Salisbury Salutes Sidney
Gretchen Beilfuss Witt
October 21, 2012
In recognition of a long and illustrious career in the arts, Rowan Public Library will celebrate the life and work of Salisbury native Sidney Blackmer. Born July 13, 1895, Sidney began his career on the Broadway stage, which was interrupted by his service to the country during World War I. After the war he returned to Broadway, successfully made the trek to Hollywood, participated in early radio and finally crossed over into television. With a career spanning over 50 years, he worked with other greats of stage and screen – Shirley Booth, Paul Newman, Alfred Hitchcock, and Elia Kazan.
The Rowan Public Library has over the years collected items concerning Sidney Blackmer’s career. However recently, due to the generosity of Jonathan Blackmer, Sidney’s son, the library has access to many more photographs, movie advertisements, and other interesting artifacts. Beginning in the month of November and for the remainder of the year, several areas of the library will house displays of the Blackmer Collection. In conjunction with these displays a film festival will commence on November 18th. Each Sunday for three successive Sundays at 3:00 pm the library will screen some of Blackmer’s many films. November 18 after kicking off the celebration with a reception and presentation by Mike Cline about Blackmer’s career, the afternoon will conclude with showing “Teddy, the Rough Rider,” a short in which Sidney portrays President Teddy Roosevelt. Following this short will be the feature film “Panther’s Claw,” based on Oursler’s stories about Police Commissioner Thatcher Colt whom Sidney plays.
Our second installment on Sunday November 25 (perhaps as an amusement for visiting Thanksgiving guests) will include one short and two feature films. The short, “Disorder in the Court”, will be familiar to Three Stooges fans and features Suzanne Kaaren Blackmer, Sidney’s wife. The two full-length films will be “The Count of Monte Cristo” with Blackmer as Mondego and “Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo.”
The third afternoon of the festival will again begin with a short featuring Suzanne as well as a television episode from Boris Karloff’s Thriller series entitled “The Premature Burial.” Our festival will conclude with the showing of Blackmer’s most remembered role - Roman Castevet in “Rosemary’s Baby.” A quintessential psychological horror film, it is listed in the top ten of American Film Institute’s Thrillers.
Make plans to come see the displays and enjoy the movies as Salisbury Salutes Sidney.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Library Notes
Oct. 14, 2012
Marissa Creamer
It’s Never Too Late to Start Over
Many novels tell the story of a journey of self-discovery. Often, this search for self is an inner journey, but as these new novels at Rowan Public Library illustrate, the journey may be a literal one as well. And as our protagonists learn, now matter how old you are, it’s never too late to start over.
In “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce, we are introduced to the retired (as well as retiring) Harold Fry, who is settled into his quiet routine in his quiet English village. One day blends into another, until the day Harold receives a letter from an old friend he has not seen in many years, informing him that she is dying of cancer. Harold pens a reply and takes it out to the postbox, but finds he just can’t let the letter go. “Harold thought of the words he had written to Queenie, and their inadequacy shamed him.” Thus begins Harold’s odyssey. As he continues to walk to the next postbox, then the next, not quite ready to let the letter go, Harold has a chance encounter with a young woman who convinces him that as long as he keeps walking, Queenie will live. Never mind that she is in hospice 600 miles away, and he has left without proper walking attire, a map, or his cell phone, Harold decides to walk the entire distance and deliver the letter in person. This solitary journey gives Harold time to ruminate on his life and failed relationships, and the reason for his need for atonement is gradually revealed. Along the way, Harold sends pithy postcards to Queenie, urging her to wait for him. As his journey continues, Harold meets a variety of characters, becomes a bit of a celebrity, and learns that “you could be ordinary and attempt something extraordinary.”
Another novel that reminds us that it’s never too late to start over is “The 100-Year-Old-Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared.” Jonas Jonasson’s European bestseller has reached the U.S. three years after its Swedish publication. This entertaining yarn tells the story of Allan Karlsson, who flees from the Old Folks’ Home to avoid his 100th birthday party. After stealing a cash-filled suitcase, our vodka-loving hero embarks on a wild adventure, and ends up on the lam from both a criminal syndicate and the police. Along the way, we learn that the former demolitions expert, much like Forest Gump, has not only witnessed some of the most important events of the twentieth century, he has actually played a key role in them.
Other novels that you may enjoy include Hilma Wolitzer’s “An Available Man,” a story about becoming single later in life, and the chaos and joys of finding love the second time around; “Harry Lipkin, Private Eye,” by Barry Fantoni, a mystery featuring Miami’s only 87-year-old private investigator; and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” by Deborah Moggach, recently adapted into a film starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. You can find all of these titles at Rowan Public Library.
Oct. 14, 2012
Marissa Creamer
It’s Never Too Late to Start Over
Many novels tell the story of a journey of self-discovery. Often, this search for self is an inner journey, but as these new novels at Rowan Public Library illustrate, the journey may be a literal one as well. And as our protagonists learn, now matter how old you are, it’s never too late to start over.
In “The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry” by Rachel Joyce, we are introduced to the retired (as well as retiring) Harold Fry, who is settled into his quiet routine in his quiet English village. One day blends into another, until the day Harold receives a letter from an old friend he has not seen in many years, informing him that she is dying of cancer. Harold pens a reply and takes it out to the postbox, but finds he just can’t let the letter go. “Harold thought of the words he had written to Queenie, and their inadequacy shamed him.” Thus begins Harold’s odyssey. As he continues to walk to the next postbox, then the next, not quite ready to let the letter go, Harold has a chance encounter with a young woman who convinces him that as long as he keeps walking, Queenie will live. Never mind that she is in hospice 600 miles away, and he has left without proper walking attire, a map, or his cell phone, Harold decides to walk the entire distance and deliver the letter in person. This solitary journey gives Harold time to ruminate on his life and failed relationships, and the reason for his need for atonement is gradually revealed. Along the way, Harold sends pithy postcards to Queenie, urging her to wait for him. As his journey continues, Harold meets a variety of characters, becomes a bit of a celebrity, and learns that “you could be ordinary and attempt something extraordinary.”
