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No. 86 Sept. 1, 2008
SUMMING UP . . .
At precisely 11:44 on the morning of Sept. 22, the autumnal equinox will
arrive. But that will be a non-event in Mt. Gretna, where calendars and
metronomes run at their own private pace.
Here, fall will have already begun. Even before Labor Day, summer dwellers
commenced the gradual ritual of shuttering their cottages, rolling up porch
rugs, storing away rocking chairs and loading their overstuffed vans and
SUVs for the trip home. A caravan of stereos, DVDs and countless other creature
comforts rumbling off to winter havens. Before the first frost, Mt. Gretna's
population will have dropped by 40%.
Those remaining breathe a huge sigh -- an admixture of fond memories tinged
with sadness perhaps, but also the reassurance that another Mt. Gretna summer
lies straight ahead.
Yet what a summer this one has been. August's month of music capped two
full months of theater, recapturing the magic long associated with performances
at the Playhouse. Attracting the biggest crowds as usual was an art show
of remarkable quality, one that for many was the best they can ever recall.
Art show attendance was up 12.5% over last year, a feat unmatched by most
art festivals elsewhere. Picture-perfect weather encouraged crowds to turn
out for a glimpse of exquisite artwork chosen by a judges' panel that, to
assure freshness, changes in its makeup every year. And even though the
price of admission remained unchanged since 2005, gate revenues edged to
a new high: $96,982.
Yet revenues and crowds are never the gauges by which Mt. Gretnans measure
their art show. "Bigger is not necessarily better," says show
director Linda Bell, radiating the quiet confidence of a woman centered
on the show's original purpose: To encourage new and established artists,
to lift the arts and to extend its pleasures to all who visit.
For anyone who cares to look more deeply, Linda extends an invitation to
view the accounts. What they discover is that income and expense statements
generally show overall revenues (including entry and booth fees as well
as food stand income and ticket sales) of over $200,000, with expenses and
community donations of roughly $130,000. What's left over helps launch the
next year's show and provide a cushion for unexpected calamities -- like
that storm which hit the Midwest recently, canceling an art show and requiring
refunds.
Keeping the show small and grounded to its original aims may help explain
its enduring vitality. As the Mt. Gretna outdoor art show enters its 35th
year, Central Pennsylvania magazine readers recently voted it their favorite
arts and crafts festival. Harrisburg Magazine readers have done the same.
Yet what accounts for its abiding appeal is probably not much different
from that which has attracted people to Mt. Gretna for over a century: Summer
afternoons of strolling beneath the trees, enjoying cultural pursuits, walking
along narrow streets lined with cottages that date back to the late 1800s,
and touching an elusive spirit of earlier times. It is a spirit that most
feel instinctively, yet few are able to describe.
IN OTHER NEWS . . .
? Renovating a cottage? The Mt. Gretna Area Historical Society is assembling
a list of contractors, craftsmen and other specialists experienced in restoring
area homes and cottages. Earl Lenington, who heads the society's architectural
preservation advisory group, invites builders and suppliers, as well as
residents, to contact him at elenington@comcast.net.
? Traveling to Mt. Gretna can be hazardous. Craig Smith's family and three
playmates avoided serious injury Aug. 16 when a large tree fell across Pinch
Road, smashing their Chevy Trailblazer. It totaled the SUV but didn't spoil
their plans. Friends took everyone to the lake and, later, to the Jigger
Shop for ice cream. (See http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/225768)
Arlyne Meyer, who just turned 90, remembers when travelers encountered thugs hiding in low-lying tree limbs. As cars chugged up the hill to Mt. Gretna, scoundrels jumped onto running boards, robbing passengers (including her father) 70 years ago. But that never stopped Arlyne. Years later, she's still enjoying her 5th Street Campmeeting cottage.
? First "emerging artist" ever to win a judges' choice award
at the Mt. Gretna art show: Cory Nogle, a 23-year-old Northumberland, Pa.
woodworker.
Cory just earned a degree in fine art woodworking at Rochester Institute
of Technology. His strongest source of inspiration: "Putting a smile
on somebody's face."
? How to find volunteers? Needing seven more ushers with only two days to
go before the Leon Redbone concert, Ben Wiley taped a "VOLUNTEERS WANTED"
sign on his back and strolled into the art show volunteers' picnic. Within
minutes, he'd signed up his quota.
