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V o lu me T h i rt y S ix , N umber 1

Beaumont generosity warms Philly homeless children

Januar y 2022

By Linda Madara

It was a simple phone call from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Auxiliary. Would Beaumont be willing to participate in a drive to provide gloves, scarves, mittens, and hats to the 7000-plus homeless children in Philadelphia? The answer “YES!” came so fast that the caller was thrown off. She expected to explain the whole process step by step. This is Beaumont, we cut to the chase! There was only one rule–all items must be newly hand-knitted or purchased. Items were to be delivered to the reception desk in the front lobby. Tags were left on the purchased items (no prices showing) proving they were new. Into the front desk donations arrived in bags and boxes. The first tub filled to capacity in three days. Over the next 10 days, between onsite knitters, gifts of cash from residents, those who shopped for their knit items, and a very generous check presented from Beaumont, three

Photo by Linda Madara

Resident Services’ Trip Coordinator, Louise Hughes, AKA Mrs. Claus, spearheaded the collection and her family contributed. She’s with elves Paige Welby (L) and Caitlin Gardner (sitting) all from Resident Services at a festive brunch event last month. More holiday stories and photos on Pages 6 and 7.

cases of new gloves, mittens, scarves, and hats were presented to the CHOP Auxiliary to be delivered to the three shelters that CHOP serves at Christmas. It's getting cold. How welcome they are. After the drive, we received a letter from the President of the Auxiliary of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia expressing gratitude for Beaumont’s donations. She said that

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Enhancing our historic campus with meticulous care

By Joseph Peduzzi, President and CEO

The story of Beaumont is intimately connected to the development of the Main Line suburbs of Philadelphia, made accessible by the westward route of the Pennsylvania Railroad. In the early 20th century, top executives of the railroad and supporting industries like the Baldwin Locomotive Photo by Beverly Wilson Works took advantage of the availability of large The stunning mahogany door and surround will enhance the villas.

tracts of land to establish PRESIDENT’S their residences along the right-of-way. In 1917, William Austin, President of Baldwin Locomotive, hired the best architects and European artisans to build a spectacular Victorian style home on an estate he called Beaumont. By the 1980s, however, it was no longer sustainable as a single-family residence and in 1985 Arthur Wheeler, a local developer, bought the estate and repurposed the mansion. With remarkable vision, he drew up plans for a retirement community that would use the restored Austin Mansion as its

CORNER

CAMPUS continued on page 2

1. The east side of the Baldwin Building representing the first phase of Baldwin’s Campus Enhancement Project has been completed.

2. The east gable end of the Baldwin apartments over the garage entrance has been renewed in cultured stone. Stone continues around the corner along the outside of the first-floor apartments on the Pasture Lane side. Above the stone on the first floor, cream horizontal siding enhances the second and third floors. The projecting gable walls provide a contrast with white vertical board and batten siding. 3. The front gable end of this Chestnut Villa features cultured stone which surrounds a stunning mahogany garage door. White trim accents set off the natural colors. Stone decorates the side of the Villa then transitions into cream horizontal siding, giving a striking contrast.

4. The gable ends of a Walnut Villa have been updated with cultured stone surrounding the garage door

Photos by Joseph Peduzzi and the jutting window with its gleaming copper hood. This is one of the Villas in the first completed

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cluster of Villas along Pasture Lane.

Initial construction in the 1980s relied on materials and methods common at that time, such as exterior stucco. As maintenance costs for stucco are high, the new materials selected are a combination of cultured stone, vertical board and batten, and horizontal cement fiber board (the latter option did not even exist in the 1980s). The design will visually unite the mansion with the other buildings on our wooded campus, and the high quality, low maintenance materials will ensure construction value for decades to come.

central commons, adding surrounding apartment buildings and luxury villas that reference the Main Line’s character, elegance, and pastoral heritage. Today, Beaumont at Bryn Mawr is building on that vision with a comprehensive Campus Enhancement Project. While preserving our beautiful gardens and peaceful woods, the plan unifies our apartments, villas, and historic commons with an architectural theme employing 21st century construction methods. We are using best-in-class technology and space-age materials to maximize our community’s longevity, beauty, and value for decades to come. Beaumont is a unique resident-owned and governed community. Residents participate in committees according to their expertise and interests and elect a resident board which considers and approves initiatives, plans, and budgets on behalf of all residents. The construction committee vetted and selected the architect and general contractor and approved the initial design considerations. Keeping the goal of a unified architectural theme in mind, they emphasized cost containment and the selection of high-quality construction materials to minimize future maintenance expenses. Together with the project finance committee, they refined the project parameters so that a plan and budget could be submitted to the resident board for approval.

