I read all genre of books, new titles and rereads. But memoirs have been favored recently. Maybe it’s a sign of getting older. I recently finished “Michener and Me: a memoir” (1999) by Herman Silverman. It’s a read prompted by my recent viewing of the movie South Pacific and reading “Tales of the South Pacific.” It’s a very personal account of a decades long friendship between Doylestown’s James Michener and Herman Silverman, owner of Sylvan Pools. A lot is revealed about Michener’s life and personality.
Part of my Michener fascination, besides the fact that I’ve enjoyed his writing, is his lifestyle. After his success with South Pacific, he traveled the world writing epics about places, could be the Chesapeake, Texas, Mexico, Hawaii, Colorado, or Afghanistan. He frequently lived in the area of research; sometimes buying a house. His memoir is titled, “The World is my Home.” Maybe I have a copy to reread.
For decades Silverman and Michener built a friendship. Jim and his second wife, Mari, often live at the Silverman house when visiting Bucks County. Eventually Michener bought a house Bucks County. In 1987 he wrote:
“We had in our town the county jail where mysterious things happened, and the two great Mercer castles, which made Doylestown distinctive. It was a lively place for a boyhood and it enhanced whatever propensities I had for study, for scholarship and for a life of the imagination. I grew up believing that I lived in a town which was enormously superior to more reckless towns like Lambertville across the river in New Jersey and Lansdale, almost a metropolis, to the west. We were also much more stable than Easton, far to the north, but we were perpetually seduced by the really major city of Philadelphia to the south. That we could easily get to its fine stores, theaters, concerts and museums made Doylestown not only a rural retreat but also a participant in the grandeur of the world.
As I look back upon those exciting days I’d say that fifty-five percent of my character was formed by what happened in Doylestown, forty-five percent, including my attraction to the arts, by my experiences in Philadelphia, and that’s a heady mix for any young fellow” (Bucks County Herald).
Mitchener tended toward conservative Eisenhower Republicanism. Silverman was more liberal. Over the years Mitchener slided. He campaigned for Kennedy and made a liberal run for County Commissioner.
I didn’t know that it was Michener and Silverman that invested in the New Hope Aqua Club. We lived not far away on Old York Road for several years. It was a financial disaster.
Silverman was a promoter and backer of the James Mitchener Art Museum in Doylestown. I’ve been a member for years. The museum collected and promoted the Bucks County Impressionist school that had formed in New Hope in the early 1900s. It’s amazing how little was know about these artists — Redfield, Lathrop, Garber, Folinsbee, Spencer, Coppedge — before the Michener. Bucks County or Pennsylvania Impressionists are among my favorite painters. James Michener is a favorite novilist.
April 3, 2024. Three days of steady rain. April showers bring May flowers. Chilly but Spring is on my mind. Easter Sunday we had a brunch with the Kwaits at the Golden Pheasant in Tinicum. Sunny ride up river. A delightful afternoon. We pass forsythia and clusters of daffodils. All spots of yellow. Eli just back from a baseball week in Florida. The main room at the Golden Pheasant is so bright and open. Nice being out with people. Nice seeing the Kwaits.
I started with their Golden Pheasant Manhattan — Dad’s Hat Rye, grenadine, bitters. Grenadine I learned is a nonalcoholic syrup made with pomegranates. Ordered a dozen oysters and Eli got an octopus app. It was small but tasty. My entree was Moules Frites (mussels). Very tasty large bowl with baguettes. Diane had a duck hash. Bottle of Savaginon Blanc for the table. Steak, chicken, salmon, bass for others. I had an Expresso Martini; ice cream for Eli. A memorable Easter brunch.
One of my most memorable Easter’s was 1968 or 1969. We drove our gray 1955 Sunbeam convertible to Cape Cod National Seashore. Probably Cahoon’s Hallow since that’s the beach where Smith’s went. We slid down the dunes and enjoyed a beautiful afternoon. Returning to the car; I’d lost the keys. There must have been a pay phone. I called the local fire company and a guy came. No problem. The car was easy to jump start; in fact there was a crank on the front. He crossed some wires; turned the crank; we were on our way.
This past Saturday I harvested bok choy, arugula and mustard greens. There is more arugula, bok choy, spinach and kale. All planted in October. Amazing Spring crop. I planted seed, spinach, radish, lettuces. kale and peas. All getting watered with the rains. Last night I thought about starting a bit of a flower garden. Maybe in the back adjacent to Diane’s flower/herb garden.
Spring, a time to renew, organize, clean. I have plenty to do. We speak cautiously about moving. What an undertaking. We (I) have so much stuff. Books, records, stamps, coins, clocks, tools, postcards. Then our furnishings, wall hangings, and crafts. I thought about an elevator. Maybe we don’t need to move. It’s also a time to enjoy the flowers, warmer weather, longer days.
Some Spring trip would be nice. Washington DC is a possibility. Last year we went Cape May with Jenny in early March. Later in the month we went to Williamstown, MA with Taylors. Even day trips would be nice, need to look at museum possibilities, any theatre, movies at the County. Getting that spring feeling.
Sure I’m hooked but I also get easily frustrated. A few weeks ago our internet, phones, tv went out. We have Comcast. Reestablished fairly quickly but I began to get suggestions that I should upgrade my modem. I responded and within a week had a new modem through the mail. OK how difficult was this going to be to set up. After a few days I took the plunge. But I had to call Comcast (Xfinity) for help. I was on the phone about 2 hours setting up the new modem. In the down time the rep asked about my services. We were paying $180 to ATT for cell phone. She could do better. $40 for two lines for a year. Bonus cards from VISA for signing up. We took the bait and tried to establish the new account. Tried is the key word.
