Conversations About Art

Hopefully, a child song character has outgrown/unlearned the damaging lesson that was inflicted upon him by a teacher on his first day of school.

By Steven Brodsky

… He’s in this song:

Perhaps he was the recipient of subsequent (and great) arts education that allows him to now enjoy seeing and representing all of the colors of the rainbow.

I wish Harry Chapin would have done a “Flowers Are Red” sequel!

Speaking of a “rainbow,” here’s a piscine beauty:

A rainbow trout
Photo courtesy of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC)

The rainbow trout photo accompanies a post about the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s 2025 adult trout stocking schedule. You’ll find that post at: https://delcoculturevultures.com/2025/02/02/conversations-about-nature/.

Posted 2-2-25

A Conversation With Victoria Browning Wyeth

By Steven Brodsky

Victoria Browning Wyeth is the granddaughter of Andrew Wyeth and the niece of Jamie Wyeth. She is the great-granddaughter of N.C. Wyeth. Victoria is widely known for her dynamic gallery talks and lectures on the life and art of Andrew Wyeth. Victoria is a gifted photographer; her photos have been exhibited at a number of museums.

What are some of your fondest memories of your grandmother?

One of my fondest memories of my grandmother were our nicknames for each other. I always called my grandmother by two names: “Betsy” or “Mamma Sheep Turd.” I realize the second name might raise a few eyebrows so let me explain. I grew up in New York City, but would spend every summer in Cushing Maine with my grandparents. As a young girl, and as a grown woman, I have always detested sand, dirt and bugs. When I was about nine or so, my grandparents purchased Allen Island (near Port Clyde, Maine), and, in addition, a very large flock of sheep to help with the lawn “maintenance. Along with the sheep came sheep turds…. EVERYWHERE. So, she called me “City Slicker” and I called her “Mamma Sheep Turd.” When I was in college and we wrote each other letters, the post office at my college would giggle when they handed me a letter because of the return address. I always smile when I think of the looks people gave us when we used these names for each other.

My second fondest memory was when she taught me to put on makeup and put my hair in a French twist. I can still feel her hands in my hair helping me pin it up. When it came to applying makeup she would always say, “Vic… less is more.” To this day I am not much of a makeup person.

Finally, my most recent favorite memory involved cooking for my grandmother (and my uncle Jamie) on Sunday nights. Betsy was the chef in the family – her meals were simply out of this world yummy. Mashed potatoes, cookies, creamed eggs, popovers, etc. You name it and she could make it. After my grandfather died she scaled back her cooking quite a bit. Around six or seven years ago I started cooking Sunday dinners for my family. I wasn’t the best chef at first; I burned fish more than I would like to admit. One of the things that still brings a smile to my face was watching her gobble up every last morsel. She would look at Jamie and me and say, “mmmmm this is good.”

Betsy handled much of the business affairs of her husband Andrew. What prepared her for this?

She always had such a powerful business sense. I’m not quite sure where this came from, but she handled Andy’s business affairs with such grace and intelligence. She was quite the inspiration.

Please describe how Betsy furthered the career of Andrew?

My grandmother helped further his career by supporting him in numerous ways. The most important was through her love: she loved him with all of her heart. She would always tell him what she thought of his newest painting – if he needed to simplify something, if the color was too intense, etc. She was also very instrumental in titling many of his paintings.

What was the extent of Betsy’s involvement in titling the paintings of her husband?

She had a huge role in the titles. Take the painting Wind from the Sea. When my grandparents were discussing the piece Betsy said, “It looks like a wind is coming in from the sea.” Andy replied, “That’s it!! Wind from the Sea.” Her vocabulary was most impressive. For example, she would do the New York Times crossword puzzles in ink. This gave her an incredible bank of words to choose from when she helped to title the work.

Her ability to title wasn’t limited to paintings: when I was in graduate school and writing long research papers, I would call her and tell her my paper topic. She would then call me back with a title. For example, I wrote a paper on shell shock in British troops during World War I. She came up with the title “Over the Top.”

Were you able to observe Andrew while he was painting? If you were, did he discuss what he was working on?

Andy HATED having people watch him paint. He felt that having you watch him paint was an invasion. The only times I watched him paint were: (1) outside my window in the summer. He would work on watercolors or drawings outside my parent’s house in Cushing, Maine. He didn’t know I was looking, but I was. I couldn’t help myself. This is when I was a young girl (under 13). (2) When I would accidentally walk into the house when he was working on something. I would apologize and he would smile and say, “Hi darlin’. I’m just finishing up.” (3) When I posed. This was my favorite because we got to discuss everything. I would barrage him with all sorts of questions about his work, his life, his friends, etc. The last time I posed (back in 2005) I was giving lectures at the Brandywine River Museum. It was so cool because I would incorporate what we talked about into my gallery talk that day.

How sensitive was Andrew to what critics wrote about him?

He couldn’t have cared less what the critics thought.

Which paintings of his do you believe he remained most attached to?

He was almost always most attached to the painting that he was working on.

To your knowledge, were there times in Andrew’s life when he was without artistic inspiration? If there were, how did he reacquire inspiration?

To the best of my knowledge this never happened. Even when he was in the hospital (for a hip replacement) he drew his hospital room and the view out the window. He was inspired by everything and everyone.

