The tri-state upper Delaware River highlands and valleys are a place of rare beauty…
Seeing the region and living in it almost aren’t enough. Such beauty should be captured on canvas or film so that one can truly appreciate it, glimpse it in the quiet of an art gallery or museum, or between the pages of a poetry book or literary sketch.
The Journal Group’s mission is to capture these momentary snapshots of beauty graphically and through the written word. We celebrate our area and the uniqueness of the people who live and work in the tri-state region. From Pike to Wayne and Monroe to Lackawanna Counties in Pennsylvania, upriver to Sullivan County and on to Orange County in New York, and to the headwaters of the Wallkill River and
Mission
Editorial Readers Robert Bowman Amy Smith
David Dangler dangler908@yahoo.com
The Poet Noreen Case
along Warren and Sussex Counties’ rolling hills in New Jersey, with quaint, historic towns and hamlets at the center, the Journal Group opens its doors to our communities, businesses and organizations, to serve as a communicative journal of all that we have to offer for those who live here and for those who love to visit us, too.
Publication Information
The Journal Group publishes The Journal ten times a year and distributes it in eight counties in PA, NJ and NY. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. Contents may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission. We reserve the right to refuse to print advertisements that we deem inappropriate. All rights reserved.
A few of our favorite Black Bear covers.
Fall Is Wabi-Sabi Season
With a passing glance, you catch it out of the corner of your eye, not sought out, but when you know, you see it’s there. You see the beauty in the imperfection; it’s wabisabi.
This conceptual phrase stems from ancient Tao and Zen philosophical outlooks that embrace a life view of appreciating beauty in all of life’s simplistic, rustic unpretentiousness, and in all of its awesomeness, too. To recognize wabi-sabi is to respect everything that life offers, including the melancholy and the unexpected.
In Japan, they say underneath the rough exterior lies a hidden beauty; in America, there’s a diamond in the rough. Ask your average person in Japan to explain wabi-sabi, and they will probably tell you that it’s not explainable, although plenty of writers, artists, and poets have tried.
Someone goes by wearing a hood In his own darkness
Not seeing the harvest moon.
-Yosa Buson
To understand wabi-sabi is to look at the attractiveness that’s in an imperfect object, the patina and wear of an aging piece, the mound of clay on a potter’s wheel, and to see beauty and possibilities.
And, of course, to look at our own lives the same way. There is beauty in imperfection. Respect and celebrate the perfectly imperfect, the ups and downs in life, the transience of existence; find positive in it all.
Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pieces with gold or silver powder. This metaphor is symbolic of the healing process which happens if we accept and celebrate our imperfections.
Looking for wabi-sabi in nature means that while basking in the stunning color show of Autumn, we can still find beauty in a darkened storm sky, in the forest’s broken tree, and in the falling leaves that have turned brown because you understand that nature is as nature intends.
Summer ends, Autumn comes, and Winter is on its way.
Amy
Evergreen ~ Autumn Gold
Under the pines that turn their needles gold then shower them to the earth, A rain of autumnal color will pour and puddle round their girth.
They cling themselves to mother pine like money on a tree, Then drop their bounty one by one in gallant jubilee.
Soothing is their color to my heart’s yearning eye. A silken rich beauty where ’neath the tall pines lie.
A rose-gold carpet of woven needles spread, A not-so-hidden treasure chest of dual colors wed.
In autumn’s fresh bedding laid ’neath the evergreen, The wildlife nestles in to rest to sleep, perchance to dream.
~Noreen Case
27 Route 94, Lafayette, NJ 07848
tel 973-579-2224 fax 973-300-4145
27 Route 94, Lafayette, NJ 07848
27 Route 94, Lafayette, NJ 07848
Decorative Stone • Wallstone Walkway & Patio Stone Building Stone • Bluestone Limestone • Flagstone • Boulders Pavers • Retaining Wall Systems Hearths • Sills & Mantles
Fall Farm Fest. Minisink Heritage Center, Westtown, NY. Music, bake sale, kids’ activities, museum displays & more. Presented by the Town of Minisink Heritage Commission. Info: 845.726.4148, visitcarolscabin@ gmail.com.