Days later we went to Xfinity. My phone was locked so they couldn’t transfer the number. What was my pin? What pin? The tech called someone up the line and an hour later had my phone on Xfinity. Not so easy with Diane’s phone. It too was locked, meaning the number couldn’t be transferred. Our rep tried, tried but couldn’t get it unlocked. So we went to the ATT store. Diane’s payment of the last bill hadn’t been received. Phone locked. No clue why they allowed mine to be transferred; it’s the same account.
I’d try to call ATT and they didn’t recognize either phone number. What? Several days ago Diane’s phone went dead. She spent 1/2 hour but couldn’t get an answer to the question if they had received payment. What was our pin, security code? Don’t know. Oh, can’t provide info without pin. But we don’t know any pin. I called back later and screamed. Finally this rep after taking Diane’s social security and account number, telling us the FCC required the pin since 2014, told us the account was closed (why she didn’t have service) but still owed last month (takes days to process a check ). So we need to wait a few days and see if the Xfinity new SIM card will work. Stay tuned.
I went to print something. Nothing. An hour, many tries later I found a paper jam. So simple. Yes but . . . It still won’t print. Finally realized that the modem, hence the Wi-Fi was changed. No longer Holmes but Sherlock. Quick Look on the internet and I was able to charge the modem designation. Easy.
For over a year I’ve been scanning slides with a small easy to operate Wolverine slide scanner. I do 1,000 a shot. They are loaded on a scan disc. I was putting the disc in my small camera and an app was used to transfer them to my phone, the cloud, onto iPad and Mac. Then it didn’t work. The photos on the disc were not recognized. I put the disc into a port on my Mac. A folder came up with an option to share it with Apple Photo App. Easy. Only this week it didn’t work. It would share photos to an email but not the photo app. After some deep thought I realized I could drag the folder to a new folder in pictures and from there load them into the Apple photo app. But why doesn’t the camera option or the share photo option work?
We believe our ATT bill is clear. Diane’s phone should be unlocked. We should be able to activate the Xfinity account on her phone. Maybe a trip to Xfinity ?
Years ago I was drawn to a painting in the Delaware River Wildlife Gallery in Yardley. I’d been buying paintings from the owner Dale Woodward for a few years. My new interest was a large (for me) portrait by John Ennis. John was from my hometown Bristol, a friend of my younger sister, Marylee. I already owned a small study of a Bucks County barn by John. I sold Diane on the new painting, a young woman in a red dress laying back, reading a book. The model reminded me of Jenny. A week or so later I met John in the Mitchener Art Museum and I mentioned the painting. Days later Dale called, John was offering a discount on the painting. Today it’s over our living room couch, the largest of our Bucks County original paintings.
Several weeks ago I saw an ad for “The Art of Reading: an illustrated history of books in paint” ( 2018) by Jamie Camplin and Maria Ranauro. It’s a publication of the Getty Art Museum in Los Angeles. The bait was my interest in reading about books, reading, and libraries. I have dozens of book/library titles in my personal library.
It’s actually pretty amazing how this “genre” spans the centuries. Who would have thought books in paintings was an actual genre. Many of the earliest books in paintings were religious. Mary, Jesus, many saints, all with books, holy books, the Bible in hand or in the frame. The paintings of books in paintings reveal a cultural history of the role of books in society. I know thats a lot of book
But there are also many secular modern examples. Edward Munch, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Mary Cassatt, Edouard Manet, and Vincent Van Gogh, Chagall, Picasso, and Gauguin are all represented. There are also references to many writers and specific books that unite the painting and book tradition.
Books in paintings reflected the growing influence and ubiquitous quality of books in society. Books related to religious devotion. Books related to entertainment. Novels. Books to read to children. Books to read outside. Books with sexual overtones
And artists painted pictures showing all of these manifestations of books in our culture. Sometimes writers were the subjects. Sometimes painters were the subjects with their books. Women, children, men, all read, all were painted with their books. Women do seem to more common.
As I said books about books, libraries and readers are one of my favorite genres. I have dozens. “The Art of Reading” is a great addition.
We’ve had quite a few very good, even great, meals in the past five months. Old favorites; new discoveries. Lunch; some dinners since evening light is returning. Bon Appetit.
Last Friday night we had a fixed price ($40) spaghetti dinner at the Canal House Station in Millford NJ. First course was a basic, beautiful Romain leaves with dressing and a bit of Parmesan and garlic cheese bread. The entree was spaghetti bolognese; dessert, coffee ice cream from Bent Spoon. Good but nothing amazing.
Our company however was different. We sat at communal tables. I took a picture of a bowl of lemons which sparked a conservation with a guy at our table. We soon learned that one of his companions was a close friend of Ragna Hamilton. Marian Chesia, we recognized her name immediately. She lived on Sugan Road around the corner from our New Hope, Old York Road rental. We shared stories about Ragna and Rodney, Steve Katz (who owned the Logan Inn then), the Bailey Boys (who introduced me to cavier and their pool), and of course the Jim Hamilton family who lived in the ruins of the William Maris cotton mill. Melissa and Gabrielle babysat for Marian. Jim, a NY set designer, of course, ran Hamilton’s Grill in Lambertville until he died in 2018. For years it was our go to restaurant. We’d have a drink at the Boat House and usually see Jim there. We also attended some private dinners he hosted in a nearby apartment.
Melissa Hamilton, co-owner-chef (on the right) of the Canal House left the kitchen and stopped to talk to us. She may have recognized our name. About the same time two women joined our table, one was a woman Diane had lunch with sereral times after meeting her at Susan Taylor’s retirement party. Small world. Ian Knauer came in with his wife, Makaika, who started Roots to River farm. I first met her years ago when I took cooking classes at the Farm Cooking School with Ian and she took part and provided vegetables. They have hopes to start a new cooking school. Currently Ian is at the recently opened Finnbar in the old Frenchtown Inn. I told him it was on our list and he said to let him know when we were there.