Of the photos that you took of Andrew Wyeth, is there one that especially evokes cherished memories? Can you share those memories with us?

The one I took of him painting outside my window in Cushing, Maine. He was painting me and we would start working very early in the morning – 6:45 a.m. I overslept one morning and rushed downstairs. As I looked out of the living room window, I found him sitting out there with his watercolor pad on his lap, tissues everywhere (to blot the paper) and his watercolor box by his side. Whenever I get sad and miss him, this is what I think of and it always makes me smile.

You’ve given many pro bono talks. Which of those talks have been most gratifying to you? Please tell us why.

My favorite talks, pro bono and paid, have been the ones I have done at the state and local prisons. I feel that those who are incarcerated should be exposed to art as much as possible. Since they can’t go to a museum, I bring a museum to them. For example, this past January I lectured on the work of my grandfather to the gentlemen at the Maine State Prison in Maine. I went on January 16th – which is a very special day for me – the anniversary of my grandfather’s death. It was a beautiful snowy day and I packed my car up with a bunch of my uncle’s and grandfather’s watercolors and drawings and headed to the prison. I thought it would be fun to create a pop-up gallery in the prison and even more interesting to bring one of my grandfather’s models with me. It was a very special day for all of us. I will never forget looking at the reactions on the guys faces as they looked at the art.

The Brandywine River Museum of Art is currently closed to the public (as are other museums) because of the COVID-19 crisis. Is there a painting in the Museum’s collection by Andrew Wyeth that, at this moment, you are especially looking forward to seeing when the doors reopen?

I love seeing my grandmother’s portrait – Maga’s Daughter. I’m very excited to go visit her and say hi.

Posted 6-8-20

Conversations With Writers And More

There will be spring days ‘so perfect’

By Steven Brodsky

… as perfect as the day that’s featured in the poem “Today,” by Billy Collins:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/40824/today-56d21ebdad746

Such days foster expansiveness under a “larger dome of blue and white.”

Photo by Steven Brodsky

Those days will be perfect enough to possibly help to alleviate or eliminate impingements on one’s writing flow that may have set in over the winter.

Posted 3-31-25

Things that bug us

By Steven Brodsky

Photo by Steven Brodsky

Writers usually find it easier to shoo away or crush flies at spring, summer, and autumn picnics than to decide if they should write about some pesky (and personally troublesome) subjects.

If you’ll be attending picnics, enjoy them!

Nice (and easier) writing can arise from those picnics, whether or not flies and other external pests will be present.

Posted 3-28-24

The road I chose today

By Steven Brodsky

Photo by Steven Brodsky

… a road not made of asphalt, enables me to commemorate Robert Frost’s birthday, which arrives in two days, by sharing this link: https://poets.org/robert-frosts-road-not-taken.

Robert Frost was born on March 26, 1874.

I’m appreciative that Robert Frost chose a road that facilitated his penning “The Road Not Taken.”

Posted 3-24-25

April is coming, ‘she will’

By Steven Brodsky

… In many of the regions where readers of this column reside, streams will be “ripe and swelled with rain.”

The writers among us can choose to act upon exceedingly rich and abundant writing prompts that the month of April and spring evoke.

Some of the better writing prompts will quickly disappear from consciousness, as if they’ll be carried off by the rushing waters of a “ripe and swelled with rain” April stream.

Such a stream:

Photo by Steven Brodsky

Will you have pen and paper at hand to capture writing prompts and to actualize some of those prompts into first drafts?

Posted 3-14-25

Whether or not you will be welcoming the arrival of March

By Steven Brodsky

… March will be here soon.

It’s never too early or too late a date to enjoy this Emily Dickinson poem: https://poets.org/poem/dear-march-come-1320.

Posted 2-25-25

Disattired

By Steven Brodsky

… is this adaptively “wise” tree:

Photo by Steven Brodsky

It’ll “stand sleeping in the cold” tonight.

Not easy (and unlikely) for most poets: to write with the level of poetic eloquence and concision that William Carlos Williams did in this ten-line poem: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45504/winter-trees.

While the “wise” trees will do what they will in the remaining nights of this winter, wise and dedicated writers will be striving to improve their writing ability.

Posted 2-23-25

The last vestige of light is present on these woods

By Steven Brodsky

… at the start of this snowy evening.

Photo by Steven Brodsky

Though I would like to linger at these woods, it wouldn’t be expedient: there are “promises to keep” and “miles to go before I sleep.”

The words between quotation marks in the above paragraph are those of the speaker in this poem by Robert Frost: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/42891/stopping-by-woods-on-a-snowy-evening.

I have to move on from these woods and this post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Posted 2-12-25

A biblical admonition for writers and/or bookworms

By Steven Brodsky

Writers and/or bookworms (many writers are bookworms) may find Ecclesiastes 12:12 to be a catalyst to offset effects of excessive sedentary time with healthful activities.

Ecclesiastes 12:12: “And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.”

Be well!

Posted 2-10-25

In the closing hours of 2024, headwinds are in the forecast for January

By Steven Brodsky

… for some of the writers among us.

You may have experienced first-month-of-the-year headwinds before.

It’s clear that the speaker in William Carlos Williams’ “January” has.

Note the first word of the poem: “Again.”