11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. & 2:00–3:30 p.m.
Dramatic Production: Laurel Hill Burial Ground Walk. Grey Towers, Milford, PA. Guided historical walk through Milford’s original town graveyard. Light refreshments. $20–$25. Tickets required. Info: 570.296.9630, greytowers.org.
October 6th
Sunday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Applefest. Warwick, NY. Crafts, food, music, children’s carnival & more. Hosted by Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce. Info: www.warwickapplefest.com.
October 7th
Monday 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Swing with Bling. Farmstead Golf & Country Club, Lafayette, NJ. The Julia Quinlan Women’s Golf Invitational. Includes luncheon, raffles, sample self-care services. $200. Info: karenannquinlanhospice.org.
10:30 a.m.
Teeing Up for Veterans. Black Bear Golf Club, Franklin, NJ. Benefits Project Help, which aids military and veterans. $225. Includes golf, lunch, dinner, games & giveaways. Info: 973.875.2068, projecthelp.us.
October 12th
Saturday 11 a.m.
Tricky Tray. Delaware Valley High School, Milford, PA. $5 entrance fee, door prizes, drinks & snacks. Calling starts at 2 p.m. Benefits Pike County Humane Society. Info: 570.296.7654, pikecountyhs@gmail.com.
11:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Fall Festival. Stillwater Township School, Stillwater, NJ. Hay rides, food, music, craft vendors & more. Info: www.historicstill water.org.
Noon–7 p.m.
Toast to Milford. Community House Lawn, Milford, PA. Free nibbles & beverages. Hosted by Milford Presents. Info: milfordpa.us.
5–8 p.m.
Autumn/Winter Exhibition: Opening Reception. Forest Hall Studios, Milford, PA. Featuring photography of Joe DiMaggio and JoAnne Kalish, aboriginal art collection of David Richard, and art of Eddy Segal. Curated by Kasia Lojewska. Info: 570.300.8020, foresthallmilford.com.
6–9 p.m.
Ghost Tours. North Main Street, Honesdale, PA. Guided tour of haunted spots, starts at the Wayne County Library. Hosted by the Greater Honesdale Partnership. Info: 570.253.5492, visithonesdalepa.com.
October 12th–13th
Saturday–Sunday
Heritage Weekend. Sussex County, NJ. Sponsored by the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council. Tour of historical sites, museums, farmers’ markets. Info: 973.383.0027, www. scahc.org
10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Harvest & Heritage Days. Honesdale, PA. Hayrides, pumpkin painting, crafts. Hosted by the Greater Honesdale Partnership. Info: 570.253.5492, visithonesdalepa.com.
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Harvest Festival. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Stroudsburg, PA. Historical demonstrations, crafts, food, music. $10–$18. Info: 570.992.6161, www.quietvalley. org
Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Civil War Encampment. Museum at Akenac Park, Dingmans Ferry, PA. Hosted by the Dingmans Ferry Historical Society. Demonstrations, musket & cannon fire, drilling & more. Info: dingmansferryhistoricalsociety. org.
October 13th
Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Children’s Book Festival. Stanley-Deming Park, Warwick, NY. Book signing, food, music. Presented by Albert Wisner Public Library. Info: www.warwickchildrensbook festival.org
11 a.m.–4 p.m.
Fall Festival & Car Show. Spring Street, Newton, NJ. Classic car show, live music, activities for kids & adults, craft vendors & more. Free. Info:. 973.300.0433, greaternewtoncc. com.
Noon–4:30 p.m.
Van Campen Day. Van Campen Inn, Walpack Township, NJ. Free tours, historical activities. Hosted by the Walpack Historical
Fall on the Farm. Time and the Valleys Museum, Grahamsville, NY. Explore fall farm activities: harvesting, canning, cider making & more. Info: 845.985.7700, www.time andthevalleysmuseum.org.
October 16th
Wednesday 5:30 p.m.
