Facing the New Year in an Uncertain Industry

First of all, I'd like to wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year. The upcoming months will certainly be interesting to say the least, with elections looming and so many other changes that are likely to ensue, including those in the newspaper industry.

For those who don't know me, I began freelance writing five years ago after spending years in education until a $22 million deficit forced layoffs.

As a writer, I'm not altogether sure what to expect these next 362 days and because of that, I keep a wary eye on newspaperdeathwatch.com.  It seemed the minute I started this new "venture" is when the industry started taking on water and so I often feel like I'm on a sinking ship. I have been known to say more than once, "I picked a good time to start freelance writing." When I do, my mind wanders to this clip, which still cracks me up, but then again, I'm a big fan of the short-lived Police Squad too, so there you have it.

For several years, I freelanced for one of the leading newspapers in our area and then the hammer came down. The popular periodical, which launched in 1854, and during its heyday was published twice daily, reduced print production to three days a week starting on January 1, 2013. With the changes, so went the majority of the freelancers.

Thankfully, I am still employed by two other newspapers, but these days I'm noticing far fewer pitches being accepted at one, likely due to a reduced six-day a week schedule, or maybe end-of-the-year budget concerns, but speculation at this point is simply that. Other changes have been implemented as well, including the elimination of coverage in certain municipalities and a reduction in home delivery to several areas. 

I live about an hour away from the home based of another newspaper where I've been assigned steady work over the years. Not long ago, I visited the city, only to witness the building up for sale. (See Airplane! clip again.)

I love working for both newspapers, but the second one covers most of the big acts that perform at the Luhr's Center in Shippensburg, Pa. Because of this, I have had the opportunity to interview music stars like Peter Noone, Robert Cray, Walt Parazaider of Chicago (such a nice man) and Rodney Justo, lead vocalist of the Atlanta Rhythm Section, to name just a few. Today Danny Hutton from Three Dog Night called me and we're scheduled for an interview tomorrow.

I still work regularly for a local monthly publication that is going strong and several regional magazines as well, so for now, I'm managing to stay busy.

This year gets a B- on the rating scale due to newspaper cut backs, but brights spots include a new food column and the invitation to two press trips, which were a lot of fun and a good learning experience.

For the new year, I plan on pitching to more national publications and continuing with this relatively new blog--which I hope to upgrade as time passes.

I am more than anxious for January 4 to get here because things grind to a halt during the holidays. Few folks are available for interviews and queries stay maddeningly stuck in the queue.

I did manage to get some work done during the past two weeks however and combined it with a stay at the Radisson Blu in Philly where we visited our favorite places like Rittenhouse Square, Liberty Place and diBruno Bros. In between, I paid a work visit to Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, Pa. The trip through Gratz alone was worth it with its rolling countryside and Amish buggies everywhere. I never saw so many hawks in one place either--too bad I couldn't get pictures of them.

Traveling through Stroudsburg, Pa

A plethora of buggies were spotted in and around Gratz, Pa

 Lobby of the Radisson Blu Warwick, Philadelphia

 

Longwood Gardens is a beautiful place and worthy of a visit. An orchid extravaganza is coming up in a few weeks and in summer the grounds are breathtaking. You can read more in the article I wrote for the Chambersburg Public Opinion here.

Meanwhile, here are a few pictures that didn't make the 'cut.'

Behold the Beauty of Bryn Athyn's Glencairn Museum

Located in Montgomery County in the bucolic borough of Bryn Athyn, is a spectacular residence-turned-museum that is home to an impressive collection of some of the finest antiquities in the nation.

The stately structure looms high atop a hill at the top of Cathedral Road, a castle-like Romanesque building that will make you question for a moment if you're been transported beyond our shores. 

Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn, Pa in the winter

The Cathedral

The mansion, deemed "Glencairn," was once home to Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn and their eight children. Open to the public since 1982, the structure serves as a museum of religious art and history. The building houses thousands of works of art from Greece, Rome, Medieval Europe, ancient Egypt and the Near East and showcases one of the finest private collections of French Medieval stained glass in the country. On average, more than 21,000 guests tour the museum every year.

Just a few of the many beautiful stained-glass windows that adorn the interior of the Glencairn Museum

Following the Tenets of the "New Church"
The Gothic Cathedral that is located within viewing distance of Bryn Athyn's Glencairn Museum and the adjacent home named Cairnwood, were all built as a tribute to the faith embraced by Raymond and his father John Pitcairn.

John hailed from Scotland, arriving in the United States in 1846 and soon afterwards was baptized into the church whose adherents followed the teachings of Swedish scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenbord (1688-1722.) Swedenborg provided guidelines for having a relationship with God and bringing religion to everyday life.