GENEROSITY continued from page 1 “Beaumont’s donation represented approximately 40% of the total donation. The goal was to provide for 200 children. But instead, there was enough for 500.” A very special thanks goes to Resident Services’ Trip Coordinator, Louise Hughes, who coordinated the efforts and whose family pooled together to donate a sizable portion of the items that were received. BEAUMONT NEWS The Beaumont News is published by the residents and staff of the Beaumont Retirement Community, 601 N. Ithan Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

In Memoriam

Editor Assistant Editor Production Manager Designer Photo Editor Contributing Editor New Resident Editor Quality Control Index Manager Consulting Assistant Editors

Frances Biddle January 9, 2022 Members of the Beaumont Community extend deepest sympathy to her family and friends.

Marion Laffey Fox Beverly Wilson Christine Johnson-Hall TJ Walsh Louise Hughes Linda Madara Betty Matarese Jennifer Frankel Nancy Harris Mary Schnabel, Jean Homeier, Peggy Wolcott, Wistie Miller

One thousand mini cranes

June 22, 2013, wedding of Elizabeth Randolph and Daniel Taglioli Photo (left) by Faith West Photography Following a Japanese custom, friends and family of the bride and groom folded one thousand paper cranes as a wedding gift, to wish the couple many years of happiness and prosperity. The time and energy put into creating the cranes represent the patience and trust necessary to sustain a happy marriage. White symbolizes the purity of the love that is bringing the couple together.

(Left) Party basket, Christmas tree, crane; (Center) Butterfly, bunny basket, carambola; (Right) Thanksgiving turkeys that can be used as place cards.

By Joyce Randolph

Residents teach the art of origami

Origami is an activity, some would even say an art form, that engages the mind, the hands and the eyes in ways that might surprise you. Derived from two Japanese words: ori (folded) and kami (paper), origami developed in Japan about a thousand years ago, but its roots may well be in China. Moreover, many modern masters are European, so it has certainly become quite universal. Beaumont resident Frank Kampas, a physicist by training, often folds tiny cranes from advertising cards retrieved from magazines when he is waiting in a doctor’s office. As a Japanese-Canadian, I was introduced to origami as a child and I love making animals and birds for special occasions, such as my daughter’s wedding (photo at top of page), Thanksgiving with friends (top, right), and of course Christmas (top, left). So, what is origami anyway? The goal is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a finished sculpture (or model) through folding and sculpting techniques. Purists generally discourage the use of scissors, glue, or pencil markings on the paper. Although one can learn how to produce a model by “dissecting” an existing finished model, most of us learn with the help of written instructions, drawings, and, more recently, YouTube videos.

Joyce Randolph, the head teacher, worked with Frank Kampas to lead the class.

Photos by Joyce Randolph

Joyce demonstrates how to very carefully fold the special origami paper squares.

Encouraged to introduce origami to a small group of Beaumont residents, Frank Kampas and I held a beginner’s class in the Arts and Crafts Studio in early December. We started with simple models and worked up to more complex ones that involved “mountain folds,” “squash folds,” and “reverse folds.” Depicted are a few examples we worked on. Despite the challenges, participants seemed to enjoy themselves, happily carted off their written instructions and extra paper, and even asked for a follow-up lesson. Now, at this time of the year, we look forward to spring weather, so it’s time to start folding butterflies, flowers, and bunny boxes (top, center). Finally, here are some aspects of origami that might surprise you. The folding process involves many concepts that are relevant to the study of mathematics. Origami principles are used in stents, packaging, and even the design of robots. And, on a personal note, many of us find the folding of paper not just a form of relaxation, but also a tactile delight as one handles different types of paper including foil or stiffer lustrous paper. The mental concentration is akin to a kind of meditation.

