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Alternative Valentine’s Day

Nancy Whyte — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:10:57 +0000

Another holiday will soon be upon us: Valentine’s Day. Practically since the day after Christmas, stores have had cupids dangling above our heads and shelves overloaded with brightly foiled or satin-laced hearts. Romantic cards fill the greeting slats (Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas in greeting card sales), and racks of skimpy nightwear have been pushed to prominent locations. The electricity of love charges the air.
But not for everyone. There are some of us who were either left standing on the dock when the Love Boat sailed or who purposefully and successfully have dodged Cupid’s arrows. But we who don’t have a significant — or for that matter, an insignificant — other can still find a way to enjoy February 14th. Let me explain.
Regardless of the exact origins of Valentine’s Day — some say it commemorates several early Christian martyrs while others suggest it is a byproduct of an ancient fertility festival called Lupercalia — by general consensus the holiday is celebrated on February 14th. Well, other important events took place on that date. Those of us without a date (pun intended) can chose to acknowledge some of those other occurrences. Thus, we can party and celebrate and have a good time with the other people who are without partners.
Ignoring doilies, diamonds, flowers, and candy, we nonromatics have several choices about what to celebrate. Depending on our personality, we can select to honor the admission of two different states to the union, the creation of one of the most important medicines, or one of the most notorious massacres in American history.
Probably the least-controversial way to celebrate February 14th is by commerating the admission of two states. Oregon, number 33, which became part of the union on Valentine’s Day in 1859, is geographically the 9th largest state and currently contains the 27th largest population. Also, Arizona, the third from last state to join the union, became part of our country on February 14th, 1912; Arizona is the 6th largest and is the 14th most populated state. Due to their shapes, both of these states’s admissions could easily be celebrated with a rectangular sheet cake; for Oregon, unevenly slice a little off the top and right side, and for Arizona slightly scallop the left side and cut a slight triangular wedge off the bottom.
Ironically, Valentine’s Day also marks the introduction of a medicine often used to treat maladies acquired while celebrating that holiday. It was on this date in 1929 that Scotsman Alexander Fleming brought out penicillin, his by-product of mold that can be used to treat bacteriological infections. I’d recommend that if you choose to celebrate the advent of penicillin you concentrate on the abbreviation “pen” and buy yourself a new writing utensil as opposed to chowing down something moldy.
But perhaps the most interesting — and probably least politically-correct way of observing February 14th — would be with a St. Valentines’ Day Massacre party.
Long before the Sharks and the Jets went after each other in New York City, gangs of organized-crime mobsters challenged each other for supremacy in Chicago. With the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol banned by the nineteenth amendment, ample opportunity existed for those trying to get rich through illegal activities. In particular competition for Chicago’s North Side were two rival gangs: one run by Johnny Torrio and the other by Bugs Moran.
As payback for an earlier gang killing committed by Torrio, in 1925 Bugs Moran shot Johnny Torrio shot four times and would have killed him had he not run out of ammunition. Torrio survived, but shortly afterward while serving time in prison for a police raid on one of his breweries, he contacted his long-time friend and associate, Al “Scarface” Capone. Torrio announced his retirement and then turned over his crime syndicate to Capone.
Al Capone sought justice for his mentor’s injuries. The opportunity for revenge arrived on February 14th, 1929 resulting in one of the most notious gang assassinations in history: the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
Although Capone was in Miami when the shootings took place, few doubt that he gave the order for the hit. One of Capone’s henchmen made the arrangements by contacting Moran and offering to sell him a truckload of whiskey at a very low price. Moran agreed, and the shipment was to arrive the next day at Moran’s warehouse. But Moran but was running late on the 14th. As he approached the warehouse, he saw several policemen and detectives step out of a cop car and enter the building. Thinking he had narrowly avoided being arrested in a raid, Moran left — thus escaping certain death.
Meanwhile, inside, Moran’s men apparently decided to let their lawyers sort things out later, so they cooperated with the police. As instructed, they put down their weapons and lined up against the wall. However, instead of being frisked and arrested, bullets flew as the assassins savagely used shotguns and submachine guns to eliminate Moran’s crew. Six men died at the scene, and a seventh, who refused to provide any information, died less than an hour later at a Chicago hospital.
Instead of being legitimate law enforcement officers, the shooters were Capone’s hired assassins wearing stolen police uniforms and driving a stolen police car. A local optometrist who had been misidentified as Moran, mistakenly died in his place, and the real target of the massacre escaped injury.
Although Capone had an airtight alibi, the savagery of the Valentine’s Day killings shocked and angered Americans, and perhaps because police had been impersonated, authorities redoubled their efforts to bring Capone to justice. In May 1929 Al Capone was sent to prison for carrying a concealed weapon, and in October, 1931 Capone was found guilty of several counts of federal income tax evasion. He was fined $80,000 and sentenced to prison for 11 years. He spent most of his prison time at Alcatraz prison where he was released early after 6-1/2 years for good behavior. With Prohibition having been repealed and his crime empire dissolving in his absence, Capone retired to his estate in Florida where he died of complications from syphilis in 1947. His archrival, Bugs Moran died of lung cancer ten years later in Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary while serving time for bank robbery.
Thus, for the adventurous, the notorious massacre of St. Valentine’s Day could be observed with a get-together. Attendees could arrive dressed like gangsters or Chicago police. I’d recommend water pistols instead of more realistic accessories, and punch instead of bootleg alcohol.
So, as February 14th approaches, those of us who are single need not despair; there are plenty of alternative ways to observe the day. We can party and celebrate any of a variety of events: new states, antibiotics or gangland murder. And Cupid definitely doesn’t have to be included on our guest list!