John left home to work on the Pennsylvania railroad at a young age, starting out as a telegraph operator and rising to the rank of Superintendent. During the 1870s oil boom, he amassed enough wealth to co-found the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company.

Pitcairn later moved to Philadelphia and befriended Rev. Henry Benade, the first pastor of the "New Church" and the two traveled to Egypt and the Holy Land to share their message. During this time, Pitcairn and Benade transported more than 1,0000 artifacts, from pottery, to bronze statues and amulets, to name a few.

Antiquities that populate the Glencairn Museum

By the end of the 19th century, John was a wealthy industrialist and was able to purchase land in Montgomery County, building a home in Bryn Athyn, which he named Cairnwood. There he and his wife Gertrude raised three sons, with Raymond being the eldest. Raymond exhibited a love of architecture at a young age and pursued the passion throughout his life.

When Raymond married Mildred Glenn in 1910, the couple moved into Cairnwood and he embarked upon the ambitious project of building a medieval-style cathedral on the grounds for New Church practitioners to worship. The project took more than 14 years to complete and was dedicated in 1919, after which, Raymond turned his attention to the construction of Glencairn. Much of Pitcairn's collection of medieval Christian art, which is considered to be one of the nation's finest, served as models for the artists and craftsmen who worked on the Bryn Athyn Cathedral.

The Glencairn Collection
The 90-room, 11-story mansion's exterior is crafted from Massachusett's granite, greystone from Pennypack Creek and feldspar from New York. Approximately 8,000 objects are housed within, including an impressive collection of stained glass, of which Raymond was an avid collector.

Planning around his collection was of utmost importance to Raymond as he designed the dwelling and went to great lengths to ensure the pieces fit logically and naturally to highlight them to their utmost within the given setting.

The first thing guests will encounter upon entering is the five-story, impressive and imposing Great Hall, illuminated by the sunlight, which streams through the colorful panes of stained glass. The Hall, which once served as the family's living room, features the largest mosaic in the building with a rendering of the school seal for the Academy of the New Church, which was the Alma mater of both Raymond and Mildred Pitcairn. Medieval furniture, Persian rugs, sculptures and six, 22-foot-high, full-scale replicas of Chartres Cathedral windows remind visitors of how diminutive they seem in comparison.

One of the first rooms guests encounter

Where the family spent time, with the grandchildren putting on plays on the stage shown above.

Tour guides escort visitors to the children's bedroom, which are now art galleries and feature Medieval Christian and American Indian antiquities,along with pieces from ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, the ancient Near East, ancient Rome and Asia.

Guests will be guided to the fifth-floor chapel where the family worshiped and will view a magnificent mosaic depicting a scene from the Bible from the book of Revelation, large tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments in Hebrew and the Lord's Prayer written in Greek.

A trip to the observation tower is a must. Available to guests via elevator, the glass enclosure affords breathtaking view of the Bryn Athyn Cathedral and the Philadelphia skyline.

The observation tower

To learn more about Glencairn Museum and upcoming events, visit: http://www.glencairnmuseum.org/

A Christmas Visit to Jim Thorpe

If you live in Pennsylvania and are itching for a change of scenery, it's likely that Jim Thorpe, located about 75 minutes from Philadelphia and just 30 minutes from Allentown, is a good choice for a day trip.

The town of Jim Thorpe was originally known as "Mauch Chunk," a derivation of a phrase meaning "Bear Place" in the language of the native Munsee-Lenape Delaware peoples. This quaint little gem of an area is located in Carbon County, Pennsylvania and has been deemed the "Switzerland of America" by the Swiss Tourist board due to its mountainous terrain, attractive scenery and stunning architecture.

During the summer, outdoor enthusiasts flock to the area for hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking and for leaf peepers, it's a stunning fall destination.

Tourists aren't as plentiful this time of year, but that's what makes it especially appealing to those who enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere. Christmas shoppers can take their time strolling along the streets and viewing the many attractive homes and quaint shops that line Broadway and Race streets.  

Beth Beers and her mother operate a shop at 31 Race Street  called "Everything Nice Gift Shop," which features a wide variety of gifts, including games, home decor, candles and toys, to name a few. Beers meets people who visit from all around and is often amazed how far people travel. "This sleepy little town was on their list of places to see," she said.

Lodging Options Abound

For those who are interested in staying overnight, there are several choices in the heart of town including "Rosemary Remembrances II guest lodging," located off Trapp Alley. The studio apartment is equipped with everything you need to stay one night, or several days, including a refrigerator, stove, cabinets full of dishes and a dining table.

For those who prefer to stay at a Bed and Breakfast, The Times House on Race Street is elegantly appointed and centrally located. The building was home to "The Times-News," from 1927 to 1967. For Diane Prokop, a freelance writer who worked for two newspapers with the word "Times" in their names, the purchase was meant to be. 