Joyce assists Rita Rome (in dark J.J. McNutt works with Frank blue) and Rena Burstein (in stripes). Kampas to get the folds and corners just right.

Photos by Linda Madara

David Kim and friends honor violin donors

By Betty Matarese

David Kim, who became concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1999 under conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch, has built and sustained a remarkable connection with Beaumont over the years. Describing an upcoming concert here, Kim called it “a celebration of friendship and true generosity. My dear friends who have so generously given these priceless instruments to the Philadelphia Orchestra have made a profound impact on the lives of all of the members of the Philadelphia Orchestra.” To be sure, three gifts of violins were celebrated in a concert on November 30. A Guadagnini violin from the golden age of violin making in the early 18th century (Giovanni Guadagnini was born in Italy in 1711) was donated by Beaumont residents Eugene and Giuliana Calabi and is the violin now played by David Kim. At auction in 2016, a Guadagnini was sold for $1.2 million dollars. Christine Lim began studying the violin at the age of three, graduated from The Curtis Institute of Music, and is now in the Philadelphia Orchestra. George Hermann, not a Beaumont resident, but a near neighbor who enjoyed David Kim’s recitals at Beaumont, donated his late wife’s Testore violin, which Christine now beautifully plays. She dazzled the audience with the Wieniawski Polonaise Brillante. Yu-Ting Chen, from Taiwan, who made her solo debut at seven, plays Beaumont resident Jane Ruffin’s Gioffredo Cappa violin. She performed several selections, most notably de Falla’s Dance Espagnole. David Kim played works by Dvorak and joined the two women in a concerto for three violins by Vivaldi. Piano accompaniment throughout was provided by Jeffrey DeVault. In an interview, David Kim summed it up by saying, “My friendship with many residents at Beaumont means the world to me. Even through the long pandemic, it was so meaningful to maintain and nurture our friendships.” Beaumont residents are very grateful to our violin donors as well as to David Kim and Friends for bringing such delectable music our way. May this successful partnership continue and prosper.

Photos by Linda Madara

Philadelphia Orchestra Concertmaster David Kim

David Kim performs with pianist Jeffrey DeVault.

Yu-Ting Chen, Jeffrey DeVault, Christine Lim

Jeffery DeVault, Christine Lim, Yu-Ting Chen, David Kim

From Dublin to London to Philadelphia, with love

Resident shares grandmother’s violin with orchestra Text and photos by Linda Madara

Yu-Ting Chen with Jane Ruffin.

Lucy Madelene Guinness was born in Killiney, south of Dublin, Ireland on December 22, 1870. In 1877, when she was seven, she was given the Gioffredo Cappa violin in its very beautiful wooden case. She fell in love with the violin and music, playing it her entire life, including playing with a ladies’ quartet in London. In June of 1900 Lucy married artist Philip de Laszlo. This oil painting is de Laszlo’s copy he painted in 1919 of his portrait of Lucy with her beloved instrument. The original oil painting is on display in a museum in Rome. After Lucy’s death in 1950 the violin passed to Jane’s father, and he loaned it to a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. When Jane received the violin from her father, she had moved to Philadelphia. The violin is presently on loan to the Philadelphia Orchestra and is played by the second violinist Yu-Ting Chen. We were fortunate to hear the violin played by Yu-Ting in the November concert by David Kim and Friends.

Yu-Ting plays Lucy's violin.

Prescription By Bette Peterson

Do not desire change, for that will come To leave you longing for what will be past. The present – the present only – is the measure For what will last. Future and past are wistful ghosts that haunt you, That mourn what was and cry what is to be. To exorcise their spirits, Use the present as remedy.

Jane Ruffin's grandmother Lucy with the violin case.

What’s gone is yesterday, and your tomorrow In a few hours will become today. Dare to live now, before this moment also, Has slipped away.

Sing-Along with the Classic Carolers

Photos by Linda Madara

Jim Zug at the organ.

Soloist Kara Mulder of the Classic Carolers

Joe Peduzzi narrating with Carole Latimer (L) and Classic Carolers in their Dickensian costumes.

Residents, staff decorate the Holiday Tree

Text and photos by Linda Madara

Ornament mastermind Jane Ruffin.

