31 Years FREE - Shepherdstown Good News Paper
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31 Years FREE - Shepherdstown Good News Paper
SPRinG 2010 31 Years FREE but not cheap “Daffies 2” by Michael Davis 2 Issue125 Vol.XXXIINo.1 EstablishedMay1979 PUBLISHER ShepherdstownMinisterialAssociation EXECUTIVE EDITOR RandallW.Tremba EDITORS NanBroadhurst WendyMopsik ClaireStuart EdZahniser PRE-PRODUCTION EDITOR LibbyHoward SENIOR DESIGNER MelindaSchmitt DIGITAL IMAGE EDITOR NanDoss PHOTOGRAPHER RuthWeese TYPIST KathyReid COPY EDITORS RieWilson ClaireStuart PROOFREADERS BettyLouBryant JohnFoxen DISTRIBUTION Kitty&EdKelly TREASURER AlexShaw DESIGN & LAYOUT BrandonCornwell,HBP,Inc. Circulation: 13,000 copies printed Bulk mail (11,200) Shepherdstownallpatrons(3,450) KearneysvillePO,RR1-4(3,000) ShenandoahJct(800) HarpersFerryPO,RR1,3(2,250) Bakerton(80) MartinsburgRR3(620) SharpsburgPO,RR2(1,060) Directmailbyrequest(1,000) Stacks:arearestaurants,shops,andvisitorcenters (1,000) Address GOODNEWSPAPER,P.O.Box1212 Shepherdstown,WV25443 Telephone(304)876-6466•FAX(304)876-2033 Copyright 2010 ShepherdstownMinisterialAssociation,Inc. Allrightsreverttotheauthoronpublication.The opinionsexpresseddonotnecessarilyreflectthe viewsoftheAdvisoryGrouporthepublishers. Contents SPRING 2010 Essays, Art & Poetry 3 Jews and Christians. ByRandallTremba 12–13 ARTWORKS Michael Davis. ByNanBroadhurst 14 POETRY Paul Grant. EdZahniser,poetryeditor 15 ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL America’s Arctic Refuge.ByMarkMadison 17 “Yes, Dear,” and Other Deflections. ByStephenWillingham 20 Avatar. BySarahSoltow People, Places & Things 4 James Lewin on the State of Journalism. ByClaireStuart 5 LOCAL COLOR The Art of Transformation.ByChristopherRobinson 6 Maria’s Taqueria.ByClaireStuart 7 The Best of Both Worlds.ByChristopherRobinson 8 GSIVC Welcomes New Director. BySueKennedy 9 The Entler Hotel Sharpens Its Original Focus. ByWendyMopsik 10–11 “Namaste.” ByEllieLloyd 16 A Natural Fit: This Race is for the Birds! BySandraBloom 18–19 Looking for Adventure. ByKatrinaWeyland Faith, Hope & Charity 21 Religious Communities 22 Donors 23 Business & Service Directory Cover Artist Michael Davisbelievesthatartismorethananaction.Itisalifelongstudy—throughitsfrustrations itrevealsthesimplicitiesandbeautiesoftheworldaroundusandinus. Subscription Form If you are not already receiving the GOOD NEWS PAPER we will be happy to send it to you free of charge. Fill in and mail this coupon. Name: ______________________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________________ Town: ______________________________________________ZIP:_________________ GOOD NEWS PAPER P.O.Box1212•Shepherdstown,WV25443 3 Jews and Christians The Third Word From the Cross Randall Tremba H olyWeekwillsoonbehere.OnGood Fridaychurchesaroundtheworldwill reciteandreflectupon“TheSevenLast WordsofChrist”fromthecross.Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Today you will be with me in paradise. Woman, behold your son; son, behold your mother. I thirst. Why have you forsaken me? It is finished. Into your hands I commend my spirit. TheThirdWordis:Woman, behold your son; son, behold your mother. Meanwhile, standing near the cross were his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, here is your son.’ Then he said to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home. (John19:26–27) Jesuscouldn’tmovehishands.Hecould barelymovehisheadbuthecouldmovehis eyes.Helookedathismotherthentowardhis discipleandsaid,Woman, here is your son.And thenlookingbacktowardhismother,Here is your mother.Andfromthathourthedisciple tookherintohisownhome. ThatdiscipletookthemotherofJesus home,beatherupandpushedheroutintothe cold,darknightwheresheandherchildrenwere bound,gagged,anddraggedawaytoghettosand gaschambers. Iknow,Iknow,itdoesn’tsaythatinthe gospelpages.Butthat’swhathappened.Not toMaryherselfbuttoherpeople.Beatupand pushedoutintothecold,darknight.Bound, gagged,anddraggedawaytoghettosandgas chambers. Inthisgospel,repletewithsymbolism, Mary,wemightsay,represents“Judaism”;and thebeloveddisciple,wemightsay,represents thefledglingcommunitythataroseinthewake ofJesus’deathandeventuallybecameknownas “theChurch.” Itwilldousgoodonanyday,butespecially onGoodFriday,torememberhowChristians turnedJewsintoscapegoatsandcrucifiedthem inmorewaysthanone,inmoreplacesthanone, inmorecenturiesthanone. Jesussaidtohismother,Woman, here is your son.Andtohisdisciple,Here is your mother.WithhisdyingbreathJesuswastrying tocreateanewkindofcommunity,formedby loveandnotbyfamilyortribalblood. JudaismgavebirthtoMary.Marygave birthtoJesus.AndJesusgavebirthtoanew community,toanewwayofbeingandlivingin thisworld,awaythattranscendstribaldivisions ofonekindandanother.It’stherightwaybut it’snotaneasyway. It’shardtobetrueandfaithfulinthisworld. Somuchcangowronginthebestofpersons andcommunities.Muchhasgonewronginthe Church.WithoutGod’sgraceandforgiveness noneofusstandsachance. ItwilldotheChurchgoodtoremember howChristiansturnedJewsintoscapegoatsand crucifiedtheminmorewaysthanone.Itwill dotheChurchgoodtorememberandtorepent. Nowasbadasthenewsis,thereisalsogood news:thereismoregraceinGodthansininus. OnwhatwouldeventuallybecalledGood Friday,whilehebledonthecross,Jesussaid: Woman, here is your son.Andtohisdisciple, Here is your mother. ButChristianswouldturnGoodFridayinto arallydayandterrorizetheJewishpeoplefor 2,000years.It’snotwhatJesushadinmind.He didn’thaveanotherreligioninmind,leastofall onethatwouldbecomesectarian,exclusive,and bellicose.That’snotwhatJesusheldinhisheart. YoucanheartheheartofJesuselsewhere inthisgospel.For God so loved the world.God solovedtheworld.NottheJewishworldor theChristianworldortheMuslimworldorthe BuddhistworldortheHinduworldortheSihk, Jain,orBaha’iworlds,orthehumanist,animist, oratheistworlds.Godsolovedtheworld.The whole world.Period. Jesusnevermeantforhiswaytobecome awayofexclusionandterrorism.I am the way, the truth, and the lifemeantloveistheway. Hedidn’tmeanthatChristianitywastheway toheavenandallotherreligionswerenot.He didn’tmeanthathewasthewaytoanother placeatall.Hemeantthatloveisthewayto livehereandnow. Those who abide in love abide in God, he said. I am in the Father and the Father is in me. I am in you and you are in me. God is love and those who abide in love abide in God. Come and see where I abide, hesaid. In my Father’s house are many mansions, many rooms, many dwelling places, not just one. Inotherwords,thereare manywaystodwellinGod,whichistosay,to dwellinlove. ItwilldotheChurchgoodtorememberhow ChristiansturnedagainstJews,theverypeople ofourLord’smother.Butrememberingisnot enough.TheChurchmustalsorepentandmake amends. It’shardtobelievebutit’strue:onlyin thepast50yearsorsohastheChurchbegun toacknowledgeandappreciateasimplefact: Jesus was not a Christian.JesuswasJewish, achildofaJewishmotherandfather,who themselveswerechildrenofAbrahamand Sarah,wholong,longagofoundandthen nursedapromiseintheirhearts,apromise thatsomedaytheirchildrenandtheirchildren’s childrenwouldfindawaytoblessallthe families,tribes,andnationsofthewhole earth—awayoflove,notawayofhate;a wayofmercy,notawayoftorture;awayof forgiveness,notawayofrevenge;awayof inclusion,notawayofexclusion. Jesusdidn’tinventthatpromise.He embracedthepromise.Andthennursedand cultivateditinhisheart. It’sanancient,precious,andfragilepromise, blessed,brokenopen,andgiveneachtime ChristiansgatherroundtheTableofOurLord. By this will all people know you are my disciples, if you love one another.Thereisnootherway. ForChristiansoranyoneelse.Loveistheway. Hereisaversefromthetraditional“Solemn ReproachesoftheCross”oftenreadinchurches onGoodFriday: O my people, O my Church, What have I done to you, or in what have I offended you? Answer me. I grafted you into the tree of my chosen Israel, and you turned on them with persecution and mass murder. I made you joint heirs with them of my covenants but you made them scapegoats for your own guilt, and you have prepared a cross for your Savior. Lord, have mercy. AndGodis.Merciful.GoodFridayisa gooddaytorememberthatGodismerciful. AndifGodis,shallwenotalsobe? SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER X 4 James Lewin ontheStateofJournalism Claire Stuart J amesLewin’sintroductionto Shepherdstownin1995was unforgettable.Hecamefrom Chicagotoapplyforapositionin theEnglishdepartmentatShepherd College(nowUniversity).Hewas invitedforacampusvisit,andwas requiredtoputonademonstration class. Aroomwasbookedforhimat theBavarianInn.Hisdemonstrationwasscheduledfor8a.m.,and atabout7,theelectricityinhis roomsuddenlywentout.Thechalet roomsallopentotheoutdoors,and hepoppedoutsideinhisunderwear toseeifallofthelightswereoff.“I heardaclick,”hesaid.“Thedoorhad closed,andIwaslockedout.Ifelt likeIwasinaThreeStoogesmovie!” Hestillclearlyrecallsrunning downthecobblestonewalkinhis underweartofindsomeonetolet himbackintohisroom.Fortunately, hewassuccessfulandmadeittohis demonstrationontime.Heisnowa professorofEnglish,coordinatorof thejournalismminorandadvisorto ShepherdUniversity’snewspaper,The Picket. Lewinnotesthatjustoneinthree peoplewithadoctorateinEnglish landsatenure-trackposition.“Others endupinlow-endemploymentsuch asadjuncts.You’regoingupagainst graduatesofplaceslikeHarvard.” HewashiredatShepherdwhen theacademicjobmarketwas“worse thanbeinginawarzoneordriving acabatnightinChicago,”bothof whichhehadpersonallyexperienced. Endlessresuméshadtobecrafted individuallybecausetherewerevery specificqualificationsforeachopening.Sendingthemoutwaslike“sendingoutnotesinabottlefromadesert islandandhopingsomeonewould readthem.”HecreditshisemploymenttohiscombinationofadissertationonShakespeareandhisextensive journalismbackground. Aftergraduatingfromcollegein 1967withanEnglishdegree,Lewin droveataxiinChicago,writingstoriesabouthisexperiences,thenwent ontobecomeafreelancejournalist. HetraveledthroughMexico,Europe, Asia,andtheMiddleEast.Duringa stopinIsraelin1973,hewitnessed theYomKippurWar,whenEgypt andSyriaattackedIsrael.Helivedin Israelfrom1976to1983,teaching Englishandwritingformagazines. Hereportedonthe1982invasion ofLebanonbyIsrael,doingarticles fromsouthernLebanonandBeirut. “Afterthat,”hesaid,“Irealized thatitwasnoworneverifIwanted togobacktogradschool.Awise manoncesaidthatoneofthefew goodthingsaboutwaristhatitmakes peoplerealizethatourlifeislimited. Ireturnedtoacademiain1983.” Lookingatthejobmarket fortoday’sstudentswhohopefor careersinjournalism,Lewinsaysit isthehardesthehaseverseen.He explainedthatjournalismatShepherd isaminor,notamajor,andthatonly asmallpercentofhisstudentsactuallywanttobejournalists.Most combinejournalismwithanother disciplineandplantogoinadifferentdirection.Journalism,withits emphasisonfact-findingandwriting, isausefulcomplementtomanyother majors,includingenvironmentalscience,history,psychology,sociology, andpoliticalscience. Tenyearsago,astudentwho studiedEnglishandjournalism,could countongettingabeginningjobin journalism,usuallywithasmall-town newspaper,whichcouldleadtoabetterjob.Nowhewondersifanybody hasanyideawhatthefutureholdsfor journalists. Newspapershaveshotthemselves inthefoot,heopined,astheystrive foracertainprofitmargin.Theyhave jettisonedtheirexperiencedveteran reporters,offeringbuyouts,keepingthelower-paid,inexperienced reporters.Theyhavegivenawaytheir contentinordertostaycompetitive ontheInternet,sonobodyisbuying thenewspapers.Hebelievestheywill havetostartchargingforInternet content. “They’redownsizingnewsrooms, andveteranjournalistsarelosing theirjobs—andstudentshavetocompetewiththemforthefewjobsthat areleft,”hesaid.“Studentsaretaking GOODNEWSPAPER•SPRING 2010 unpaidinternships.Theonlyhopefor thefutureisthattheycancreatetheir ownmultimediablogsandWebsites, buttheyhavetofigureouthowto makethemeconomicallyviable.Now, everybodyisafreelancer.” Lewinobservedthatitistoo earlytoknowwherethisisgoingand whetherprintjournalismhashitbottom.“Threeyearsago,somegraduatesweregettingjobs,”hesaid.