Greg Brooking's Lecture

 Anderson House - Home of the Society of the Cincinnati and the American Revolution Institute

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, we were guests of Greg Brooking at the Anderson House to hear him speak about his new book, 

Recently George was informed by the Historical Society of South Carolina that he was not the only historian working on a book about Henry Laurens.  Greg is already working on the same topic George has been working on for over 5 years.  I thought it would spur George to get on with the writing and finish his book because he has done so much work already.  Much to my surprise George was relieved.  He is convienced that Henry has been overlooked for too long (my suggested book title -  The Forgotten Founding Father - and while reslishing doing research, he angonizes over writing.  So he decided to just hand over all of his research to Greg.  What a lucky guy!  Turns out he's also a really nice guy and we were thrilled to get to meet him after weeks of them exchanging emails.

We look forward to welcoming Greg back to the area this summer.  He will be a scholar in residence at the Mount Vernon Library and staying in the dorm next to the library.

Here ae two images I took before the event began:

High up on the wall near the portrait of George Washington was a pair of Buddhas.  This is 1 of them.

The stunning ceiling

To read more about the Home see my post of 2023 - September.

HONORING JOHN PHILIP SOUSA ON HIS 170th BIRTHDAY

 

I woke this morning hearing that Donald Trump had won the election.  My reaction was total despair and I heard from many friends and family suffering through a similar reaction.  

I tried to follow my morning routine - a few lessons on Duolingo, the news paper (skipped sections A&B, a 1^st) hot compress on my eyes for 2 minutes, 10 minutes of meditation (even harder than usual), and a yoga routine.  By then I was feeling calm and grateful that George and I had registered to attend the Historic Congressional Cemetery’s annual service honoring John Philip Sousa.  This was the anniversary of his 170^th birthday.

The audience gathered near the Sousa family site.

Please note - it is NOVEMBER 6^th and everyone is dressed for summer.  The temperature was 80 degrees!

Jackie Spainhour, President of the Historic Congressional Cemetery Foundation gave the welcoming remarks and a special welcome to members of the Sousa family in attendance.   She then gave an explanation of the role of the owner, Christ Church , Navy Yard, and the Foundation, created by the Parish.

AJ Arlikoff, Director of Events, HCC, explained the important role played by volunteers.  There are docents who lead tours on various topics - LGBTQ+ Women, Civil War, etc. (some are available to the public, others are for private groups upon request), gardeners who “adopt” plots, actors who portray some of the residents (the term used at the Cemetery - one day I’ll be 1), bee keepers, the death doula, etc.  He then presented various awards. 

The theme of AJ’s comments was the importance of continuity.  That resonated with me because of my fear of the lose of our democracy.  Only time will tell if it will continue.  

Next the actor who portrays John Phillip Sousa, Ronald D.Anzalone, presented the history of the famous musician who had grown up in walking distance of the cemetery and his father who had been stationed in the Navy Yard as a member of the Marine Marching Band.  

It was great seeing all the students in attendance.  I think there may be a future member of the Marine Marching Band in attendance.  See the flag.

After the speeches, the Marine Marching Band arrived via the walkway that runs by the side of the Sousa Family plot and played a 30 minute concert.  It was sort of the “Best of Sousa.”

To hear some of the music go to this link.

Captain Darrin Y. Lin thanked the Cemetery for allowing the band to honor their most famous member and someone who did so much to make the band important  in the annuals of Marine history.

I couldn't help but consider the importance of immigrants to this nation.  Captain Lin's family is from Taiwan and the Marine photographer's family is from Viet Nam.

In keeping with the theme of continuity, we learned that there is a member of the band who played with a member of the band who played with a member of the band who played with a member of the band WHO PLAYED WITH SOUSA.  (Bet you thought that string of "who played" was a typo. )

To read previous posts about the cemetery see 2020 - October, 2021 - January, and 2023 - October.

Another Trip to Staunton, April 12-14

Blackfriars Theatre before the Sunday Concert

We celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary with another trip to Stuanton.  To read about some of our previous trips see 2014 - February, 2015 - December, October, March, 2017 - February, and 2018 - March.  Notice I said "some".  I didn't take the time to post about all of them.

