Posts filed under ‘Arts’
Sad???? – Run’d away – Hide – NOG – Chris Ritchey – CIA Scholarship
Gavin’s advice – as we “sit floor- Nog”- (Gavin’s new shortened version of my “monika”) watching the Car’s movie ( over and over and over again) and there is a “sad part“ we must run’d away- is Gavin’s order of the moment- until the happy part comes on. Should a scary part happen, Gavin will change the disc or turn it off.I have yet to find out ( after watching the movie at least 10 times) what happens to Tinkerbell at the Troll bridge, but mostly we have to “hide” under the cushions until the nice happy part returns to the screen.
The other day as I was holding Braedyn in one arm and Gavin was cuddled up under the other watching “Cars” yet again, I felt the softness of a baby’s cheek and the silkiness of Gavin’s tousled hair. I was taken back and reminded once more of another little boy’s cheek and hair as soft as silk .

Try as I might , despite shaking my head to get the picture from my mind, swallowing hard and holding my breath. fat tears splashed from my eyes onto Gavin’s little hand ,so like his Uncle Chris’s . I bit my lip and forced a smile as Gavin turned his concerned little face to mine .
Sad???? – run’d away- hide – Nog
There are so many times I would like to run’d away and hide but there isn’t a sanctuary where one can escape- the sad part is always with me .
Friday, May 4th, we were invited to Cleveland Institute of Art’s Honors Awards and Scholarship Announcements.
Since Chris died we have remembered him with two scholarships Cleveland Institute of Art and Lorain County Community College
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/chris-ritcheys-collage-colleges-scholarships-lccc-and-cia
The recipient of Chris’ scholarship for this year would be announced. I knew it was going to be hard- I put on my “armour” and my sunglasses. Nikki went with me , we took Braedyn – Gavin spent the day with Poo Bah.
I had been to the Aiken auditorium twice during Chris’s time at CIA- the day of his orientation and then the day he graduated. The day of his graduation the large screen – a backdrop on the stage, as his name was announced to the audience, showed two slides the example of a project of which he was most proud 
and WHO HE WAS

I sat, during the awards announcement on Friday, not daring to move incase what ever thin thread that was holding me together broke. I could see Chris once more on his graduation day happy, smiling, full of excitement , giving the thumbs up as he crossed the stage with his work behind him, ready to take on the “design world” with an air of confidence. We were so proud and happy at that moment- looking forward to accomplishment.
Then the reality of Christopher’s name being read once more and on the large screen another slide.

I daren’t look at Nikki, I knew her eyes were filling with tears, I could see peripherally her fingers stroking Braedyn’s warm soft cheek, drawing comfort from his presence. I so wanted to “run’d away- hide”- I didn’t want to face the trolls of the bridge of death and the price they claimed. But there is nowhere to run.
As the announcement of the recipient was read I scanned the audience filled with youth , talent, excitement, their eagerness, joy adding to the ambience of life in that auditorium and just being young written on those faces and I drew a margin of comfort that once more my son’s name was included in a “happy part” . And hopefully a gift in his name would, in a small way, help another to make a difference through their talent.
Thank you so much to those of you that help make this gift in Christopher’s name possible.
This year’s $1,500 scholarship recipient follows
Year One – Jessica Obando http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/cleveland-institute-of-art-a-journey-continues-christopher-d-ritchey/
Year Two – Andrew Frank -http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2011/11/09/cleveland-institute-of-art-chris-ritchey-scholarship-year-two/
Year Three- Emily Good.
If you would like to contribute to the Christopher Ritchey Memorial Scholarship at CIA please do so by sending the check to :
Attn M. Kinsella
Cleveland Institute of Art,
11141 East Boulevard,
Cleveland, OH 44106
mark Chris Ritchey Memorial Scholarship
Reservation for “None”- Lorain 365- Spitzer Hotel
The two lassies of Lorain who have started their own -Lorain 365 2chix 2pix every day
http://lorain365.wordpress.com/
published the above photo a couple of days ago- and one of the comments made
“This is really sad to think all the people who participated in events at the hotel and now it just sits there with the silenced piano”
All the people who participated……. took me back to a happier time and Burlington Bertie and “High Tea” – the picture from the front page of the “Tempo/ Arcade” entertainment Morning Journal magazine is somewhat wrinkled but then again so am I now……..