Most meals out aren’t so filled with meeting and talking with people but it’s a great thing when it happens. Now back to November. We finally got to eat at Terrain at Delaware Valley College. I’m not as impressed as I was with the Chester County store and cafe. We sat in a side room not very exciting. Diane had Shakshuka and I had a wild mushroom frittata. A Bloody Mary. we shared an unusual dessert, Citrus Mille-feuille (Napoleon is the Italian version), layers of puff pastry and cream. Wouldn’t rush back but we’ll probably eat there on some Doylestown trip. I’d like to visit Burpee’s Fordhook Farm which is close by.
We ate again in The Hawk in Lambertville. This time with the Pelcs. It was a chilly day so it was the first time we’ve eaten inside. I had Ahi Tuna Tacos and Truffle Onion rings. A Mulejito. We shared some mini donuts. Food at The Hawke is good. We toured Pelcs around New Hope and Lambertville.
Near the end of November we finally got back to Non Solo Pasta in Morrisville. It was a favorite 15 years ago. One Christmas week I had Italian wild boar. That year I took Eli (who about 2 or 3) into the kitchen where the owner gave him a panettone. This visit as we entered Larry Silvi and young Larry got up from a table to greet us. It’s a regular Silvi lunch stop. I had a Veal Napoletano lunch. I tried a Negroni Sbagliato. Quite good. We need to keep this place is mind.
One of the most interesting dinners was A Feast of Seven Fishes on December 1. It was sponsored by Roots to River Farm at the barn of the Bucks County Audubon Society in Solebury. About 25 guests sat at one long table surrounded by the stuffed animals, bones and other nature displays. We sat opposite Malakai’s (founder of Roots to River mentioned above) mother who I had met at a Farm Cooking School class. We were served a house-cured beet gravlax on pumpernickel and a small glass of Vermu, a vermouth, we were told was available in the Frenchtown wine store. Delicious. Next were two oysters — one broiled with harissa butter; then cold with kohlrabi mignonette. Heavenly. Next was a lobster salad on toasted brioche with radish and claytonia (not sure what that is). The main event was bouillabaisse of cod, shrimp, mussels, served with sourdough and rouille. Then winter radicchio with an anchovy-walnut dressing. Dessert was pana cotta with cider caramel. We’d brought a bottle of Prosecco and some Savaginon Blanc. This was an outstanding, memorable meal.
Christmas Eve was ate at Vecchio Osteria in Newtown. We did last Christmas also. It’s an unimpressive shopping center outside but really evokes Italy inside, the decor, the menu, family atmosphere and the owner Pasquale. Both years we met my cousins Rita and Joey Lentz. Rita has died since then. A BYOB we brought white and sparkling wine. Started with scallops wrapped with bacon. We both had Sicilian Swordfish. An Almaretto Tiramisu and cappuccino finished the meal. Always excellent.
New Years Eve was on another other dine out opportunity. We chose the Washington Crossing Inn. It’s a nice atmosphere but menu also drives my choice. It was a price fixe which I don’t normally like but . . . The lamb chop app is superb. Started with a Manhattan and lamb chops. The Manhattan has become a regular cocktail in memory of Grandpop Profy who had one every evening. We shared some oysters and a glass of Silver Moki. Our main was a crab stuffed lobster. Dessert was a raspberry torte for me; berries and cream for Diane. Cappuccinos. I thought it was overpriced $355 with tip but a tasty meal.
The Yardley Inn is a standby. Several times recently we’ve just stopped in for a drink. Unfortunately they ask $24 for a Manhattan. Too much. One evening we sat in front of the fireplace in the bar room. Very nice. Food is always pretty good. We’ve had Stoli Martinis with oysters. The Old Fashioned a bit cheaper than the Manhattan. Sauvignon Blanc. The stuffed jalapeños are tasty. I’ve had Pork Tenderloin and Veal Milanese. The Yardley Inn,just blocks away from home, is always relaxing.
In December we had lunch at Savona in Gulph Mills with Diane’s cousin Marguerite. My sister Vicky and Ted Dehne have eaten there. I started with a Manhattan. I read that Woodford was the best Manhattan burbon, so I ask for that. I think I had the wood fried octopus; maybe shared some of scallops with Diane. For dessert I had a drink, Ramazotti Amaro. Good but not real memorable.
Another December lunch was at the newly reconstructed Logan Inn. It seems like a monstrositywhen being built but inside it is rather relaxing. Lots of space, fireplaces, easy modern decor. We like it. On one visit I had my Manhattan, shared baked oysters and a romaine kale salad. I had mussels; Diane Chicken Ossining Bucolic. Food is good; pleasant atmosphere.
In early January we had a siblings lunch at Villa Barola in Warrington. I’d never heard of it but was recommended by the Quattrocchis. Started with oysters and a martini. I must admit, oysters on the half shell have been a treat for several years. My main was veal parmigiana. Shared crème brûlée for dessert. It’s always nice being out with my sisters and their husbands. Lively lunch.
Villa Rosa in the Lower Makefield shopping center is our standard take out Italian. I like to order their mussels, white, and a pizza white, maybe a cannoli.
We went to the Black Bass in January. River ride, river view always nice. They have a Bass’hattan. I was going to have their standard crab cake when Diane suggested the Cassoulet, sausage, pork, duck, beans. Wow was I happy to expand my cuisine. A Hefeweizen, shared crème brûlée and French press. I also enjoy a wheat based beer at lunch time.
On Valentine’s Day we were back at the Black Bass. We were headed to the Rieglesville Inn but a text message alerted us they had to close due to a chimney fire. We ate in the small room with fireplace next to the bar. I had the Bass’hattan. My entree was Sea Scallops. Diane has their classic Charlestown Meeting Crabcakes. We shared Brussels sprouts and ice cream. I finished with an Espresso Martini. After dinner drinks can be so nice.