January by William Carlos Williams – Poems | Academy of American Poets

Good luck to those of you who will be writing through headwinds in January.

Happy New Year.

Posted 12-31-24

Christina Rossetti’s ‘A Christmas Carol’

By Steven Brodsky

…was an outflow of Christina Rossetti’s having given her heart to Jesus (read Rosetti’s “A Christmas Carol,” and take note of the words in the last line of the poem): A Christmas Carol | The Poetry Foundation.

Christina Rossetti | The Poetry Foundation

The poem was not written by a woman with a stony heart.

What can God do for a person with a stony heart?

Ezekiel 36:26: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.”

Posted 12-21-24

Ted Kooser’s ‘Christmas Mail’

By Steven Brodsky

… linked here for our holiday season enjoyment, before the Christmas rush gets fully underway: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/55886/christmas-mail.

The Christmas cards that the mail carrier in the poem delivers have transportive power, as does the poem: they take us to a special time and place.

Season’s greetings to all of you.

May writing that you do on pages, screens, and on holiday cards be graced with transportive power.

Ted Kooser served as the U.S. Poet Laureate from 2004-2006. He was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 2005.

Posted 12-8-24

Serviceably macabre

By Steven Brodsky

… for Halloween enjoyment is Robert W. Service’s “The Cremation of Sam McGee”: The Cremation of Sam McGee | The Poetry Foundation.

This was recorded by Johnny Cash at Cash’s home:

Did the story of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and a fourth person in a fiery furnace “walking in the midst of the fire” told in Daniel 3:16-28 help inspire Robert W. Service (January 16, 1874 – September 11, 1958) to write “The Cremation of Sam McGee”? I’d tell you if I knew.

Posted 10-11-24

O column readers

By Steven Brodsky

… Walt Whitman was born 185 years ago, on May 31, 1839.

In commemoration of Walt Whitman’s birthday, enjoy:

O Captain! My Captain! by Walt Whitman (read by Tom O’Bedlam) (youtube.com)

Posted 5-31-24

A ‘wordless’ special encounter

By Steven Brodsky

Photo by Steven Brodsky

… with a heron or other wild animal can compel a person to write about the experience “over and over again.”

A compelling poem, Hayden Carruth’s “THE HERON”: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/browse?contentId=39844.

Posted 5-9-24

A winged writing prompt

By Steven Brodsky

… prompted by Emily Dickinson’s “Fame is a bee” (linked below):

Photo by Steven Brodsky

www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52139/fame-is-a-bee-1788

No telling when this prompt will take wing and disappear from this page.

Emily Dickinson did not experience the sting of fame; she was not famous during her lifetime.

Posted 5-4-24

Curiosity

By Steven Brodsky

Photo by Steven Brodsky

… can prime an artist’s creative pump (yes, the proverbial cat that possessed this trait now comes to mind).

Posted 4-23-24

In commemoration of the birthday of Robert Frost (March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963)

By Steven Brodsky

… Let’s enjoy Robert Frost’s “Birches”:

“Birches” by Robert Frost (read by Tom O’Bedlam) (youtube.com)

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44260/birches

“Birches,” a song by Bill Morrissey, had been referenced in the main section of this column. I believe that Bill Morrissey probably titled the song as a nod to the same-named Robert Frost poem. Bill Morrissey spoke of the impact of Robert Frost’s poetry in an interview: “And then, as I got older, people like Robert Frost really hit me.” Bill Morrissey’s “Birches”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5n5ceAv_Bc&ab_channel=BillMorrissey-Topic. I never had an opportunity to interview Bill Morrissey.

Posted 3-26-24

A recitation of W.H. Auden’s ‘O What Is That Sound’

By Steven Brodsky

… A great recitation of this unsettling poem:

Tomorrow is the birthday of W.H. Auden (February 21, 1907 – September 29, 1973).

Posted 2-20-24

Tracked and found a lost dog

By Steven Brodsky

… during a recent snowfall.

After finding the dog, turned around and noticed the tracks of the dog and my own in the snow “stretched out upon the world.”

Blizzard by William Carlos Williams | Poetry Foundation

The dog was returned to its owner.

Posted 2-15-24

Longing to be ‘lost’ in a romantic interest

By Steven Brodsky

… the condition of the speaker of “I Am Not Yours,” a poem by Sara Teasdale (1884 – 1933): https://poets.org/poem/i-am-not-yours.

The first-person character of Paul Simon’s “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” does not have that condition:

48 years ago, on February 7, 1976, “50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the first of three weeks.

The poem and song are referenced here in advance of Valentine’s Day.

Posted 2-7-24

‘The work of a writer, his continuing work, depends for breath of life on a certain privacy of heart.’

By Steven Brodsky

… Yes. For the purpose of maintaining “a certain privacy of heart,” will leave it at that; no flippancy is intended.

The quotation is that of Tennessee Williams. It appears in New Selected Essays: Where I Live.

It’s presented here in commemoration of the birthday of Tennessee Williams this coming Sunday. He was born on March 26, 1911.

Posted 3-24-23

One can only imagine

By Steven Brodsky

… how great Hubert Selby Jr.’s novel Seeds of Pain, Seeds of Love (the working title) would be if the novel had been completed.