Fall is a great time to visit Foxburg!

Nancy Whyte — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:00:49 +0000

While the quiet town nestled along the Allegheny River is picturesque in any season, autumn may very well be the best time to visit Foxburg. In addition to photographing the scenic views of brightly-colored leaves reflected in the river while perusing the offerings of the local businesses, Sunday October 11th is this year’s date for the annual Foxburg Art, Craft & Food Festival.

The festival’s fun will start with some events on the night of Saturday October 10th, while on Sunday, beginning at 11 AM and lasting until 6 PM, the Festival provides a day filled with fun, food, and entertainment. Main Street Foxburg will be closed to vehicle traffic; visitors should park “up on the hill” at the AC Valley Medical Center or at the AC Valley Elementary School, and shuttles will transport visitors to and from the festivities. Locals and visitors from afar will enjoy listening to the live entertainment, eating any of the wide variety of tasty treats, viewing or purchasing craft items, participating in the Chinese Auction and engaging in all the other goings-on.

For more information, visit the Festival’s website.

“The Bank” is Open

Melissa Bawa — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:00:25 +0000

There is a building on the corner of Main Street, Foxburg that had been quiet for some time. Originally constructed as a Bank for the bustling town in 1932, it passed through many phases over the course of several years. It assumed the role of a church, a community center, an office for the boro council, an antique store, and now, after two years in silent contemplation, it’s doors are open again as a variety shop featuring all sorts of intrigues.

Paul and Sally McKissick, formerly of Mercer, are the forces behind the rejuvenation of what is commonly known as “The Bank” building. After purchasing the structure in April, the two, with the help of others, toiled day by day to bring the building back to life for the public to enjoy once more. After passing months of challenges with heating, plumbing, and general aesthetic refinishing, they were able to accommodate a number of unique businesses within the space and reopen the doors in late August. Among the features are leather goods for motorcyclists by Leather Connexion of Chicora, Rustic Roots hand-crafted wood furniture and crafts, ladies apparel by Amy’s Closet of Emlenton, as well as antiques and collectibles by Dale Wilson of Franklin, and “Wants Again” reusable merchandise; an added touch by Paul McKissick himself.