Remember the Easter Egg Tree last spring? Well, Beaumont now has its very own holiday tree glittering in the Atrium Courtyard. It was bitter cold trimming the Easter Egg Tree last spring, but it was lovely and sunny decorating the Holiday Tree in early December. Go figure! The hot chocolate that was served to warm up the ornament hangers at Easter was thankfully changed to cider instead for the Holiday Tree. Beaumont's Ivan Ramos from Maintenance, who was perched high on the ladder, attended to the top branches, while Diana DiMeglio, Fitness Center Coordinator, supported the ladder below. Residents and some staff took part carefully placing the decorations. 200-plus handmade ornaments by residents were created by recycling the best of the Holiday cards collected over the past few years. Three-inch and two-inch circles were cut from the cards and meticulously glued onto wooden disks which were drilled for the hangers. They were then varnished to make them waterproof. Colored ribbon and cording pieces were tied onto each disk so it could be hung and sway in the breeze. With the white twinkle lights at dusk, it looked very festive. The tree, by the way, had grown about five feet this past summer following the Easter Egg project. If decorating the Holiday Tree becomes a tradition, and the tree continues to grow at the projected rate, we may need to borrow one of Warfel’s “cherry pickers” to reach the top next year.

Naomi Rubin and Diana DiMeglio, Fitness Coordinator hand ornaments to Ivan Ramos from Maintenance to hang from the upper branches.

The completed tree decorated with handmade ornaments made from recycled holiday cards.

Here's how they come to life: The figure is designed, and a sample is made up by shaping wire to create the body. Paper is wrapped around the wire figure filling it out. There are a number of heads of all kinds that are available to choose for each character with an assortment of hair styles, hats, cheeks Naomi Hooper gazes at a group of colonial and eyes. carolers, including Betsy Ross. But each head has one thing in common—it is singing with a circular mouth that could very well be singing O Holy Night, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Blue Moon, or Rock Around the Clock. Each figure has a personality unique to him or herself. A small museum showcasing how the character fits into his or her special themed community environment leaves one overwhelmed and enchanted by the imagination of the personality created and by the craftsmanship. All this is done by hand in Chalfont. And we got to see it in action. Over the decades tens of thousands of figures created in the Byers’ factory have been bought as gifts or for one’s collection. They depict in miniature the activities throughout the year and things going on daily by everyday citizens. Most of all, one sees the Byers carolers at Christmas when their music is filling the air. Listen. You just might hear it.

Visiting the Byers’ Choice carolers factory

Text and photos by Linda Madara

Do you know about the carolers made by a local company? These remarkable little citizens stand about 14” tall, unless they are younger folk, and appear to sing. Well, no notes come out of their mouths, but if you watch long enough, you are sure you can hear them. Resident Services master trip planner, Louise Hughes, unearthed the location of the Byers’ Choice Ltd. factory in Chalfont and off went the Beaumont bus December 8 with a dozen residents: the curious, the hopeful, the bargain hunter, or the collector wanting to see the newest characters for this year. You might well have seen the wonderful singers at Christmas in small displays. Each is a figure Carolers in the Byers Museum from a theme: a fairy tale story, the 12 days of Christmas, American History, the early 1900s, simple people: farmers, church goers, homemakers, workers with tasks such as baker or carpenter.

Chefs concoct super sweet holiday treat

Text and photo by Linda Madara

Every year Beaumont's chefs produce the most amazing gingerbread houses that suddenly appear in the lobby. Sweet tooth or not, they are the perfect example of the expression, “eye candy.” The gingerbread house this year was adorned with Hershey’s Kisses, gum drops, candy canes, breakfast cereal tiling the roof, M&M's galore, chocolates of various shapes, more gumdrops, and a carefully piped icing enclosure around the swimming pool area. To top it off, the entire property was tastefully landscaped with candy cane fir trees. The meticulously created yard hugely increases the value of the property…IF one was to offer it for sale. Sorry! NOT FOR SALE! Everyone loves it just where it is…Beaumont's Super Sweet Holiday Treat!