“Two yearsago,mostofthemwereliving intheirparents’basements.” Lewinseesthecollapseofprint journalismasadangermuchmore seriousthanadepressedjobmarket andseesitaffecting“thesocialfabric ofdemocracy.” Hewentontosay,“Thereisno solidreportage.Theblogosphereis simplyopinions.Whowillhireinvestigativereporters?Thatdependsonan economicbaseandeditorialsupervision.Whoisgoingtoattendthetown hallmeetingsandtellpeoplewhat’s goingon?Whoisgoingtoexpose corruption?” Studentstodaydohavethepossibilityofanewkindofapproach tocareers,Lewinbelieves,planning onnotone,butaseriesofcareers. Helikenedittothe1960sapproach. “Theycanvolunteer,gotoforeign countriestoteachEnglish,joinTeach forAmerica,tryanumberofdifferent things.Theycanmakedifficulttimes anopportunity.Theydon’thaveto followconventionalroutes.Theycan createnewpathways.” Lewinisfamiliarwiththatpath. Hewasoutofacademiafor16years. “Iwouldn’twanttodoitoveragain, butIlookonitasformative,”hesaid. “Inevercouldbehappyworkingnine tofive,dreadingthebeginningofthe workweek.” Heloveshisworkandsays,“I alwayslookforwardtothebeginningofanewsemester.”However, heisincreasinglyconcernedabout studentscomingintocollegewithno realfoundation.Whenaskedwhat hewouldlikeincomingfreshmen toknow,hereplied.“I’dlikethem toknowhowtowriteacoherent personalessay,grammaticallycorrect.I’dlikethemtoknowAmerican PHOTO BY RUTH WEESE James Lewin, professor of English at Shepherd University history—I’dlikethemtoknow thattherewasaVietnamWarand aPeloponnesianWarandthatthe PeloponnesianWarcamefirst!” Hedoesfeelthatthefreshmen tryhardanddomakereasonable progress.“Theyareinacognitive stagewheretheyhavecometorealize thattheycanthinkforthemselves,” hesaid. Lewiniscurrentlyteaching BritishLiteraturefromBeowulfto Milton,andLiteraryStudy,afoundationcourseforEnglishmajorscoveringcontemporaryliteraturetheory andhowtoapplyittothestudyof literature.Healsoteachesmagazine writingandapracticumforThe Picket. Hehasanabidinglovefor Shakespeareandbelievesthatthe bardhadatimelessunderstandingof thehumanconditionthatcanbeused toillustratemodernsituationsand dilemmas.Heiscurrentlywritinga paperon“Hamletfromapost-911 perspective.”Incontemporaryfilms basedonShakespeare’sworks,he observed,“Hamletisusuallyseen inaFreudianoreroticmanner.Iam seeingHamletasatricksterwitha senseofconscience.Howdoyou respondtoinjustice?What’stheright waytofightback?” Claire Stuart has been writing for the GOOD NEWS PAPER for sheforgets-how-long and is happy that she is not looking for employment in journalism. 5 Local Color THEARTOFTRANSFORMATION O nalovelywhiteandsnowy day,Iwasgivenarareand uniqueopportunity.Iwas invitedintoacaveofsplendorfor someteaandconversationwith WayneSkinner.Ihadbeentoseveral ofhisartopeningsattheAIIAgallery(nowTheBridgeGallery),and wasalwaysimpressedwiththestyle oftheplaceandhisexcellenteyefor art.Iwasunawarejusthowmuchhis lifehadshapedmyexperienceswith bothShepherdstownandShepherd University. Skinnergrewupinasmalltown inPennsylvaniaandreceivedamaster’s degreeinfineartinhisearly20s.He tookajobatShepherdCollegein1963 asthesoleartprofessor,withasingle classroom.Hemovedintoasmall bungalowandbuiltakilnbehinditso hecouldcontinuehispersonalartwork whilehetaughtasmallgroupofstudentsdrawing,painting,sculpture,and arthistory. Bythesecondyear,heexpanded theprogramtoincludeasecond teacher,GaryMoreland,andasecond classroom.Inhissixthyear,aschairmanoftheartsdepartment,hegained theentiregroundfloorofKnuttiHall, aswellasalargelectureroomonthe secondfloor,andsecuredtheservices ofathirdprofessor. Duringtheseyears,hewasalso cultivatinghiscareerinartpottery,throwingandfiringpotsout oftheEasternMarketbuildingin Washington,D.C.Hehadapottery galleryinHarpersFerryandanother on8thandPennsylvaniainD.C.He keptasmallapartmentonConstitution Avenueandcommutedquiteabit.At thisjuncture,ShepherdwasencouragingSkinnertopursueadoctorateof fineart,whilehethoughtthathecould teachhisstudentsfarmorebycontinuingtopursuehisowncareerintheart world.Hedecidedtopartwayswith thecollege,buthecouldn’tbringhimselftopartwiththetown. Hedescribedthecamaraderie ofthecommunityinthelate’60s andearly’70s,andIrecognizedthe townofmychildhood.Downtown Shepherdstownwasn’talwaysgift shopsandrestaurants.Peoplelived inmanyofthehousesthathavesince beenconvertedtocommercialspaces, Christopher Robinson andthebusinessesdowntownwere moreaboutnecessitythanvariety: grocery,autopartsanddrugstores. Studentslivedabovemostofthebusinessesandinoldtenantfarmhouses surroundingthetown.Sociallife revolvedaroundhouseanddinnerpartiesandlessaroundbars,althoughbars alwayshadaparttoplayinthistown. Inthelate’60s,thebar-to-be-in wascalledFerryHill.Perchedprecariouslyonahillacrosstheriver fromShepherdstown,itaffordedan unmatchedviewofthePotomac.A favoritehangoutforprofessorsanddiscerningstudents,itwasaplaceapart fromtherough-and-tumblepoolhallor theraucouscollegebeerbar.Skinner enjoyedafewbrewsthere,buthewas quitemovedonedaywhenheinvited oneofhisassistantsforabeer,andthe manwasrefusedservicebecauseof hisethnicity.ThisconvincedSkinner tomakeafewcallsandremedythe situation;afterwardanyonecouldgeta drinkthere. AfterleavingShepherd,Skinner boughttheoldpostofficebuilding downtown.Hecommutedfromhis D.C.apartmentseveraldaysaweekto workonitsrestoration.Hehadakiln behindthebuildingandwouldoften stayupallnight,sippingbeerandtalkingwiththevariousdenizensofthe town,whileheadjustedthefiringtemperatures. In1978,afterFerryHillwas boughtoutbytheParkService,he realizedtherewasaneedforanopenminded,welcomingwateringholein town,sohebuiltabarinhisoldpost office.Hehand-madethebarfrom somewainscotingfromanoldshop thatfortuitouslyevenhadalargebrass footrailjusttheperfectlength.He alsolaidthetiletopofthebar.The acousticscreatedbythestampedtin wallsandceilingweresogoodthat hebroughthisstereoinandspenttwo weekspaintingtheceilingwithasixinchbrush,listeningtonothingbutThe Doors. ThePennyPostcard,nowthe MecklenburgInn,wasahugesuccess, andonecouldfindallwalksoflife sippingthecoldest(andonly)draftin town.Students,professors,tradesmen, andpolicemenwouldslingwittybanter overthemixtapesthatSkinnerplayed. Hereceivedpostcardsfromaround theworldashisfriendsandcustomerstraveled.Thebarhasbeenopen forover30yearsandistrulyoneof Skinner’slegacies. Thisperiodalsospawnedoneof hisotherlegacies,perhapsalittlebittersweet,butnecessaryatthetime nonetheless.ShepherdCollegedecided itneededanewmaintenancebuilding. Itdecidedtobulldozeoneofitsold staffdormitoriestobuildone.Theonly problemwasthatitalsohappenedtobe thehistoricallysignificantEnterHotel. Skinner,wholovedtheold architectureandpersonalityof Shepherdstown,gottogetherwithhis friendsandneighborsandmadeup afewflyerstostopthedemolition. Thisdrivewascaughtuplikefirein thewindandhadthewholetownin anuproar.Aftermanymeetingsand hearings,itwasdecidedthattheonly waytostopanyonefromtearingdown historicpropertieswouldbebyimplementingzoning.ThisledSkinnerto hisnine-yeartenureontheplanning andzoningcommittee.Henowsays hewishestheyhadthoughtthrough thewholezoningthingabitmore. HowevertheEntlerstillstands. Skinnertendstomovehislifein cycles,followingthewhimsofhissoul andartlikeanomadfollowingasacred herdofbeasts.Hehadspentalong timeworkingwithstudents,customers,politicians,andfriends.Hesold thePostcard,decidingitwastimefor alittlerestandrelaxation.Hebought IslandGreenFarmin1986.Hespent hisdaysdrawing,gardening,andbiking20to30milesaday. Afteraboutsevenyears,theitch forchangegrabbedhimagain. Hesoldthefarm andboughtahouse intown.Hewent intobusinesswitha colleagueandrenovatedanoldgarage ontheedgeoftown (AIIA—Antiques toArt).Afterafew yearsplayingaround withantiques,it becameclearthat Skinnerwasmuch moreintorunning Wayne Skinner thegallerythanhis partnerwas.Hesoldhishouseintown tobuyoutthebusiness,focusingon curatinghisownshowsandfeaturing localartists.Hisshowswerealways excellent,displayingfineprintson variedsubjectsandtimeperiodsfrom aroundtheworld. NowSkinnerhaspassedonmanagementofthegalleryanddedicated himselftopersonaltransformationin his“retirement.”Firsthetransformed hisspace,onceadrabtall-ceilinged garageinthebackofthegallery,into whatisnowalavish,splendid,and mysterioussuitecoveredwalltowallin inlaidhardwoodsandmyriaddrawings andbooks.Itisamixtureoftherugged andthefinethatstrikesaharmonious balance,andhehasspentyearsfinetuningeverysurfaceintoitsownwork ofart. Nowthathisspaceisperfect,he hasdecidedtoworkonhismind.He threwouthistelevision,lockeduphis computer,andallowshimselfonly finemusicandgreatbooks.Hehopes hehasanother20yearstostudyand reflect,perhapswrite10or20novels! Iwishhimthebestandthankhim forallowingmeintohisworldfora shorttime. Christopher Robinson is a local farmer who happens to write a bit and make some art. He can usually be found lollygagging at the Lost Dog, telling tall tales or slumming it at the farmers market, listening to the sweet, sweet bluegrass. PHOTO BY CHRiSTOPHER ROBiNSON SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER 6 Maria’s Taqueria She’s Here for the Locals PHOTOS BY RUTH WEESE Maria Allen S heisn’taLatina,andsheonlyspeaksalittle Spanish,whichatfirstsurprisesthemany Mexicans,Guatemalans,andothersfromsouth oftheborderwhocomeinforatasteofhome.After all,hernameisMaria,anditisataqueria.“They expectSpanish,”shelaughed. MariaAllenistheownerand“chiefcookand bottlewasher”ofMaria’sTaqueriaonGermanStreet, whichsherunswithsomehelpfromherfriends.This enterprisingyoungwomanwithapassionforfood openedhertinyrestaurantinJune2009immediately aftershegraduatedfromShepherdUniversity. OriginallyfromTyson’sCorner,Va.,Allencameto ShepherdUniversity,whereshemajoredinfinearts. Onethingshefoundlackingintownwasaplaceto findLatinfood,andshemissedit.“Youcouldfinda LatinrestaurantoneverycornerinNorthernVirginia,” shesaid. AllenhasaloveforLatinfoodandculture,havingspentagreatdealoftimeexploringMexico,Costa Rica,Panama,andNicaragua. “Myfamilywantedustoexperiencedifferentcultures,”shesaid,“andtheytookustraveling.”Shealso spentthreemonthsasanexchangestudentand“just traveling”inLatinAmerica. Maria’sTaqueriaistiny,withasingletableand chairsandasmallcounterwithafewstools,butitdoes abriskcarryoutbusiness.Themenuissimple,and Allenservestheexpectedtacos,burritos,andnachos, withherownspecialflourishes. “It’snotauthenticLatinfood,”shesays,describingitmoreas“Mexican–SouthernCalifornia–inspired food.” Aninterestingtouchintherestaurantisthecustomers’menublackboardonthewall.Customerswho havetheirownpersonalfavoritecombinationsoffood canwritetheirmenusontheboard,andpatronsmay orderfromthatboardaswellasfromtheregularmenu. GOODNEWSPAPER•SPRING 2010 Claire Stuart Eachtimesomeoneordersacustomer’sfavorite fromtheboard,Allenmakesatallymark.Attheend ofthemonth,thepersonalmenuthathasbeenordered mostfrequentlyisdeclaredthewinner.Thatcombinationisnamedafterthecustomer.Itispostedaspartof theregularmenufortherestoftheyear,andthewinner getsafreethree-tacomeal.Thentheboardiserased andthecompetitionbeginsagain. “Wemaychooseagrandwinnerattheendofthe year,”saidAllen. “Ihaven’tdecidedyetwhatI’mgoingtodo.” Therestaurantbusinessmightseemastrange choiceforanartist.AllenworkedinceramicsandpotteryandtaughtceramicsinFairfax.“Istillhavemy studioinmyparents’house,”shesaid,“butIhaven’t hadtimetoworkinitlately.” Surprisingly,shedoesnothaveanyofherpottery ondisplayintherestaurant.“I’dthoughtaboutit,”she said,butshedecidedagainstit.“Ionlywanttosellone thingatatime!” Shedoesnotfindanythingunusualinanartistbecomingacook,andshefindsitquitenaturalto beboth.Shethinksofthemasequallycreativepursuits.“Foodandartareverycloselyconnected,”she declared.“Theyarebothtelltalesignsofaculture.” Shesaysthatalthoughshehasapassionforart, herpassionforfoodisgreater.Andtherearethesimple economics.Sheiswellawareofthefactthatthereare practicallynojobsinartunlessartistscansomehow createtheirownjobs.Sinceeveryonemusteat,itis morefeasibletocreateone’sownjobintheworldof food. Allensaysthatshealwaysrealizedthatanine-tofivejobwasnotforher.“Icouldneverseemyselfinan office,”shedeclared.Shehad workedinrestaurantsandsawa nicheinShepherdstownthatshe believedshecouldfill. Maria’sTaqueriaprides itselfonprovidinghighqualityandquantityataffordable prices.Allenobservedthatmost oftherestaurantsintowncater totouristsfromWashingtonand arepricedabovethecomfortable budgetsoflocalsandShepherd Universitystudents. “There’slotsofhigh-end foodbutlittlethatthekidsand localscanafford.I’mgiving themacheaperoption.People wholivehereneedtoeat,too. Andthisconnectsthetownand thestudents.” Allenusesthebest,freshest,andhealthiestingredients shecanfind,usinglocalvegetableswhenpossible.“Someofthevegetablescome frommyparents’farminPurcellville,”shesaid,“andI usethebeefwiththelowestfatcontent.IusePatuxent chicken—itdoesn’tcomefromclearacrossthecountry.” Askedwhatsheenjoyscookingthemost,Allen namedsomethingthatisnotonherrestaurantmenu. Shelovestocookbarbecue.“That’swhatIoriginally wantedtodo,”shesaid.“Mymomwasasoutherngirl, andbarbecueisinmyblood.” Butshelookedatwhatwasfeasible,andhertaqueriaseemedmorelikelytosucceed.“Butwhoknows?” shemused.“MaybesomedayI’llhaveabarbecuerestaurant.” That’snottosaythatshedoesn’tenjoycookingfor herrestaurantaswell.Themenuitemshemostlovesto cookisherporkcarnetas—pilesofpork,guacamole, andpicodegallowithchipsfordipping.