My favorite Black Bass story is camping with Holy Ghost Prep explorers across the bridge. They went to Black Bass after our camp cooked dinner. A bit later the adults walked over for a night cap. The kids told us how good the food was but they were broke. Next day in New Hope they begged us for a loan to buy a soda.
A surprise treat in February was the Rosemont Supper Club. We’d read about it but couldn’t find it. It’s in part of a gas station building, north of downtown Stockton, NJ. During the week the have gourmet take-out. Dinner on Friday and Saturday. Five tables; open kitchen; two owners cooks -servers. It’s a BYOB, so we brought a sparkling and a white wine. Started with oysters. Superb. Forgot to ask from where. Then snails, they didn’t say escargot. They make a signature bread. Very Good. I had a small fillet. I usually don’t order steak but they recommended its heritage, Randall Linebacks from VA. The half of a baked potato was dressed with an unbelievable delicate fine purée. Diane had a duck hot pot. Ice cream and coffee. We hope to try some take out soon.
In late February we went to the Rieglesville Inn. Our Valentine Day reservation had been cancelled. The building is in some serious need of repair but the food is delicious. We like the bar. Fireplace. Started with oysters and their fantastic Manhattan. My entree was a lobster stew; crème brûlée dessert. We both raved about the lunch. Food, atmosphere, such a relaxing afternoon.
Pineville Tavern is a favorite. We totally enjoy the greenhouse built during Covid, designed we’ve been told by Jim Hamilton. The food is always good. Again I might start with a Woodford Manhattan ($19). Fried oysters and Lobster Mac and Cheese. On St. Patrick’s Day I started with a Guinness and Reuben egg rolls. A smoked meat platter with several cuts of pork, belly and a huge hunk of loin. Potatoes and sauerkraut. My left over pork provided us dinner the next night. Diane had clams and pasta. We finished with Grasshoppers. She remembered having one in Boston at a dinner with my bindery boss, Fred Young. After dinner Mrs. Young made Grasshoppers for Diane and herself.
My relationship with the Pineville goes back to the early 1970s. We lived in New Hope as discussed above. John Paglione and I for several summers worked for the Daniel brothers, Paul and Ed. Dairy farm and chickens as well as crops on both farms. After work we headed to the Pineville for beer. I guess they served some food but it was a basic local rural bar. Then it was bought by Andrew Abruzzese and established as a destination restaurant.
In early March we went to the Blue Point Grill in Newtown. We’ve gone to their Princeton location and their next door Nassau Street fish market a number of times. Seafood selection in the market and restaurant is excellent. Years ago the owner drove to the Fulton Fish Market in Manhattan with the owner of Heller’s in Warminister. Started with the Manhattan and Duxbury and Plymouth Rock oysters. I’m trying to remember and distinguish oysters but have a way to go. Diane had Jerked Mahi Mahi and I went for Japanese Hamachi— a type of sushi grade tuna($46). I like the Princeton location better but this is close; we will return.
This week we’re headed to the Logan Inn for lunch with Diane’s cousin. And I made Easter brunch reservations with the Kwaits at the historic Golden Pheasant on the canal in Tinicum. Looking forward to both.
We enjoy gardening, food shopping and cooking. Soon we’ll be having dinner on our deck. Maybe more grilling than last year. But I confess a lunch or dinner out is always a treat.
Vivienne, my granddaughter joined the Whitemarsh Boat Club crew team this past year. She’s a high school freshman and had to quit dancing classes since crew practice is usually five days a week. The club has a boat house on the Schuylkill near Conshohocken. During the winter they train on rowing machines indoor. We attended several regattas this summer on Lake Mercer in N.J. Diane and I had only been to one Schuykill college regatta many years ago. There is amazing team support. Tents with free food. Lots of cheering and chanting. Viv seems to be doing very well. She was the stroke for her freshman team. Rowed in 8 and 4 man boats. Recently won an indoor competition.
Years ago I read David Halberstam’s “The Amateurs: the story of four young men and their quest for an Olympic gold medal” (1996). From Amazon: “Halberstam takes as his focus the 1984 single sculls trials in Princeton. The man who wins will gain the right to represent the United States in the 84 Olympiad; the losers will then have to struggle further to gain a place in the two- or four-man boats. And even if they succeed, they will have to live with the bitter knowledge that they were not the best, only close to it. Informative and compelling, The Amateurs combines the vividness of superb sportswriting with the narrative skills of a Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent.” I bought Viv a copy, maybe I’ll reread it.
Both Viv and I just read the 2014 “The Boys in the Boat: nine Americans and their epic quest for gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics” by Daniel James Brown. We also both saw the George Clooney directed movie “The Boys in the Boat” (2023). Consensus – – book better than the film. But enjoyed both.
Joe Rantz, the protagonist, is a poor depression era boy from Seattle. Brown describes his Hooverville background before going to the University of Washington. There he tried out for the rowing team because if accepted he would get a much needed campus job. A memorable sequence in the film: there are 175 trying out for the Freshman team. Head coach Al Ulbrickson and freshman coach Tom Bolles test and twist the applicants. After grueling training, a team of nine are chosen. Joe is part of that team. Most if not all of the team are from poor working class backgrounds. Their background will be upfront when they travel East to compete with elite Ivy schools.
The genesis of the book is interesting. Daniel Brown’s neighbor said her father had read Brown’s works while in hospice and would like to talk with him. Her father was Joe Rantz. Browns interviews with Joe brought out his feelings growing up poor, joining the Washington team, and eventually competing and winning the 1936 Summer Olympics.