Strawbridges relish deep roots in Philadelphia By Sally Randolph With friends and family ties to Beaumont and as lifelong contributors to so many Philadelphia institutions, moving here was a natural choice for Frank and Mary Jo. Mary Jo Strawbridge grew up in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania and has spent her adult life in the Philadelphia area where she is well-known for her horticultural contributions. Early on in her marriage she was introduced to the Garden Workers Garden Club by Frank’s mother, Ann Frank and Mary Jo Strawbridge Grange, once a Beaumont resident. Her garden club involvement led to years of devotion to the Philadelphia Flower Show, the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event. She eventually became chair of the show. Her horticultural interests then expanded into floral design. Ultimately, she became a Garden Club of America Floral Design Judge. Mary Jo has exhibited and judged in shows in many parts of the U.S. as well as in an international show in Dublin. She also served as president of the Acorn Club, one of the oldest women’s clubs in the United States. Her other interests include the preservation and conservation of our natural resources.

Frank Strawbridge has deep roots in Philadelphia. He spent his professional life managing the family-run department store, Strawbridge & Clothier, founded in 1861 by his great grandfather, J. C. ( Justice Clayton) Strawbridge. In 1868, Isaac Clothier joined J. C. as a partner. When Strawbridge & Clothier sold to the May Department Stores in 1995, it was the longest standing flagship department store at one location in the country. As the CEO of Strawbridge & Clothier, Frank served on the board of the National Retainers Merchant Association, NRMA, which involved a good deal of enviable travel. He and Mary Jo continued to enjoy travel well into retirement. Frank’s volunteer interests involved alumni activities at Haverford School, Class of ’55 and Princeton University ’59. He was chair of the board of the Princeton University Store for 10 years. His volunteer commitments also centered on hospital boards: Germantown Hospital which merged with Albert Einstein, then Jefferson and Temple hospitals. In addition, he devoted many years to the board of Ralston House, whose mission now is to improve the quality of life for older adults aging at home. As a further connection to the area, Frank and Mary Jo raised four daughters locally. Two of their daughters and numerous other family members still live nearby. Their other daughters live in Seattle and Laos. We welcome the Strawbridges and anticipate their continued involvement in our community.

Ringing in 2022

Text and photo by Linda Madara

Covid didn't stop Tiger Lily, Piper Cub, Shere Khan from celebrating a spirited New Year's Eve.

Although Beaumont officially shut down its New Year’s Eve festivities due to Covid issues, there is no question that the message did not make it to the Khan family. Shere Khan, his lady Tiger Lily, and wee one "Piper Cub" managed to ring in the New Year with unbounded enthusiasm. So much so that Dede Shafer asked them to go out into the hall. Passers-by on New Year’s Day were treated to the sight of a very hungover Shere with an empty champagne bottle as evidence of his revelry, Tiger Lily with tiara slightly askew, but still wearing her diamond bracelet as she embraced a bottle of spirits, and Piper Cub so exhausted he could only look at his noisemaker horn. When interviewed, Shere and Tiger Lily sang the praises of the evening’s event while the Cub snored on quietly.

Pages make the short hop from Wayne By Joan Roberts Already connected to Beaumont, Rip (L. Rodman III) and Diane Page moved into their apartment in March from their large Victorian house in Wayne, their home for 43 years, where they had raised their combined family of three children. Mary Page, a senior member of Beaumont, is Rip’s very non-wicked stepmother. Those who have lived at Beaumont for a while would remember Diane’s presence in the Beaumont Gift Shop. However, Diane’s background is not primarily in retail, but in Special Needs teaching. Diane grew up in Rip and Diane Page Newton, N.J., and is a graduate of Ithaca College, with a degree in Psychology and Speech Therapy. She taught in a private elementary school for four years, later moving to the public system, specifically in Special Needs. She recalls one of the female students with whom she worked, who had autism and an

By Peter Abel

IQ testing at 30, who later tested at 100 - a gratifying accomplishment. Rip grew up locally, attending the Haverford School, and eventually graduated from St. George’s School in Newport, R.I., in 1963. A year abroad with the English-Speaking Union led him to Gordonstoun in Elgin, Scotland, where he met schoolmate Prince Charles at afternoon tea. Back in the States, Rip joined the U.S. Navy, and spent four years in Naval Air in Aviation Ordnance, in a squadron of A4 Skyhawk aircraft. His tours of duty included the Mediterranean and Vietnam. Returning from the Navy, Rip pursued a degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management at Cornell University, and after graduation, he spent 20 years in various food service functions, from restaurant management to corporate dining and healthcare food service. He then transitioned to Corporate Director of Facilities with Janney Montgomery Scott, where he managed the corporate headquarters in Philadelphia and 100-plus branch offices all over the East Coast. Most important of all, Rip and Diane met in 1980 and have been married for 38 years.