“I’mvery proudofthem,”shesaid.“Theporkisslow-cookedfor sixhoursandspicedperfectly.It’snowourbestseller.” Althoughsheisputtinginmorehoursthananineto-fiver,workingsixdaysaweekfrom11a.m.to8 p.m.,Allenishappytobedoingwhatshewantstodo. Shebelievesthatitmademoresensetostayinaplace wheresheishappythantomoveawayanddosomethingshehates. “Youshouldlookatwhatyoucandoinyourcommunityinsteadoflookingawaytothecity,”shesaid. “Peopleshoulddowhattheyliketodo.Smallbusinessescanbetheanswertotheeconomicproblems.” Sincemuchofherbusinesscomesfromthestudentpopulation,shehasn’tnoticedtheeffectsofthe recession.And,ofcourse,sinceshehasbeeninbusinesslessthanayear,shereallyhasnobasisforcomparison. “Myproductisrecessionfriendly,”shelaughed, “becauseIopenedduringtherecession.So,ithasto getbetter!” Maria (second from right) and her staff at Maria’s Taqueria on German Street 7 The Best of Both Worlds Christopher Robinson PHOTOS PROViDED BY KRZYSZTOS JURCZYNSKi Krzysztos Jurczynski and his daughter A fewmonthsago,Ibeganhearinganoddaccentcropupin thecoffeeshopsandbarsof ourfairtown.Thisaccentwasalways accompaniedbylaughter.Althoughit soundedcoarseatfirst,Isoonrealized thattheaccentwaswieldedasarapier ofwitattimesandachocolateboxof slycomplimentsatothers.Isoongotto meettheownerofthataccent,Krzysztos Jurczynski,ananimatedmanwithalarge frame.WhenIfoundouthewasthenew sculptureteacheratthecollege,Iinvited himuptothelittlebarinmyhousefora fewdrinksandalotofconversation. Jurczynski,afteralongandwindingjourney,endedupcomingto ShepherdstowninMayof2009.Hehad beenhiredtodosomefreelancerestorationforalocalartcollector.However, thejobdidn’tlastnearlyaslongashe thought,andhewassoonlookingfor work.Wordspreadabouttown,andhe metthefacultyatShepherd.Hewassoon teachingafewclassesandhasrecently foundasmallhousetorent.Hereally enjoysourtownandhopestobeableto makeitapermanentresidence. Wedelvedintohispast,andit’s quiteanastonishingtale.Hegrewup inPoland,andasachildhehadbeen verykeenonmathandphysics.Hesaw himselfstudyingtobeascientistandat 14hadbeengivenasemi-prochildren’s contracttotrainwithasoccerteam.Out inleftfield,hereceivedaseriousknee injuryandwasforcedtospendmany monthsinahospital.Whilethere,hehad verylittletooccupyhistime,sohespent longhoursdrawingandpainting. Hebecameenamoredwithcreating artwork,andalthoughhehadauniver- sityplacementin ascienceschool, heshockedhis parentsbychangingtoanartconcentration.The familywasquite consternated,but hehadoneuncle whostoodbyhim andsupported hisdecision.He hadtospenda fullyearrefining histechniqueand preparingforthe rigorousandcompetitiveartexams thatwereheldin Poland.Therewere alwaysthousandsofapplicants,andonly 200wereallowedtoenterportfolios. Ofthose,only50wereallowedtakethe threedaysofrigorouspracticalexams. Hewasacceptedintothefive-yearhighly classicalsculptureprogram.Thiswas quiteanaccomplishment,sincethere havebeenlessthan5,500graduatesof theschool,ever. Theprogramconsistedof45hours ofsculptureclassesaweek:oneyear ofstone,oneyearofmetal,oneyearof wood,andoneyearofrestorationand preservation.Inthefifthyear,onecould focusfullyonone’sowncreativeendeavors.Inhisfreetime(thelittlehehad), Jurczynskiwoulddoartrestorationto makesomespendingmoney.Hegreatly respectedhisteachersandstillconsiders themtobeamonghisfavoriteartists.In hissecondyearofschool,hemetand marriedhiswifeGina,ahorticulturalist. Thefirstjobhereceivedoutof schoolwasalargeundertaking:therestorationofthestoneworkonamassiveold Polishpalace.Hewasconfidentaboutit andtookeightofhisfriendstowhipout thework.Theywerefacedwithcreating hundredsofperfectstoneblocksoutof rawboulders.Theirfirstattempttomake oneblocktookthemovertwodays. Quitefrustratedandfacingeminent financialdoomwithashortdeadline, hecontactedalocalfuneralmason.A stoopedlittleoldmanwithgnarledfingersshowedupandstaredatoneofthe rocksforawhile,thenstartedinonitand wasabletoshapeitperfectlyinafew hours.Themasonstayedandhelpedtrain Jurczynskiandhisteamfortwomonths. Thejobwassuccessfullycompleted,and therawedgeofJurczynski’sartisticpride hadreceivedamuch-neededtempering. Inthefollowingyears,hebecame veryactiveinthecommunity,doing commissionedworkandtutoringup-andcomingartists.Hehadworkinsome showsandgalleriesinKrakow,andin 1990,aPolishcollectorwhohadopened agalleryinAlexandria,Va.,offeredhim ashow.Hereceivedathree-monthtouristvisatocometotheStatesandputup theshow.Ametalworkingagentwho subcontractedwiththeSmithsonianwas impressedbythequalityofJurczynski’s workandofferedhimajobonthespot. Threemonthslater,hehadagreencard andwasworkingonvenuesalloverthe mid-Atlantic.HeworkedonGunston Hall,Woodlawn,PlantationDel,andhe helpedtorestorethemassivegatesfor theNationalArchives. Chompingatthebittobeoutandon hisown,hesawanadinasculpturemagazine.HemovedoutwesttoworkfreelancemakingenlargementsofEgyptian sculptures.Atthefoundrywherehewas working,severalpeopleadmiredthe qualityofhiscraft.Hesoonreceived acalltohelpoutatthefoundryofthe AcademyofArtinSanFrancisco.He washiredtoteachsculptureandmoldmakingfulltime.Heboughtahousein Monterey,andhiswifewasabletofind workinoneofthemanysophisticated nurseries. Afteracoupleofyears,hetired oftheCaliforniasunandwashappy tosecureacontractteachingcasting andrunningthefoundryatMaryland University.Healsobegantoteachafew drawingclassesatMarylandInstitute CollegeofArt(MICA).Duringthattime, hewaslivinginArlington,Va.,andhis mildinterestinplayingbridgegrewto moreofanobsession.Hequicklybecame aninternationalchampionbridgeplayer. Betweenmakinghisownwork,teachingattwocolleges,andplayingbridge almosteveryweekend,hespentless timewithhisfamily,andheandhiswife partedways. HemovedtoBaltimoreandtooka jobatahighschoolthatofferedmore regularpayandbenefits,totryand gethislifebackontoanevenkeel.He boughtarowhouseandtaughtsome drawingclassesintheeveningatMICA tokeepinpracticeandevenranalive drawinggroupforanyonetojoin.Hemet abrilliantyoungartistatthistimeand felldeeplyinlove,forafewyearsliving inasortofurbanbohemianparadise.As weallknow,greattimesrarelylastfor- ever.Hisyoungmuseleft,andhefound himselfheartbrokenandanxiousfora change. Outoftheblue,Jurczynskireceived aphonecall.Therewasanopeningin Miami;theyneededsomeonetobecome therankingprofessorindrawingfora magnethighschoolforadvancedplacementstudents.Lookingforwardtosome funinthesunandachangeofpace,he packedhisbagsandwentsouth.Inshort order,however,hediscoveredthatMiami wasjustnothiskindoftown.Quickly lookingforawayout,hereceivedacall fromanartcollectorinWestVirginia whoneededsomeworkdone.Andthat bringsusfullcircle. Henowismakinghishomein Shepherdstown,whichheconsidersan eclecticandslightlyEuropeancommunity.Toquotehim,“Iamquiteawelltraveledpersonwithnotabadeducation, yetIfindmyselffeelingsmallinthis town.” Sculpture “Kaya” SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER 8 GSIVC Welcomes New Director Sue Kennedy No matter what our walk of life, it is ours to listen deeply, to tend to the tasks that have been given us, to care for those near, to recognize and respect the divinity and value of the other. —MichaelDowney W henNancyHockensmith diedlastSeptember,sheleft ahugeholeintheheartof Shepherdstown,notonlybecauseshe hadalegionoffriendsbutalsobecause ofherwork.ProfessorHockensmithhad movedonfromherlifeinacademiato put“faithinaction”astheexecutive directorofGoodShepherdInterfaith VolunteerCaregivers(GSIVC)in2000. Fornineyears,shewasatthehelmof oneofthemostvaluableorganizations inanycounty.Thecommunityfeltgreat sorrowwhenNancyleft,andhadmany questions.Themostpoignantandfrequentwas,“WhatisCaregiversever goingtodowithoutNancy?” Unquestionablyherswerebig shoestofilland,aftermanymonthsof theGSIVCBoard’sexhaustivesearch,it happened.PaulaMarrone-Reesebecame theexecutivedirectorofGSIVCon January4. GoodShepherdInterfaithVolunteer Caregiverswasfoundedasa501(c) 3in1990.Agroupofchurches,the ShepherdstownRotaryClub,andmany caringindividualscametogetherto promoteandprovideindependence, dignity,security,andqualityoflifefor theelderly,thehomebound,andpeople withdisabilitiesthroughoutJefferson County.ThoughGSIVChasgrownover thepast20years,theheartofthemission remainsconstant:“faithinaction.” TodayGSIVCreceiveseducational resourcesandtechnicalsupportfrom theNationalFaithinActionProgram, fundingfromfaithorganizations,communitymembers,civicorganizations, andfoundations.Itisamemberagency ofTheUnitedWayoftheEastern Panhandleand,inaddition,workswith 18healthandsocialserviceagencies withintheregion. WhenGSIVCwasfirstestablished, theboardofdirectorsappointedDonna Acquavivaasexecutivedirector.Donna servedforsevenyears,andthenRandi Nordeencameonboardandserveduntil 2000.ThenitwasNancy. PaulaMarrone-Reese,NewJersey native,long-timeWestVirginiaresident, proudmotherofthree(Kevin,Kris,and Matthew),ecstaticgrandmotherofthree (KevinandMelissa’sMelanie,Maleah, andKylie)livesonComstockRoad with“theverysupportive”Kevin Marrone-Reese.Mr.Marrone-Reeseis aninformationtechnologyexpertwith AmericanPublicUniversity. “TheminuteIheardaboutthis opportunityIknewitwasforme.” saidMarrone-Reeseonaverybusy dayattheCaregiversofficeonSouth PrincessStreet.“I’mthrilledtohave beenchosen.” Herbackgroundandeducationspan nonprofitmanagement,organizational leadership,development,andteaching. Sheisalsoalivelyandgood-natured leaderwhocan’tgiveenoughpraiseto hercolleagues,KellyDuncan,Angie Hill,andNancyMarmorella.“There aresomanywhomakeCaregiversrun successfully—volunteers,consultants— I’mveryfortunate,”shesays.Shedid, though,admitthattheboardistheforce behinditall.“Thesepeopleareso dedicatedtothemission,socommitted tomakingitworkandeveryoneofthem isadynamicforce.” PresidentDanRowzieleadsthe boardof25regularandassociatemembers.Somepeopleconsider“services” justaword,”saidthenewexecutive director.“NotthisBoard.I’vebeenin thenonprofitworldmostofmylifeand inleadershipformorethan15yearsand I’veneverworkedwithaboardsocaring. Theyallappreciatetheirownlivesand arededicatedtomakingitpossiblefor otherstodothesame.” Volunteerismiswhatmakes Caregiverstheorganizationitis.Right now,thereare300communitycitizens givingoftheirtimeandcommitment toservinglessfortunatecitizensof JeffersonCounty.Accordingtorecords, asmanyas600servicesareprovided byGSIVCvolunteerseachmonth.This delightsMarrone-Reese.“Volunteers formrelationships—acircleforreachingout:volunteers,board,churches, GOODNEWSPAPER•SPRING 2010 PHOTO BY RUTH WEESE Paula Marrone-Reese, executive director of GSIVC receivers,ShepherdUniversity,investors—acommunitywithinacommunity. They’rebuildinganetwork,andnetworkingisthebestwaytogetamission accomplished.” Therearemanywaystovolunteer atCaregivers,“Transportationisso important.Gettingsomeonetoadoctor’s appointmentoranyappointmentwhen theycan’tdoitforthemselvesrelieves unduestressandanxietywherethereis alreadymorethanenough.Manyofour recipientsneedregulartransportationto dialysisandchemotherapytreatments. HavingCaregiverstocountonforaride meanslifetothem.” Marrone-Reeseemphasized“We needanyandallpeopleasvolunteers. Fromschoolchildrentoseniors,all canhelpprovideservices,whetherit’s cooking,visiting,helpingoutinthe office,shopping,orhelpingwitha fundraisingevent.Everyonehas somethingtooffer.Weprovideservices regardlessofincomeorfamilycircumstances.Moneyshouldn’tdictateresults inessentialneedsofourcitizens,so fundraisingisalwaysawaytovolunteer. Providingcaregivesthegreatestsatisfaction.Therewardsareoutrageous.Iwant anyonetofeelfreetocomeinandtalk withme.Whethertheyneedservicesor havequestionsaboutvolunteering,I’ll alwayshavetimetotalk.” Marrone-ReesesaidofNancy Hockensmith“Thiswasawomanwho cared;shewasbrilliantanddedicated andshecared.IknowImustlistenand useNancy’swisdom.She’saninspiration tome.” Marrone-Reese’stopprioritynowis tobringmorecommunityunderthetent, asvolunteersandasrecipients.