream Scone, Fruits traditionally prepared scone with currants and orange zest

The Sampler is a Spoonful Catering event at the Rice Mansion Inn.
The Mansion provides a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere for the casual service of breakfast.

Help yourself to coffees, order a plate or two, mingle with friends and shop at BellaVino at the Mansion.

Upcoming Sampler dates ~ June 28th mark your calendar now J

Christine at The Rice Mansion Inn (518.677.5741)Christine@ricemansioninn.com>
Sue at Spoonful Catering (518) 692-9037sue@spoonfulcatering.com




June 19-20, 8 PM – SURF CITY SINGERS, 100 Years of Broadway

Young people from California’s Orange County, under the direction of part-time Salem resident Tim Nelson, celebrating song and summer in their only East Coast performances.

Admission: $15.
FORT SALEM THEATER MAINSTAGE, 11 East Broadway, Salem, NY 12865
Reservations and Information: (518) 854-9200 www.fortsalemtheater.com




June 19, 20, 21, 2009 - Whipple City Festival

There are many exciting things planned for the 17th Annual Whipple City Festival

Photo courtesy Greenwich, NY Chamber of Commerce

Saturday June 20th:
10:00-12:00 pm: Bubbles the Clown
1:00-4:00 pm: Live! Radio Disney Show - Fun for the entire family with
music and audience participation.
Open Mike with local talent at 6:30 - 9:30

Sunday, June 21st:

12:00 to 12:30 - Greenwich Interfaith Service at
1:00 - 3:00 pm - Bubbles the Clown
1:00 - 4:00 pm - Bob Warren

NEW THIS YEAR "Old Fashioned" fun games for the entire family

Saturday Only: Mobile Laser Tag Games on Academy St.

Throughout the weekend: Country Craft Fair, Great Food Vendors, Community Organizations Info booths, Live Animal Exhibits of Alpacas, Emus, Reindeer and local wildlife demos, free Horse and Wagon Rides thru the Village and Much more to come

Back Home in Cambridge Back Home in Cambridge

Good day to all the readers of the Cambridge Buzz blog. I've returned home from my stint house sitting for my sister. It was a long three weeks, but Hilary has been posting amazing tidbits about our region and the various things you can do here. Thanks Hilary, could not do this without you.

So what did I return to? Before leaving, I huridly put in some vegetables and made sure the lawn and garden were in good shape. But with all the rain we've been having....


Photos by Debra Pearlman

It looks like a jungle at my house. The cats think they've arrived in heaven. Mice, voles, lots of birds and bunnies to chase. With the grass so tall, I'm thinking of seeing if a meadow would be possible. I don't hate mowing, in fact, it's sort of my summer exercise regime, but I love wild meadows.

On the other hand....


Photos by Debra Pearlman

I remembered to stake the peonies before going away, but they are just too darn heavy. My house smells great from all the flowers I cut down. Now if I can just get those darn cats to do some weeding.

How's your garden doing this year?

Cambridge Life is easing into summer.... Farmer's Markets are in full swing, the river is running full tilt, and the hiking is great. Come join us and see why Grandma Moses loved this area so much!

Roger's Photographic Meditations 6 Roger's Photographic Meditations 6

Dog on the run.

Photo Credit: Roger Wyatt.

Photographer's Log Photographer's Log

(Photographs by John Carlson copyright 2009 all rights reserved)

Another Successful Balloon Fest!
Congrats, Cambridge!

Cambridge Balloon Festival 2009 Cambridge Balloon Festival 2009

Photo: John Carlson, copyright 2007

My wife and I love the balloon festival, the colorful giant behemoths floating over the village with that fantastic fiery propane blast for buoyancy, all the fun food and family events around town, and getting to meet the pilots and people from all over who come to enjoy our little slice of paradise.

Don’t miss the great events all this weekend (June 5th- 7th); starting with launches Friday night during the opening ceremonies at the Cambridge Central School.

For more information visit the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce at http://www.cambridgenychamber.com/ or call 518-677-0887

See you here!

Saratoga Battlefield events Saratoga Battlefield events

Tales from the Trails
Date: June 6, 2009
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: Battlefield

Details:
Sights, sounds and surprises await bird watchers, walkers and history buffs joining various hikes of 2 miles or less in the park. Registration required.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring drinking water and insect repellant.

Bird and Wildflower Hike -- 9:00 AM
History Hikes (with surprises) -- 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

Roger's Photographic Meditations 5 Roger's Photographic Meditations 5

Bridge along the Hudson at twilight, heading toward Ft. Edward.