Another neighbor moves in

Curtis Young had a short move to Beaumont from his nearby home on Rock Creek Road. A lifelong resident of the Main Line, he attended The Episcopal Academy from nursery school through high school, followed by Trinity College with a major in economics. Curt played football, baseball, and basketball in high school and college, including a memorable basketball game between The Episcopal Academy and Overbrook High School whose team that year included legendary superstar Wilt Chamberlain. Curt later took up golf, joined the Merion Golf club, where he is still Curtis Young a member, and for a while held a 3 handicap. He and his wife, Jane, played in many Pro-Am golf tournaments, including the Frank Sinatra Invitational, where she once came within less than a stroke of winning the grand prize. Curt first worked at Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co.

for four years until he was hired as Controller by one of his clients, then known as the Drug House Inc., a major wholesaler of pharmaceutical drugs. His employer went through many mergers, name changes, and acquisitions, finally becoming part of AmerisourceBergen, a diversified healthcare provider, where Curt served as Assistant Treasurer and Director of Corporate Assets until his retirement in 2001. Curt’s first marriage ended in divorce and his second wife of 42 years, the former Jane Loughren, died nine years ago. Curt had three children from his first marriage, a son living in Wayne and a daughter in Cohasset, Mass. A third son died in an automobile accident at age 33. Curt has six grandchildren. Curt enjoys stock trading as a “hobby” and takes pleasure in attending ice hockey and lacrosse games played by his youngest grandson, a student at Episcopal (fourth generation). Curt is looking forward to participating in many activities offered by Beaumont once he has become acclimated to his new surroundings. Welcome, Curt.

An American cause for celebration — Frederick Law Olmsted 200th anniversary

By Marion Laffey Fox

On September 27, an enthusiastic Beaumont audience welcomed Jonathan Olmsted, a direct descendant of Frederick Law Olmsted, the esteemed Father of American Landscape Architecture. Jon Olmsted lectured about his ancestor’s accomplishments, including Central Park, which will be celebrated during the 200th anniversary of his birth. Three weeks later, Ethan Kauffman, Executive Director of Stoneleigh, presented an illustrated talk about the nearby estate designed Frederick Law Olmsted experimented with by the Olmsted

streams, mountains, and bridges. But he unflinchingly clarified the word “gardening,” when applied to him, cautioning admirers to pause before using “words such as garden, gardening and gardener, and the art of what I try to pursue.” During his career, Olmsted and his firm executed over 500 commissions that included 100 public parks and recreation areas, 200 private estates, 50 residential communities, and campuses for approximately 40 academic institutions. Scion of a family who emigrated from England in 1632, Olmsted was born in Hartford, Connecticut, a city his forebears founded eight generations earlier. Sadly, his mother died when he was only four, and from the age of seven, he boarded during the week with church ministers who were responsible for his schooling. His father was a dry-goods merchant who loved beautiful scenery, and took his son on weekend “tours of the picturesque,” around upstate New York and New England. These comforting forays laid the foundation for what he would eventually become. After a stint at Yale, he and two friends took a sixmonth long walking tour of Europe and the British Isles in 1850, which would also affect his future work. This involved the study of vast landscapes orchestrated by English

different careers from dry goods to engineering until he was 43, when he settled on landscape architecture, a name he invented.

OLMSTED continued on page 11

firm. This was followed on another day, by a visit to the property, formerly owned by the Haas family, presently a member of Natural Lands. During 2022, events such as these will highlight the life of the greatest and most enlightened American landscape architect, whose work appears in many areas of the country. Referred to as a “genius and dreamer,” Frederick Law Olmsted was aptly described as an artist who paintCentral Park in Manhattan was designed over many years, and is acknowledged as one of the greatest urban parks ed with rivers, in the world.