Funding Their Future. Perona Farms, Andover, NJ. Hosted by Sussex County Community College Foundation. $100. Info 973.300.2100, www.sussex.edu (Search Funding Their Future).
October 18th–20th
Friday–Sunday
Black Bear Film Festival. Milford, PA. Info: 570.832.4858, www.blackbearfilm.com. See pages 18–22 of The Journal for film schedules.
Sussex County Harvest, Honey & Garlic Festival. Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ. Celebration of agritourism, ecotourism, arts & heritage. Info: www.sussexfarmvisits. com.
5 p.m.
Grown Here. Clubhouse at Circleville Park, Circleville, NY. Farm-to-table experience, silent auction & more. $150. Hosted by Boys & Girls Clubs of Town of Wallkill. Info: 845.342.8833, www.bgcorange.org
October 20th
Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Haunted Harvest Food Truck Festival. Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta, NJ. Music, food, vendors, beer garden. Benefits the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council. Info: 973.383.0027, www.scahc.org
October 23rd
Wednesday 6 p.m.
Foodshed Alliance Gala. Perona Farms, Andover, NJ. Celebrating local food and supporting local foodshed. $150. Info: 908.361.7967, foodshedalliance.org.
October 26th
Saturday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Fall Vendor Fair. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Sparta, NJ. Crafters & vendors. Info: 973.729.7010, www.sothnj.org.
1:00–2:30 p.m.
An Afternoon & Evening with Edgar Allen Poe. Grey Towers, Milford, PA. Dramatic
reading by American Readers Theatre. $20–$25. Also: 3:00–4:30 p.m., 5:00–7:30 p.m Info: 570.296.9630, greytowers.org.
November 3rd
Sunday 1–3 p.m.
Neversink & Denning History Afternoon. Time and the Valleys Museum, Grahamsville, NY. Explore photos, records stories & artifacts. Free. Info: 845.985.7700, www.timeandthe valleysmuseum.org.
4 p.m.
Eclipsed: Filigree Ensemble. Grey Towers, Milford, PA. Tribute to Baroque composers. $45. Presented by Kindred Spirits Arts Program. Info: Info: 570.390.8699, kindredspiritsarts. org
November 6th
7–10 p.m.
EXPO XXXIX: A Print Competition. Sparta Ambulance Building, Sparta, NJ. Hosted by the Sparta Camera Club. Print exhibition and sale to follow November 16th–17th. Info: www.spartacameraclub.org.
November 8th
Friday 8 p.m.
Survival with Laughter Tour. Sugar Loaf Performing Arts Center, Chester, NY. Starring Jim Breuer. $55–$129. Info: 845.469.7000 x3, www.sugarloafpacny.com.
November 14th
Thursday 5:30–9:30 p.m.
50th Anniversary Gala. Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, NY. Pride of Community Awards $125. Hosted by Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce. Info: 845.791.4200, www. catskills.com.
November 16th
Saturday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Fall Craft Fair. At Peace by Piece, Sparta, NJ. Music, food, crafters, vendors. Goal: to enhance the lives of those faced with intellectual/developmental disabilities. Info: 973.500.8408, www.peacebypiecenj.com.
6–8 p.m.
Game Dinner. PEEC, Dingmans Ferry, PA. $50. Enjoy the bounty of the season Info: 570.828.2319, www.peec.org
November 23rd–24th
Saturday–Sunday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Holiday Fineries at the Wineries. Shawangunk Wine Trail Wineries, NY. Self-guided wine tasting tour & wreath decorations. $40–$50. Advance tickets only. Also December 7th–8th, 14th–15th. Info: 845.256.8456, www. shawangunkwinetrail.com
November 29th
Friday 6 p.m.
Winter Wonderland Parade. Honesdale, PA. Santa parade, shopping. Hosted by Greater Honesdale Partnership. Info: 570.253.5492, VisitHonesdalePA.com.
Grey Towers Event
Dr. Sherri Talbot-Valerio
Cary Grant, Melvyn Douglas, Mryna Loy in Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House.