Paul was employed with Joy Manufacturing prior to moving to the Foxburg area with his Mighty Wurlitzer Organ three years ago. Paul, being both an enthusiastic woodworker and accomplished musician, restored the instrument to it’s potential glory and after many years and many private concerts, sold it to Dr. Arthur Steffee, one of the pioneers of Allegheny Riverstone Center for the Arts (ARCA). It now resides at Lincoln Hall where one may hear Paul play on various occasions. Sally McKissick was a banker at the Northwest Savings Bank in Franklin before trading one bank for another and joining her husband in the venture of occupying Foxburg’s “Bank” building.

The couple welcomes new vendors to join them in making The Bank another point of interest in Foxburg, seeking those who deal in handmade artisan crafts and unique, quality merchandise. They are looking forward to the big Foxburg Festival coming in October and hope to have added beautifully crafted quilts to their offerings, just in time for winter. Currently the hours of operation for the store are Friday and Sunday 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Stop by to meet Paul and Sally and find “a little something” at The Bank in Foxburg!

ARCA’s 1st Scottish Festival

Melissa Bawa — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:00:18 +0000

For just one day, on the 15th of August, 2009 Foxburg added a new dimension to it’s many facets – a celebration of Scotland. The sound of bagpipes filled the air as the strolling bagpipers marched about throughout the day. Men outfitted in their finest kilts roamed the grounds while sheepdogs rounded-up all of the roaming sheep. There was Scottish music, food and crafts at every turn, and even Scottish clans – the theme of the day was that of a land so rich in cultural heritage that it was teeming at the Riverstone Farm. Rightly so it was, due to the fact that the original benefactor of Foxburg, Joseph Mickle Fox, was responsible for bringing the game of golf to Foxburg after enjoying it in St. Andrews, Scotland. So many years after he enjoyed the Scottish countryside, the Scottish countryside came to Foxburg. It was a day like no other Foxburg had ever seen.

To do full justice to this story, let’s step back to the evening before the festival, when the celebrations actually began. Friday night, the festival commenced with ‘Ceilidh’, a Gaelic term meaning “a social gathering with traditional music, dancing, and storytelling” at 7pm. Johnathan Shegog played the bagpipes to welcome visitors to downtown Foxburg for the event held in the grassy nook between Foxburg Free Library and Foxburg Wine Cellars. Throughout Ceilidh, Carl Peterson and Robert Murdoch sang folk songs joined by Melinda Crawford on the fiddle and her husband Dan Crawford accompanying on piano. It was a joyous open air concert interlaced with the sounds of the bagpipes up and down the valley.

Saturday’s events started with the opening ceremony by MacDonald Pipe Band from Pittsburgh and was followed by various events including athletic performances wherein athletes displayed their strength and skills with the Caber Toss and Stone Put, sheepdog herding demonstrations by Tom Conn & Pam Gardner, and a variety of live music by the MacDonald Pipe Band and other performers. There were many craft vendors selling their wares ranging from pottery to kilts to hand pulled wool. Foods of the Highland included traditional Scottish delights such as meat pies, sausages, homemade cookies or folks could even have a slice of pizza by Foxburg Pizza. Other businesses in Foxburg also joined in the festivities with wine from Foxburg Wine Cellars, and Chocolates by Divani Chocolate Boutique to give the visitors a taste of the town. Inside the Events Center, kids enjoyed stories and songs by John Mickle and also had an opportunity to learn some Gaelic from Harry Webb. Popcorn, chocolate and ice cream were some of the tasty treats readily available for snacking… a kid’s dream come true! Visitors awaited horse carriage rides given by the Hovis family of Emlenton and Segway Tours promoted a new kind of “leisure sport” with a team of Segways, giving demonstrations and trials. Other attractions included various Scottish clan organizations who lined their tent along the roadway near the Galloway and Highland cattle. There, they shared their history and offered genealogy study and memberships.
The festival was interluded with announcements from the management, one of which was for the band to play the surprise ‘Happy Birthday’ tune for Dr Arthur Steffee, the owner of Riverstone Farm, who hosted the festival on his premises. Incidentally, during the closing ceremony, Dr. Steffee announced that he discovered at the festival that he is about a quarter Scottish.