Photo Credit: Roger Wyatt

Music from Salem June Events Music from Salem June Events

Music from Salem has some wonderful concerts scheduled for this summer at Hubbard Hall. They have an upcoming Cello Seminar Concert at Hubbard Hall on Sunday June 7, 7 p.m.

In addition, seminar cellists will present their works-in-progress in special and very informal 4 pm events on Friday June 5 at Pompanuck Farm Institute and Saturday June 6 at Rice Mansion Inn. For more information check out the Music from Salem website.

28th Annual Adirondack Arts and Crafts Fair 28th Annual Adirondack Arts and Crafts Fair

Washington County Fairgrounds
Greenwich, New York (Route 29)
May 30 & 31, 2009. Rain or Shine!

Back in the old days, artists and craftsmen and women were an integral part of the community and local economy. The sixties regenerated a passion for handcrafted goods and the American Studio Artist movement has prospered ever since. Today, in spite of globalization, there is a fervent passion for local goods, especially food and specialty products. At countless farmers markets, not only are baby carrots on sale but also blown Art Glass. The Adirondack Art and Craft Festival attracts people who enjoy “buying local.” The Washington County Fair and Craftproducers welcome you to the show! Show your support for local artists and craftspeople.

The Adirondack Arts and Crafts Fair includes a variety of vendors, local food vendors, diverse music, kids activities, NY Wine Tasting, 10:00-6:00 Saturday; 10:00-5:00 Sunday; $8.00 adults, under 12 free, age 13-17 $2.00, weekend pass $10.00 Call 802-425-3399 Visit: www.craftproducers.com for more information.

Roger's Photographic Meditations 4 Roger's Photographic Meditations 4

Twilight Reflections - day's end along the Champlain Canal off Rt 4, south of Ft. Edward.

Photo Credit: Roger Wyatt

Upcoming Events at the Little Theater On The Farm Upcoming Events at the Little Theater On The Farm

The Little Theater On The Farm in Ft. Lee will beholding an auction Sunday, May 31st at 2PM with a preview at 1PM. The Red Barn Auction is 'drive-through' - folks bring items to sell, drive up to the customers and their merchandise is sold. Auctions will be held almost every Sunday. Check the website for future dates for auctions and also for information about performances this summer. If you have something you wish to auction off, call Auctioneer Roger Woodcock at (518) 747 - 0433.

The Little Theater On The Farm is a black box theater with a large backstage with outside entrance for staging. There is a 20'x30' greenroom with dressing rooms. Call Linda Hermans at (518) 747 - 3421 for more information.

Kites Over Shanghai Kites Over Shanghai

By Marjorie L. McLellan
Reprinted from the TellHisotry Blog
Copyright 2008

Let me tell you about my father.
David Stanley McLellan—“Red” to my mom and old friends—is a retired professor. He lives with my mom in a 1960s brick ranch house here in Yellow Springs. We moved to town last year in order to spend more time with my parents. Dad is eighty-three, legally blind and deaf and living with Alzheimer’s. The disease, in his case, has been a gradual process of diminished capacity and yet there was so much capacity to begin with that, even today, I often think I don’t reach the depths of his perceptions. He also suffers from visual hallucinations, has diminished mobility, and becomes confused. This is all exacerbated by his vision and hearing problems—its hard for me to know where one disability ends and another begins. The satisfactions that dad continues to find are a testimonial to the written word, family, and stories.

Although he has macular degeneration, dad can see a bit. Before the Alzheimer’s, he learned to read with a hand-held scanner and he still reads one word at a time on a large television screen. He is driven to read and yet frustrated by the difficulties he has seeing, focusing, understanding, and retaining what he reads. He thinks a lot—recently his thoughts have turned to how to make sense of religious conflict in the world and that has turned him to reading about the history of the Bible. We are not a particularly religious family but dad’s childhood was infused by the deep faith of his Scottish immigrant mother, Jessie McLellan.

After a distinguished career in which he wrote many books, dad tells us that family is the great joy of his life. My husband and I and our daughter joined my brother and his daughter living here in Yellow Springs. My sisters, my brother-in-law, and our son spend a lot of time here as well.

Dad will often sit quietly with his lips moving. He has taken to recalling major events in his life and then naming all the people and places associated with the particular time in his life. He has lived a fascinating rich life so he has a lot to think back on. Iconic stories emerge from this process – seeing my mom from a distance and knowing that he would marry her, delivering a telegram to Eleanor Roosevelt on a train, meeting General Eisenhower in a library in the South Pacific during WWII. He tells the stories over and over again. The stories are his bridge both to his past and to the people around him. I love hearing these stories both for the content and the connection with my dad.