“GSIVC isasuccessfulnonprofitorganization doinganenormousamountofgood,but themorewedo,there’smorethatneeds doing.” Withthiscompassionate,dynamic womanasexecutivedirector,themuscle ofacaringcommunity,averydedicated boardandalotoffaith,thegoodwork ofGSIVCisinforabigincrease. Formoreinformationvisitwww. gsivc.org,[email protected],or, betteryet,takeMarrone-Reeseuponher offer:“Callusandcomeinforavisit. I’llalwayshavetimetotalkwithyou.” (304)876-3325;M–F8a.m.til4p.m. 9 TheEntlerHotelSharpensItsOriginalFocus Wendy Mopsik PHOTOS BY WENDY MOPSiK Shepherdstown Visitors Center is now strategically located on German Street T hemetamorphosisfromitsbeginningsasaprivatehome,intoa first-rateinn,thenaShepherd Collegedormitoryandlaterfacultyhousing,endedwiththeEntlerHotelservingasahumblestoragewarehouse.In 1972,whenthecollegerecommendeda plantocreateaparkinglotanddemolishthehistoricbuildingthatisactually fiveseparatestructures,thetownspeople ralliedandcollected500signaturesin protest.Theirheroiceffortresultedinan injunctionhaltingdemolitionandledto theeventualsaleofthebuildingtothe CorporationofShepherdstownforthe priceofonedollar. Thetaskofpreservation,restoration,andmaintenancefelltotheHistoric ShepherdstownCommission(HSC), anentitycreatedin1958byseveral concernedcitizens.Theirideawasto formalizeatownbeautificationeffort anddeveloptheareaasatouristdestination.Theseforward-thinkingmenand womenstatedtheirgoalsclearly.They soughttocleanupthetownandcreate acommunityimage;restorebuildings; produceatourismbrochureandpostcard; extendRiverRoadfromHarpersFerry toShepherdstownandontoAntietam Battlefield;andpushforazoningplan. WithouttheforesightofChairman FrankTrump,Jr.,ViceChairman ArthurPrather,SecretaryLinnieSchley, andTreasurerC.FrankLyne,the ShepherdstownoftodayandtheEntler Hotelmighthaveaverydifferentlook. Witha30-yearleaseandtheproviso thatthebuildingbeusedforeducational andcommunitypurposes,theHistoric ShepherdstownCommissionbecame“the stewardsofthestructure.”Administrator CynthiaSchottexplained,“Ourpurpose hasalwaysbeentosafeguardtheoriginal missionofthefounders.TheHistoric ShepherdstownMuseum,established undertheAmericanMuseumAssociation guidelinesandstandardsandhousedin theEntler,isanoutgrowthofthatvision callingforcommunityuseandpreservationoftownhistory.” Manyoftherenterswhooccupy spaceinthelandmarkbuildingarenotfor-profitorganizations.Twosuchgroups arewell-establishedtenants.Sincethe 1980s,theDaughtersoftheAmerican RevolutionandtheUnitedDaughters oftheConfederacyhavemaintained apresenceonthesecondfloorwhere theirarchivesarehoused.Friendsof theRiverfrontjoinedthemsometime in2004,alsoleasinganofficeupstairs. AdministrativeofficesfortheHSC andseveralothersmallofficesarealso locatedthere.Nowtoppingoffthelist ofnot-for-profitsaretwonewadditions thatpromisetobringvitalityandafresh focustothelocation. TheShepherdstownVisitorsCenter recentlymovedtotheMorganGallery locatedatthefrontcornerofthefirst floor,strategicallypositionedtobeseen bypassingresidentsandvisitors.With itsopenlayoutandwindowedexpanse, thecenter’sdirector,CherylKeyrouze, believesthenewlocationwillprovidean opportunityforthegrouptomoreeasily advanceitsmission.Statedsimply,that missionistoinvite,attract,andwelcome touriststoShepherdstownandprovide themandothervisitorswithhospitality andusefulinformation.“Thetown’scommunityisonlyasgoodasthenurturing thepeoplegiveit.Andthatcaringcomes fromvisitorsandresidentsalike,”maintainsKeyrouze.“Whenaplacetakeson thatspecialvitality,thosewholivethere orwhoarejustvisitingwanttobecome apartofit.”Keyrouzeproudlycitedthat peoplecometoShepherdstownfromall overtheworld.Herhopeistopromote localcommunityactivitiesaswellas localbusinessestoallwhocometotown. Severalnewdevelopmentswill alsohelpthecentergainvisibilityand momentum.Anewvolunteerpolicyhas beenintroducedthatincludestrainingin marketingstrategies,fieldtripstotown businesses,andanamechangedesignatingthosewhovolunteerasambassadors. Arecruitmentdriveishopingtoaddat least10newpeopletothecurrentrostersothecentercanfurtherexpandits services.TheShepherdUniversityconnectionhasrecentlybeenstrengthened withthenamingofHollyFrye,director ofStudentCommunityServices/ ServiceLearning,totheVisitors Centerboard.Someofthewaysthe Universitywillbecomeinvolved relatedirectlytoShepherdstudents.Thereisapossibilityfor thosestudyinginthebusiness andsocialsciencesdepartments topracticetheirskillsinwriting businessplansthatcanbeused Board members and volunteers gather in the new bytheVisitorsCenter.Students Shepherdstown Visitors Center location ingraphicdesignwillhavethe opportunitytoenhancethecenter’s natureofAHAanditsdesiretoreach currentWebsiteandcontinuetoexpand outinworkingwithothernot-for-profit itslinks.Theirworkcanalreadybeseen groupsinthebuildingandinthearea. inarecentcenterpublication.Othernew Currently,boardmemberandsecretary VisitorsCenterboardmembersareTom SuePellishhasvolunteeredtosetupthe Maiden,DougAlexander,MarcBriod, officeandhastakentheleadinsecurandLoisTurco. ingneededfurnitureandsuppliesforthe Additionalfeaturesthatwillfurther Shepherdstownspot. brandthenot-for-profitorganizationare Morethan30yearshavegoneby anewsletterandanewlogothatwillbe sincetheEntlerHotelcameunderthe usedbyboththeShepherdstownBusiness HistoricShepherdstownCommission’s AssociationandtheVisitorsCenter. stewardship.ThecarefullycraftedwordKeyrouzeenthusiasticallyvoicedher ingthatspecifiedbuildinguseandrestosupportofthemovetotheEntlerHotel rationhasbeenlovinglypreserved.Today saying“Ourgroupisaconstantlyevolvthedreamofthoseoriginalthinkershas ing,growingentity.Allthewonderful cometofruitionasthehistoricalbuilding volunteersandboardmembersarecomexpands,addinglikemindedtenantsdedimittedtothetownandmakeusastrong catedtocompatiblegoals.TheorganizapresenceonGermanStreet.” tionsandindividualswhorespectfully Thesecondnewtenantofthe usethehistoricbuilding’sinteriorsharea historicbuildingisAHA,theArts reverencefortheEntler’sstoryandmay andHumanitiesAllianceofJefferson findtheircommonalitiescontributingtoa County,whichwillofficiallyopenits greatergoal. Shepherdstownofficeinthespring. AlreadyestablishedintheCharlesTown areawithregularhostedexhibitsatthe Wendy Mopsik is a resident of FireHallGalleryintheVisitorsCenter, Shepherdstown and an enthusiastic AHAhopestoamplifyitsmessage supporter of German Street businesses. throughtheEntlerHotellocation.Paul This includes sweet treats, the museum, Pritchard,AHA’spresident,explained, artsy movies, boutique finds, vintage vino, “Wewanttobeaphysicalpresence one of-a-kind cards, and all those other throughoutJeffersonCountyandare specialties one can only buy there. pleasedtohavepartneredwiththelibrary inSummitPointaswell.TheGerman Streetspaceisanatural becauseShepherdstownis amajorfocalpointforthe county’sculturalactivities.” Acontributionfrom adonorinthecommunity enabledAHAtomakethat visionareality,atleastona short-termbasis.Thehope istosecurefundingfora long-termrelationshipatthe site.Sincethepublicagency mustbefrugalandefficient, Pritchardreiteratedthe importanceofcollaboration. Some of the Shepherdstown Visitors Center volunteers who Hestressedtheinclusive are soon to be called “ambassadors” SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER 10 “Namaste” Ellie Lloyd PHOTOS BY ELLiE LLOYD City of Udaipur India Gat e, Delhi “ IncredibleIndia,”thisdiversecountry’stravelslogan,saysitall.When mybestfriendaskedmetotravel toIndiawithheroverChristmasbreak, Iwasskepticalatfirst.Indiahasalways beenonmylistoftraveldestinations, butIwasn’tsureifIwantedtospend myone-monthofrelaxationbetween semestersbackpackingacrossforeign landswhereIknewthetoiletsandthe showerswerenotgoingtomakeme happy.Iwantedtostayhomeandvisit withfriends;Iwantedtospendmytime justdoingnothing.Intheend,Idecided Iwouldbeanidiotnottogo.Iboarded myplanethedayaftermylastfinal examination. ItwasnighttimewhenIlandedin Delhi,theswarmingcapitalofIndia, soasIlookeddownfrommytinywindow,Isawonlyablanketoflights.It wasalongjourneytogetthere;Iwas tiredandeagertoseeMolly(alsofrom Shepherdstown),whowouldbewaiting formeattheairport.Itwasyourclassicgreeting—aglimpseofeachother fromacrosstheroomandwebothstart runningtowardoneanother,armsoutstretched,untilfinallywemeetinahug asifithadbeenyearssincewesaweach other.(Ithad,infact,beenaboutfive days.)Westayedatafancyhoteloutside ofthemaintouristcentercalledThe BlueSapphire,whereMollyhadmade friendswiththeowner.Sowegotcheap beerandfreeInternet.Can’targuewith that.Thefollowingday,weventuredto themoretouristypartoftown,nearthe trainstation,tomeetMolly’ssisterand anotherfriendfromthePeaceCorps whocameintoDelhitotravelaround Indiawithus.Apackoffourtraveling girlsisnotoneI’dwanttomesswith. Wemademanyfriendsandavoided mostofthehorrorsoftravelthanksto safetyinnumbers. Indiaisacountryofgo-getters, theirfavoritephrasebeing“everything’s possibleinIndia!”Thisphrasetypically appliedtoanythingwetouristswere reluctanttodoandwasforgottenwhen weaskedthelocalstodosomething theydidn’tlike,suchasalowerpricefor ataxirideorsomethingwewerebuying atmarket.Nomatterthecircumstance, Indiansarealwaysbusy,busy,busy. Thatplasticbagyoumighthavethrown outearlierinthedayhasnodoubtbeen pairedwithanequallydiscardedtreasuretomakeasouveniryouwouldjust dietotakehome.Everylittlethingisa treasure.Theideathatanythingcanbe recreatedandsoldmakesthemarkets ofIndiaTHEplacetobe,ashopaholic’s paradise.Anythingyoucouldeverwant tobuy,youcanfindinthesestreetmarkets—andyoucanbargainfortheprice. Everythingissobrightlycolored,Idon’t seehowmyfriendsevergotmetoleave themarket.“Fivemoreminutes”would turnintohoursporingthroughshops, tryingondressesandjewels,marveling atlampsandrugs,playingwithwooden boxesandfigurines,andlaughingatthe amazingnumberofpipesandhookahs liningthewalls.Icouldspenddaysupon dayslazilyexaminingeachshop,makingfriendswiththeshopkeepersalong myway.Unfortunately,mytimeinIndia waslimitedtoonlyonemonth,soafter afewdaysofblissfulwandering,itwas timetomoveontothenextcity,andI’d havetostartallovermakingnewfriends withnewshopkeepersasIexplorednew treasures. Don’tletmefoolyou;Ididmanage toseemorethanjustthemarketstreets ofIndia.Wetraveledinaregionof IndiacalledRajasthan,leavingDelhito explorethecitiesofBikaner,Jaisalmer, Jodhpur,Udaipur,Pushkar,andAgra. Eachcityhaditsownhistory;it’sown environmenttoexplore.Weaccomplishedourtouristduties:visitingthe historicalfortsineachcity,payingto visitfamousbuildingsandtemples,ridingcamelsintothedesert.Butwealso managedtobearebelgroupofgirls— GOODNEWSPAPER•SPRING 2010 City of Jodpur Brahman B lessing Camel Safari Jewels 11 settingoffonhikingadventuresonourown, climbingrocks,feedingmonkeys,playing withthestreetchildren,eatingwiththelocals, andallsortsofotherthingsnormaltourists aren’tsupposedtodo. ThepeopleofIndiaarenotonlycrafty, butalsosomeofthenicestpeopleIhaveever met.Everyone,andImeanEVERYONE,said “Namaste”tous(Namastemeans“hello”). Awomancarryingahugebasketonherhead sawuswalkingby,andshedroppedherwork tocomeshakeourhandsandgreetus.While sightseeinginthecities,afewcourageous Indianswouldasktohavetheirpicturestaken withus.Eventuallyotherswouldcatchonand itwouldbea30-minutephotoshoot,withthe facesofIndianfamiliesrotatingasnewones walkedbytohavetheirphotostakenwithus. Womenplacedtheirhandsonmyshoulder andtheirbabiesinmylap.Strangerswould approachusonthestreets—aswedesperately attemptedtonavigatethemazeofstreets whiledodgingcars,bikes,autorickshaws, andholycows—andoffertopointusinthe rightdirection.Severaltimes,weinadvertently acquiredafreetourguidefortheafternoon. SomeyoungIndian,gladtohavethecompany offourAmericangirlsfortheday,wouldhappilydriveusaroundandshowusthesites. TheonerequirementIaskedofmy friendsforthistripwasthatIgettoseethe TajMahal.WhowouldtraveltoIndiaand passitby?ItwascoldandfoggyinAgra whenwearrived.Asweclimbedtotherooftoprestaurant,the“viewoftheTaj,”boasted byourhotelbecameonlyafairytale.Wecould Little Taj barelyseethebuildingnexttousthroughthe thickfogthatsettledoverthecity.Mydream ofthepicture-perfectoutingtotheTajwas dwindlingfast,andIwasfrustratedaswe walkedtotheentrancegate.Therewouldbe nosunrisetowatch,noperfectreflectionin thepool,nobrightandsunnypicturestaken thatday.Boy,wasIwrong.Yes,therewasno sun,anditwashardtotakeaclearphotofrom faraway.Butthesheermagnificenceofthe building,touchingthecoolmarblewithmy barehands,andmarvelingatthepainstakingly carvedstonesmakingupthefloraldetailof thebuilding,werefarmorepreciousthanany photoIcouldeverproduce. MytriptotheTajremindedme—nothingiseverasitseemswhenyoubeginwith expectations.Thelighttugonyourpant legandanoutstretchedarmisnotabeggar searchingformoney;it’sapersonwhoneedsa smile.Thechildrenrunningthestreets,trying tosellyouanythingtheycanandhopingfor moneyorabitofchocolatearejustchildren; treatthemlikechildren,chasethem,tickle them.Iguaranteetheylaughjustthesameas childrenathome.Streetfoodisnotscary.If therearelocalseatingthere,that’swherethe foodissafeandthecompanykind.Merchants aren’talwayspurposefullytryingtoripyou off;theywantyoutobargainwiththem.It’s theironeopportunitytohaveconversationand practicetheirEnglish.Iamthankfulforthese, andsomanymorelessonslearnedinmy month’sjauntaroundIndia,andIcan’twaitto seewherethewindwillblowmenext. Taj Flamingos at the ration Birthday Celeb Holy Cow Holy Rat Dinner Fe eding Monkeys SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER 12 Ar tworks Michael Davis ConnectingtoSoulswithOldWorldLuminance PHOTO BY NAN BROADHURST Nan