Photos courtesy of Illeana Douglas from her book, Connecticut in the Movies
The Objectively Subjective Illeana Douglas
Illeana Douglas wears a hat-shop-full of hats—actor, author, director, film historian, house restorer, and wonderful storyteller. So it should be a fascinating experience for attendees of the 2024 Black Bear Film Festival to witness her being interviewed by Milford’s own film scholar, John DiLeo. Expect a riveting conversation.
Illeana was born into a middle-class family, and her grandfather was the Oscar-winning actor Melvyn Douglas. But as she recalls in her memoir, I Blame Dennis Hopper, her parents responded to the cultural call of Easy Rider when she was very young, by becoming hippies.
Recently, I spoke to Illeana to find out more. “I had a background that consisted of two distinct worlds,” she tells me. “There was the Manhattan and Hollywood of my grandfather and the people he knew.” And then she had the back-to-the-land scenario of her parents.
“I’ve been an outsider and insider my whole life. That describes my entire existence. I’m objective and subjective.” I silently wonder if that is partly what gives her such a great perspective on things. She seems very down-to-earth, and yet this is a woman who has known the likes of Marlon Brando, Jerry Lewis, Roddy McDowall, and Sid Caesar.
Her love for films came from the getgo. She grew up going to movies, to the drive-in or watching them on late-night television. “I was the kid going to the drive-in to actually watch the movie, not make out. Also, I loved to watch old movies because it was a point of reference with which I could talk to my grandfather about classic Hollywood.
a period where she wanted to be Liza Minelli and another where she emulated Richard Dreyfuss. “It was a coping mechanism, like when in doubt, pretend you are someone who is confident, and I always loved Dreyfuss because he was so cocky and sure of himself.”
When she first visited a movie set, it was as if the icons she worshipped had “stepped off the movie screen into my life.” It was exciting and fun to be on set. She loved the camaraderie and interactions. “I really was interested in people, because I was also truly a fan.”
After moving to New York and attending the Neighborhood Playhouse, Illeana got a job at the Brill Building, working for film publicist Peggy Siegal. While working for Siegal, director Frank Perry tapped her for a small role in Hello Again (1987). The same year, she was hired by Martin Scorsese to dub screams and additional dialogue (called looping) for the film The Last Temptation of Christ (1988).
After appearing in films such as Goodfellas, Cape Fear, and To Die For, her career blossomed, and she appeared in major films including Message in a Bottle, Picture Perfect, and Grace of My Heart. As a former art teacher myself, I found Douglas’s depiction of the high school art teacher in Ghost World spot-on. Just perfect. She also began to do a lot of television work in shows such as Seinfeld, Entourage, and Six Feet Under. IMDb lists more than 100 roles she has acted in—many of them for multiple episodes.
“My Italian grandmother, who I spent a lot of time with in Queens, would also frequently take me to see movies. She had dreamed of being an actress herself. In her younger days, she was a dead ringer for Theda Bara. They were making movies around where she grew up in Astoria. Her brother was even friends with Jimmy Cagney, but she gave up all that when she got married, so she was thrilled when I started making movies. She would frequently visit me on set when I was shooting in New York.”
Illeana posits that movies influence culture and change people’s lives. She tells me the drive-in movie theater alone influenced an entire generation. She herself went through
Illeana has written a web series for IKEA, worked with Turner Classic Movies, and hosted the podcast, The Film Scene, interviewing celebrities about movies. Most recently, she co-starred on the TV series Goliath starring Billy Bob Thornton.
Which brings me to her most recent “baby,” a coffeetable-sized book titled, Connecticut in the Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia. It’s an amazing compilation of photos, descriptions of plots and characters, as well as the insider information one would expect from someone who grew up in Connecticut, who has seen (and remembers, it seems) every movie known to woman.
Turns out, the book came about because of a house renovation.
Continued on next page
During the pandemic, she sold her house in California and bought an 1810 Connecticut farmhouse that was in complete disrepair but had a great location. And while the extensive work on the house was being done, she assiduously researched and wrote this book, amid much plaster dust, chaos, and questions from contractors.