Red was a navigator and bombardier in the Pacific towards the end of WWII. After the Japanese surrender, they were tasked with flying supplies to starving prisoners in northern Korea. He charted the flight and found that they could fly over Shanghai on the way north and over Hiroshima on the return. As they flew over Shanghai, he recalls, the sky was filled with kites in celebration of the wars’ end. When they reached their destination, one of the big canisters of supplies would not dislodge from the bomb bay. A bit like the scene with Slim Pickens in “Dr. Strangelove,” Red had to climb out over, holding on to the straps, and kick the canister loose. The return flight was far more somber and sobering, as they passed over the destruction wrought by the atomic bomb.

Although I didn’t hear this story until recent years, it seems to set the stage for his career as a scholar of American international relations in the Cold War.

I don’t want to paint a rosy picture of life with Alzheimer’s. It is hard. My dad grieves over the loss of capacity, worries, and fears what is to come. My mother lives with the daily challenges—life is a round of anxieties, chores, doctors’ visits—tinged with sorrow. Somehow she carries on and takes some satisfaction in caring, not just for my dad, but also for all of us. She is the one who listens to all of our stories.

“Memory Bridge” is a PBS website and documentary which resonated with my own experience of my father’s Alzheimer’s. Please take a look at http://www.memorybridge.org/index.php

Memorial Day Poem from WWI Memorial Day Poem from WWI

I think continually of those
Steven Spender

I think continually of those who were truly great.
Who, from the womb, remembered the soul's history
Through corridors of light where the hours are suns
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the Spirit clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the Spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.

What is precious is never to forget
The essential delight of the blood drawn from ageless springs
Breaking through rocks in worlds before our earth.
Never to deny its pleasure in the morning simple light
Nor its grave evening demand for love.
Never to allow gradually the traffic to smother
With noise and fog the flowering of the spirit.

Near the snow, near the sun, in the highest fields
See how these names are fêted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky.
The names of those who in their lives fought for life
Who wore at their hearts the fire's centre.
Born of the sun they traveled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honor.

Cambridge Buzz on Vacation Cambridge Buzz on Vacation

In my younger days, I went rock climbing. Now vacation to me is house sitting for my sister in Maryland. She has a jacuzzi, pool, million-inch high defininition television and central air.

She even left me a gift certificate for a one hour spa treatment.

So until after June 10th, this Cambridge resident will be taking a break.

Hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.

Derba

Mother's Day 2009 Mother's Day 2009

Happy Mother's Day Cambridge!

Cambridge Life: 5/7/09 Birds of a feather Cambridge Life: 5/7/09 Birds of a feather

Photo by Debra Pearlman

On Thursday past, I spotted these two handsome birds in the field next to my house. They are Guinea Fowl. Not a wild critter roaming the area, I wanted to know more about them (beside the fact that they make good eating). Here's what I found out:

Guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) are said to be good for controlling the Lyme Disease-bearing deer tick. (For more info on guineas and Lyme disease see: Duffy, David Cameron, R. Downer, and C. Brinkley, 1992. The effectiveness of Helmeted Guineafowl in the control of the deer tick, the vector of Lyme Disease, The Wilson Bulletin, 164(2): 342-345.)

They range well (the two I saw came from a farm way up the hill) and eat lots of small things. In fact, if you keep bees, you don't really want to keep guineas. They'll stand by the hive and snap up the bees as they come out. Domestic Guinea Fowl are found in many varieties, including Pearl (the wild type), White , Buff Dundotte, Royal Purple, Porcelain, Slate, Chocolate, Violet or Mulberry, Lavender, and Coral Blue, but there are several other species of guinea fowl in the family Numididae, including the Vulturine Guinea

(Acryllium vulturinum)

Photo courtesy of Linda Enger from feathersite.com and the Crested Guineas (Guttera spp.) .

Young guineas are called "keets." Being native to dry areas of Africa, they are very susceptible to dampness during their first two weeks, and can die from following the mother through dewy grass. After two weeks of age, they are probably the hardiest of all domestic land fowl.


Photo by Debra Pearlman
This fellow was keeping an eye on his lady friend.

The easiest way to sex them is by voice. Both males and females make a single syllable, machine-gunlike alarm call, but only the females have a two syllable call. It sounds like they're saying "buck-wheat."

I found this information at FeatherSite What did we do before Google?

How does your garden grow? How does your garden grow?

All Photographs by Debra Pearlman

About 3 years ago I planted over 100 bulbs in my front garden. The first year they came up, I was pleased to see them. Now I have a host of beautiful flowers surrounding me.

I especially like the grape hyacinth. They've spread out and are like little cones of purple joy springing out of the ground.


These tulips are from a throw away bag of bulbs that I found for $2. I had no idea what the colors would be. I call this corner of the garden my "Tribute to the Psychedelic '60's." Can you dig it!