Yes that was a time when the piano accompanied “high tea” and a shabby Burlington Bertie surrounded by china, and silver and twinkling crystals in the lobby… and now Burlington Bertie – well both the actress and the hotel are worn, frayed, and forlorn and what is left is the diminishing echoes of laughter , good times, songs on a now silent piano
The Spitzer Hotel as it is now:
http://www.locophotogblog.com/?p=269
but other actresses will play Burlington Bertie- “HE” will be resurrected – as for the Hotel………. who can say ?
NOTE:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burlington_Bertie
“Burlington Bertie” is a music hall song composed by Harry B. Norris in 1900 and sung by Vesta Tilley. It concerns an aristocratic young idler who pursues a life of leisure in the West End of London.
This song was parodied in the now-much-better-known “Burlington Bertie from Bow” (1915) credited to William Hargreaves and sung by his wife, Ella Shields, who performed the song whilst dressed in male attire. Unlike the original song, Bertie’s pretensions to gentility are belied by his residence in Bow, in the poverty-stricken East End of London, though his status as an idler ironically links him to the leisured aristocratic class, who reside in the West End.
Betty Grable in the part of vaudevillian Myrtle McKinley Burt performed the song in the musical film Mother Wore Tights (1947).[1]
Julie Andrews, also dressed in male attire, gave another rendition of the song in the film Star! (1968).
It was sung on episode 201 of The Muppet Show by a custom Bertie Muppet performed by Jerry Nelson.
At the Royal Variety Performance in 1981, it was performed in the customary male evening dress by Anita Harris, who brought the house down with the line “I’ve just had a banana with Lady Diana” from the Buckingham Palace verse of the song. Although the Diana was originally Lady Diana Cooper, Prince Charles had married Lady Diana Spencer earlier in the year.
The two songs about Burlington Bertie are both predecessors of Irving Berlin’s song “A Couple of Swells”. In all three songs, a woman dressed in a ragged form of male finery brags about how well connected in society “he” is, while clearly demonstrating an actual state of poverty.
I’m Bert
( shortened version as I performed the the piece for the afternoon teas at the hotel)
P’raps you’ve heard of me Bert You’ve had word of me, Plodding along Hearty and strong Living on plates of fresh air I dress up in fashion And when I am feeling depressed I shave from my cuff all the whiskers and fluff Stick my hat on and toddle up West
I’m Burlington Bertie I rise at ten thirty and saunter along like a toff I walk down the Strand with my gloves on my hand Then I walk down again with them off I’m all airs and graces, correct easy paces Without food so long, I’ve forgot where my face is I’m Bert, Bert, I haven’t a shirt But my people are well off you know. Nearly everyone knows me from Smith to Lord Rosebr’y, I’m Burlington Bertie from Bow.
I’m Burlington Bertie I rise at ten thirty – My pose, Tho’ ironical Shows That my monocle Holds up my face, keeps it in place, Stops it from slipping away. Cigars, cigars, I smoke thousands, I usually deal in The Strand But you’ve got to take care when you’re getting them there Or some idiot might step on your hand.
I’m Burlington Bertie I rise at ten thirty And Buckingham Palace I view. I stand in the yard while they’re changing the guard And the queen shouts across “Toodle oo”! The Prince of Wales’ brother along with some other Slaps me on the back and says “Come and see Mother” I’m Bert, Bert, and royalty’s hurt, When they ask me to dine I say no. I’ve just had a banana with Lady Diana I’m Burlington Bertie from Bow.
Eden Valley Enterprises – Emma “Grandma” Gatewood
Betty Lou Higgins of Eden Valley Enterprises a living theatrical experience-
Eden Valley Enterprises is dedicated to providing unique educational experiences. Our philosophy is that learning and doing are fun and our basic tool is theatre. While we specialize in living history programs, storytelling, and musical trips back in time, we are equally adept at other kinds of programs.
is looking for support for a documentary:
Ohioan Emma “Grandma” Gatewood who was the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail when she was 67 years old in 1955! The storytelling program about Emma premiered to a sold-out house on November 1 and I already have a booking for another one in July. Now we are moving ahead to raise money to create a documentary about Emma to tell her story in more complete detail.
Though many serious hikers know that Emma “Grandma” Gatewood became the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 1955 at the age of 67, they really don’t know the Rest Of The Story.
Most people don’t know that after she hiked the AT the first time she went back and did it TWO more times. Most people don’t know that she also hiked the Oregon Trail during its Bicentennial Celebration. Most people don’t know that she was instrumental in starting Ohio’s Buckeye Trail. Most people don’t know that she was truly a visionary of the ultralight hiking movement. Most people don’t know that she raised 11 children. Most people don’t know that she survived an abusive relationship. Most people don’t know that by the time she retired Emma had hiked more than 10,000 miles! Most people don’t know Emma Gatewood at all! We hope to correct this problem by telling Grandma’s whole story!
There is a special campaign on Kickstarter to help with this. We have until January 19 to raise $3500 in seed money for the project. No money will be collected unless we meet the $3,500 goal.
You can find complete information about this project at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2100362239/meet-emma-gatewood-the-appalachian-trails-legendar
Donations can also be made directly to Eden Valley (regardless of whether or not we meet the Kickstarter goal) by visiting our project page at http://www.edenvalleyenterprises.org/progdesc/gatewood/gtwdinf.htm and downloading the form to mail a check or use the “donate button” to make a payment through PayPal.
As a not-for-profit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, all donations to Eden Valley are tax deductible.
http://www.edenvalleyenterprises.org/progdesc/gatewood/GatewoodKickstarter.htm
Bette Lou Higgins
Artistic Director
Eden Valley Enterprises
www.edenvalleyenterprises.org
Scotland- Airth Games- A Champion- An open culture
Back in what seems a life time ago and before I “retired” from writing, I wrote a column Highland Highlights for Dancer Magazine. There was a lot “politics” involved even in this world of an ancient culture.http://lritch7.tripod.com/games.htmlHowever, the bottom line were the children involved in the learning of the “Dances” of Scotland.
to the best of my knowledge is one of the games where they welcome all of the dancers – no matter their “political dance affiliation”
When I wrote for Dancer, I donated a trophy for the “Baby” class at those games, a loving cup and I am proud the cup is still being awarded. This summer in Scotland ( and yes the skies were blue and the sun was shining) the winner of the trophy from the Jenkins Highland Dance School
is one Robin Rose Gargan