OLMSTED continued from page 10 “place-maker” Capability Brown, and Sir Humphrey Repton, whom he worshiped. During that trip he was riveted by Birkenhead Park, the first public park in the U.K. dedicated to the well-being of the common man. In 1852, he published his first book: “Walks and Talks of an American Farmer in England,” in which he described the naturalistic, pastoral countryside that had a profound effect on personal enjoyment, and elimination of stress. In 1858, he and Calvert Vaux won the design competition for the creation of Central Park. During the ensuing seven years, he was primarily an administrator, then architect-in-chief in charge of constructing the park. From 1861 to 1863 he was also director of the U.S. Sanitary Commission, which oversaw the health and camp sanitation of the Union Army and ran a national system of medical supply for those troops, that would become The American Red Cross. For more about Olmsted and the 200th celebrations, Later in life, Olmsted was the most please see https://olmsted200.org/ sought after and successful landscape architect in the country, with public and join-the-celebration/events/ private projects virtually everywhere.

Collected by Mote Howard “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” Will Rogers “They say marriage is made in Heaven but so is thunder and lightning.” Clint Eastwood “When I was a boy, I was told anybody could become President. I’m beginning to believe it.” Clarence Darrow Bob Hope -- On turning 70, “I still chase women, but only downhill!” On turning 90, “You know you’re old when the candles cost more than the cake.” On his career, “I have performed for a dozen presidents and entertained six.” “A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.” George Bernard Shaw “Suppose you were an idiot, suppose you were a member of government, but then I repeat myself.” Mark Twain “Politicians should wear sponsor jackets like Nascar race-car drivers so you would know who owns them.” Robin Williams “Complaining about a problem without offering a solution is whining.” Teddy Roosevelt “Politicians are the same all over, they promise to build a bridge where there is no river.” Nikita Khruschev

Silence

By Bette Peterson

“A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.” Texas Guinan

Silence can mean so many things — A simple lack of sound Which lies as gently on the heart.

“If you’re going to do something you will be ashamed of in the morning, sleep late.” Henny Youngman

Silence has a substance all its own, Fragile as fine-spun glass. It rests as softly on the mind

Anonymous: When God sneezes, what do you say?

As morning dew on grass.

Silence can speak in many ways. Although it has no word. In nights when stars hang icy-clear It can be felt and heard.

Insights

If at first you don’t succeed, so much for skydiving. You come from dust and return to dust. That’s why I don’t dust, it could be someone I know.

Instead of giving politicians the keys to the city, it might be better to change the locks.

Bird spotting 2021: Kinglets, hawks and even a cuckoo Text and photos by Jane Ruffin Last year was an interesting year for the birds. Mother’s Day weekend is usually the best time to see the migrating warblers, but this year it was slow. There were plenty of these colorful little birds in the woods but not as many species as the same time in 2020. The excitement started on June 1 when I received an email from Wistar Morris stating that he had just seen a Wood Duck with 7 babies swimming across the pond. I was there early the next morning and there were two families swimming on the pond! It was wonderful to be able to watch the Wood Duck families grow and see the ducklings paddling around the pond. I hope they will come back next year.

The Great Blue Heron came to the pond quite often and a Kingfisher visited but didn’t stay. In 2020, 76 species were seen or heard, and during 2021, 62 species were seen or heard. This includes a Yellow-billed Cuckoo that I heard calling in July and a Green-backed Heron that came to the pond at the end of May. There are plenty of Woodpeckers in the woods, especially the Red-bellied Woodpeckers that one hears nearly every time one goes for a walk. The Great-horned Owls should start courting at the end of December so please listen for them and let me know if you hear them. The female’s hoot is much lower than the male. https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/sounds (Listen to the second one.) The resident Cooper Hawk has been busy visiting resident’s bird feeders, but it does have to eat, too. The Red-Shouldered Hawk nested in the vicinity and was seen almost as often as the Red-tailed Hawks. Many trees and shrubs produced bumper crops of berries and the robins came and took most of them. In early November I saw several Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets flitting through the bushes. These enchanting tiny birds are hard to see but they are two of my favorites. Listen for the Great Horned Owls and look forward to a good bird year in 2022.

4. 3. 1. Wood Duck duckling 2. Great-horned Owl photographed in New Mexio 3. Red-shouldered Hawk

4. Ruby-crowned Kinglet 5. Golden-crowned Kinglet