A special “Moran taing!” goes out to all of the volunteers for ARCA in making this wonderful event such a success, after all it was a great day for Scotland and Foxburg!

Foxburg Chamber Mixer

Melissa Bawa — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:01:51 +0000

On the warm sunny evening of August 12, 2009, business associates of four counties joined together for an experience of the Allgheny River valley in Foxburg’s first Chamber of Commerce mixer.

Participants from Armstrong, Butler, Clarion, and Venango counties enjoyed all the sights, sounds, and flavors of our river valley town whilst meeting one another for a chance to exchange ideas and swap business cards.

The wonderful variety of eatables consisted of a salad bar of fresh fruits, vegetables, and cheeses provided by The Allegheny Grille and pizza pies of all kinds by Foxburg Pizza, as well as a tantalizing selection of fruity and dessert wine samples by Foxburg Wine Cellars and decadent Belgian chocolate by Divani Chocolate Boutique. Also featured was Segway demonstrations in which people got to try out the segway motorized vehicle.

The event was organized and hosted by The Foxburg Inn, who featured prize giveaways from the area’s businesses toward the close of the event. Prizes included a Girlfriends Getaway package from The Foxburg Inn, a canoe trip from Parker’s Landing, gift cards from the Allegheny Grille, gift baskets from Divani Chocolate Boutique, Foxburg Wine Cellars, Foxburg Pizza & Country Store and the newly opened Paul & Sally McKissick Bank building, and many other terrific prizes.

What a splendid evening overall! Congratulations Foxburg on a sucessful event!

Lincoln Hall Club Night

Melissa Bawa — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 11:43:03 +0000

On the evening of the last day of July, Lincoln Hall held a new kind of event. Tables adorned in candlelight dressed in swaying skirts encircled a smooth surface laid out before center stage. Attendees, clad in fine attire fit for a spin on the dance floor, jauntily moved to the stunning sounds of vocalist/guitarist Betsy Lawrence and pianist John Burgh. It was an experience which extracted and merged the best qualities of that of a nineteen thirties night club with the wholesome environment of a community social.

Smiles on the faces of the club goers were lit up like stars in the night as they partook in the sheer joy of “cutting loose” and “letting it all hang out”. The bewitching melodies brought forth by the resonant voices of Betsy and her piano accompaniment charged the air with a magical sensation which made movement irresistible. They delighted the audience with a variety of tunes ranging from those of the days of old to that of the fresh and new.

There was a wonderful array of hors d’oeuvres provided by The Black Forest Restaurant and ruby red refreshments by Foxburg Wine Cellars available to be enjoyed. Tickets for this stellar event which began at 7pm and continued until sometime after 10pm, were only $15.

Much is the anticipation for more of this kind of event to take place in future days, so if you missed the first Club Night at Lincoln Hall, do not despair… there’s always next time.

Foxburg Bridge is Falling Down!

(Vab) Vaibhav Bawa — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:00:12 +0000

A few days before July 24th, 2008 I had been trying to capture the “best view” of the old Foxburg Bridge that my modest Minolta Dimage Z1 would afford. Then I noticed this little flower planted among the bushes on the edge of the river. After assuming some awkward positions in an attempt to include the little flower within composure, I managed to take several shots from the perspective of someone who must have witnessed the Foxburg Bridge throughout the season leading to it’s end.

A year ago today, a very special event was about to take place. Everyone was looking forward to it – some were very unhappy about it, a few were relieved and the rest I’d say, pretty neutral. We all knew it had to happen…and finally after putting in over a year of planning and construction, they imploded the historic Foxburg Bridge into the Allegheny. A legacy was blown up within moments!