The Times House Bed and Breakfast was once home to a newspaper business.

Another convenient choice steeped in history is the Inn at Jim Thorpe, which dates back to 1849. More information on the history of the Inn can be found here. 

Dining Suggestions
Dining options are plentiful around town and range from casual establishments like the Molly McGuire's Pub and Steakhouse, owned by the Behan family of Dublin, Ireland, to more upscale options like Moya and Tony Stella's Encore, which he operates from a mansion once owned by General Charles Albright, the lead prosecuting attorney of the notorious Molly McGuires.

Moya Restaurant at 24 Race Street

Encore is especially known for its elegant dinner fare, featuring lamb, veal, seafood and beef, with owner Stella often taking the reins in the middle of the dining room flambeing bananas Foster for some lucky customer.

Before departing, be sure to check out the absinthe room in the rear of the restaurant.

Absinthe served at Tony Stella's Encore

Musical Entertainment
For musical entertainment, look no further than the Mauch Chunk Opera House. The historic building opened in 1882 where the comedy Edgewood Folks was performed before a packed house. 

The old Opera House soon became a regular stop along the Vaudeville Circuit, with Al Jolson and May West performing regularly. It ceased operations as a performing venue in 1959 as audiences dwindled due to the popularity of television and movies. For years, the building was used as a warehouse, until the Mauch Chunk historical society purchased it in 1974 and set about bringing the building back to its former glory.

Mauch Chunk Opera House , which first opened in 1892

Today, music takes center stage, with a Grateful Dead tribute band slated for December 18 and a Springsteen Tribute Band scheduled for December 26, along with a New Year's Eve Dance party on December 31. Learn more about upcoming shows in 2016 here.  

A bit off the beaten path is Penn's Peak, which is also a well-attended music venue, with a gorgeous view, especially in the summertime. Learn more about Penn's Peak and upcoming shows here .

These few suggestions should keep you busy during your time in Jim Thorpe.You'll pass by the  historic Dimmick Memorial Library which is located in the center of town and dates back to 1890. Don't fail to stop in and take in the beautiful wood work.

Dimmick Memorial Library dating back to 1890.

The Asa Packer Mansion and the Old Jail are stories that should be told too. I'll post more about them at a later date since they aren't slated to reopen until May.

Visiting the Shriver House Museum in Gettysburg

If you're visiting Gettysburg this holiday season, you may want to pay a visit to the Shriver House Museum.

The Shriver House--view from outside

Located in the historic district, the Shriver House Museum exists to educate the public on the Civil War from a civilian perspective. 

During a recent visit, a docent dressed in period dress told the story of the Shriver family--George, Hettie and their two daughters Mollie and Sadie.

The Shriver family were well-to-do thanks, in part, to George's father, who ran a prosperous farm and was in the liquor manufacturing business. He died when George was only 16, leaving him quite an impressive inheritance, which included 3,000 gallons of liquor and a 200-acre farm.  

Just two years later, George married Hettie Weikert.  The couple started a family of their own, selling a portion of his farm to acquire a property on Baltimore Street where the family would reside and where George would operate a business known as "Shriver's Saloon & 10-Pin Alley." 

The saloon would be located in the basement of the home and the 10-pin alley would operate in a building erected in the backyard.

Just as soon as everything was built and ready to go, war broke out and in 1861 George volunteered to serve. Both he and his wife thought he would be away for a short period of time, but this turned out to be untrue and the businessman-turned soldier served for several years, returning to visit only once before being captured by Confederate soldiers and taken to Andersonville Prison in Georgia, known for its cruel conditions. It was there George died in 1864.

Guests are shown the parlor, which today is decorated for the season with a small Christmas tree taking center stage and adorned with simple ornaments, small flags and candles, which we are told were generally lit once. 

The Parlor of the Shriver House

Simplicity ruled the day in the mid 1800's during this time of year and small, inexpensive gifts were usually inserted "on" the tree in between the branches." For a person who always wondered why the lyrics of White Christmas," described presents as being on the tree, this was a moment of clarity for me.  

We were shown the dining room where the food was served, Hettie's kitchen with its impressive stove (due to their wealthy economic status), the sitting room and the bedrooms upstairs.

The dining area of the Shriver House

Shriver House bedrooms

A curious thing happened to me outside of one of the bedroom's upstairs when I took the tour. As I listened attentively to the docent, my stomach began aching, causing me to break out in a sweat from head to toe. Too embarrassed to make a scene, I withstood the urge to leave the group, fanning myself with literature I had picked up along the way. When we moved from the area, the pain passed.

I have to admit that I have been in all sorts of structures in Gettysburg, including the attic and the basement of the Farnswarth House, alone with just a docent and nothing like this had happened to me before, so I really didn't know what to think.