Crew training is intense. The team is pushed to ultimate limits. Washington’s coach Ulbrickson desperately wanted to beat his traditional rival University of Cal, Berkeley. Coach Ebright of Cal had put west coast rowing on the map. Cal had three Olympic gold medals. As Ulbrickson works with his freshman crew; hopes increase. Continually he shifts rowers around. These boys are good. The regattas are intense. Some are on the west coast and then there is Poughkeepsie. The ultimate New York regatta, the championship for the Intercollegiate Rowing Association and Olympic trials. Brown’s writing conveys the competitiveness, teamwork, dedication, strength, “give me ten.” An advantage in the movie is the visually dramatic, repetitive strokes, slicing through the water, arms and bodies sliding back and forth.
The story’s overall theme is how to bring eight rowers into a coordinated team, stroke after stroke. Every position in the boat has a specific task. The coxswain is the member who does not row but steers the boat and faces forward, towards the bow. The coxswain is responsible for steering the boat and coordinating the power and rhythm of the rowers. A coxswain is necessary in the first place because the rowers sit with their backs to the direction of travel. The “stroke” is the rower closest to the stern of the boat and usually the most competitive rower in the crew. Everyone else follows the stroke’s timing – placing their blades in and out of the water at the same time as stroke. Granddaughter Vivienne has been the stroke on her team.
The film spends significant attention on Joe’s relationship with his girlfriend Joyce. In contrast the book spends chapters relating the rise of Hilter in Germany, his plan for the 1936 Olympics. We learn about Hitler’s propaganda filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl who directed the 1935, “Triumph of the Will.” These chapters on Germany provide a context for the Olympics games.
Ulbrickson makes a surprising decision in Poughkeepsie during the 1936 trials. He sidelines his senior team in favor of the junior team including Joe Rantz. Rowing alongside Rantz were Don Hume, George ‘Shorty’ Hunt, James ‘Stub’ McMillin, Johnny White, Gordy Adam, Chuck Day and Roger Morris. The diminutive Bobby Moch, coxswain, yells instructions and motivation. The team worries Ulbrickson. They have fantastic moments; and then fall apart. In many ways their savior was Bobby Moch. In several races including Poughkeepsie, he laid back, gradually increasing the stroke, as the other teams — Navy, Cornell, Syracuse, Columbia and Pennsylvania faded. In both book and movie, spectators riding on a train along the river watch the young Washington team clear the field. Bobby Moch and the eight did it.
The Washington team was on their way to the 1936 Olympics. Reading about Hitler’s planning and interest in the games was interesting. And then there is the Americans response, being on the line, traveling to Germany, in the spotlight. Despite some inconsistent trial runs, Bobby and the Eight pull forward. They win. The 1936 team remain in contact as the years pass. What a story.
I’m looking forward to granddaughter Viv’s regattas in the next few years. Stroke, stroke, stroke . . .
Super Tuesday, 2024 elections. Biden and Trump. Certainly not the best choice. Biden seems too old. Trump is too crazy.
In my lifetime there have been nineteen Presidential elections. Today is a good day to reflect on that history. I have absolutely no memory of Truman and Dewey in 1948. But I certainly remember the famous photograph of Truman holding the Dewey newspaper headline. So much for predictions and polls.
Next was Eisenhower and Stevenson in 1952. As a five year old I didn’t pay much attention.
They repeated it in 1956 and Eisenhower won both times. Richard Nixon was Ike’s Vice President. I think I was aware of the presidency, Eisenhower seemed like an OK guy, nothing special.
1960 was different. John Kennedy was the Democratic candidate. He was a Catholic. He was young, the word charismatic was used. I recall going to a Kennedy headquarters on Otter Street in Bristol and getting buttons. I still have them – “Kennedy for President.” With Andy Romano I rode my bike to the Levittown Shopping Center to hear him speak. I was hooked on Kennedy. Despite his failings, Marlyn Monroe, the Bay of Pigs, Vietnam, hesitation on Civil Rights, Kennedy was an inspiration.i memorized his inuragural speech Diane and I would mourn his assassination and follow his “ask not message” into the Peace Corps.
1964 was tricky. Lyndon Johnson or Barry Goldwater. I was intrigued with the conservative Goldwater the independence and individualism expressed in “Conscience of a Conservative.” Dr. Vince Romano was taking his sons and me to meetings of the John Birch Society. I realized they were bonkers anti-communists, free Taiwan, crazies. But Barry had a certain appeal. I wasn’t old enough to vote.
1968 Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey with third party candidate George Wallace. I was a junior at Boston College. I knew I was a Democrat. I might have supported Robert Kennedy who was assissinated. I went with Eugene McCarthy. I did some minor campaigning in Boston. I went to a rally at Madison Square Garden in NYC. “Get Clean for Gene.” Of course Nixon won.
Would 1972 be better. Richard Nixon and Spiro Agnew faced George McGovern and Sargent Shriver (Peace Corps director). It seemed a lost cause. Nixon would win a second term. Then Watergate. For months I locked into TV afternoon news. Nixon won. Nixon resigned; Agnew was indicted; Gerald Ford was President.
in 1976 Jimmy Carter was a bit of a relief. A nice guy. I don’t recall being too involved in the election. The beat changed; with Carter the beat goes on. He’s still an honorable simple American. So few in American politics.
1980 was different. Ronald Reagan challenged Carter. I registered Republican to vote for John Anderson in the Republicans primary. As we know Reagan won. The Yardley Republican Party asked me to run for council. I had just organized a Bucks County chapter of the Sierra Club. I consulted some Club leadership. They advised run for council as a Republican. I did and won two terms. We had a liberal Republican Party in Yardley. I remained committeeman so I had some election input. I returned to the Democratic Party when Harry Fawkes, Republican county boss stopped taking my local advice. 1984 with Reagan winning against Walter Mondale is a blur.