There were lots of rumors surrounding the then Foxburg Bridge. I heard, “They are going to keep it and put little shops on it” and “They’ll just leave it there. After all it’s a piece of history”. Despite all hopes and anticipations, the authorities appeared to be fairly clear about what needed to be done. Someone said the old bridge could have collapsed anytime in future without warning and was simply a hazard given that it would not have been maintained. This would have rung the bells to anyone who used the old bridge or the Allegheny for work or leisure. So, inspite of all the controversy, finally the big day arrived and the town took a moment to pause, reflect and await the judgement.

Foxburg had been busy earlier in the season with not only visitors but also the crew responsible for constructing the new bridge. There were construction signs everywhere warning users of the bridge to expect delays and intervention by construction machinery. But that day there were more – the Discovery channel decided to capture the moment with their own sophisticated gear, there were emergency services sprawled all over as close to the bridge as possible, ready to intervene “just in case”, then there was the audience – both locals and visitors. Earlier, the town folks were asked to evacuate the town for safety reasons – although the authorities were confident that the implosion would go smoothly without damage to any structure or life, they wanted an extra layer of protection. A policeman patrolled the town and verified that the houses were actually vacated before the scheduled time for implosion. This, of course, gave the town-folk an opportunity to step out and witness the “big event” in its entirety.

Some people flocked to the bike trail and climbed down to the river-bank to secure a nice view. Others boated over on the Allegheny to peek at the scene from atop the river. There was an excitement about in the air – the kind you don’t experience in mundane life. Everyone was awaiting the spectacle and yet most of us wished it would never happen. All of us were deliberately quiet as if sitting in an opera or a movie theater. The last siren blew from the Foxburg Fire Hall to mark the beginning of the implosion. Soon, as we waited patiently with our hearts pounding, a spark was seen starting at the far right of the bridge travelling swiftly to the left followed by the blasting sound that had found its way through our earplugs. A series of clapping and cheering followed from the audience – pleased or upset, the people seemed to have come to terms with the reality of the moment.

For those interested, the bridge identification plate and foundation stones of the old Foxburg Bridge can be found at Foxburg Free Library on Main Street in Foxburg.

Soon after the implosion, the old Foxburg Bridge, a piece of history as it was, made its way to the HistoricBridges.org website. A stream of amateur videos appeared on YouTube.com capturing the demolition scene. Please see one of my favorite videos below.

Allegheny River Excursion

Melissa Bawa — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:00:35 +0000

If you listen closely, you may hear the waters calling out to you from the river’s edge. I could hear the beckoning when I moved to this quiet little town tucked in a valley of the Allegheny Plateau. Enchanted into dreaming, I saw visions of Lenape tribesmen gliding silently over the water. My senses drew inward like a breath, to a world that, one day, needed to be realized and after the passing of two summers, I could wait no more.

We (my husband and I) were supposed to go to the city for supplies that day, but as the hours melted in the summer sun, so did our ambition to proceed as planned. It was a simple choice, really. Race to downtown Pittsburgh at the peak of rush hour? Or transform a dream into reality. We chose the latter. Next thing I know, I’m headed for Parker.

We pulled into the lot overlooking that majestic temptress in all her shimmering glory, ready to trade our four wheeled rolling vehicle for something a little more… buoyant. And so it was. A feeling of surreal excitement radiated throughout my being as we entered the house of a new experience. Rows of life-jackets dutifully lined the walls, oars ready and waiting in their respective posts, a vast hall encompassing various floatable vessels, and a welcoming, “Hello there!” filled my senses. Ready was the moment and we were with it. As we were guided in the direction of attainment, we suited ourselves, selected our oars and hopped in the transport van which had earlier been graced with the object of our pursuit… a canoe. This trip from Foxburg to Parker marked our first time ever in a canoe on the river. “See you in a couple of days!”, teased the owner smilingly as he waved.