Revisiting this reading by Selby of a few pages from the incomplete manuscript of the novel because the pages and the reading are powerful and not everyone here now watched the reading when a link to it was originally posted, and because the writing exemplifies what can be achieved by someone who never completed formal education beyond the eighth grade and who had some huge personal challenges, and because I hope that the reading will inspire writing by some of you, but be aware that the reading contains a depiction of violence upon a juvenile by a parent and adult language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0wAJ8AFRmQ.

An outstanding documentary about Hubert Selby Jr.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvDJNEcUxfs.

This posting is dedicated to the memory of Dan Fante (February 19, 1944 – November 23, 2015).

Dan Fante was encouraged to write by Hubert Selby Jr.

Have you read Dan Fante’s memoir? It’s titled Fante: A Family’s Legacy of Writing, Drinking and Surviving.

Posted 12-5-22

Seamus Heaney’s father and grandfather used a spade. Seamus Heaney, a squat pen.

By Steven Brodsky

… digging tools.

Nobel Prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney at Villanova University in April 2010 reading “Digging”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNRkPU1LSUg.

The text of “Digging”: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47555/digging.

Seamus Heaney was born in Northern Ireland on April 13, 1939. He passed away on August 30, 2013.

Posted 2-2-22

Great color choice for the wheelbarrow in a 16-word poem by William Carlos Williams

By Steven Brodsky

… W.C. Williams chose red—an excitatory and perfect color for the wheelbarrow in the poem “The Red Wheelbarrow.”

Had he chosen any other color, the poem’s effectiveness would be greatly diminished.

Read or recite the poem from memory with a different color for the wheelbarrow and check this out for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqIl3oX_44s&ab_channel=awetblackbough

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45502/the-red-wheelbarrow

Posted 8-19-21

Tickets on Sale for Colonial Theatre 26th Annual Blobfest

Colonial Theatre gears up to host a jam-packed weekend full of ghoulishly gooey fun for its 26th Annual Blobfest. This year’s Blobfest theme is “Camp Blobfest,” promising an outrageously over the-top festival experience filled with nostalgia, thrills, and larger-than-life fun.

From July 11 to July 13, the three-day festival pays homage to the theatre’s starring role in the 1958 classic Steve McQueen film, The Blob. Phoenixville’s favorite movie monster oozed into town more than 60 years ago after the Colonial Theater was featured in the famous 1958 film during a scene where a large crowd runs out of the theatre to escape the renowned blob. Since then, the Colonial has celebrated the film and all things sci-fi horror for a quarter century.

Fan-favorite events returning to Blobfest this year include an electrifying stage show and iconic Run-Out, where attendees can relive the legendary escape scene from The Blob. Due to high demand, an additional Run-Out has been added to the event lineup. Tickets start at $40, offering fans a chance to be part of the action and excitement. Other beloved annual events include the high-energy 1950s rock ‘n’ roll Blob Ball, the lively Saturday Street Fair, Shorty’s Short Film Contest, and the Blobfest 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon with tickets for the race starting at $35. Attendees can also take part in the Facade Decorating Contest and Costume Contest, showing off their best Blob-inspired looks and creative storefront displays. Screenings of The Blob and other horror classics will show throughout the three day festival, including the Spanish-language version of The Blob, La Masa Devoradora, Evil Dead 2: Dead by Dawn, and Gremlins 2: The New Batch.

Tickets for Camp Blobfest events can be purchased online or in person at the Colonial Theatre box office.

The Colonial Theatre is at 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, PA .

Conversations with Songwriters and Musicians

Just announced: Michael Martin Murphey to perform a concert at the Sellersville Theater on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. (doors will open at 7:30 p.m.)

By Steven Brodsky

… Tickets are now available.

Visit https://www.st94.com/events/michael-martin-murphey/ for additional information and a link to purchase your tickets.

Posted 4-8-25

Leonard Cohen and Billy Joe Shaver drew upon the same Bible verse

By Steven Brodsky

***Note to readers:* This article appeared at: https://delcoculturevultures.com/2025/03/10/conversations-about-faith/. *Does Isaiah 64:6 raise questions for you? You may find answers to those questions at: https://www.gotquestions.org/imputed-righteousness.html.***

… The verse is Isaiah 64:6. As translated in the King James Version, the verse reads: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

I’m writing about Leonard Cohen’s “If It Be Your Will” and Billy Joe Shaver’s “If You Don’t Love Jesus.”

Most people who’ve heard the songs haven’t encountered the verse directly (and most of this column’s readers haven’t heard the Billy Joe Shaver song).

In the Leonard Cohen song, Isaiah 64:6 is alluded to in the line: “In our rags of light, all dressed to kill.”

In the Billy Joe Shaver song, an allusion to the verse appears as: “Take your rotten rags of righteousness and stuff ’em up your self.”

“If It Be Your Will”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXoqQAvkLfQ&ab_channel=LeonardCohen-Topic.

“If You Don’t Love Jesus”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MbF0bc7iEs&ab_channel=Boofitts. The song is “strident,” as I described it during a radio interview that I did with Billy Joe Shaver a number of years ago.

Posted 8-2-21, Reposted and Revised 3-11-25

Jelly Roll’s (Jason DeFord’s) opening statement at a Senate committee hearing

By Steven Brodsky

Thank you, Jelly Roll!