The book had grown out of a well-received essay she had written about the film, The Swimmer, which she later expanded to include all the films made in or that are about Connecticut. “There was something perfect about writing about the history of the movie Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, while having an assortment of carpenters, electricians, and plumbers in and out of my house on a daily basis.”
“While everyone knows the iconic figures who lived in Connecticut—Kate Hepburn, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, and others—there was so much more about the subject than what might be called ‘The Connecticut Style’ or patrician way of life,” Illeana says. This book defi-
nitely takes a deep dive into the variety of movies made there.
She has organized her book thematically, with chapters on such things as Silent Films, Country Living, Suburban Sex Comedies, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Dark Suburbia, Creepy Connecticut, and more. Some sections contain familiar movies—Mystic Pizza, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, The Stepford Wives, It’s a Wonderful Life; and some entries consider movies you may have never heard of—The Curse of the Living Corpse, My Six Loves, and Let’s Scare Jessica to Death.
There is so much to digest. I can’t begin to describe the breadth and depth of this book. Your Netflix, Prime, and Criterion lists will be burgeoning after reading it.
I ask her what she’s working on right now. “I do have something in the works right now, but if I told you, it would have to be off the record.” “Don’t tell me,” I reply, “I’ll wait until it comes out.”
Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant in Bringing Up Baby
Stepford
“I love telling stories,” Illeana continues. I ask her if maybe her memoir will become a movie someday. “I would love it.” She adds, “Well, I guess you could say my life has been a joyful series of events. I feel I’ve stumbled towards success.”
Be sure to see this articulate, talented woman, whose modesty is so endearing. She doesn’t seem to stumble very much, if at all—at least from what I can tell.
Connecticut in the Movies is published by Lyons Press. Illeana’s website is illeanadouglas.com.
Black Bear will screen Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948), which not only costars Illeana’s grandfather (alongside Cary Grant and Myrna Loy), but is one of the films featured in her book. After the film, she will be interviewed onstage by local author/film historian, John DiLeo, which will be followed by a book signing for Connecticut in the Movies in the hospitality tent.
Julia Schmitt Healy is an artist, professor, and writer, currently living and working in Port Jervis, NY. Her website is juliahealy. com, and her art work can be seen in Chicago at Western Exhibitions, westernexhibitions.com.
FUN FACTS ABOUT ILLEANA DOUGLAS
• While working on the Disney-produced, The Drew Carey Show, Illeana was tapped to portray Aerosmith’s manager on the video Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster for a ride at Walt Disney World in Florida. The iconic ride is still going!
• Illeana has worked with a handful of actors who worked opposite her grandfather Melvyn Douglas, including Robert Mitchum, Beau Bridges, Estelle Parsons, and Bruce Davison. She was scheduled to work with George C. Scott on Cape Fear, but Mr. Scott quit the film shortly after arriving in Florida and was replaced by Joe Don Baker.
• While filming a movie in Louisiana, Illeana became aware of the chimpanzee sanctuary Chimp Haven, which rescues chimpanzees kept in captivity for lab use or retired from show business. She actively supports not using chimpanzees in films or TV.
• Illeana is a lifelong baseball fan. She and her maternal Italian grandfather used to watch baseball games on TV, and he brought her to many Yankees games. Illeana once filmed a scene with L.A. Dodgers baseball legend Steve Garvey for the TV show Action, but the dialogue was deemed too racy and it never aired!
Jane Fonda and Robert DeNiro in Stanley and Iris .
Director of photography James Wong Howe sets a shot with Cary Grant.
Friday, October 18
18-20 2 0 2 4
BLACK BEAR FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER
MAIN STAGE FILMS
PRESENTED AT THE MILFORD THEATER
6:00 p.m. • Silver & Black Gala Reception
7:30 p.m. • Burying the Hatchet: The Tom Quick Story
Burying the Hatchet: The Tom Quick Story is a film about how one largely white community and disenfranchised Lenni Lenape leaders worked together to overcome past conflicts and forge a shared path to reestablish a Lenape presence in Lenapehoking, their original land, in the Milford, PA, region.