Congratulations! Robin, and her teacher Laura Jenkins…….
Kelly Boyer Sagert – Ohio Writer’s Conference -Saturday
I am a huge believer in writer’s conferences, as a way for writers to network, share knowledge and encouragement, recharge their creative batteries and learn more about their craft. Oh, and to have some fun, too! So, I’m really getting excited about the Ohio Writer’s Conference at TrueNorth to be held at French Creek Reservation on Saturday, October 8th from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a bonus program from 7 to 9 p.m. This conference is for aspiring writers as well as active writers and will be a welcoming haven for all.
Conferences can provide a significant boost to a writer’s development and success, whether you’re just beginning or whether you’re simply in a rut. Here’s how I know. In the early 1990s, when I was very lightly published, I really needed to kick-start my writing. So, I decided to attend the Midwest Writer’s Conference .
The editor of a magazine called Ohio Writer would be at this conference and I desperately wanted to write author interviews for the publication. So, I put together my measly writing resume and practiced what I would say to her. I thought my presentation was pretty polished and I was hoping to dazzle her with my professionalism. Maybe the presentation was okay . . . and maybe it wasn’t . . . but when I actually got to speak to her, I just started blubbering that
I really, really, REALLY wanted to write for her and so, please, please, PLEASE, couldn’t I? Couldn’t I?? Couldn’t I??? PLEASE?????
At this point, she put a hand on my shoulder and told me to stop talking. So, I did. She then told me to take a couple of deep breaths. So, I did. She then informed me that, a minute or two ago, she’d already told me “yes” but, unfortunately, I was babbling too much to listen. (How embarrassing.) She then told me to say the following,
“What do you want me to write, when do you need it and how much will you pay me?”
So, I did – and that led to my first regular writing gig. It also allowed me to meet many other writers in Ohio, some quite successful, who helped me along to the next step in my own publishing path.
At the Ohio Writer’s Conference at TrueNorth, you’ll meet plenty of helpful, encouraging professionals who are ready and willing to support you.
Presenters include:
Ray McNiece: as a two-time captain of National Poetry Slam Championship teams, Ray will share techniques for bringing your poetry to life.
Sarah Willis: the winner of a New York Times Notable Book of the Year award and a Pushcart Prize nominee, Sarah will offer up fiction writing tips that really work.
Kelly Boyer Sagert: I’ve been published thousands of times by now, including 11 books and two full-length commissioned plays (all kick-started at a writing conference, remember!) and I’ll share dozens of ways to publish your nonfiction – and talk about how published nonfiction credits can help you to accomplish other writing dreams.
Gary Gerrone: discover how to incorporate nature into your poetry, fiction and nonfiction, thanks to Gary’s presentation; he is an author, playwright and nature writer himself.
Kim Ceja: from playwriting to songwriting, and from acting to singing, you’ll learn plenty from Kim!
TO REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE OR FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL
Call 440-949-5200 (TrueNorth) or 440-670-6624 (KBS)
Dan Brady discovers Dohanos ( the cover house)
Fellow blogger Dan Brady has been seaching for the inspiration for Steven Dohanos’ cover for the Saturday Evening Post
A Stevan Dohanos Painting Mystery
http://danielebrady.blogspot.com/2011/08/stevan-dohanos-painting-mystery.html
Part One:
http://danielebrady.blogspot.com/2011/09/stevan-donahos-house-mystery-solved.html
Part Two
http://danielebrady.blogspot.com/2011/09/stevan-donahos-house-mystery-solved_13.html
Part Three
http://danielebrady.blogspot.com/2011/09/stevan-donahos-house-mystery-solved_14.html
Thanks to Dan Brady we have another “story from this old town”
Flames-the fire of talent and remembering-CIA- Chris Ritchey
The incredible and incredulous happened, we lost our son on that December 3rd,2009 day , cards and well wishes poured through the mail slot intermingled with Merry Christmas cards. Mainly my mum had to open them as I wasn’t able to do so in the raw state I was in at the time, I still haven’t managed to go through them all. My mum has kept them for me but there was a note from Dean Deming of Chris’ college- Cleveland Institute of Art.
His note was such a positive in all the negative and wickedness of deceit that found us reeling and still does wound.
We decided as I wrote in my blog post of thanks
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/in-search-of-my-son-chris-ritchey-thanks/ to have a “living” memorial for Chris. one that gives back, embraces his life and memory as opposed to the decay of death.
Cleveland Institute of Art has unwittingly and unknowingly given me my son’s voice . It was they who taught him how to use his talent, to express himself, to reach out , to speak , as he has done for me in recent days, as I have found and reviewed his work, I have once again heard his voice.
To that end, I contacted Cleveland Institute of Art , Chris’ family ( read RITCHEY)( father, mother, sister, nana and uncle) will sponsor a scholarship to be given to a 4th year Communications and Design Student . A scholarship in Chris’ name to the student that shows , tenacity, diversity , and stands behind their work no matter how controversial.
It is our way of thanking those that helped form my son and have in fact helped give him back to us.
The scholarship award of $1.500 was announced in April
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/christopher-d-ritchey-scholarship-cia-awarded/
A reception to meet the student arranged by CIA was held on Sept. 22nd.
I knew it was going to be very difficult to attend, I knew that Nikki and I would probably feel it the most as she and I were the ones that were “involved” in Chris’ college years.
We had geared ourselves to face the known triggers we knew could open the fragile dike that was holding back the ocean of grief. Nikki managed it better than I – I lost it unexpectedly in the parking lot. In my mind I saw his truck parked sideways saving us a parking place the day of his graduation .