Another novel that reminds us that it’s never too late to start over is “The 100-Year-Old-Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared.” Jonas Jonasson’s European bestseller has reached the U.S. three years after its Swedish publication. This entertaining yarn tells the story of Allan Karlsson, who flees from the Old Folks’ Home to avoid his 100th birthday party. After stealing a cash-filled suitcase, our vodka-loving hero embarks on a wild adventure, and ends up on the lam from both a criminal syndicate and the police. Along the way, we learn that the former demolitions expert, much like Forest Gump, has not only witnessed some of the most important events of the twentieth century, he has actually played a key role in them.
Other novels that you may enjoy include Hilma Wolitzer’s “An Available Man,” a story about becoming single later in life, and the chaos and joys of finding love the second time around; “Harry Lipkin, Private Eye,” by Barry Fantoni, a mystery featuring Miami’s only 87-year-old private investigator; and “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” by Deborah Moggach, recently adapted into a film starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith. You can find all of these titles at Rowan Public Library.
Sunday, October 07, 2012
LIBRARY NOTES: PUMPKINS
PAUL BIRKHEAD – OCTOBER 7, 2012
This is the time of year that wherever you look, you’re bound to see a pumpkin. Whether they are displayed at the store or sitting in a field, these orange-colored cousins of the squash are a reminder that autumn has arrived. Not only do pumpkins abound in our community, but in Rowan Public Library as well.
Pumpkins have their origin in Central America, but are now more likely to be grown in North America. In fact, the state of Illinois produces most of the world’s pumpkin supply. Pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. While the average pumpkin weighs a respectable fifteen pounds, some of the largest have tipped the scales at over 1,800 pounds. The quest to grow some of these gigantic pumpkins is told in the book Backyard Giants by Susan Warren. This humorous and fascinating tale describes the competition between farmers as they grow these monstrous pumpkins from seed to weigh-in.
Can you imagine how many pies you could get out of a 1,800 pound pumpkin? Pumpkin is the main ingredient in many seasonal favorites such as pies, muffins, soups and breads. The library has shelves and shelves of recipe books. One of my new favorites is Baking with the Cake Boss by Buddy Valastro. Buddy is an award-winning baker, owner of the famous Carlo’s Bake Shop, and star of TLC’s popular show, Cake Boss. In this book, Buddy teaches his techniques and tricks for successful baking and decorating. Yes, there is a recipe for pumpkin pie in the book.
Sometimes a pumpkin gets cut up for use in a pie, while other times it gets carved into a jack-o-lantern. Carved pumpkins are synonymous with Halloween. While most anyone can take a knife to a pumpkin and stick a candle inside, those who want to create a jack-o-lantern that’s extra special consult a book from the library. I recommend Sarah L. Schuette’s How to Carve Freakishly Cool Pumpkins.
There are a multitude of children’s books in the library that involve pumpkins. It’s early in the season, but these types of books are already flying off the shelves. Some of the most popular titles include: Five Little Pumpkins, Too Many Pumpkins, Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch, The Pumpkin Fair, and The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin.
Whether you’re baking a pie, carving a jack-o-lantern, or simply decorating your porch, pumpkins play a big role during the fall season. Make sure to come by Rowan Public Library this month and celebrate pumpkins.
PAUL BIRKHEAD – OCTOBER 7, 2012
This is the time of year that wherever you look, you’re bound to see a pumpkin. Whether they are displayed at the store or sitting in a field, these orange-colored cousins of the squash are a reminder that autumn has arrived. Not only do pumpkins abound in our community, but in Rowan Public Library as well.
Pumpkins have their origin in Central America, but are now more likely to be grown in North America. In fact, the state of Illinois produces most of the world’s pumpkin supply. Pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes. While the average pumpkin weighs a respectable fifteen pounds, some of the largest have tipped the scales at over 1,800 pounds. The quest to grow some of these gigantic pumpkins is told in the book Backyard Giants by Susan Warren. This humorous and fascinating tale describes the competition between farmers as they grow these monstrous pumpkins from seed to weigh-in.
Can you imagine how many pies you could get out of a 1,800 pound pumpkin? Pumpkin is the main ingredient in many seasonal favorites such as pies, muffins, soups and breads. The library has shelves and shelves of recipe books. One of my new favorites is Baking with the Cake Boss by Buddy Valastro. Buddy is an award-winning baker, owner of the famous Carlo’s Bake Shop, and star of TLC’s popular show, Cake Boss. In this book, Buddy teaches his techniques and tricks for successful baking and decorating. Yes, there is a recipe for pumpkin pie in the book.
Sometimes a pumpkin gets cut up for use in a pie, while other times it gets carved into a jack-o-lantern. Carved pumpkins are synonymous with Halloween. While most anyone can take a knife to a pumpkin and stick a candle inside, those who want to create a jack-o-lantern that’s extra special consult a book from the library. I recommend Sarah L. Schuette’s How to Carve Freakishly Cool Pumpkins.
There are a multitude of children’s books in the library that involve pumpkins. It’s early in the season, but these types of books are already flying off the shelves. Some of the most popular titles include: Five Little Pumpkins, Too Many Pumpkins, Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch, The Pumpkin Fair, and The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin.
Whether you’re baking a pie, carving a jack-o-lantern, or simply decorating your porch, pumpkins play a big role during the fall season. Make sure to come by Rowan Public Library this month and celebrate pumpkins.
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