Broadhurst PHOTOS SUPPLiED BY THE ARTiST Michael Davis M ichaelDavislovestopaint. Hededicateslonghourstothe creationofbeautifulandpeacefulgemsthatevokeresponsesofpeace andharmonyinhisviewers.Hisexpert knowledgeoftheoldmasters’techniques permeateshisworkwithexcellencethat evenanuntrainedeyecanrecognizeas amazing. DavisgrewupinGlendale,W.Va., andStephensCity,Va.Hisparentswere bothteachers,providingafertilelearningenvironment.Hisfatherwasahigh schoolartteacher,andalsodidcommissionedportraitsofpeopleanddogs. Hewasanexpertincoloredpencil,and Davislearnedalotfromhim.Davis lovedtodrawfromaveryearlyage, copyinghisfather’sdrawingsaswellas comicsandfantasyartistsfromthe’60s and’70s.Heandhisfatherwouldplay agame,whereeachinturnwoulddraw elementsinintricatebattlescenes.Davis andafriendalsohadagame,whereeach woulddescribeafictitiouscreature,and theotherwoulddrawit. DavismovedtoShepherdstownwhen heenrolledatShepherdUniversityinart education,followinginhisfather’sfootsteps.However,artwashisrealinterest, soheswitchedtoapaintingmajor,then switchedagaintoenvironmentalsciences (totesthischildhoodfantasyofbeinga parkranger).Nexthetriedphotography. ThesewerefrustratingyearsforDavis, fullofindecision.Sohedecidedtotake asemesterofftofigureitout.During thistime,theShepherdstowndesigner KeithKnostrecognizedDavis’sconsider- Emily abletalent,andtookhimunderhiswing. Hegavehimspaceoverhisdesignstudio,andboughtseveralofDavis’sfirst paintings.Thoughhehadajobwashing dishesattheYellowBrickBank,Davis dedicatedalltherestofhistimetohone hisdrawingandpaintingskills.Hespent longhoursinthestudio,developingthe passionthatwouldshapehislife.The timeunderKnost’spatronagerevitalized him,andhereturnedtoShepherdfullof self-motivation. Davishadakeeninterestintheclassicalmethodsoflearningart,wherethe studentbeginsbybecomingabsorbedin theintricaciesoffundamentalprinciples andtechniques.ShepherdUniversity focusesmoreoncontemporary approachestoart,butDaviswasableto workwiththeteacherstogoinhisown direction.Helikedallhisteachersthere, butonestandsoutasaninspirationto him.JenBlazinawasanadjunctprofessorandsheespeciallyencouragedDavis todohisownthing. Davisalsosupplementedhis classesatShepherdwithprivatelessonsfromBenSummerford,formerart chairatAmericanUniversity.Hecredits Summerfordandformergalleryowner, JoeMatthews,forbeingveryimportant GOODNEWSPAPER•SPRING 2010 mentorsduringthose years.Davisgraduated fromShepherdwitha bacheloroffinearts degreeinpaintingand wasdrawntoSchuler SchoolofFineArts inBaltimore,Md. Schulerisaclassical atelier,whichteaches paintingaccording Red Beets tothe17th-century Dutchstyle,stressingthefundamentals oftheoldmasters. Drawingandanatomyareemphasized asthefoundationfor thestudyofpainting andsculpture,and priorityisplacedon themasteryofthe technicalaspectsof eachdiscipline.At Schuler,Davisconcentratedondrawingfromcastsand copyingthemaster works,grindinghis ownpaintsfrom powderedpigments. Healsomadeand usedthespecial medium,Maroger, whichdistinguishes theDutchpaintings withtheirvibrant colors,luminosPound and a Quarter Chocolate Eggs and Other Eggs 13 ity,andconservationexcellence. Davisappliedhimselfcompletely totheprogram—arrivingat7a.m. tomakethecoffeeandworkingin thestudiountil10or11p.m.each night.Asaresult,hefinishedthe four-yearprogramin2½years,and launchedhimselfonhisownpath. NowDavishasmanycommissionstodoportraitsandother typesofpaintings.Heworksfrom livemodelsifpossible,butwill usephotoswhennecessary.He worksmeticulously,concentrating onthefinestdetails.Hispaintings areexclusivelyinoilonprepared linencanvases,buthealsoloves tododrawingsincharcoaland othermediums.Davis’sstilllifes areinspiredbytheelementsofhis Singer surroundingsanddailylife.Much ofhisinspirationisthebeautiful propertywherehelivesinrural JeffersonCounty.Walkingthrough thefieldsandwoodswithhisdogs providestheopportunitytodiscover manytreasures,whichwillendup inhispaintings.Hissubjectscome fromhisownaestheticresponseto theshapesandcolorsaroundhim. Davisdoesn’tbelieveinartists’statements.Hefeelsthateach paintingstandsalone,asitsown statementoftheartist’sbeing.It representsafleetingglance,an instantthatcan’tberepeated,a momentofbeautyandharmonyin space.Mostlyhissubjectsarejust thesimpleappealoftheobjects, butoccasionallyhewillexpressa themewithsymbolismandcolors. Hethinksthatthetrendofcontemporaryarttoshockordisgust peopleisturningaround.Theart worldisonceagainrespondingto adesiretotellstoriesandrelateto thelargeraudience,expressingthe deepuniversalneedforbeauty,harmony,andpeace. DavisteachesaweeklypaintDoc ingclassatLoudounAcademy inLeesburg,Va.Healsohas severalprivatestudents,and runstheweeklyfiguregroupat ShepherdUniversity.Hispaintings arefoundattheBridgeGallery inShepherdstown;McBride GalleryinAnnapolis,Md.; BerkeleyGalleryinWarrenton, Va.;Carspecken-ScottGalleryin Wilmington,Del.;andinmanyprivatecollectionsalloverthecountry. Hisworkcanalsobeseenon hisWebsite:www.michaeltimothydavis.com. Pears in Brass Bowl Fall Harvest Grapes SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER 14 Poetr y Connected Lives: Poems by Paul Grant If I’ve Got the Right Tools Mamataughttelegraphy andshorthand,whensuchthings hadcurrency—the20thcentury stillyoungenoughitswings couldtakeitanywhere. Daddyfollowedthelumbercamps andbutcheredcommissarymeat. Helivedforjazzbycoal-oillamps, &drankcheapbourbonneat. Heknewlifewasunfair, &thoughsheprobablysuspected it,too,theytookthechance mosteverybodytook—connected lives,hadchildren,watchedonedance crazemorphintoanother— eventuallystartedfeeling prematurelydisappointed— ditsanddahsandbedroom-ceiling terrorstakingdouble-jointed tollsonthem—untiltheother shoedropped,&FourRoseskilled him,twenty-fouryearslater,Kools gotherwithitsinvisiblepillow, butneitherofthemraisedanyfools: Icandoanything… Bayou Moon Putyourhandstogether once &leavethemthere forthehoodoowoman andhergraveyarddirt. Herpassionflowers andeyeofsalamander. herfourchildren andtheirfourdeadfathers, hershotgunhouse outinthecypressswamp wherethelight isalwaystingedblue &youhavetowalk thelastmile fromwheretheroadends &there’sgatorskulls atoptwopostswithboards betweenwheresomeone’spainted Do Not Go No Further. Ifyoucameanyway toasktheblackcatbones towriteyourfuture outwhereyoucansee, shewill.You’llpay forthatinsmoke andsugarcane.Ifyou havefoundalove whoisn’twilling,she candrawyourfoolishness outtoavanishingpoint &makeitoddlyso. You’llpayforthat,too, butshejustlaughs whenyouaskherinwhat coinandhowmuch. Somethingsarenothing likewhatwethink theyare,youknow—theyjust haveanotherlifeentirely, &that’sallthereistoit. Marie Laveau NowIdon’tbelieve foraNewYorkminute (&youknowhowmuchfaster theygobythanoneofours) thatsheactually livesintheswamp inahollowlog, withatalkingcrow andathree-leggeddog, butthenagain,Ihave satinapirogue anchoredtotwofatmoons byacinder-block &seenformyownself thoseglobesofbluelight Grand-Mamancalledfifolet— will-o’-the-wisp— gorolling throughthesawgrass andthecypressknees &bouncingoffSpanishmoss tofindtheirway alongtheblackwater languishingtowardtheGulf, &oncetheyweregone, itgotspooky-quiet foralittlewhile,&then adrummingstarted, Iheardsomethingclumsy pacingmealongthebank, &abigoldblackbird thatseemedtobesaying What? What? What? flappedpastmyhead &Icouldhavesworn Isawawomanwalking ontheblackwater.Well, Icutmyanchorrope GOODNEWSPAPER•SPRING 2010 &grabbedmypaddle&got outoftheresofast thefireflieshid ontheundersides oftheorchidblooms, &tothisday, theirchildren’schildren thinkIamthewind. Swamp Rock Thechildissnatchedfromthejawsof death byasuddenredbonehound,conjured outofthemistbyaMamaRoux withbatwing,JohnTheConquerorroot, mandrakeandwax,thenprayerstoMary andDamballah,alltoasolidtwo beatwewouldn’thave ifsomegodoranother hadn’tmeantforustodance. Thegatorthwartedmagically slipsbackinsilence tohiscacheofnutria andpriests’bones. Thereisnomoon.Theonlylight isasinglebeamfroma‘52 Ford—suresign Ti-Jeanisrunninghistraps andbetterbeleftalone. Alltheirsorrowsgetbetteratbeing whatthey’resupposedtobe asthenightwearson.Thechild growsuptorememberherDaddy’s hands, MamaRouxdisappearswiththedogas she shouldintoanothermoonlessnight, Ti-Jeanfindsabsolutionwiththepriests underthemudbankwheretheoldbull dreams, andIamthelastgoodliarleftonthe moon. Southern Songlines Sungfrombayoutobayou, stepswithoutnumber,complete withbuilt-infalterings, calledbacksliding inhard-shelleddialects, worthtestandtestimony inthetentsbetween thecampfiresonthebanks, butnotworthbreaking yourheartover. Notworthbreaking asweatover,either,whether you’reswattingatmosquitoes spreadingtheirown specialrapturethrough theswampsoratsomewomanlikedreamwhosewake-up calloccasionsdisobedience, distemper,disaster,trouble, otroubleinmind. Storiestookslowtrains inslowertimes. Thenlittleblackcars, thenbiggeronesnamedMariah. Noneofthemcouldoutrunshadows, &eventhenewbreedscan’toutrun thosesameoldshadowsanybetter. Baby,theywhisper,tell me a love story. Youdon’tevenhavetoask whichone.They’reallthesame. Romance For Accordion and Death’s Hatband Somenights,themoonspeaksCreole, sendingoldsoulsforthtomultiply themselvesonwater-webswoven betweentheweedsweare— notlilies,freeandeasy infieldsoffecklessfancy,but pinnedwithhoney-locustthorns tospindriftonriverbanks andhillsides—dreamingoffire fromthetimewelearntodream, dreamingourselvesclean,pure ashanditsassignments. Thesenights,certaintyisonly onehearthardenedtoexclusivity byitsmanydecisions.Heavenknows— weneverdo—theleaving ofdoorsajarletsinwhatspeaks asweetpatoisthatmanages— despiteourinabilitytoquite translateitintoourtalkingtongues— towrapitselfaroundthestars inourcrownsofleather,catching firelikedriedsnakeskin, certaintoburnforever. Paul Grant has lived in Keedysville, Md., for many a year. But he wasn’t born there. He was born and raised in Louisiana. A good chunk of his prolific poetic output still sprouts from those tenacious roots. 15 All Cr eatur es Gr eat and Small America’sArcticRefuge PHOTO BY STEVE CHASE Mark Madison PHOTO BY SUSANNE MiLLER Arctic’sgreatsizemakesitacritical laboratorybothforourscienceandour humancharacter.Scientifically,therehas neverbeensolargeanecologicallaboratorytoexaminetheinteractionsofnature largelyunaffectedbyhumans.Herebiologistscanstill(forthemostpart)study theecologicalprocessesbeforehumans; itisinsomewaysanenvironmental timemachine.Itsgiganticexpanseand Lone human in Arctic Refuge remotenessmakeitthegreatcontrolled Polar bear in Arctic Refuge experimenttoseehowecologicalinteracI feel so sure that, if we are big tionsworkwithouthumaninterventions enough to save this bit of loveliness Overthedecadesthe“range”was ormanipulations.Itprovidesaninvaluon our earth, the future citizens of Alaska renameda“refuge”andexpandedto ablebackdropforallourotherworkin and of all the world will be deeply grate19.3millionacres(thesizeofSouth the“management”ofwildlifeandwilderful. This is a time for a long look ahead. Carolina)—thenation’slargestandnorth- nessbyshowingusitscounterpointinan —Margaret“Mardy”Murie ernmostrefuge.Thishugeexpanseof unmanagedstate. wildernessbecameiconicfouryearslater Ithasalsorecentlybecomeafield rcticNationalWildlifeRefuge whentheWildernessActsetasideareas sitefortheimpactofglobalwarming. isimmenseinbothitssizeand “wheretheearthanditscommunityof Inthe50yearssincetheArcticRefuge influenceontheAmericanconlifeareuntrammeledbyman.” wasestablished,wintertemperatureshave servationmovement.ManyAmericans ThesheersizeofArcticRefuge increased5to7degreesFahrenheit.The haveheardofArcticRefuge(oftenby compelsonetobeginafeverofnumber effectonthelandscapeincludesthinning itssoullessacronymANWR),yetonly crunching.Youcouldfit33.8millionof seaice,meltingpermafrost(“impermaahandfulwillevervisitthisplace.Itis oursmallestrefuge(thedinkyMilleLacs frost”?)andrecedingglaciers.Forour usuallyinthenewsforitsoilreserves, .57-acrerefugeinMinnesota)withinthis fellowmammalsthismeanspolarbears butitstruerichesalllieabovethesurrefuge’sboundaries.Morethan20rivers (listedasthreatenedin2008)drownface. (threeofthemdesignated“Wild”)flow inginopenwaterandstarvingonland ArcticRefugewasbornofattempts withinitboundaries. andadeclineinthemuskoxenpopulatostemthetideofvanishingwilderness The120,000strongPorcupinecarition.Althoughgreatlyremovedfromthe andwildlife.In1929,a28-year-oldforbouherdraisesitsyoungandmigrates massofhumanity,ourimpacthasproven esterandmountainclimberBobMarshall acrosstherefuge,sharingitshabitatwith globalaswehelpmeltthetopofthe madehisfirstjourneytoAlaska,an 45othermammalspecies,36fishspeplanet. eventcapturedinhisbookArctic Village cies,and194birdspeciesfromsixcontiArcticRefugeisalsoagreattest (1938).Hefellinlovewiththeplace nents.AllthreeNorthAmericanspecies siteforourownhumancharacterand andin1935helpedfoundtheWilderness ofbears(black,grizzly,andpolar)den thestateofourethicalgrowth.Arcticis Societytotrytoprotecttheremaining withintherefuge.Muskoxen,whichhad auniquelychallengingplacetoloveand wildernessinAlaskaandelsewhere. beenextirpatedthroughoverhuntingin protect.Itisthemostinaccessibleofour AfterMarshall’searlydeathatage38, themid-19thcentury,wererestoredtothe publiclands,sowemustappreciateit otherstookuphiscalltoprotectthelast refugemorethanacenturylaterin1969. vicariously.Toatemperateevolvedspelarge-scalewildernessareasremainingin Therearealsonativepeopleswithinits cieslikeHomo sapienstheArcticRefuge Alaska. boundaries,theInupiatEskimosand canappearbarren,lifeless,monotonous. Mostfamously,in1956Wilderness AthabascanIndians,whohavecoexisted Finally,beneaththewanderingpolar SocietypresidentOlausMurieandhis withthenativefloraandfaunaforthoubearsandcalvingcaribouonthecoastal activistwife,MardyMurie,organizedan sandsofyears. plainliesperhaps expeditiontotheSheenjekRiverValley Yetinspiteofitsuniquesize,itis morethan10biltobegintheresearchandpublicityto thequalitiesofArcticRefugeratherthan lionbarrelsofoil. helpcreateanewrefugeinthisvastwilitsquantitiesthataremoststriking.Itis Alloftheseargue derness.Theymadeatraveloguefilm, themissingelementsthatcreateaunique againstpreserving Letter from the Brooks Range,abouttheir vista.Arctichasnoroads,trails,orcomthisgiganticswath expeditionandshoweditinclassrooms, mercialdevelopmentswithinitsmillions ofAlaska. gardenclubs,andanyothervenuethat ofacres.Humanvisitorsarefewand Assuch,Arctic wasinterestedinlearningaboutthis infrequentandclearlytemporaryguests Refugeisagreat northernfrontier.Theirgrassrootslobinalandscapesetasideforwildplants testofourgrowthas byinghelpedconvincetheEisenhower andanimals.Thisnorthernmostfrontier aspecies.Wehave Administrationtoestablishthe8.9-milofthenationalwildliferefugesystemis evolvedanenvironlion-acreArcticNationalWildlifeRange clearlyaplace(rareinthesedays)where mentalethosbeyond in1960. wildlifeandwildernesscomefirst. A mereanthropocentricresourceextraction towardamoreencompassingview.We nowprotectplaceswehavenoreasonable expectationofvisitingbecausetheyhave valuefornonhumanbeings.Weovercame ourspeciesbiasestorealizethatremote ecosystemsmaybeasrichandvariedas thosethataremorefamiliartous.We havelearnedtovaluewildliferesources asmuchasenergyresources.Wehave showntheadmirablequalityofrestraint inArcticRefugeand(foronce)allowed naturetosettherhythms. Environmentalhistoryisalltoooften agloomyfieldofstudy.Rapaciousness, heedlessness,andrepeatedmistakes chronicleourdisastrousinteractionswith wildlifeandwildplaces.Andyetwehave preservedArcticRefuge;wehavedone therightthing;wehavelistenedtothe “betterangelsofournature”forthelast 50years.Whetherwecontinuetodoso forthenext50yearsremainsthegreat unansweredquestion. This, then, is the Sheenjek country. The Arctic wilderness of the Brooks Range…. Will we have the wisdom to cherish such places? To leave such parts of the earth in their natural state, to visit them humbly and with appreciation? Our decisions are a measure of our growth. —OlausandMardyMurie Letter from the Brooks Range (1956) Mark Madison teaches environmental history, environmental ethics, and environment in film at Shepherd University. He has never been to Alaska, but still appreciates it. SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER 16 A Natural Fit This Race is for the Birds! Connects People to Nature PHOTO BY CAROLYN THOMAS James and Suzy Munnis, volunteer race co-directors When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe. —JohnMuir T hePotomacValleyAudubon Society’s(PVAS)This Race is for The Birds!takesflightonApril 24.Nineyearsyoung,theraceisamajor fundraisingeventforPVAS’spopular children’sprograms.PVASbelieves thatchildrenwhoearlyonlearnalove fornaturewillcarryitthroughoutlife. In2009,morethan3,000localyoungstersbenefittedfromactivitieslikethe AudubonDiscoveryCampandin-school natureeducationforkindergartenthrough 5thgrade. Thewordracesuggestsacompetition,resultinginwinnersandlosers.But This Race is for the Birds!isactually acelebrationofconnection—anevent madepossiblebyanetworkofrelationshipsamongpeopleinourcommunity andacrossthegenerations.TheNational AudubonSocietywasoriginallyformed bypeoplewithapassiontopreserve theweboflifethatisnature.Likewise, PVASandThis Race Is for the Birds! drawsfolkstogetherinacommonpurpose.Everybodywins,includingthe birds,butterflies,andbugs. Theracetakesplaceonthegrounds oftheNationalConservationTraining Center(NCTC),thehomeoftheU.S. FishandWildlifeService(FWS). Situatedon538acresoverlookingthe PotomacRiver,thecampusisinharmony withitsstunningsetting.Fivemilesof foottrailswindthroughmeadowsand easternhardwoodforest.Pavedwalking pathshugthecurvesofthelandscape. Likeasealofapproval,apairofbald eaglesnestinagiantsycamoretreenot farfromtheentrancegate. TheU.S.FishandWildlifeService workstosafeguardecosystemsinover 150millionacresoflandandsea—a hugetask.JaySlack,NCTCdirector, says,“TheFWSsimplycan’taccomplish itsmissionwithoutworkingwithothers.” Sandra Bloom Inlinewiththatphilosophy,NCTChas partneredwithPVASfromitsbeginning.Slacksays,“PVASmemberswere importantintheprocessofestablishing NCTC—welistenedcarefullytowhat theyhadtosay.”Overthepast11years, thePVAS–NCTCpartnershiphascontinuedtoblossom.Citingtheirhistoryof jointlysponsoredevents,PVASExecutive DirectorKristinAlexandersays,“NCTC isthebestpartneranyorganizationcould wishfor.” TheannualThis Race is for the Birds!isoneoftheirmostsuccessfulcollaborations.“Theraceisanaturalfitfor us,”Slacksays.“It’sawaytogetpeople outside,awayfromTVandvideogames. Peoplewhoconnectwiththeoutdoorsare moreapttoparticipateinconservation efforts.” KareneMotivansfirstgotinvolved withPVASwhenheryoungchildren attendedthePVASsummercampat YankauerNaturePreserveandshe befriendedothercampers’parents.Now theyallentertheracetogethertoshow theirPVASspirit.Motivansknowsof onegroupwhosponsorstheraceeach yearinlovingmemoryofMarkBenedict, aPVASmemberwhoworkedforThe ConservationFundatNCTC’scampus. Theychoosethiswaytohonorhisyears ofservicetoconservation. Motivanssaysonereasontherace isspecialisthattherestoftheyear thetrailsatNCTCareclosedtothe generalpublic.LateAprilistheheight ofspringinWestVirginia’sEastern Panhandle.“YouseenativewildflowerslikeMayapple,SpringBeauty,and Dutchman’sBreeches.Eachyearthe experienceisdifferent.” JamesMunnisisco-directorof theracethisyearwithhiswifeSuzy, whohasbeeninvolvedinsomecapacitywiththerace“sincedayone.”James Munnisisaveteranofmanycentury (100-mile)bicyclingevents.Youcanhear hisrelishforachallengewhenhesays, “Organizingaracetakesmonthsofplanningandtheworkofmanypeople.This Race is for the Birds!isacompletelyvolunteereffort.Wealldoourbesttogive therunnersagreatexperience.”Munnis isproudthattheraceofferssomething foreveryone.(Seebox.)“Thebiggest drawforkidsistheonemile.Mostkids’ racesusuallychargeatleastsomething. Oursisfreeandeverychildgetsaprize!” Theracecontinuestoevolve.Adding avarietyofdistancesandshiftingfrom pavedsurfacestothetrailsadaptsto GOODNEWSPAPER•SPRING 2010 This Race is for the Birds! thepreferencesofparticipants.Munnis expectsthe4.9-and7.8-miledistances toenticerunnerswhohavemasteredthe 5K(alittleover3miles).“Itwillgive themabitofastretchbutnottoomuch.” Hebelievesitisraretofindanyoutdoor athletewhodoesnotvalueacloseconnectiontotheelements.“Peoplewho regularlyexerciseoutdoorsareattunedto howfragiletheenvironmentisandhow quicklythingscanchange.” Raceorganizersareseekingoutecofriendlyvendorsandproducts.Munnis ispricingT-shirtsmadefromrecycled blendsororganiccotton.Aidstationswill usebiodegradablecupsandwastewill berecycledorcomposted.Theracehas alwaysofferedregistrationonline,says Alexander.“ButthisyearwehaveadedicatedWebsite(RacefortheBirds.org)that alsolinksvisitorstootherlocalraces.It’s anotherwaytobuildcommunityandpromotethebenefitsofactivefunoutdoors.” MarkCucuzzellaandfellowrunner TomShantzaredonatingtheirexpertise inlogisticsandmarketinggainedinorganizingothereventsliketheFreedom’s Runlaunchedlastfall.Cucuzzella,a physician,isworkingtobuildfitnessorientedtraditionsinwhathehopeswill becomeaNationalHeritageArea,linking siteslikeShepherdstown,Harper’sFerry, andtheAntietamBattlefield.Hisaimis toimprovethehealthofthecommunity. HedescribesThis Race is for the Birds! as“moreexperientialthancompetitive— tomeitsaboutenjoymentofthesenses. Thereisnothingcomparablelocallyto thesiteofthePVASrace.Iconsiderita privilegetoparticipate.” Oneshouldn’tforgetthecorporate sponsorsoftherace—theirgenerosity isindispensable.“Thebusinessesinthe localcommunityhavebeensogoodto us,”saysAlexander.“Withouttheircommitmentandsupport,PVASprograms wouldnotbepossible.”StanCorwinRoach,withbrothersSteveRoachand Where: TrailsoftheNational ConservationTrainingCenter Date:April24,2010 Web site:www.RacefortheBirds.org Times:9a.m.for2mile,4.9mile and7.8mileruns.Kidsrunbegins whenrunnersreturn(10ish). Pre-registration: www.RacefortheBirds.org “Day of” Registration:7:30–8:45 a.m.April24($2addedtofee) Distances and Prices: 1milekidsfunrun:FREE(self-timed) 2milejog/stroll:$15(self-timed) 4.9mileRace:$20 7.8mileRace:$25 ScottRoach,ownR.M.RoachandSons inMartinsburg,aheatingoilcompany foundedin1952bytheirgrandfather. “WehavesponsoredthePVASracefrom itsbeginnings,”saysCorwin-Roach.“We arehappytodosobecausePVAShas donesomuchforthisarea—andthey alwaysmakethemostoftheresources theyhave.”Heremembersjoiningearly PVASmemberslikebirdexpertBob Deaninthere-introductionofospreys morethan20yearsago.Corwin-Roach admitshehasretiredhisrunningshoes. “OneyearIranthisracesidebyside witha9-year-oldkid,”helaughs.“He pulledaheadandbeatmeattheend!” This Race is for the Birds!reminds usthatthereisoneracethatallofusare running—theracetobemoremindful stewardsofournaturalresources.The communitythatisPVASillustratesthat wecanbestdothisbyjoiningtogether. PVASprogramspromoteconservation throughouttheyearbyencouragingchildrenandadultstoconnectwithnature. OnApril24,youcancelebratespring, supportPVAS,andhaveagreattime connectingwithnature,friendsandfamilyinabeautifuloutdoorsetting.What couldbeabetterinvestment? PHOTO BY STEVE SOSSON Sandra Bloom is a native of Washington County, Md., and frequent visitor to Berkeley and Jefferson counties. She is a lifelong student of nature, human and otherwise. An active member of PVAS, she is a West Virginia Master Naturalist and founder of the Potomac Valley Nature Writing Group: http://potomacvalleynaturewritinggroup.blogspot.com/ Kids Fun Run at last year’s race with Dr. Mark Cucuzzella leading the pack. 17 “Yes, Dear” and Other Deflections Stephen Willingham PHOTO BY CLAiRE STUART The author with tools of the trade F ollowingyearsofworkingin thehorticulturebusiness,raising applesandpruningfruittrees,I amstilloccasionallyaskedbyoptimistic homeorchardists,“WhatcanIdoabout mytrees?”Thisquestionisgenerally promptedbytheonsetofmysterious disorderssuchaspowderymildew,fire blight,scab,andblackrot,tonamea fewuninvitedmicrobialvisitors.Usually, however,thefirstquestions,whichare punctuatedbyawildgnashingofteeth, rendingofhair,andaflailingofarms, concerntheonslaughtofvariousandsundryvoraciouslyhungryinsects. “WhatcanIdo?”isthechorusof desperatekeening. Overtheyears,Ihavedevelopeda rathersimple,patentedresponse,“Cutit alldown.” Ofcourse,thenIamunceremoniouslydubbedaheartlessogrebecause mostofthesewell-meaningfolkare searchingfranticallyfor“organic”fruit, ofandbytheirownlabor.Atrulylaud- ablepursuit,Imighthastentoadd,but oneshouldunderstandthatmostbackyard-raisedorganicfruitmightreasonablybetermed“funky.” Atthispointyoumightjustifiably ask:Whereintheworldishegoingwith thisscreed?Theheartofthematterlies withthecutting,butnotinthewaythat onemightfirstimagine.Yes,ifyoucut downyourhomeorchard,yousolveall ofyourproblems.Thenextmostobviousquestionis:Doeshefollowhisown advice?Actually,Iwould.Iremainsteadfastinmybeliefthathomeorchardsare moretroublethantheyareworth.Apple woodmakesoneofthebestfiresgoing forfireplaceorstove.Whenmixedin, peachisalsonice.Unfortunately,Ihave notyetmentionedthewifevariable. WhileItradeoffthesprayingpart oftheoperation—yes,organicorchardists,therearecertaincompoundsyou areallowedtouse—Imustputinmy requisiteamountoftimebypruning,as wellasknockingdownpeachmummies, rakingupthismess,anddisposingofit beforemowing.