Riding to our launch point, feeling the breeze flowing through the open windows, I thought to myself, “This is the perfect day for an adventure” and when we pulled in to park and unload the canoe, the determination to make it back to Parker in the shortest amount of time possible assumed the driver’s seat of my ambitions. “Not only will we make it back today,” I thought jestingly, “but we’ll make it back in record time!”
“Enjoy your trip!” our guide wished us as we shoved off.

After spinning in circles from one end of Foxburg to the other, we finally got a feel for the water… and the boat! I abandoned my aspiration of being the fastest first time canoer of all and settled back into reality taking in the green, sunny scenery and the sights of wildlife. Breathing the fresh air and feeling the working of muscles that I had forgotten I had, as we paddled forth. For a moment, the Lenape appeared beneath the shadows of the trees, seamlessly slicing through the water on their craft.

We ventured in to the Clarion River and back out again, continuing down the Allegheny over tiny rapids, past some fishermen and back to our starting point at Parker’s Landing. By the time we returned, we were like seasoned professionals steering straight to the cement slope to reconvene with dry land.

What a refreshing way to spend an afternoon. Out on the open waters without a care in the world. Anything less than a storytelling would not have done the experience justice. Less than an experience would not do anything justice! Summer time is short, but the daylight showers us with the opportunity to experience new things. Or if not something new, then something loved. So, if you haven’t yet, then do. If you already have, then do again. The waters are calling you.

EPILOGUE
Parkers Landing makes your canoeing experience easier and more accessible. All you really need to do is show up! The friendly staff there will help you pick your canoe, oars and life jacket. You will then load up the canoe on their van and proceed to your chosen launch point which would depend on how much distance you wish to cover canoeing. Parkers Landing has various designated launch points for different routes. Other than canoes, they also have kayaks as well as inflatable circular rafts perfect for an afternoon on the river with friends. For more details and pricing, please visit their website.

Summer Reading at Foxburg Free Library

Nancy Whyte — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:00:20 +0000

Opportunities for kids to have fun continue this summer at the Foxburg Free Library. In addition to having thousands of children’s and young adult books and dozens of movies on VCR or DVD available for free borrowing, kids are invited to attend two programs designed to promote reading and eliminate summertime boredom through fun and educational activities.
All children are invited to attend either or both programs; preregistration is not required, nor does one have to be a member of the Foxburg Free Library. Visitors to the area are invited to attend. The programs are conducted on Tuesday evenings and Friday mornings.
Through July, the Summer Reading program will take place at the library each Friday morning from 10am until 11:45. Each week a book or two will be read aloud — often with each listener participating through actions or with puppets. There is also a craft activity conducted each week. Projects so far this summer have included stringing necklaces, making paper bag puppets, and decorating patriotic magnets and pictures. Participants are kept busy playing various games; songs are identified and sung, and memory activities performed. A snack is also served.
Regular attendees of the Summer Reading Program are challenging each other to read a certain number of books; progress is visually tallied on the side of library bookcases with each reader’s personal cardboard cone topped by paper ice cream scoops labeled with each book read. (It’s a good thing the scoops are made of paper; based on the enormous quantity of scoops some achieving readers have acquired, it would be quite a melted mess on the floor had scoops of real ice cream been used!)
Each reader is encouraged to meet reading goals on a near-daily basis: to read aloud for at least ten minutes, to read silently for at least ten minutes, and to listen to someone read to him/her for at least ten minutes. As a reward, each week, several names are drawn, and those children get to choose a prize from the Treasure Chest of goodies.
The last meeting of the Friday Summer Reading Program will be July 31st.