Documentary. Produced by Sean Strub. Written and directed by Christopher King. Associate Producer, Daniel Strongwalker Thomas.
Saturday, October 19
11:00 a.m. • Tim Stead, Magician with Wood
This documentary is about Tim Stead, a legendary Scottish woodworker who crafts handmade fine furniture, sculptures and even his own home. Other artists admire Stead who shares his time and skills with them. When tragedy strikes, his wife struggles to save his art, his reputation, and their home.
Documentary. 1hr 29m. Directed by Beatrix Wood.
1:00 p.m. • The Refugee
This is a story about Eva, a young girl in Iraq. Her family was killed, but an American soldier saved her life and gave her the cross from his neck, inscribed with his initials. Years later, now living in the U.S., Eva decides to locate the man who saved her life.
Drama. 1hr 41m. Directed by Johnny Greenlaw.
3:00 p.m. • Classic Film Screening
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
This post-World War II film follows one family’s comical tribulations after they trade their cramped NYC apartment for an 18th-century fixer-upper in Connecticut. After the movie, special guest Illeana
Douglas, actor, author, director, and Melvyn Douglas’s granddaughter, will be interviewed on stage by John DiLeo. This will be followed by a book signing in the hospitality tent, with copies of her new book, Connecticut In The Movies: From Dream Houses to Dark Suburbia, available for purchase.
This drama portrays the life of a woman whose life is upended after her gangster husband’s murder. She joins a gang of thieves but hopes to keep that from her young son. It’s a hard-boiled mixture of oddball characters, desperation, and determination.
Drama. 1hr 32m. Directed by Kerry Ann Enright.
8:30 p.m. • Thelma
When Thelma, a 93-year-old grandmother, loses $10,000 to a con artist, she embarks on a treacherous journey across Los Angeles to reclaim what was taken from her.
Comedy. 90m. Directed by Josh Margolin.
Sunday, October 20
11:00 a.m. • And Through The Portal We Go
This quirky comedy explores the efforts of three cult members to find spiritual perfection, but each day seems to be repeating over and over again.
Comedy. 1hr 23m. Directed by Mike Hayhurst.
12:45 p.m. • Short Block (1hr 22m)
The Suit
Grandmother and granddaughter share a cross generational experience as they shop for the perfect suit for grandpa.
Drama Short. 20m. Directed by Carol McCann.
Go for Grandma
Go for Grandma is a magical journey into the mind of a young boy who escapes a traumatic home life through the power of his imagination and his grandmother’s fables.
Drama Short. 34m. Directed by Sabrina Doyle.
Bar Boy
Gary is a man in his 60s faced with the reality that he’s growing older and becoming less attractive to a romantic partner. Then he meets a handsome young man at a local gay bar.
Drama Short. 20m. Directed by Bryan Powers. Starring Keith LaPan, a member of our film committee, as Gary.
The Purple Umbrella
A young man follows the only clue—a vivid purple umbrella—to try to solve a string of murders committed across the country. This short indie film has clever touches of Hitchcock, Truffaut, and a bit of film noir.
Thriller Short. 8m. Directed, produced, and starring Black Bear intern Dennis Sema.
3:00 p.m. • Awards & Closing Ceremony
SATURDAY SALONS Schedule
At Good Shepherd
Episcopal Church
110 West Catharine Street, Milford, PA
10:00 a.m. • Not Even Nominated by John DiLeo
John DiLeo’s Salon program includes movie clips highlighted in his new book, Not Even Nominated: 40 Overlooked Costars of Oscar-Winning Performances. (See the Life article in this issue of The Journal for more information.)
11:30 a.m. • Short Film Collection I
Fragmented (15:59)
Directed by T.L. Quach
In an Asian American family, a devoted wife cares for her frail husband in the late stage of dementia. As she recalls their marriage, she is reminded of why she perseveres and finds hope in their enduring love.
Love and Near Death (27:17)
Directed by Jay Stern
When a thwarted romantic has a near-death experience, she encounters her soulmate in the afterlife.