Posted 1-12-24

In tribute to the late Jimmy Buffett

By Steven Brodsky

… I’m pleased to share links to a nearly one-hour phone interview that Clay Eals did with Jimmy Buffett on October 26, 2000 for Clay’s book Steve Goodman: Facing the Music.

From The Paul Leslie Hour:

A Never-Before-Heard Interview with Jimmy Buffett – Part 1 of 3 – YouTube

A Never-Before-Heard Interview with Jimmy Buffett – Part 2 of 3 – YouTube

A Never-Before-Heard Interview with Jimmy Buffett – Part 3 of 3 – YouTube

ABOUT – THE PAUL LESLIE HOUR

A 2017 Entertainment, Culture and More interview with Clay Eals is posted at: A Conversation With Clay Eals, Author of ‘Steve Goodman: Facing the Music’ – delcoculturevultures.com.

Posted 9-13-23

A Conversation With April Verch

By Steven Brodsky

April Verch is one of the most admired fiddlers worldwide. It’s not only extraordinary fiddle playing that endears her to fans, however. It’s also her stepdancing, singing, music composition and lyric writing, and a unique and wonderful artistic expression that flavors the various traditional fiddle music styles that she performs and records. April had prodigious talent with the fiddle at an early age. At an even younger age, she demonstrated remarkable ability in stepdancing. Her talent continued to grow and brought her recognition in her native Ottawa Valley, Canada and later on far beyond. In 1997 she won the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Championship. At the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, her performance with five other fiddlers in a segment that presented Canadian fiddle music was broadcast to millions of viewers. She has performed in many countries, and is a concert and festival favorite. In the greater Philadelphia region, April performed last year at the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival. She received a rousing reception. Last month, April performed at the Lansdowne Folk Club. Some of our readers were in attendance; they thoroughly enjoyed the concert. April, you were 3 years old when you began stepdancing. At age 6 you started learning to play the fiddle. What was going on in your life and surroundings that contributed to those learning choices? My parents are both fans of our local (Ottawa Valley) music and dance traditions. I grew up attending square dances, festivals and jamborees with them and listening to my dad’s country band practice. My older sister, Tawnya, was taking stepdancing lessons and I wanted to do everything she did, so I started taking stepdancing lessons at the age of 3. We took lessons from a local teacher, Buster Brown, who taught the style with his wife Pauline 5 days a week in different communities around the Ottawa Valley. I’ve heard that you wanted to take up the fiddle earlier. Why didn’t you do so? We were dancing to fiddle music and I was drawn to it, so I decided I wanted to play fiddle, too. I think I also liked the fact that every time there was fiddle music people were happy and having a good time. I believe I decided when I was 3 that I wanted a fiddle, but my parents didn’t really think I knew what I wanted for sure, and they were also worried that I wouldn’t have time and attention to practice both fiddle and dance, so I had to wait until I was 6 for my first fiddle. It was my birthday present. I think I had finally bugged them long enough at that point that they figured it wasn’t something that was going to pass! You sometimes stepdance and play fiddle concurrently. When did you first start doing this? When I was competing in Ontario fiddle and stepdancing competitions as a young girl, which we often did, though it was more about the social gathering than the actual “contest,” I saw a woman by the name of Cindy Thompson fiddle and stepdance at the same time. I don’t know exactly how old I was, maybe 9 or 10, and I was blown away. I figured “if she can do it, I can do it!” So I started working on it on my own and gradually taught myself to combine the two. The opening track on The April Verch Anthology CD is “Canadian Reel Medley: Trip to Windsor, Back Up and Push, Dusty Miller, Woodchoppers Breakdown.” How old were you when this was recorded? This track starts with an old recording from the late 1980s (I was around 10 years old at the time) and then it melds into a recording of me playing the same tune from a CD entitled Verchuosity which was released on Rounder Records in 2001. What were the circumstances? My dad and my sister and I had gone to play on CHIP radio in Fort-Coulonge, Quebec. It was a station we listened to a lot.—They played a lot of old country music and a lot of local artists. One of the hosts at the time was Red Bennett, and we had met him at a few events and he had invited us to come and play live on his show. What do you recall about the experience? It was my first live radio experience and I was pretty excited! We played a few tunes and he interviewed us in between. Please talk about what is to be heard on the track. The track starts with Red asking me about what we were going to play next and I say something like “some of my favorites, maybe yours too, eh?” I sound like I’m trying to be very grown up but really I just sound like a kid who’s thrilled to be playing on live radio. And then I tear into a tune much too fast, which I think a lot of kids do—tend to play too quickly.… So when it melds into the “current day” version of the same tune, the pace slows considerably to where the tune can groove a bit more! The anthology CD allowed you to choose from tracks that were on 10 of your previously released recordings. What specific memories arose when you revisited some of the songs selected for inclusion on the CD? It was amazing to listen back to each recording, because each one reminded me of a different phase of my life and my career. Remembering not just who was in the band or the studio at that time, but what was happening in my life, what my hopes and dreams were for that recording… For me personally, listening back was like seeing snapshots in a photo album. Please tell us about the current members of your band. Not a day goes by that I do not feel extremely grateful to have such amazing bandmates. Cody Walters plays bass and clawhammer banjo. He resides in Asheville, NC. And from Boston, MA, Alex Rubin joins us on guitar. Both Cody and Alex also contribute vocals. They are fantastic musicians and really wonderful human beings to hang out with offstage as well. I have tremendous respect for them. You started full-time touring in 2000. Please tell us about several of your most memorable performance-related experiences. Performing in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver was definitely a highlight and a huge production. I feel so fortunate to be able to play in so many different parts of the world and also so many different types of venues and events. Each one is different and special in its own way, and the the most memorable experiences for me as a performer come from the connections that we make in sharing our music with an audience. Hearing their stories after the show, seeing their faces and reactions. That’s what means the most. That can happen in a tiny space of a big hall, but it’s what sticks with me always. How do you occupy your time while traveling to performance venues? In all honesty, I spend almost all of my time working on the “business” aspect of my career when we are in the van, at the hotel, or between tours. I do have hobbies too, but right now my focus is mostly on doing what I can to keep us touring and doing what we love, and I’m okay with that, even if it’s sometimes a heavy load to keep up with. I feel fortunate to be able to do it. You perform a variety of traditional fiddle styles. How are some of them similar to one another and how are they different? A lot of the differences lie in the bowing patterns and ornamentation. Some styles are more articulate while others use longer bows and more notes slurred together. The ornamentation in the left hand also differs from style to style. In the fiddle styles that I play, the thing that ties them all together in my mind is that they are intended for dancing. They have a driving rhythm and how you achieve the dance groove might be different, but that is the ultimate goal for the music. What formal and informal training and music exposure has been most helpful to you? I first learned from local fiddlers that taught me “by ear.” Later I studied classical violin as well and learned to read music. Both methods and experiences were invaluable and I am glad to have both. More than anything have passionate, patient and dedicated teachers been my greatest asset. You attended Berklee College of Music. How did that experience benefit you as a musician? Attending Berklee really opened up my ears to styles of music I had never been exposed to before and made me realize how vast the possibilities are for my instrument, or any instrument for that matter. It was also great to be surrounded by so many musicians that were passionate about their craft and to learn about the business aspect of the industry. I still refer to some of my music business course books to this day. Other than the styles of music that you perform and record, which do you most enjoy? That’s a difficult question for me—I seem to go through phases and love a lot of genres. I don’t know that I would say that there are any that I love that I haven’t tried, because I tend to try most of them when I get really passionate about them. Right now I can’t seem to get enough of old classic country music. When not on the road on in the studio, what are some of the activities that you most like doing? I enjoy reading, walking, gardening and crafts. And hanging out with my family and neighbors. I’ve so much to learn from them. Are you giving thought to your next CD? I am! We will be recording this fall for a new CD to be released in 2019. What do you expect might be on it? I’m leaning towards that old classic country sound and thinking of going more in that direction. You heard it here first! April Verch’s website address is: www.aprilverch.com