Summer Reading Program

If Friday mornings don’t fit into your busy summer schedule, on each Tuesday evening from 5 to 5:45 a similar Kids’ Hour program takes place at the library. Again, anyone is welcome to join us; we’ll listen to a book, participate in the craft and activities, and enjoy a snack.
The Tuesday Kids’ Hour program will continue through the summer and will continue in the fall.
The Foxburg Free Library is a strong promoter of literacy and encourages all children to discover the fun, entertainment, and educational values of reading. Designed to achieve these goals, and based on the smiles and laughter seen and heard during each meeting, it appears that the Foxburg Free Library’s programs are doing just that!

Adam Weiss, Eternal Optimist

Jae Brown — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 20:18:35 +0000

For many years Adam Weiss has been wowing local audiences as Master of Ceremonies at the yearly SHOWBOAT performance in Emlenton. But this year he was missing from his accustomed role due to the fact that his duties as Executive Director of Allegheny RiverStone Center for the Arts (ARCA) needed all of his attention as the 2007 Performance series was about to open. Adam assumed his directorship duties with ARCA in January of 2006 when, after serving for many years as a board member of that organization, Lincoln Hall in Foxburg was well on its way to total renovation, and an extensive performance program had to be planned.

Adam Weiss

As a professor emeritus from Clarion University of Pennsylvania’s Theater Department, Weiss was no stranger to the many tasks required for the successful planning and execution of a wide-ranging professional performance series – auditioning talent, perusing complicated contracts, interfacing with ASCAP and performers unions, planning for a well-rounded and varied array of talent to mention just a few of his tasks.

Weiss brings to ARCA a rich tapestry of education, vocation and experience. As a young man just graduated from university (he has a BA in German from The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and a MA and PhD in Drama from the University of Denver) he had hoped for a career in the theater or films; but as a young husband and father common sense came to the fore and he looked for a position in teaching.

Adam Weiss came to our area in 1965 when he was employed to work for a one-year contract at the, then, Clarion State College. As he motored to his initial interview at the college Weiss drove across 208, down the river to Foxburg and over the Foxburg bridge and on thorough Knox to Clarion. He was bewitched by the natural beauty of the area and continues, to this day, to glory in our area’s splendor.

To add to his happiness Weiss found that his colleagues and his administrators ‘were like one big family’ and this, combined with ‘a terrific, enthusiastic and intelligent student body who wanted to learn, wanted to prosper and to be good at what they did’, bound him for decades to CUP.

The next several years were spent in getting CUP’s theater program up and running which also involved operating a theater season that featured four shows a year, one a musical, that were in addition to five shows during a six-week period during the summer. Summer became to seem to Weiss as “what summer?”, and time passed in a blur as production after production was mounted. There were actors to be coached, sets to be built, programs to print – in short everything. Weiss quips, “Things were very much hand- to-mouth and you couldn’t forget the chewing gum, wire, and WD40 that virtually held everything together.”

After several years CUP’s summer theater program moved to The Sawmill Theater in Cook’s Forrest. Weiss still remembers his close working relationship with Verna Leith who ‘loved theater and loved to promote Cook’s Forrest’. Weiss reminisces, “Verna started crafts programs in the early 70’s and intuited that a theater program would ‘go’. The shows were done ‘in the round’ and ‘Butterflies are Free’ was the first production. People showed up, we had a great time, and I realized ‘Bingo’! We had hit the mother lode!” Four years later The Saw Mill Theater was formally dubbed the ‘Verna Leith Theater’ and has been a successful venue ever since.

With his new venture at Lincoln Hall ‘The Eternal Optimist’ is once again bringing his artistry to a ‘new’ theater – and it appears that once again Weiss has ‘hit the mother lode!”. It is a wonderful thing to have a once darkened local performance space in the spotlight again. Weiss gives special credit and thanks to Patricia and Arthur Steffee who have put so much into this venture. He also thanks his fellow ARCA Board Members Roberta and Arch Newton, Sue and Gerry Peairs, Rosemary and Lou Kalinowsky, Jae and Andor Jobb and most particularly, his wife, Anne, for their efforts.