I flashed backed to the day I had to drive in with the SUV so he could transport his other -self to display it/him in his chosen spot as there was no room in his jeep. I saw him carrying his “other- self” up those same self stairs to the entrance, his face full of deviltry and humor as he was placing it .
I pulled myself together behind my sun glasses and walked the corridors filled with the displays of the talented students and faculty of CIA.

Since we were all attending the reception Gavin did too- his babysitters all occupied for the evening. I have admit he was the little boy with the finger in our particular emotional dike holding back our emotional ocean. His reaction to a pig sculpture , may not have been appreciated by fellow attendees but it surely was a moment to savor by us.

I stayed a little out-of-the-way trying to fight the flames of memory that were licking at my being – I watched as the recipients of the scholarships chatted and talked , their youth , joy de vie , the expectations full with happiness. I tried not to remember that my son had attended such functions with his scholarships his laughter echoing down those halls .
We met Jessica and she was a joy and so very talented. I was glad that Chris laughter and talent will be remembered in those same halls by Jessica and other students to come.
Nikki had stood resolute in her courage but her eyes filling as she held back her tears only to be released when we left
“This just sucks mum, he should be here”
and the question that is never answered
once again being asked to the warm September evening breeze as we walked through the parking lot.
We will be on December 3rd, 2010 sending another check to CIA to help another student fan the flames of their talent.
If you would like to contribute to the Christopher Ritchey Memorial Scholarship at CIA please do so by sending the check to :
Attn Amy Bartter,
Cleveland Institute of Art,
11141 East Boulevard,
Cleveland, OH 44106
mark Chris Ritchey Memorial Scholarship
“THE UNINVITED” – YOU ARE INVITED!!!