Then there was George Bush and VP Dan Quayle in 1988. His Democratic rival Michael Dukakis is a blank for me.
Democrats Clinton and Gore won in 1992; George Bush lost. Ross Perot was a third party candidate. I think I did some door to door campaigning for Clinton. For me he was too moderate but he won. Clinton and Gore won again in 1996 against Bob Dole and Ross Perot.
We swung again in 2000. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney beat Al Gore but only after the Supreme Count intervened in votes in Florida. Gore who had won the popular vote graciously accepted the court’s determination. Wow.
George Bush was back in 2004. John Kerry was the Democratic loser. Kerry and his wife had a house on Nantucket we saw him there wind surfing. Down the road from us on the sound, there were major house renovations happening. A car in the driveway’s plates were “Heinz.” In fact the woman driver offered me a ride one day. Mrs. Kerry was Theresa Heinz. I wrote her suggesting maybe she would be my neighbor in a summer White House. She responded that staff were using her car. We also saw the Clintons downtown Nantucket one year. The vacationed on Martha’s Vinyard but Bill like a Nantucket gold course.
2008 Barack Obama and Joe Biden defeated John McCain and four years later they defeated Mitch Romney. McCain was a decent man but got sucked in to the right and ran with Sarah Palin. You remember she watched happenings in Russia from her Alaska house. I contributed to Obama, did some canvassing and went to a rally in Philadelphia. Obama was a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately his potential was consistently and totally blocked by Republicans. Mitch McConnell’s contribution to our country was to block Obama and get conservative Supreme Court justices (and other judges) elected. He succeeded. They ended Roe v. Wade. And they may delay Trump’s trials until after the 2024 election. Thanks Mitch.
Then there was 2016. There were many Republicans candidates in the early debates. Like many I didn’t believe so many Republicans would embrace Donald Trump. For me he made Nixon, Reagan and young Bush almost acceptable. Hillary Clinton was up against being a woman, being abrasive and the lies circulated by Trump. Hillary won the popular vote but Trump took the electoral college.
2020 the election that we still hear about. Trump and Obama’s Vice President, Joe Biden. I contributed to the Biden campaign. What a relief when he won. Trump lost the electoral college and the popular vote. But Trump would not accept defeat. He claimed and claimed again and again and still claims that the election was stolen from him. He lost court cases in many states and instigated the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. He has been indicated in state and federal courts. But he has a hold on the Republican Party, especially among far right faction in the House.
And now 2024. Unless something unexpected and dramatic happens we will be offered Donald Trump or Joe Biden. Like many Democrats I wish there was a fresh face and voice in the Democratic Party. But for me and hopefully a majority of Americans Trump is unacceptable. He is unfit to be President. Until today after Super Tuesday, Nicki Haley offered some hope to anti-Trump Republicans. But she’s dropped out of the race.
Your memories of past Presidential elections? Your thoughts on 2024? And most importantly your vote? A vote for age and sanity?
This Sunday Jenny and Eli took a 4 hour pizza tour in New York City. Scott Weiner is the founder and guide on Sunday bus tours. They started in the Seaport area. Eli got some time with Scott before the participants arrived. Scott takes the group to view the brick oven at Keste.
Scott provides pizza history, cooking lore, and personal anecdotes. He has everyone (maybe 50) introduce themselves. Amazingly one guy took a tour with him in 2011. He was a young kid. Scott identified the tour and pulled up photos on his cell phone. Scott has ordered Neapolitan. He talked about its origin as street food in Naples frequently made with San Marzanos tomatoes and mozzarella. He also discussed canned tomatoes and how you don’t always get what’s on the label. Recently a California woman sued San Marzanos due to “highly misleading” packaging.
Altogether there will be four stops with a slice at each. Based on the group Scott determines where he will go. This trip it’s Brooklyn.
Growing up in Bristol in the 1950s, Mari’s Bristol House was on our Mill Street block. Joe Mari had bought the property, a boarding house, bar and small restaurant, from Sam Mignoni. Mrs. Mari managed the kitchen with the help of her three children, Bobbie, Eleanor and Joe. Their pizza had a thin crust, delicious sauce, cheese, well done, even some burnt edges. I don’t remember toppings. Another choice was take out spaghetti and meatballs. We brought a large pot and Mrs. Mari filled it; a pitcher of birch beer from the bar.
We could also get pizza from Cesare’s, a family run business for over 70 years. John “Caesar” Petolillo moved to Bristol from Florence, NJ in 1949. It’s a full Italian restaurant and a go to place for large family dinners. They have a range of pizza — traditional tomato pies and pizza with the usual selection of toppings. We ate there quite a bit and had pizza take out occasionally.
In Brooklyn Scott’s tour stops first at The House of Pizza and Calzone. They have Upside down Sicilian — the cheese is beneath the tomato sauce. “The House of Pizza & Calzone was established on Union Street, in South Brooklyn, in 1952. Originally named “Simone’s”, after its owner. History has it, that the store had to be sold to pay off a gambling debt Simone had obtained with a local bookie. He would wind up selling it to the two young men who worked for him at the store, Giovanni and Onofrio. The two were immigrant friends who migrated here from a small coastal town in Italy called Mola di Bari. has been servicing the working waterfront and its residents for over 60 years. Still located on the same block it originated back in the early 50’s, The House of Pizza & Calzone has become both a popular and essential part of the fabric of this wonderful South Brooklyn neighborhood. . . .Paul DiAgostino and Gino Vitale bought House of Pizza in 2004. . . In addition to the original-recipe, New York-style pizza, the pizzeria has also received acclaim for its Sicilian Pizza. A crowd favorite is the Upside-Down, pan-baked thick crust pizza layered with fresh mozzarella on the bottom and topped with tomato sauce, and finished with grated Romano cheese and olive oil.” History in every bite.