More upstairs rooms in the Shriver House. Docent points out the Necco Wafers in the foreground. So now you know why they taste like the 1830s.

 
As we continued on in our tour, the docent told the story of the family leaving the house, only to return and find that it had been taken over by Confederate soldiers. We learned what scenes the family encountered in the fields surrounding their house and that the odor could be smelled as far away as Harrisburg. 

In the attic, guests will see where soldiers took turns keeping watch and firing at the enemy, while others passed the time in a separate, dimly lit area. (This you'll have to experience during your visit since the Shriver House prohibits flash photos.) 

Attic "nest" where soldiers were on watch

Modern CSI detectives using luminal determined that at least two deaths occurred in the attic perch.

Guests will end their tour with a trip to the basement which leads to an area where a makeshift operating table was crafted out of a piece of wood and two barrels. Just a few steps away is the home of what would have been the Shriver's Saloon, had it opened. Sadly, with the loss of George, the business plans for the tavern and the "10-Pin Alley," never came to fruition. During the summer, guests can instead tour the small, award-winning period garden that is cultivated outside.

       Makeshift hospital "bed" for wounded soldiers just steps away from the              Shriver's Saloon

A dream that never came true--The Shriver's Saloon

Next up: A visit to quaint Jim Thorpe, often referred to as the "Switzerland of Pennsylvania."

Visiting Gettysburg's Museums

The last few times I was in Gettysburg, time limitations prevented me from visiting The Gettysburg Museum of History and the Shriver House, both located within a block of each other on Baltimore Street.  Just last weekend, I returned to tour them both.

First Up:

The Gettysburg Museum of History

Located at 219 Baltimore Street, the Gettysburg Museum of History is described on its website as "one of the most extensive private collections of artifacts from the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, Presidencies and Pop Culture." The relatively small, privately owned museum is free to the public and contains more than 4,000 artifacts.

A gift shop with reasonably priced items is located in the rear of the building. During our visit last Friday at 3 p.m., we encountered few tourists for the first 20 minutes--and then they came poring in, which made it a little difficult to navigate around the displays at times. In the front part of the museum, a variety of  Civil War items are on display and range from ammunition collected from the battlefield, (back when it was legal to do so), to Calvary hats, firearms and even Jenny Wade's letters to Jack Skelly. 

Many display boxes are filled with artifacts gathered from particular battlefield regions.  Some of these are for sale along with other interesting items scattered throughout the museum, including framed wood slivers from the gallows where Lincoln's assassins were hanged.

Artifacts from Devil's Den

Other artifacts include rifles found in the ocean at the Battle of Normandy and bullet-riddled German helmets.

Rifle found in Ocean at Normandy

Some items seemed to have no rhyme or reason for being in the collection, like the 3,000-year old, Egyptian female mummy head under glass, or the Victorian rapping hand used in seances to contact the dead, although the "hand" is at least part of Americana. 

No one could get any rest when the Victorian Rapping Hand 

was brought out.

3,000-year-old Egyptian Mummy, female, age 16

Presidential memorabilia is in abundance at the museum, from locks of George and Martha Washington's hair, to Lincoln's wallet and the opera glasses he used on the night of his assassination at Ford's theater. Kennedy's rocking chair sits in a roped-off area aptly positioned near the Marilyn Monroe exhibit displaying one of her bras. Many pictures of past presidents visiting Gettysburg hang on the walls throughout the halls of the museum.

Marilyn's bra and Kennedy's chair sit across from 

each other

The Opera glasses used by Lincoln at the time of 

his assassination

Other items include a teapot that once belonged to Adolph Hitler and a piece of lingerie belonging to Eva Braun, that my husband pointed out to me as something she likely "flounced about" in, which gave me a chuckle. Both Eva and Adolph seemed to be very fond of monogramming.

Eva Braun's "flouncy" frock

Der Fuhrer evidently fancied a spot of tea at times

A small Bonnie and Clyde collection was also on display, featuring Bonnie Barrow's pistol and a series of snapshots acquired from the Barrow family.

Photos from the Barrow side wheeled out for public viewing, along with the pistol wielded by Bonnie.

The Gettysburg Museum of History was featured on an episode of American Pickers in 2011, which you can read more about in The Gettysburg Times, by clicking the following link: 

American Pickers Visit the Gettysburg Museum of History

Or, if you're so inclined, you can watch the episode here (30-day free trial):
American Pickers Gettysburg episode 

The intriguing collection has me wanting to learn more about the man who acquired these artifacts and the stories behind his acquisitions. You can be certain I will make an attempt to do just that for a future article, so stay tuned.

If you would like to learn more about this unique collection, you can visit the website at www.gettysburgmuseumofhistory.com/.