King Ed (22.38)
Directed by Nick Fascitelli
A wounded romantic hunts for the author of a mysterious playlist he believes was made by his soulmate. But only because a medically licensed witch told him so.
Lorica (14:23)
Directed by Benjamin Carlucci
A young priest is confronted with the horrific abuse perpetrated by a mentor.
SKIN (7:06)
Directed by Leo Behrens
SKIN is a poetic exploration of identity and self-discovery, using visual symbolism to depict a woman’s transformation into a man.
The Trunk (7:47)
Directed by Tony Susi
A determined woman struggles to offload a
large, mysterious, and suspiciously heavy trunk without attracting too much attention.
Flocky (11:58)
Directed by Esther Casas Roura
Flocky is an animated allegory navigating pregnancy by exploring the connection between a mother and her unborn child. The film captures the essence of love and the poignant nature of loss.
1:30 p.m. • Short Film Collection II
As Easy As Closing Your Eyes (21:43)
Directed by Parker Croft
The story of a grieving mother who battles her addiction to a black-market drug that gives her life-like dreams about the son she lost.
Emerald City (21:13)
Directed by Josef Steiff
Two young men cross paths on the back roads of the American Southwest and, despite their different backgrounds, find common ground along the border.
The Gift of Life (3:00)
Directed by Amirhossein Hatami
On her birthday night, Emily anxiously waits for her father, a military pilot who is away on a mission. Her mother tries to comfort her, but a looming truth threatens to overshadow their lives.
Method (11:16)
Directed by Nicholas James Reilly
A young actress books the role of a lifetime only to discover just how far the director is willing to go to capture reality.
Patsy (17:08)
Directed by John Valley
Patsy is about an Asian American woman in her 30s going through a divorce triggered by a traumatic miscarriage, trying to find love again, and learning how to say “No.”
Because I Love You (13:28)
Directed by Bob Celli
Marco and Joanna enjoy an electric marriage until Marco witnesses a series of events that lead him to suspect Joanna is having an affair.
Revenge Tour (9:20)
Directed by Bryon Jones
A veteran detective and overzealous rookie investigate a series of murders and kidnappings involving film judges.
Dancing Man (23:15)
Directed by Robert Steven Mack, Clarisse Gamblin
David, a young dancer, has to decide whether to stay at a Midwestern ballet company with his new love interest or follow a promising choreographer to New York to chase his dream of dancing in Golden Age musicals.
Same As It Ever Was (7:00)
Directed by Sam Wilson
A woman is reunited with her husband for the length of one cigarette.
3:30 p.m. • Student
Film Collection
Brothers, A Civil War Story (19:59)
Directed by Casey Schaffer
A young Confederate soldier comes face-toface with his Union brother on the battlefield during the Battle of the Wilderness.
Beware of Dog (14:21)
Directed by Orly Rose Lovett
The lives of two boarding school roommates descend into madness, in a hilarious horror comedy, featuring three mental patients and one elaborate scheme.
Gravy (10:50)
Directed by Hannah Burns
Gravy follows the story of Johanna, a collegeaged girl whose grandmother just passed away. While cleaning out her belongings, she finds her family tomato sauce and takes it upon herself to make it.
M.A.Y.A. (12:26)
Directed by Katie Jo Bagley
Decrepit and curmudgeonly neuroscientist
Dr. Vincent Lyndon unveils his greatest invention, a device capable of displaying one’s thoughts, only for its demonstration to go horribly awry.
SATURDAY SALONS
Live from the Geneva! (13:12)
Directed by Nick Leahy
Amidst the hysteria of the Red Scare in 1953
Chicago, a nightclub staff becomes entangled in a political scandal when their star performer’s iconic red-and-gold pocket square becomes the focal point of media chaos.
An Alien Stole My Class (14:16)
Directed by Logan Cole & Alayna Thaler
No one likes Saturday detention, but nobody expected an alien to steal their class.
Eyes of a Worker (14:15)
Directed by Kelly Carlino
This animated film about a career man who meets his future wife and becomes conflicted when he feels he must choose between his family and his career.