Eli’s interest in pizza goes back over 12 years when he was being treated for neuroblastoma. It was important to get him to eat after treatment. I gave him a copy of Philadelphia magazines “50 Best Pizza Places in Philadelphia.” A lesson on how to use the GPS and we were on our way. When he came home from treatment we would pack into the car, Eli would pick out a place and plug it into the GPS. We traveled Philadelphia, the Main Line and Bucks County. He was quite discriminating. On several ocassionally we entered, he looked around and said, “no, not here.” Although we have some photos, Eli didn’t keep a log or write reviews. He was only four-five years old.
Next stop in Brooklyn was El Porto established in 2008. Scott had ordered Grandma Pie. I’d never heard of it. “Grandma pizza is unique and quite different from the ubiquitous traditional New York pizza. It is a fairly thin sheet-pan pizza that’s baked in a pan that has been heavily coated with olive oil. This creates the perfect environment to fry the bottom of the pizza giving Grandma pizza that unmistakable crunch! Grandma pizza contains sliced mozzarella cheese and randomly scattered thick plum tomatoes on top. . The Grandma pie was created on Long Island at Umberto’s of New Hyde Park. Its popularity soared in the 2000s and onward in the New York metro area. Fun fact: Umberto’s would often make special deliveries for the New York Giants and Yankees. I’m sure the Mets and Jets like it too. Though the Grandma pie isn’t quite as well known as a traditional New York pizza or a New York Sicilian, it’s still very well known amongst New Yorkers. Some of the more popular places amongst the hipster crowd will create their own names for the style, but basically, it’s a thin sheet pan pizza. Just like the one your Nonna would make.”
Last stop on Scott’s Sunday tour was J &V “was established in 1950 by friends John Mortillaro and Vincent DeGrezia. At the time, the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn was home to a large community of Italian immigrants. Reportedly, J & V Pizzeria was one of the first pizza places to sell pizza by the slice, which is still offered today. Today, J & V Pizzeria is owned by Mortillaro’s widow, Stella, and their two sons, Joseph and John.” Everyone had a traditional New York slice.
I’m hoping Eli writes a review of the tour. He just finished an article for his school newspaper on New Haven pizza. It is based on a recent trip to Boston when he arranged stops at Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana and Sally’s Apizza.
I have limited exposure to exceptional pizza. In the late 80s In Yardley we went to Vince’s Pizza nothing exceptional. An alternative was Yardley Pizza on Main Street — again just OK. Ocassionally we’d go to Caesar’s in Bristol. Better. More recently we have better local choices DiLorenzo’s, a Trenton institution closed and opened locations in Robbinsville, NJ and eventually Yardley. They wrote, “Our Trenton New Jersey landmark is now in the history books and memories of our faithful customers. We had celebrated 66 years in Trenton’s Chambersburg before closing the doors on our Hudson Street location in early 2012.” Surprisingly I went to the Chambersburg location the last night it was opened and brought some pizza home.
Locally we also like Villa Rosa in Yardley. It’s owned by the Capuano family who have several Carlucchi restaurants locally and in New Jersey. Carlo went to Holy Ghost Prep. Unlike DiLorenzo that only has pizza and salads, Villa Rosa has a full menu. In addition to good pizza, I can order anti pasta, clams or mussels, calzones . . . And it’s all tasty. Bonus at Christmas they offer 20% discount gift cards.
I’ve made some pizza at home. I use a bread cookbook by Peter Reinhard, “The Bread Baker’s Apprentice.” He specializes in pizza and has a website. I have a pizza stone in our oven and ocassionally make pizza. Two years ago Diane bought me a wood fired Ooni Pizza Oven. I’ve used it several times but not enough. I also bought Eli a pizza stone, peel, pizza flour and whatever he’d need to make homemade pizza.
My first experience with canoes were trips taken with my Bristol Boy Scout troop 73. I recall one maybe two trips to the Pine Barrens. We were out several nights and paddled on a river and across at least one lake. Another trip was on the Delaware Canal and Delaware River. One night we camped on the canal towpath near the unopened Scudder Falls Bridge. We took a night walk across the bridge. Next day we continued up the canal past the falls at New Hope. We portaged our canoes from canal to river at Odettes. Amazing but Odette came out of the restaurant screaming at us. We continued up river camping on an island. The next morning we backtracked down river, crossed again into the canal and camping a third night at Washington Crossing Park. I think we ended in Bristol.
While in High School I had access to an aluminum canoe Carmen Mignoni kept behind his Mill Street jewelry store. I didn’t have to ask but could use it whenever I wanted. Andy Romano or Mark Ralston were my usual partners on trips on the river. We either went to Burlington Island or toward the river bridge beaching at the Rohm Haus Maple Beach area. I remember one island trip with my sister Vicky. I had a movie camera and documented the trip.
I discovered John McPhee in the mid 1970s as librarian and English teacher. “The Survival of the Bark Canoe” (1975) was one of his first books I read. It was put on a reading list of good books students could chose to read. “The Pine Barrens”(1978) was another early McPhee read. He became a favorite author, eventually I read all the books he published.
I was drawn to McPhee’s New Yorker style. A reporter he was usually directly involved in his subject. He combined first hand experience, interviews, science and history. At one point I wrote McPhee at Princeton asking if I could audit his course. He wrote back explaining it was against university policy. But he would be giving a lecture on campus and I was free to attend. He was a better writer than speaker. Last year I went to hear his daughter Martha speak about a recently published memoir.
“The Survival of the Bark Canoe” is McPhee’s discovery of Henri Vaillancourt in Greenville, New Hampshire. Henri makes birch bark canoes in the tradition of the Native Americans. It’s his living. He uses simple tools similar to what the Indians used. He built his first canoe in 1965, he was 15. When McPhee met him he had made 33 canoes. Henri learned by discovering Edwin Tappan Adney who collected information on bark canoes which as “The Bark Canoes and Skin Boats of North America” (1964) was published by Howard Chapelle who used Adnet’s notes.