(Inmyorchardingdays theconventionalwisdomwas,“onegood mowingisworthonespraying.”) Also,allowmetoquicklyaddhere, forthesakeofaccuracy,mywifedoesn’t sprayeither,eventhoughthisissupposedlyherpartofthebargain.Inall fairness,shepicksandactuallygathers enoughgnarly,twistedlittlepeachesto freeze.Thesearegoodonmybreakfast yogurtwhenit’s20degreesoutsideand thesnowispilingupasithasthiswinter. ButIpayapriceformypleasure. Oncetheleavesaredownandthe treesaredormant,thenthetrimmingsuggestionsbegin.“Todaymightbeanice daytoprune.”“Maybewecouldprune onetreetoday?”“Whatareyourplansfor thisafternoon?” Keepinmindthatwearetalking aboutmyfreetimehere.Iamnota retiredperson.Ofcourse,Ihaveother plansfortheafternoon!However,Iam constantlyguiltyofsabotagingmyself. HaveIgottenridofmypruningtools: aWheelersaw,andsix-,eight-,and twelve-footAllenpolepruners?No.So, yousee,it’smyownfault.ButthenI mustremember,thisisreallyhowIearn mykeep.Forgetaboutareliableincome, healthinsurance,retirement,andother incidentals. Nonetheless,Iamstilloftenslow torespondtotheurgingstoabandonmy ownplansandheadoutsideintofrosty winterair,tosunburnmyfaceandget mycoldnoseinadvertentlywhackedby arecalcitrantswitchortwo.Aftermany yearsofdealingwiththemyriadexcuses Icanendlesslyproffer,mygoodwife knowswhatwillgetmeoffmyduffand awayfromreadingeitheralonganticipatedbook,ormyusualdietofpolitical magazinesandnewspapers—nottomentionSundaymorningtalkingheads.“If youaren’tgoingtodoanything,thenI’ll justhavetodoitmyself.” Bythistimehersunglassesand jacketareonandthesmall,redhand clippersarepoisedmenacingly,whilea certain,unmistakable,maniacaldeterminationmaskshercountenance.This lookissomethingtotrulyfear.Iknow whatfollows:STUBBING.Whilemy wifeisatrainedbiologistandadedicated gardener,herpruningskillsremainfrozenattheelementarylevel.Sheseesthe exteriorlimitsofatree,nevertheinterior, orthebiggercutsthatcansaveathousandsmallerones.Andsheleavesstubs everywhere.Herexplanation:“I’mnotas strongasyouare.”Consequently,when Iameventuallycompelledtomakethe bigcuts,thesestubsarewaitingtoexact tributeformycrimeofprocrastination. Betteryet,theywaitandsurprise-attack mybarearmsduringsummermowing whenleaf-shroudedandotherwiseinvisible. Whenitcomestopruning,acertain amountofclimbing,withoutaladder, isrequired.Thisdeath-defyingacton mypartallowsmywifetopocketthe handclipper,putdowntheloppers,and assumetheroleofdirector-in-chief.With asighofresignation,Icannowsimply followherinstructionsandnotcallher “Stubby,”whichonlymakeshermadand isultimatelyinjurioustomaritalbliss. Lifeisagaincompleteandgood.The brokenlinksinthechainbetweenheaven andearthhavebeenmended.Thesimple meditativeactofnodding,smiling,and chantingtheancient,restorativemantra, “Yes,dear,”allowsgraceandgoodnessto onceagainreign. AlliswelluntilIsilentlywonder, “Whoisgoingtocleanupallthisbrush fromtheyard?”Butthen,becausethere issynchronicity,itsnows,notonce,but twice,withanotherblizzardforecasted fortheweekend.Fornowthequestionof brushliesburiedinthehealingquietude ofsnow.Theworldpausesandtakes stock,beforecontinuingitsdizzyingspin towardtheabyss,betterknownasthe next work Saturday. Pruning Tips • Peachesbudonlastyear’swood. However,ifyoudon’ttrimthemback youwillhavetorenttheSpaceShuttle forharvest. • Applesbudonspurs,andyoushould eliminatenarrowcrotchangles becausetheywillbreakunderaload. • Alwayscutbacktothemainleader branchtoavoidstubs. • Besuretothinenoughtoallowlight andairintothefruit.Thiswillreduce theneedforsprayingifyoushould decidetoattemptit. • Cutoutanybrokenordiseasedwood. • Whenindoubt,turn it all into firewood.Thiswillhelpcreateambience foraromanticSaturdayevening. Stephen Willingham continues his efforts to preserve the English language at Washington High School in Charles Town. SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER 18 Looking for Adventure PHOTO SUPPLiED BY THE HORNBECK FAMiLY Sara and Alison Hornbeck, TMI participants I fyou’relookingforsomethingnew, different,anduniquetodothissummerlooknofurther!TheMountain Institute’sMountainAdventuresSummer Camp(MASC)for2010hasarrived!The MountainInstitute(TMI)isanonprofit organizationwithamissiontodevelopan understandingofandappreciationforthe complexinteractionbetweencommunity, culture,andconservationinmountain areas.Throughthismissionhascomeour summercampthatencompassesallthese ideasaswellasincorporatinganadventurecomponent. TheMASChasevolvedand changedgreatlyoverthelasttwoyears, implementingnewideasfromstaffand campersalike.TheMASCoffersaoncein-a-lifetimeexperiencebasedatour stunningSpruceKnobMountainCenter, whichisnestledamongthetreesonthe slopesofWestVirginia’shighestpoint, SpruceKnob.TheMountainInstitutehas over400acresofopenforest,andthisis whereouradventuresbegin. AsthenamesuggeststheMountain AdventuresSummerCampaimstooffer adiverseexperienceofoutdooradventure activitiesmakingfulluseofourremote locationandbeautifulsurroundings.Past campshaveincluded:whitewaterrafting, rockclimbing,backpackingandhiking tripsinourlocalwildernessarea,laser tag,mountainbiking,overnightcanoeing trips,orienteering,andmanymore.Our campusisalsolocatedinoneofthedarkestareasontheeasternseaboard.With virtuallynolightpollution,ourobservatoryistheprimelocationforsomeofthe beststargazingintheeast. AtTheMountainInstitutewepride ourselvesonthepersonalfeelofthe camp.Allofourstaffmembersare involvedwiththesummercamp.Itmay betoteachwildernesssurvivalskills, shelterbuilding,geocaching,art,oreven toprovidesomeideasfortheannual bake-off!Ourcounselorsdonotherdthe campersbetweenactivitiesbutbecome anintegralpartofthewholeexperience. Wealsohavetheluxuryofbeingableto Katrina Weyland modifytheprogram, evenincludingideas fromthecampers.Itis theirexperience,sowe feeltheyshouldhave someinputastowhat theywanttodo. TheMountain AdventuresSummer Campisbasedupon experiencingtheoutdoorsandhavingan adventure.Itisalsoa greatlearningexperienceforthecampers, althoughthereareno “lessons”inthetraditionalsense.Being immersedinourway oflifeisalearning experienceinitself.Thecamperswill learnfromawiderangeoftopicsfrom basicsurvivaltechniquestotheproblemsfacingthewildernessareasofWest Virginia,andotherenvironmentalconcerns. The2010summercampwillrun overthreeweeksfromJune20toJuly 10.Weofferaone-weekortwo-week program,butrecommendthatthecamperschoosethetwo-weekoptiontoget themostoutoftheexperience.For moreinformationaboutTheMountain Institute’sMountainAdventuresSummer Campgotowww.tmisummercamp.org [email protected] Websitealsocontainsvideosfrompreviousyearsandevenamusicvideocreated bythe2009summercampparticipants. Katrina Weyland has been with TMI for six years, three of those as summer camp coordinator. She also enjoys travel, and running and training for triathlons. TheMountainInstitute’s MountainAdventuresSummerCamp OpenHouse Saturday,March20,2010 1:00p.m. ShepherdstownPresbyterian MeetingHouse 100W.WashingtonSt. Shepherdstown,WV Comeandseewhatwe’reallabout!! Wewillbepresentingthesummer campandaddressinganyquestions. Attendtheopenhouseandreceive$25 offsummercamptuition! GOODNEWSPAPER•SPRING 2010 PHOTOS BY ALiSON HORNBECK In Search of Wild Places Skylar Benedict Onanygivendayoftheyear,the greatestdangertotheenvironmentis alwaysthesame.Simplyput,people don’tcareenough.Youcanpickup anewspaper,turnontheTV,orgotoa localrestaurant,andtheresultwillbe thesame.Theenvironmentallobbyis constantlylookingfornewwaystoraise awarenessandbringattentiontobeautifulwildplacesthathavebeentrampled bythespreadofcities.ManyAmericans havelosttouchwiththeworldwelivein, andTheMountainInstitute,andplaces likeit,canhelptoreconnectustothe naturalworld. ComingtoTheMountainInstitute forthefirsttime,Isawaplacethattruly wasn’tdevotedtotheregularideasof society.Itwasaplacewithoutthedecadenceandpointlesscomfortsoftherest oftheworldI’dseen,andIfellinlove withitimmediately.Theinstitutesitsat thebaseofSpruceKnobattheveryend oftheextensiveridgeofthemountain. Youcanhikeforjustanhourorsoup fromthebasecamptoreachthemountain’ssummitandthehighestpointin WestVirginia.Tome,itseemedlikethat wasthemostperfectplaceintheworld, anditremainstrueformeevennow. ButTheMountainInstituteshould neverbeconsideredjustaprettylocationoraKodakmomentbecauseits purposegoessomuchdeeperthanthat. Fromtheminuteyouarriveyouareknee deepinnature.Forthemostpart,thatis ametaphorbutsometimesitfeelsquite literal—afteryouhavespentcoldand exhausting,butsomehowamazing,hours collectingandtestingwatersamplesin BigRunatthebaseofthemountainor makingawetandmuddyexitfromthe SinksofGandyorStillhouseCave.Every momentyouarelearningwhatitfeels liketotrulyliveinthenaturalworld. Whetheryouareplayinganintensegame ofultimateFrisbeeduringathunderstorm intheshadowofSenecaRocks,orstandingontopofthemassivefinofrock lookingdownhundredsoffeettowhere youstartedyourclimb,youcanfinda waytoexperiencethenaturalworldwithoutdestroyingit.Butmaybethatiswhat it’sallabout;mostpeople,whetherthey knowitornot,spendtheirlifeinsearch ofwildplaces.Ifyoucanseetheworld andappreciateitjustthewayitis,then youwon’thavetosearch. Skylar Benedict attended TMI for two summers, following 8th grade and freshman year. His first experience at TMI was over a long weekend as part of his 7th grade science club’s water quality program. His teacher, Mrs. Louise Black, was able to take her Spring Mills Middle School science club to TMI following a summer teacher institute at TMI. Skylar is currently a junior at Hedgesville High School. 19 There’s Magic in the Air toyoungpeople.Similarly, campersalwaysseemtobe justadifferentsortofkid. Ethel Hornbeck Bothofmygirlshaveformed Thereisnothingquitelikesetting outonascorchingsummerdayandarriv- life-longfriendshipsthrough theirTMIexperiencesover ingjustacoupleofscenichourslaterin theyears,andIdaresaythat thecool,cleanmountainairandspectacularsettingofTheMountainInstitutejust eachonehasbeentouched andchangedbytheirmounoutsideofCircleville,W.Va.(It’sacoolnessthatmakesyousuddenlyunderstand taincampexperiences. MydaughterSara, whylongunderwearwasonthatsummer almost17,reports: packinglist!)It’sajourneyIhavebeen Forthepastfourorfive makingforover10yearsnowastheparentoftwodedicatedTMIcampers,andit years,mysummershave beenassociatedwithThe isonethatneverceasestoamazeme. MountainInstitute.Itbecame TMI’ssummercampisnestledina theplacewhereIcouldget shadedoasissurroundedbyhugeopen awayfromthehustleand meadowsandsittingjustbelowthesumbustleoftheso-calledcityof mitofSpruceKnob,atover4,800feet, Shepherdstowntoenjoythe thehighestpointinourstate.Thecamp wilderness.It’sarareplace ishousedinaseriesofunusuallooking, environmentallyfriendly“yurts”—small ofbeautyandpeacefulness. Asasummercamper,itproonesforsleepingandalargeonefor videdmewithfantasticopportunitiesfor mealsandcommunalspace,aswellas outdooractivitiessuchasbackpacking, offices,andalibrary.Itincludesthe(in) canoeing,androckclimbing.Inaddition, famous“bubble,”whichisasmallopen thewarmandlovingpeopletheremake areaattheverytopofthemainyurt, itanevenmorewonderfulplace.Coming crownedwithaglassdome(andthesite fromagirlwholikestotraveltheworld, ofcountlessstarlitnighttimegatherings). TheMountainInstitute—fromtheboulMytwodaughtershaveenjoyeda dersatSpruceKnob,tothehiddenyurts greatvarietyofsummercampsintheir inthewoods—hasbecomeoneofmy yearsatTMI.Theyhaveattendedsesfavoriteandmostcherishedplacesonthe sionsfocusedonecology,watersheds, planet. WestVirginiaadventure,andastronomy HersisterAlison,nearly21(aregu(wherestayingupintotheweehours larcamperforabouteightyearsbefore ofthenighttoobservetheunparalleled spendingthelasttwosummersatTMIas nightskieswasactuallyarequirement). Ineachcase,thefocusonvariousaspects acollegeintern),makesthisobservation: TMIisaplacewhereit’smucheasier oftheenvironmentwaspairedwithan exhilaratingmixofoutdooradventures— tofindacceptancethanintherealworld, hiking,camping,mountainbiking,caving whetheryou’reacamperorastaffmember.Becauseit’snotlikeanywhereelse, (asamother,youhavenotliveduntil itgivesyouadifferentperspectiveonthe you’veattemptedtowashcaveclothes), world,andthiscarriesoverevenafteryou rockclimbing,whitewaterraftinganda gobackhome.Beingtherechangedthe hundredthingsIprobablyneverheard wayIthoughtaboutthingsandhelped about. shapemeasaperson,whichwasespeItshouldcomeasnosurprisethat ciallyimportantbecauseIwasthereat aplaceasspecialasTMIhasaway twoofthemosttransitionaltimesinmy ofattractingspecialpeople.Thestaff life—middleschoolandthesummerafter hasbeenconsistentlyamazing—well myfirstyearofcollege. educatedinnaturalsciences,skilledin Anyonewhoknowsmyfamily adventureactivities,andgiftedinrelating knowsthismuch—when mytwogirlsagreeon somethingthisemphatically,therereallyismagic intheair!CheckoutTMI anddiscoverthemagicfor yourself! Ethel Hornbeck is a native West Virginian whose family