"If you wanna find volunteers, look for 'em in their native habitat,"
says Ben, whose grandfather was an early Campmeeting minister and who has
himself volunteered here for years. His 1905 cottage, "Jo-Ann,"
was on this year's tour of homes and gardens. (See http://www.gretnamusic.org/TourofHomes.htm)
? Art show cofounders Bruce Johnson and Reed Dixon now appear on the growing
roster of artists in the Arts Council's online gallery See http://www.mtgretna.com/artscouncil/LocalArtist.html
The lineup includes other well-known Mt. Gretna artists such as Carol Snyder,
Barb Fishman, Madelaine Gray, Fred Swarr and about 24 others.
Available free to artists who have lived here or draw inspiration from Mt.
Gretna, the site displays photos, website links, email addresses and other
contact information. A handy site, especially for shoppers seeking special
Christmas gifts they won't find in the malls. Email Jess Kosoff (edandjess@verizon.net).
? What's Mt. Gretna's magic? "What's not to like?" asks Lancastrian
Linda Stienstra, who drives up with her husband at least once a month. Linda's
lively blog often cites their favorite lures: organ recitals, dinners at
the Timbers, Jigger Shop sundaes and evenings at the Playhouse. See http://justustwo.wordpress.com/2008/08/21/mt-
gretna-jigger-shop-ice-cream-sundaes/
Another perspective comes from Sara Achuff, a Harvey's Lake, Pa. teacher
whose "Last Day of Summer Post" captures favorite views of cottages
here. Sara grew up in Campbelltown and learned to swim at the lake. "I
absolutely love to come and walk around Mt. Gretna," she writes. See
http://fernhillatthelake.blogspot.com/2008/08
/last-day-of-summer.html
? Audiences who applauded Gretna Theater's stellar season will have yet
another opportunity to deliver a standing ovation Oct. 11. That's the date
for one of the year's grandest events, the 2008 Gretna Gala at the Hotel
Hershey. The "black tie-encouraged" happening is an essential
fundraiser for Gretna Theater, one of the nation's two oldest summer stock
theater groups. Always elegant, the affair this year will include auction
packages for out-of-the-ordinary vacations, elegant dinners, key sporting
events, original art and jewelry.
? A wave of condolences began rolling across town last month even before
the news was confirmed. David Clapper, a 46-year-old missionary pilot and
son-in-law of Mt. Gretna "flower lady" Mary Hernley, died when
his plane crashed in Indonesia Aug. 9. He leaves a wife, Beth, and five
children. White Oak Church of the Brethren, 1211 N. Penryn Rd., Manheim,
PA 17545 is receiving memorial gifts. See http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/225768
? Repeat customers, as every entrepreneur knows, are like golden egg-laying
geese.
Allegra and Allison von Hirschberg invoked that durable marketing principle
in registering a 125% art show lemonade stand sales increase this year --
their fourth outside the Brown Avenue cottage of grandparents Ned and Emily
Wallace. Another strategy: Smiles from the 12- and 10-year-olds that would
light up the darkest corner of Africa.
Africa, in fact, is where the girls live with their parents, who own a computer
company in Swaziland's capital. Money earned, some $270 this year, will
go to pay school enrollment fees for orphans there. "People know us
and come back," says Allegra. "Some left $10, even though they
only ate a cookie."
? What Mt. Gretna's firefighters are up to this month:
[] Sept. 6, dedication ceremonies at 11 a.m. for that new $300,000 addition,
providing room for more firefighting equipment. If you'd like to help pay
off the mortgage, drop a tax-deductible check in the mail to Mt. Gretna
Fire Company, P. O. Box 177, Mt. Gretna, PA 17064.
[] Sept. 13, that mouthwatering pig roast. Chef Becky Briody's tantalizing
secrets include, we're told, Lawry's seasoned salt and a can of beer placed
inside the roaster, right alongside the 235-pound guest of honor. The fun
starts at 4 p.m.
? After judging quilt exhibitions from West Virginia to upstate New York
this summer, Campmeeting resident Mary Zesiger is back in central Pennsylvania.
She'll address a quilters group at Hershey's Derry Presbyterian Church Oct.
8 (at 7 p.m.)
A quilting teacher for more than 20 years, Mary has made Campmeeting summers
a part of her life for the past six decades. She's a former registered nurse
and once ran her own quilt and cross-stitch business. She and husband Rick
moved here permanently in 2005.