There were many style variations between Native tribes. Henri usually follows Malecite designs. Even then style can vary depending on purpose, a racing canoe, a river canoe. Most of Henri’s canoes were 16 feet and cost $850. Today a birch bark canoe may cost about $600 a foot. Henri guides McPhee through the process of finding suitable birch, stripping it, carving thwarts (cross bars) with a crooked knife, gunwales and ribs are assembled. Finally bark is applied, seams sewn and coated with gum or Henri uses a black pitch. Designs may be cut into the bark. Although they must be cared for and repaired if necessary bark canoes are durable and heads above canvas, fiberglass or aluminum.
In the 1970s I bought a 14 foot Old Town fiberglass canoe. Red. We would take it up river and come down to Yardley. From Yardley we could go to a landing at the Trenton Calhoun Street Bridge. We used it in the canal and in a few Buck County lakes. I recall one capsize coming through Scudder Falls with Jenny and a friend. With Bill Gallagher and Tom Corley we established an Explorer Unit at Holy Ghost Prep. We made at least one Delaware River trip, camping on an island and at Bulls Island State Park in NJ. The kids walked across the footbridge to the Black Bass in Lumberville. When the adults headed over for a nightcap, the kids were departing, broke. Said they didn’t realize how expensive it was. The next day in New Hope they begged money to buy a coke.
In the second part of “Survival” McPhee, Henri and three friends take two canoes on an upper Maine trip on rivers and lakes. They are following in the steps of Henri David Through who documented two Maine canoe trips led by Indian guides. His book was “The Maine Woods” (1864). It’s not an easy trip for the group. At times they fight heavy winds. Need to bail out the boats. One boat is punctured. Henri gets bark and his can of pitch and does a repair. Henri can also be a driving task master. Long hours on the paddle. They all pack in their own food. Henri seems to survive on greening beef jerky. McPhee collects fresh water clams to supplement his dried packaged trail food. There is joking, camaraderie, but also some complaining about the weather and strain. The trip ends with a moose sighting.
My last canoe trip was in the Pine Barrens, about 15 years ago. Sue and Hal Rosenthal (older than us), Jerry and Susan Taylor joined Diane and me for a Pine Barrens canoe trip. It was after heavy rains and the rivers were swollen. Only one was open to rentals. We went for it. Whichever river it wasn’t wide. Logs could block the stream but it was moving fast. I worried it would take someone’s head. There was a lot of traffic. Rosenthals capsized twice. But it was a fun adventure.
My old town sits in the garage. I have thought about selling it but my grandson Eli said hold off. On Cape Cod vacations we’d rent a canoe to use on the lake where we stayed. When I retired in 2014, I bought a LL Bean kayak. We already had a small green one person kayak. We would take it to Nantucket and used it a bit locally. I took the new one to Cape Cod several years but after my surgery getting in and out was difficult. Jerry Taylor has it borrowed the past few years. Unfortunately my canoe and kayak days might be ended. But . . . always some hope.
These days I enjoy watching my granddaughter Viv who joined a local crew team. She is doing the family paddling. And she’s good. Stroke, stroke, stroke . . .
I have to thank the Yardley Historical Associations book exchange for introducing me to “The Correspondents: six women writers on the front of World War II” (2021) by Judith Mackrell. It was a fascinating read. I only recognized one of the woman journalists.
Martha Gellhorn. During the 1930s, during the Spanish Civil War, she met and married Ernest Hemingway. I’ve read about her life with Hemingway and recall scenes from a movie, not sure what it was.
Sigrid Schultz caught my attention. She was Jewish, although she hid her identity. She reported on and warned of the rise of Hitler and the Nazis. I immediately thought of our Danish friend Ragna Hamilton who was a journalist, eventually arrested as part of the resistance in Marseille and sent to a concentration camp, Ravensbruck. I don’t recall Ragna writing about the war but need to dig out the articles of hers that I have.
Lee Miller. Virginia Cowles
Lee Miller, an American, was very memorable. She started a modeling career when in NYC and was rescued from stepping in front of a car by “Vogue” publisher Condé Nast. Eventually Lee moved behind the camera. In Paris she pushed to meet and work with surrealist artist/photographer Man Ray. She would be in England as the war broke out. Virginia Cowles was a society reporter turned combat reporter when she went to Spain during the Civil War.
Helen Kirkpatrick. Clair Hollingsworth
I had a hard time keeping the stories of the other journalists separate. Clair Hollingsworth, an English journalist and Helen Kirkpatrick, an American both help forge a path for women journalists.
Between the six, they covered many of the major actions related to the war. Each of the correspondents attempted to be assigned a story area; frequently they faced roadblocks and censorship; and unfriendly treatment from male correspondents. I won’t try to attach a specific correspondent to a theatre or event. Sometimes they crossed paths.
I’ve mentioned the Spanish Civil War, the invasion of France, then Dunkirk, and the air war over Great Britain. Some were in North Africa and Italy. Amazing stories about their involvement on D Day, the Battle of the Bulge and the march across France to Germany and the conclusion of the war. Several would be forever scarred by Dachau. Then there was Nuremberg.
These women correspondents were pioneers. Usually they had a difficult time getting official papers. Sometimes were refused access to the front. The official military excuse was often the lack of female conveniences. Where would they pee in private. In reality they were often facing injury and death; where to pee wasn’t one of their worries.
This was a surprise find but a great read. It would however take a second read and note taking for me to remember more individual personalities and stories. “As legendary reporter Martha Gellhorn reportedly said when asked where she was going on D-Day in June 1944, ‘I’m going where the boys are going.’
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