Some summer days along St. John River – New Brunswick could be filled with a damp cold fog followed by a sleeting rain that would permeate your bones akin to a November day rather than mid July. I was about 12, if memory serves, when such a day came crashing through the blue skies whipping trees and water into a frenzy of grey and smokey waters capped with dirty white, causing the river rocks to rattle and clatter in collective disaproval as the pounding surf moved them along the beaches.
The “town people” from the City of St. John would spend their summer days in “summer cottages” (up- country ) along the beautiful St. John River to remove themselves from the summer heat of the city .
All the kids , “town and up-country folk” would mingle each summer spending hours on the beaches, rock cliffs and forests taking us wherever our imaginations and “daring” allowed. Looking back parents seemed woefully absent it seems to me.
On those grey cold Atlantic days which swept in from the ocean and the Bay of Fundy we would end up in one of the summer cottages playing cards, board games , listening to the latest music of the day and just being pre- teens. At night we would light fires on the beach boil corn ( usually pinched from a neighbors garden) or roast hotdogs and marshmallows.

But it was on just such a dark afternoon of bleak cold grey skies and slashing rains when I first saw the movie “The Uninvited”. The movie was an old one (1944) – black and white- and somewhat scratchy but I remember we all sat huddled around the small set, the sounds of waves crashing on the beach , wind whistling through the clap boards and rattling the windows mesmerized as the story unfolded before us .
It was a perfect afternoon for imaginations to run wild.
We sat enthralled and even the “brave fellas” among us weren’t quite so daring that afternoon as we watched the plot unfold. There is a moment in the movie when the doors burst open and the mist appears. I can remember a collective scream and my heart pounding and a lot of heads behinds hands.
It was a time of innocence , there was no need for bloody axes, heads falling from closets – gore and guts needed to scare us – the movie did that beautifully ( and still does) and I have to say it is still one of my favourites to this day -even if it did come out before I was even born.
Workshop Players invites you to THE UNIVITED- may your pulse race and your nerves tingle ……
“The Uninvited” by Tim Kelly, directed by Dave Mackeigan, opens Thursday, September 9.
Seeking to escape the demands of life in London, Pam Fitzgerald (Cindy Bilby) and her brother, Roddy, (Paul Nelson) an aspiring playwright, discover a charming house in the west of England, overlooking the Irish Sea. The house has long been empty, and they are able to purchase it at a suspiciously low price. Fifteen years earlier a murder may or may not have occurred by the gnarled tree that can be viewed from the French doors.
Slowly the Fitzgerald’s begin to sense the evil spirit that still inhabits the house, announcing its presence with a sudden, bone-chilling cold. A séance is arranged and the house is forced, at last, to reveal its dark secrets. The action then builds steadily to a truly terrifying climax, in which the ghost is discovered to be not only real but dangerous.
Also in the cast are: Deb Burrow, Kelly Dillon, Bob Kenderes, Jonathan McCleery, Pat Price, Diane Schreiber, Jeanine Surace and Joy Van Kueren.
Production dates are: September 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 at 8 p.m., with Sunday matinees on September 19 and 26 at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $12.00 each or $10.00 each for groups of 15 or more and may be reserved by calling the box office at 440-988-5613.
Workshop Players Theatre-in-the-Round is located at 44820 Middle Ridge Road in Amherst, and our mezzanine area is wheelchair accessible. Check out our website at www.workshopplayers.com




















Encased in Crystal-the artist speaks
She came calling with her tears but I did not stir, I had shed too many tears to be moved by hers.
Her voice then at first a whisper became insistent looking for my attention- but the screaming inside me drowned out her cool wintery voice.
Not one to give up she called even more loudly and sent her followers to tap on the windows. Still I lay listening but not moving, shadows danced upon the wall beckoning me to leave the slumber of grief.
Light came gray and silently – finally I answered her call………
The artist had finished her work during the night and I woke to find just like my heart a world encased in crystal
Not satisfied with the bowing down of the trees to her talent she calls once more with voice of winter her subjects to acclaim her expertise – tears turned to crystal- encasing the life that waits for the softer tears of her spring- when once more she will remind us of her talent to make our world beautiful.
February 21, 2011 at 4:20 pm 5 comments