Posted 2-14-18

Book: ‘Empress Creed’

By Karen McCarraher

The author describes her book as “a woman’s crime love story set in the urban Midwest during the Great Depression”.

Ella Monroe grew up in the south side of Chicago with an alcoholic, prostitute mother. After an attack by one of her mother’s “clients”, Dulce moved in with Mama Lee who ran a day care center in her neighborhood. Dulce dreamed of becoming a couture fashion designer. She did not go to school; but Mama Lee recognized how bright she was and provided books and materials for her to learn.

When she was in her teens, she met Perry Savage, an Army Captain, and spent one night in delightful ecstasy. She left him early the next morning with just a note. Perry searched for her but because she had not given him her true name, he was unable to find her and he returned to the Army.

Dulce’s friends had nicknamed her “Lil Empress”. As she grew older, she despised her poverty and drifted towards the dark side of Chicago. Although she still dreamed of becoming an international fashion designer, she began running numbers for “Countess” who was a queen in Detroit’s gambling trade. She saved her money and bought a run-down hotel in Gary, Indiana. She had it completely refurbished and named it “The Palace”. It was from there that she launched her gambling and other activities such as money laundering. These were very lucrative and Empress became very rich.

Years later, she again met Perry Savage. They fell in love and were married. Perry became her bodyguard, hotel manager and anything else Empress asked him to do. All the while she continued to design clothes for herself, Countess, Mama Lee, Perry and all her friends.

During that time, the Midwest (as well as other parts of this country) was blighted with racial discrimination and police corruption. Empress had managed to keep her business away from them until one day, when she and Mama Lee went out to buy sodas and they encountered the police. Empress was arrested for no reason and when Mama Lee objected, the police chief grabbed her around the neck and choked her to death. Thus began a war between the corrupt politicians and police and Empress’ organization. Empress was disgusted with America. She and Perry went to France and noted that people of color were not treated differently. Empress longed to move and raise her children there.

So, readers, do Empress and Perry get their happily ever after or is she destroyed by the Chicago or Gary, Indiana corruption? Does Empress ever fulfill her dream of fashion design? Read on to find out.

This is a powerful book about the climate in America in the thirties, the joy of family and friends, and the love and belief in God. And thank heaven for the teacher who told the author: “Girl, write the damn book”…

About the Author

Tarris Marie was raised by her grandparents who lived in the Midwest. She grew up listening to their music and hearing their stories which formed the basis for her book. It is our hope that Tarris will continue to bless us with more of her talent.