claims nearly 400-year-old roots in these West Virginia mountains. She and her husband Jeff are the proud parents of Sara, a junior at Jefferson High School, and Alison, a junior at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. PHOTOS PROViDED BY TMi SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER 20 Avatar BigMovie,LittleMessage T hree-Dglassesandamazing specialeffectsnotwithstanding,Avatarleftmewith aprofoundsenseofdisappointment.Currently,thisisthebiggest moviearound,anditisashame thatitskirtsanyattempttodeliver arealmessage.Instead,itrelies onthecurrentHollywoodstandard forentertainment:Violenceisthe answer. FromthedaysofIsaacAsimov andRayBradbury,sciencefiction hasbeentherealmofwhat-is-tocome.Inthe1950s,thesemasters werewritingabouthugeentertainmentscreensthattaketheplaceof familyrelationships,communicationdevicesthatarepluggedinto ourheads,andinteractivehouses thatcarefortheirinhabitantsbut lackacapacityforlove.Basedon technologiesatthattime,thesegadgetswereontheirway,andtoday weliveinthe“iWorld”theyhelped ustovisualize. Iamofthegenerationwho cutourteethonStar Trekwhere, inbothgenerations,Captains JamesT.KirkandJonLucPicard exploretheuniversewiththePrime Directivenottointerferewithlife onotherworlds.E.T.andClose Encounterstaughtustoappreciate otherformsoflifeinrelationship withhumanityastheymayoccur. EvenStar Warshonorsthepowerof TheForceinaneraofintergalactic conflict.Thesci-ficredo,toexplore andtolearn,tovisualizeandtocreate,embracedbymanyinthepast half-century,appearstohavebeen abandonedbyourculturalleaders inHollywood. ThecentralideaofAvatar seemstobethetransportation of20th-centurycorporategreed andexploitationfivelightyears away.ThefirstviewofPandora couldhavebeenfilmedatKayford Mountain,W.Va.,wheremountaintopremovalminingpractices threatenlifeitselfintheintricate Sarah Soltow andstunningbiosphereofthe SouthernAppalachians.Thatview islostimmediatelyaswearedrawn intotheless-than-complexconflict betweenovertgreed(Unobtainium? Really!?)anddestructionvs.the pristineinnocenceofanunknown world. Withthetechnologytotransportourselvesfivelightyearsinto thebeyondandtocreateandimplementthecreativetechnologyof theAvatarsthemselves,surelywe wouldhaveprogressedbeyondthe unthinkingresponsesofadominatormodelofbrutemilitaryideologypersonifiedintheColonel G.I.JugheadJoecharacter.This transportationofallthatisnegative aboutourownculturealsoincludes racialaspersionscastatanyoneor anythingthatisdifferentfromwhat thedominatormodelseesasItself: “savages,”“bluemonkeys,”“watch theroachesscatter,”“justanother damntree.”Canwenevermove beyondthiskindofresponsetothe Other? Veiledinthestrangeandexotic imagesofPandoraisamessageof theSacredFeminine.Theworldis theirMother.Shegivesthemlife, andthesacredinterconnectedness ofalllifeisofparamountimportance.Thescientist,Grace,was lookingfor“evidence”ofthisin ordertostopthedestruction.The evidencewas,however,inthevery existenceofPandoraandthecomplexityoflifeonit,asisEarth’s evidenceofbeautyininterconnectednessisallaroundus,should wewishtoseeit.Themoments ofextremebeautyandcreativity comeinthebondingofThePeople withtheworldaroundtheminthe sa’hala,orthesacredbond.Tothe movie’scredit,weseethisawarenessinJakeSully’seyeswhenhe makesthebond,andweseehim progressasacharacterwillingto learnthevalueofalifesodifferentfromhisown.Thisawareness GOODNEWSPAPER•SPRING 2010 culminatesinhisprayerattheTree ofSoulsbeforebattle—abeautiful andmovingimageofwhatourown prayerscouldbe. OtherimagesofPandoraare lesscomplex.Itsbeautyisamixtureofprehistoricfantasyand NativeAmericanculture.Fear isneverfarawayasJakeSully encounters(andfights)itscreaturesandasheistaughttochange hisresponsesfromfeartoacceptanceandunion.Thisisanother messagethatAvatarcouldhave emphasized:Fearbegetsfearand violence.Thechallengeistolearn toliveinsacredinterconnectednesswiththeworld(Eywa/Earth), theMotherofCreation.Butthis messageisskirtedinfavorofgiant airshipsthatwreakdestructionon Treehome,hugepayloadsofexplosivesaimedattheTreeofSouls, gianttransformersdesignedto delightanylittleboy,andthefierce counterattackofthe“natives”as theylearnto“up”thelevelofviolencethemselves. Intheend,thealiensare expelled,buttowhateffect?Who haslearnedanythinghere?Jake Sullyhastransferredallegiances only.WhilenowoneofThePeople, hehasbroughtthemknowledgeof violenceagainstothersasmeansto accomplishagoal. There’sanawfullotofhot burningmetallyingaroundinthe pristineforestsofPandoraright now.Whatarewegoingtodo withallofthat?Andwho’stosay whethertheunobtainiumvaluedat $2billionakilowillnotbeimpetus foranotherattackonthisworld? RememberforamomentDances with Wolves.It’sprettymuchthe samestory,butinAvatar,the nativesgettowinthefirstround. Thebottomlineisstatedseveral timesinAvatar:“Thesepeopletake whattheywant.”Unlessthatcanbe changed,thereisnohappyending. Sarah Soltow currently teaches English and communication for Mountain State University. Her many interests include textile art, gardening, swimming, and keeping husband Fred home long enough to have a cup of coffee with her. 21 X Religious Worship and Education Schedules AsburyUnitedMethodist Rt.480(KearneysvilleRoad) Rev.RudolphMonsioBropleh,Pastor Telephone:(304)876-3122 SundayWorship:11:00a.m. SundaySchool:9:30a.m. ChristReformed, UnitedChurchofChrist 304EastGermanStreet Br.RonaldC.Grubb,OCC,Minister Telephone:(304)876-3354 BronsonStaley,MinisterEmeritus Telephone:(301)241-3972 SundayWorship:11:00a.m. www.christreformedshepherdstown.org ChristianScienceSociety EntlerHotel—German&PrincessStreets SundayWorship&SundaySchool10a.m. Testimonymeetingsat3p.m.1st&3rd WednesdaysintheReadingRoomat 203S.PrincessStreet; openSat.,10a.m.to1p.m., Wed.,noonto3p.m. Allwelcome;phone:(304)876-1332 NewStreetUnitedMethodist St.AgnesRomanCatholic St.John’sBaptist St.Peter’sLutheran Church&NewStreets Dee-AnnDixon,Pastor Telephone:(304)876-2362 SundayWorship:10:00a.m. Children’sSundaySchool:10:00a.m. AdultSundaySchool:11:15a.m. www.newstreetumc.com SouthDukeStreet FatherMathewRowgh Telephone:(304)876-6436 SundayEucharist:8:00a.m.&10:30a.m. SaturdayEucharist:5:30p.m. SundaySchool:9:15a.m. WestGermanStreet Rev.CornellHerbert,Pastor-Elect Telephone:(304)876-3856 SundayWorship:11:00a.m.&7:00p.m. SundaySchool:9:30a.m. King&HighStreets FredA.SoltowJr.,Pastor Telephone:(304)876-6771 SundayWorship:11:00a.m. Children/AdultSundaySchool:9:45a.m. (locatedingreyhouseadjacentchurch) www.Shepherdstownlutheranparish.org ShepherdstownPresbyterian TrinityEpiscopal UnityofShepherdstown St.James’LutheranChurch,Uvilla 100W.WashingtonStreet RandallW.Tremba,Pastor Telephone:(304)876-6466 SundayWorship:8:15a.m.&10:45a.m. SundaySchool:10:45a.m. Nurseryyear-round www.spcworks.org CornerofChurch&GermanStreets TheRev.G.T.Schramm,Rector TheRev.FrankCoe,PriestAssociate TheRev.SusanMcDonald,PriestAssociate Telephone:(304)876-6990 SundayWorship:8:00a.m.&10:00a.m. SundaySchool:10:00a.m. www.trinityshepherdstown.org Minister:ReverendAnneMurphy MorningCelebrationServices Sundaysat11:00a.m. ShepherdstownTrainStation Seasonal Classes & Workshops Telephone:(304)268-4222 www.unityofshepherdstown.org Rt.230Uvilla FredA.SoltowJr.,Pastor Telephone:(304)876-6771 SundayWorship9:00a.m. Children’sSundaySchool1stSundayofmonth SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER 22 Community Good Friday Service Music&Reflectionsonthe“SevenLastWordsofChrist” atChristReformed,UCC(E.GermanSt.) 12noonuntil3o’clock Comeandleaveasyoumust SponsoredbytheShepherdstownMinisterialAssociation Donors Byliners John&JennyAllen MarySueCatlett Denis&NancyDoss W.E.&JoannKnode JeanNeely BrianPalank,DDS Lisa&PaulWelch Craig&RoyWinkel Patrons George&BonnieCasely BillyRay&CindiDunn Jack&MaryElinorHuyett Stanley&JudithJones William&ElizabethJones WandaKeebler Richard&KathyKlein George&PatMcKee Drs.Jean&FrankPorter Robert&LindaReynolds PhilipSalladay John&VictoriaSavage Peter&VictoriaSmith UnityofShepherdstown RayVanderhook,DDS Bill&JoWilcox HenryWillardII Partners William&RoxannaAndersen Barbara&GeorgeBaker L.T.&CourtneyBaker Stephen&MichelleBaluch BankofCharlesTown Tom&RaeBanks Dow&LindaBenedict Frank&DodiBradley Marc&JudithBriod MarianBuckner BethBurkhardt John&HelenBurns LindaCarter Frank&WilmaCoe Ann&MichaelCross Roberta&MarkCucuzzella Thomas&SandraD’Onofrio EarlDeMaris LyndallDickinson MarthaDoss BettyEgan JeanEhman Dave&MarySueEldridge JeanElliott LaraEngebretson IsabelleFair JeffFeldman&KristinAlexander Richard&SusanFletcher JohnFoxen HerbertFreeman Peter&LindaFricke CarolGallant JohnGordon Connie&ThomasHalliwell Mr.&Mrs.E.C.Hammann Jim&AdaHatchett James&NorleenHoadley James&MaryHolland Mary&JosephHorky Douglas&PriscillaHorner RuthDeWindtHoxton Robert&BeverlyHughes Perry&StephanieJamieson JudithJenner Joan&ErnestJohnston JoanKeith Cynthia&RobertKeller Edmund&KathrynKelly SusanKennedy George&RhethaKidwiler Rev.William&ViolaKieldsing John&BarbaraKing John&MelindaLandolt 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MiriamEllis Eriksen-Gerum ChristineHuddle N.Julian Juris&SylviaKundrats WalterLemaster ElizabethFreedlandMcGowen ShirleyMyers JanetOlcott LoriSimmons ElenaTrott John&SarahWalker JudyWeese EileenDooley&DenisWoods Key *Byliners($150–$300gifts) *Patrons($100–$125gifts) *Partners($25–$75gifts) *Friends($5-–$20gifts) Letusknowifyourdonation hasnotbeenacknowledged: (304)876-6466. 23 K. STEPHEN MORRIS President & CEO MemberFDIC•EqualHousingLender Direct304/876-9025 Cell304/876-9807 Fax304/876-0671 [email protected] P.O.Box35 Shepherdstown,WV25443 Schmitt Construction Company James A. Schmitt (304) 876-2462 SHEPHERDSTOWN•CHARLESTOWN•MARTINSBURG•SOUTHBERKELEY•SHARPSBURG W.H. KNODE’S SONS Benjamin Moore • J. Norton Finishes Carpet • Ceramic • Vinyl • Laminate • Hardwood www.CTWallsandFloors.com 86 Somerset Blvd. Charles Town, WV 25414 (304) 725-1461 Things have you feeling Boxed In? Fa r m & H o m e S u p p l i e S P.O. Box 10 Shepherdstown, W.Va. 25443 Phone 304.876.6900 Fax 304.876.2600 MINIyou-store-itRENTALSPACEVarioussizeunitsavailablefrom Michael & Deborah Luksa Proprietors 129 West German Street Shepherdstown, WV 25443 304.876.8777 5’x5’to10’x25’ Holistic Psychology Associates Children • Adolescents • Adults • Couples • Families Randolph R. MacDonald, Ed.D. nday Brunch Open for Su confidential insurancefriendly welcomingatmosphere P.O.Box3153•Shepherdstown,WV25443•(304)876-3136 OffRoute45onemilewestofShepherdstown “Six Generations of Community Service” couples families genderissues cyberissues depression BlueRidge Community& CounselingServices P.O. Box 428 Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Licensed Psychologist Board Certified, Clinical Hypnotherapy Mailing Address: Old Town Center Suite 9 Shepherdstown, WV 25443 304-263-0345 P.O. Box 209 Shepherdstown, WV 25443 (304) 876-6729 DaviD a. Camilletti Top 100 Retailer of American Craft P.O. BOx 400 201 e. gerMan Street ShePherdStOwn, wV 25443 304-876-2208/2604 ATTORNEY AT LAW CampbelluMilleruZimmerman, P.C. 201NorthGeorgeStreet,Suite202 CharlesTown,WV25414 121 E. German Street P.O. Box 1273 Shepherdstown WV 25443 (304)725-5325 Fax:(304)724-8009 [email protected] Debbie Dickinson Meredith Wait 304-876-0657 110 E German Street PO Box 447 Shepherdstown, WV 25443 301.876.1316 LAIRDMARSHALL JEFFMcGEE Manager executiVe chef Counseling & Depth Psychotherapy IndividualsCouplesAdultsChildren CathrynPolonchak L.I.C.S.W. HarpersFerry&Shepherdstown,WV304-876-3022 Dr. David V. Miljour Chiropractic Physician MADDEXPROFESSIONALCENTER Route45West Shepherdstown,WV25443 (304)876-2230 Thank you for being our guests Forfuturereservationspleasecall 304-876-2551 www.bavarianinnwv.com 304-876-6907 205 E. Washington Street • RFD#2, Box 833 (Rt. 230 E. and Railroad Crossing) Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Jim&KaraDay THIS SPACE AVAILABLE call 304-876-6466 Owners “We can fix anything but a broken heart!” 527N.MildredStreet,Ste1 Ranson,WV25438 304-725-2656 304-725-1710 Two Rivers Century 100 mile & 100 metric bike rides along the Shenandoah & Potomac Rivers PLUS! 10 · 25 · 50 mile rides Saturday, May 22, 2010 www.casaride.com To benefit abused children Beginning and ending in beautiful, historic Shepherdstown, WV (60 miles from DC) SPRING 2010•GOODNEWSPAPER Shepherdstown Ministerial Association P.O. Box 1212 Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Patron P.O. Boxholder Rural Route Boxholder PAiD Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage Shepherdstown, WV 25443 Permit No. 33 FREE but not cheap SPRinG 2010 “Strawberries” by Michael Davis
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