To begin our celebration we had dinner reservations at one of our favorite restaurants - Zynodoa.  A farm-to-table establishment with a southern flare.  They treated our anniversary as a big deal much to our delight.  

Our own menu.

George had the fettuccine and

I had the étouffée.

Saturday morning we attended a Staunton Spring Music Festival free concert at Trinity Episcopal Church.  During this weekend series all of the music was from the Baroque Period and the musicians were playing antique instruments.  I had never seen some of them before.  The Saturday morning program was all French baroque pieces.  

Before the concert I walked around the sanctuary to view the many Tiffany windows.  At one time Staunton was on a major train route and many of the residents became very wealthy because of the trade opportunities.  Thus there were those able to afford to help the decore of the church. The above window is my favorite.  It came from the Tiffany Studios in 1903 and it's very special because it is an exquisite example of a window that contains no painting.  All pictorial effects result from the artistry of the extraordinary palette of glass, including plating, confetti, acid-etched, and flashed glass.  

In 2000 the congregation had the magnificent organ completely refurbished.  We've attended one organ recital since then and it was excellent.

During the concert I didn't take many photos but just had to have this one - on the right is Paul Morton playing a theobo, one of the many instruments new to me.  

I found it fascinating that the coral group was following the music on their e-tablets.  

That evening we attended an adaptation of Pride and Prejudice at The American Shakespeare Center.  While an excellent production it did not modify my total loathing of anything related to Jane Austen.

Sunday's concert was held at the Blackfriars Theatre and was all English music.  See first photo above for how the stage looked before the performance.

 The photo shows Paul working hard to tune his theobo.  At the harpsichord is Carsten Schmidt, Artistic Director of the Festival.  Watching him conduct was great fun.  He used his entire body and bounced all over the place.  

In this image you can see how big the theobo is.  Must be difficult to travel with it.  Maybe the neck folds but I couldn't see how it would.

We ended the weekend with a performance of A Midsummer's Night Dream at the American Shakespeare Center and a leisurely drive home on back country roads.  

 

Christmas in Boston, 2023

On December 22nd we used Uber (a first for George, but just a 2nd time for me) to get to Union Station and we took the Acela to Boston.

Love the

holiday

decorations.

 

We easily bordered our train with the help of a terrific Red Cap.  It's the only way to avoid the rush to the train when those in line are allowed to board.  Even with reserved seating it's still a scramble, especially to find a place for your big suitcase.  With the help of a Red Cap, we don't have to hassle with our luggage.

Packing these days does require bringing items never heard of when I took my 1st train ride to Chicago in 1963.

The first view of Manhattan is always exciting.

Our hotel, The Liberty, in Boston was relatively new and definitely unique.  For over 100 years the main building had been the city jail.  Most of the common facilities were named to reflect that theme.

The lobby was dark and very busy since the bar was there. Between the front door and finishing registering, we were offered 2 free drinks -- Champaign and Prosecco.

the 

I was fascinated by the upside down trees hanging from the ceiling.

The hallway leading from the reception area to the elevators to the guest rooms.  

What greeted us in our room on the TV.  We did have the view but only on the one on the left side of the image.  We did not have a corner room.

We had breakfast a couple of times and dinner once in The Clink just off the lobby.

The open kitchen in the restaurant.

Massachusetts General Hospital was right behind the hotel and was HUGE!  It went on and on for blocks.

The Yard at the Liberty

Hotel was definitely dog friendly

Scenes around the neighborhood --

Love the old and the new.

After Brian joined us, we spent the afternoon exploring Faneuil Hall.  Had lunch at Jimmy Buffet's restaurant, Margaritaville.  It was that or standing up to eat in the Food Court.  The Hall has definitely changed since I was first there in the '80's.

We spent Christmas Eve at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum.

Christmas Eve we had a wonderful dinner in a lovely neighborhood French Restaurant.

Christmas Day we had brunch in The Clink.  Brian headed home and George and I enjoyed walking around the neighborhood (it got to almost 60 degrees!) and watching movies in our room.  The only enteresting thing about our return trip was the college student busy with his crochet project.