Published by:

Black Odyssey Media, LLC, Dallas, TX

Available from Amazon.com

Arden Extends ‘The Hobbit’

Adventure awaits as Arden Children’s Theatre invites families to embark on an unforgettable journey filled with courage, friendship, and excitement in Greg Banks’ lively stage adaptation of The Hobbit now through June 1. Directed by Rebecca Wright, the imaginative production brings Middle-earth to life in a magical, action-packed retelling of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved classic, designed for audiences ages seven and up. Through clever storytelling and dynamic staging, audiences are drawn into the journey of Bilbo Baggins, a humble hobbit who steps out of his comfort zone and embarks on an epic quest that tests his bravery, wit, and heart.

The Hobbit unfolds on the Arden’s intimate 175-seat Arcadia Stage (40 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA), where thrust seating arrangement immerses audiences into Bilbo’s journey.

The Hobbit’s dynamic cast features five talented actors—Eliana Fabiyi, Kelly McCaughan, Nathan Alford-Tate, Ciera Gardne and Sean Lally — who, together, play more than 20 characters throughout the 90-minute production.

This playful and whimsical adaptation of The Hobbit is perfect for young adventurers, highlighting the themes of friendship, courage, and loyalty that made Tolkien’s novel a classic of children’s literature – Rebecca Wright.

With a minimalistic set that captures the woodsy, forested landscapes of Middle-earth, audiences are transported into a magical, colorful world populated by fantastical creatures, including trolls, goblins, eagles, and elves—staying true to the vivid descriptions in Tolkien’s original book. The play follows Bilbo, who would much rather be nestled in his cozy Hobbit Hole with a cup of tea and a plate of bacon and eggs. Instead, he’s swept into an unexpected adventure, journeying through freezing mountains and eerie forests, where he encounters both fearsome foes and loyal friends. Though hesitant at first, Bilbo discovers that his true strength lies not in physical power but in his cleverness, bravery, and heart—transforming him from a timid hobbit into an unexpected hero. With a cast of longtime Arden collaborators and fresh new voices, the production blends story and spectacle, bringing the audience along Bilbo’s extraordinary journey.

The stellar cast features Eliana Fabiyi (Bilbo), a Philadelphia-based actor, writer, and sound designer who has previously appeared at the Arden in Treasure Island (Jim Hawkins/Emily), The Bluest Eye (Maureen Peal), Peter Pan (Jane/Tootles), and A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Fairy/Musician). Fabiyi’s regional work includes roles at People’s Light, Orbiter 3, and Ninth Planet.

If You Go:

The Hobbit runs through June 1.

Single ticket prices vary by performance and start at $35. Tickets are available online at ardentheatre.org, by phone at 215.922.1122, or at the box office at Arden Theatre Company (40 N. 2nd Street).

Special events/performances:

Student Matinees | Available Tuesdays through Fridays at 10:30 a.m.
American Sign Language (ASL) Shadow Interpretation | Friday, May 16, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. & Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 4 p.m.

May Events at Tyler Arboretum

It is a busy spring season at Tyler Arboretum. Click on the links below for information on these upcoming events. For more information, visit tylerarboretum.org/calendar/ or click on the links below

Nature Connection Hike: Move, Breathe, Discover – May 8

Support Tyler During Delco Gives! – May 8-9

Weekend Bird Walk with the Birding Club of Delaware County – May 10

Gentle Flow Yoga – May 10, May 17, May 24, May 31, June 7

Family Explorers: What Lives in the Pond? – May 10

Observation in Action: Create, Explore & Learn – May 10

Vinyasa Flow Yoga – May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8

A Walk Through Tyler North – May 11

Full Moon Hike – May 12

Richard’s Rambles: Woodland Splendor – May 15

Family Explorers: What’s Beyond the Fence? – May 17

Rhododendron Stroll – May 17

Pink Hill Serpentine Barrens Tour with Roger Latham – May 17

Welcome to Tyler Tour – May 18

Trail Hike with the Chester County Trail Club – May 22

Family Explorers: What Lives at the Arboretum? – May 24

Painter History Tour – May 25

Family Explorers: Animal All-Stars! – May 31

Photo by Ken Rose

Weekly Programs

Family Explorers – Saturdays | 10 – 11:30am

Saturday Wildflower Walk: Spring Edition – Saturdays | 1 – 3 pm

Bluebird Nesting Box Tour – Sundays | 9:30-10:30 am

Weekday Bird Walk – Wednesdays | 8 – 10 am

Guided Hike – Thursdays | 9:30 – 11:30 am

Weekend Warm-up Hike – Fridays | 8:00 – 9:15 am

Tyler Arboretum is at 515 Painter Road, Media, PA

Murder Mystery With Cocktails

It’s been a few years since everyone’s favorite group of pals have all been together at the same time, but this calls for a celebration! Gunther has successfully opened a chain of cafes and his six best customers have taken a trip down to Philadelphia for the grand opening of “Perk Place.” The party isn’t all fun and games, however. Ross and Rachel are on a break…again, some unexpected guests cause tension for Monica and Chandler, Phoebe is having issues finding a babysitter for her nieces and nephew, and is someone actually trying to SHARE food with Joey?! Before the night is out, someone might be a victim of some “friendly” fire.