? Kicking off a 59th season, the Winterites will sprinkle their catered
noon luncheon Oct. 7 with insights into artist Eleanor Sarabia's latest
project: a detailed model of Chautauqua's Literary and Scientific Circle
Building.
In November, they'll hear an antique road show speaker. Donna Kaplan, 964-2174,
has details on these and other "first Tuesday" monthly (except
January) programs.
? Sharing memories, former art show chairman Karl Gettle and 94-year-old
Patrick Bowman, who's spent the last 60 years in Mt. Gretna, will appear
on a WITF-TV special, "Growing Up in Lebanon County" Sept. 8,
8-9:30 p.m.
NUMBERS
35 Species of birds spotted at Governor Dick Park by the Mt. Gretna bird
club, meeting at the park every Friday (9 a.m.).
Other park events: Ambles along the trails with naturalist Audrey Manspeaker
(Sept. 13 and Oct. 11), shuttle to the tower for seniors (Sept. 13), "Workings
of an Iron Furnace" (Sept. 14), night sky telescope views (Sept. 26),
"Cornwall Railroads" (Sept. 28), map and compass reading (Oct.
11) and "November Nocturne," a 7:30 p.m. bon fire at the tower.
Write for free newsletter (governordick@hotmail.com) or call 964-3808.
CATHERINE M. COX (1943-2008)
If, as is said, friendships form the strongest legacy, Cathy Cox, who died
Aug. 24, leaves behind a rich legacy indeed. Friend, wife, mother and teacher,
she and her husband Stan spent 26 memorable summers here.
Their cottage at Otterbein and Fourth Street in the Campmeeting became a
kind of launching pad for Cathy's volunteer endeavors, which stretched across
town from the Playhouse to the Tabernacle, and to the concession stand,
the tennis club, the art show or wherever else she could find opportunities
to help out.
That cottage was a haven that Cathy discovered on her own one weekend when
her husband left on a hunting trip. When he returned, Cathy announced that
she had found a "perfect" cottage and bought it on the spot. Fortunately,
Stan quickly grew to love it, too.
On summer afternoons, she was often at the lake, sharing stories spawned
by her Irish heritage or dispensing berry custard pies that delighted friends
like Bill Harrington, Martha Brod, Ed Landis, Roland Nissley and John Davis.
Those who knew her also knew her gentle kindness -- shaped, no doubt, by
helping children, her own as well as those from the Philadelphia School
District where -- for 30 years -- she had served as teacher, counselor and
friend.
THE MT. GRETNA DIFFERENCE:
? Ronetta and Keith Krause discovered that their 16-year old poodle was
lapsing into convulsions during the art show. Jack and Jane Anderson, volunteering
at the information booth, quickly helped the Walnutport, Pa. exhibitors.
Jack loaned Ronetta his cell phone so she could stay in touch with Keith,
who was rushing to an emergency vet. Meanwhile, Ronetta tended to customers
at her booth. After the show, with their dog safely back at home, Mrs. Krause
sent a thank-you note: "Yours is by far the nicest show we've ever
been to," she said.
? A week later, someone turned in a cell phone they'd found on steps leading
up to the Hall of Philosophy. Scott and Jane Zellers were the information
booth volunteers. With no cellular service available for the phone locally,
Scott and Jane drove to a spot where they could call the last two numbers
dialed and left messages. An hour or so later, the owner -- an international
flight attendant living in Lancaster -- reclaimed his phone and offered
to buy their dinner. The Zellers graciously declined.
? Outdoor worship services are another distinctive jewel of Mt. Gretna life.
Organizer Don Zechman and volunteers Edie Hollinger and Bruce Gettle have
made the Bible Festival a centerpiece of the community's spiritual life.
And at Chautauqua services in the Playhouse yesterday, Chancellor Nancy
Besch and pianist Mary Ellen Kinch were honored for 20 years of service.
That follows a standard Mary Hoffman set. Now in her 90s, Mary's distinguished
term as chancellor extended even longer.
? Earlier this summer, Linda Wilson found a six-pound snapping turtle,
seemingly disoriented by the Route 117 construction, laying her eggs alongside
a parking lot near the Jigger Shop. Several young kitchen crew members helped
nudge the expectant mom to a safer nesting spot.
True, news like this would rarely make news in larger towns. But this, after
all, is Mt. Gretna. And here, as we noted, life proceeds at its own distinctive,
well-ordered pace.
Kindest regards,
Roger Groce
Editor
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Thanks,
Roger
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