Cambridge Life: 4/27/09 Cambridge Life: 4/27/09

Even cats' fancies turn to love when spring finally arrives.

Finish Line Finish Line

(Photo copyright John Carlson 2009)

This weekend Cambridge was a buzz with activity as thousands of people showed up from across the country, and yes, from around the world, to participate in, and watch, the Tour of the Battenkill-- two days of outstanding bike racing! From the perspectives of my front porch on Main Street, The Rice Mansion Inn and the sky above, I witnessed a lot of people coming together and having an amazing time.

Hugh kudos to the organizers, Dieter Drake, Christine Hoffer, Alan Atwood, Amy Drake and Dawn Case. And here’s to all the volunteers, our Police, Rescue Squad, and everyone else who came out to support the effort. It was a huge undertaking, and a great success!


Winners Podium in front of the Rice Mansion Inn- 1st place (center) Scott Nydam (BMC) 2nd Place (left) Karl Menzies (OUCH) 3rd Place (right). Francois Parisien (Planet Energy) (Photo copyright John Carlson 2009)


I’m already looking forward to next years festivities! Hope to see you all here!


(Photo copyright John Carlson 2009)

Blueberry Girl - from Neil Gaimon Blueberry Girl - from Neil Gaimon

Can You Guess The Song? Can You Guess The Song?

Watch this little video all the way through and see if you can figure out what the song is before it is revealed.



Amazing what some people do with too much time on their hands.

2009 Tour of the Battenkill is Here! 2009 Tour of the Battenkill is Here!

Photos courtesy Tour of the Battenkill

America's Queen of the Classics has really grown. The Tour of the Battenkill is now the largest cycling race in the United States. This year, a new Pro Invitational has been added, making this a truly international event.

Teams from across the USA, Canada and Europe are coming to our Village on Friday, April 17, 2009 to prepare for the race. With a variety of hills, flats, paved and dirt roads to contend with, The Tour of the Battenkill challenges each rider to perform at the top of their game.

For the Pro Invitation, teams like MetLife, Pro-Am Cycling, Planet Energy and GS Mengoni USA will be competing. For a complete list of the Pro Teams click here.

Saturday, starts at 8:45 when the Juniors take to the streets - The Farm Team Cycling members and other juniors from across the US compete for the coveted bottle of Battenkill Valley Creamery Chocolate milk.

The PRO/AM race starts at 10:00 am and then every 5 minutes until 12:30 pm.

Greenwich will host a Bike Rodeo and Safety program at Gree Pea Market from 9-11:00 am.

Sunday, the PRO's take to the streets at 11:00 am, starting in Cambridge. Staging will begin at 10:30 on St. Lukes Street. You do not want to miss this INAUGURAL PRO Invitatational.

For a full listing of events and activities please go to :
www.tourofthebattenkill.com/Spectator.html

Jackie Robinson joined the Dodgers on April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson joined the Dodgers on April 15, 1947

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson put on his first Brooklyn Dodgers uniform (number 42) and broke the Major League Baseball "color line". He's one of the all-time greats!

in time of daffodils in time of daffodils

in time of daffodils
e. e. cummings

in time of daffodils (who know
the goal of living is to grow)
forgetting why, remember how

in time of lilacs who proclaim
the aim of waking is to dream,
remember so (forgetting seem)

in time of roses (who amaze
our now and here with paradise)
forgetting if, remember yes

in time of all sweet things beyond
whatever mind may comprehend,
remember seek (forgetting find)

and in a mystery to be
(when time from time shall set us free)
forgetting me, remember me

Easter and the Renewal of Spring Easter and the Renewal of Spring

Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. Our gardens are coming alive, and we can rejoice at the end of an exceptionally cold and difficult winter.
Photo Credit: Roger Wyatt

WPA Anniversary WPA Anniversary

In this time of economic challenge, there is much talk of the Great Depression of the 1930s. I heard a lot about the Depression era from my parents who were growing up at the time, in downstate New York. Today is the anniversary of a major Depression era program: on April 8, 1935, Congress approved the Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935, the work relief bill that funded the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The WPA was created by President Franklin Roosevelt to relieve the economic hardship of the Great Depression, this national works program employed more than 8.5 million people on 1.4 million public projects before it was disbanded in 1943. The WPA employed skilled and unskilled workers in a great variety of work projects—many of which were public works projects such as creating parks, and building roads and bridges, and schools and other public structures.

The WPA included some programs for artists, including the Federal Writers' Project (FWP), the Federal Art Project (FAP), the Federal Music Project, and the Federal Theater Project. Many observers have highlighted the importance of the arts in maintaining --- and rebuilding --- economic vitality.

Reference: Today in History, Library of Congress.