There will be several opportunities to take selfies with the characters (and a fun race to see who can get them all first), hidden clues, and even an opportunity to get your mug shot. Once the performance begins, you will become part of the action as you play detective and try to solve the mystery.

Listen closely, gather the clues, and try to deduce who the killer is and win the prize! But most importantly, be entertained!

This is not a dinner event, but cocktails are available for purchase.

Recommended for ages 13 and older.

Run Time: 90 minutes, doors open 1/2 hour prior to start time.

If You Go:

March 1 – May 31, 2025
Saturdays at 5pm and 8pm, Sundays at 3pm

The actors work within the audience – they do not use a stage.

Dates: Saturdays and Sundays March 1 – May 30

Tickets: $35 Standard Admission plus tax and box office fee

$75 VIP Admission includes cocktail or snack, clue packet, and party favor.

Where: Red Rum Theater, 601 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA

Get Tickets
Doors open 30 minutes ahead

Book Review: The Bones of the Apostle

By Karen McCarraher

“The Bones of the Apostle” by John Amos is a historical novel featuring two aging British private detectives—Flinders Petrie and Thomas Pettigrew. They have built a thriving business and have received many accolades for their fine work in the past. However, they yearned for just one more “big adventure”.

Months go by and then one day they are visited by the Patriarch of the Eastern Church. At the time of Christ’s ascension into heaven, the apostles scattered throughout the world. Peter went north to Rome. Thomas went east to Mesopotamia and established the Eastern Church. The Church flourished until the seventh century when the Ottomans overran the land and the Muslim Church was established. However, the Eastern Church continued its practices in secret. The bones of the Apostle Thomas were returned from India, where he died, to a basilica in Italy. Later they were sent to the Church of the East where they were cared for and honored for centuries. Recently, the bones were stolen. The bones were contained in a silver casket which was guarded day and night. One morning, the guards were found dead and the casket was missing. The Holy Scriptures were desecrated, and the altar was on its side but there were no other clues. The Patriarch begged Flinders and Pettigrew to take the case.

So Finders and Pettigrew took the train to Oxford. When they arrived, they went to the library to meet a contact from the British Secret Service. They were greeted by Father Divinius, a secret agent masked as a priest. Divinius took them to the bowels of the library where many artifacts were stored. They met with other agents and told them that they thought this was the work of “the Veiled One”, a very bad character the detectives had had encounters with in the past. The British Intelligence Service managed to trace “the Veiled One” to Baghdad so it was decided that Flinders and Pettigrew would go there. However, Divinius insisted that another agent accompany them, Grazelda Jones, who was also a witch.

They set off across the Red Sea and the by land to Bagdad. When they arrived, the place was in chaos. The Mongols were overrunning the city. Danger was everywhere. The group discovered that “the Veiled One” had set up his location in a bombed out, walled structure that had many rooms. The three found a small breach in the wall and made their way in. After a long search, they found “the Veiled One”. Flinders engaged him in a battle of swords; however, “the Veiled One” was wearing chain mail and Flinders was unable to wound him. Grazelda found them and shot at “the Veiled One” numerous times. The chainmail protected him somewhat but she was able to wound him slightly. She grabbed the casket of bones and the three took off down a long hallway. They managed to get to the river and made their way to the British Consulate. They had to escape the country by driving for four days across the Syrian Desert before they came to a seaport and could return to England.

This book was fun to read. It was filled with action and adventure. The historic descriptions of the fall of the Ottoman Empire were well researched. The last few chapters of the book contained an additional story that was heartwarming. All in all, it was a good read.

About the Author John Amos

John Amos holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and a JD from the Monterey College of Law. He has taught at the university level for over twenty-five years and has numerous academic publications. His fiction works include several novels. He has lived and studied in the Middle East—Egypt, Lebanon, Libya and Turkiye. He currently practices law in California.

Published by:

River Grove Books

Austin, Texas

Available online

Book: ‘Snitchland the Graphic Novel’

By Margie Royal

I loved reading comic books as a child. Reading Snitchland The Graphic Novel reminded me of that early love and has made me want to read more of this genre.
Author Tim Mulligan has a background as a playwright as well as graphic novelist, and he shows off his skill in creating engaging characters and storylines in Snitchland.

Snitchland introduces the reader to Van, who has just lost the love of his life, Jared. The two men have a daughter, Ali, who also gets drawn into the corruption that engulfs the town. Jared’s early death seems linked to the toxic waste that has seemingly already killed off many others.
Mr. Mulligan’s story, combined with Pyrink’s expressive illustrations, brings emotional depth to these characters and a constant sense of foreboding. Snitchland explores social and environmental responsibility as well as corporate greed and lack of accountability. I liked the serious storyline and felt empathy for the characters suffering loss and danger.
Snitchland is a sequel to Witchland, but stands on its own as a novel, The ending of Snitchland seems to promise that the story will take another turn and spawn another novel in the future.

Snitchland the Graphic Novel by Tim Mulligan with illustrations by Pyrink is 107 pages, and is published by Highpoint Lit. It was published in October 2024 and is available online.