5:00 p.m. • Salon Feature
Last Night in the Life of Death (1hr 19 mins)
Directed by Isaiah Brody
Every night, Death comes to take care of people who move on from here to forever. When Death is confronted with the possibility that there is no longer any use for his kind, he begins to understand his true fate.
7:00 p.m. • Short Film Collection III
Abstract Narrative (7:31)
Directed by Michael Sheridan
A Lehigh Valley artist uses his abstract art to express his emotion and deal with his troubled past.
John Doe (10:22)
Directed by Rebecca Faulkenberry
When real estate agent Kevin is supposed to meet his client in a park, a woman named Jenna mistakenly believes that he is her date. They discover they share a chemistry, but when Jenna’s actual date shows up, she needs to decide what to do.
King Me (13:00)
Directed by Marc Acito
Two neighbors. One game. Several thoughts of homicide. A comedy about the people you love to hate—and hate to love.
Subzero (10:00)
Directed by Laleh Noureddin Mousa Shima and fellow refugees try to illegally cross the border of Iran on foot. Smugglers inform them that because of the risk of being caught in the border area, they have to spend a few days in an abandoned factory with less than ideal conditions.
The Last Mayor of Chinatown (13:35)
Directed by Lena Chen
The Last Mayor of Chinatown tells the story of the rise, decline, and rediscovery of Pittsburgh’s Chinatown. The film interweaves excerpts from the memoir of Yuen Yee, the last honorary mayor, with his daughter’s contemporary commentary to show his support for newly arrived immigrants.
At Pike County Library
119 E. Harford Street, Milford, PA
12:00 p.m. • Nature Appreciation Film Collection
Bold North (23m)
Directed by Benji Inniger
A short documentary exploring the wilds of Minnesota through the seasons with an original orchestral score.
MEVO: From Farm to Feast (9m)
Directed by Bryan Huth
The youth-led farmers of MEVO take us on a tour of the land and the importance of reaching your local community by hosting an annual farm-to-table gala.
Hive Mind (3m)
Directed by Jonathan Walley
Beehives have remained unchanged for years, but two Pennsylvania beekeepers are on a mission to make beekeeping more accessible and create a better way to manage hives. Filmed in Delco, PA.
Mussel Matters (19m)
Directed by Lea Rodbarry, Jonathan Mullen In the rivers that flow through our neighborhoods lives an unseen but important creature: the freshwater mussel. This film explores the balance between supporting our modern lifestyle and preserving our natural heritage.
Saving Monarchs (20m)
Directed by Kana Rosemarie Hutchens
Replicating how nature intended is a complex challenge that can have negative consequences.
Birdfeeder (12m)
Directed by Daniel Feighery
The birds outside a Brooklyn window help a man heal as the world turns upside down. When a family of birds moves in on his fire escape, they bring hope for a new beginning.
Freedom Flier (9:51)
Directed by Cami Armendariz
A biopic that chronicles JC’s lifelong passion for pigeons. The film draws a poignant parallel between his family’s escape from Cuba on the Johnson Freedom Flights and his enduring affection for these extraordinary birds.
Chain (4:49)
Directed by Ling Han
Chain is a 3D animated short film that uniquely tells the story of the mantis catching the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
SUNDAY SALONS
At TriVersity: The Pride Center
201 W. Harford Street, Milford, PA
11:00 a.m. • Short Film Block
Emerald City (21:13)
Directed by Josef Steiff
Two young men cross paths on the back roads of the American Southwest and despite their different backgrounds, find common ground along the southern border.
Trans Heaven, Pennsylvania (12:00)
Directed by Hansen Bursic
In the 1970s and 1980s, the small Pennsylvania town of New Hope was a safe haven for gay men to find community. Over 30 years later, the town’s legacy remained, but now for a different community: transgender women.
Red Rose Aroma (15:00)
Directed by Aurel Naqi
When Era travels to the beautiful Albanian Riviera in search of adventure, she develops a connection to Fiori, an ambitious, local florist. Things take an unexpected turn when months later, Fiori makes a surprise visit to see Era.
Tabloid (17:00)
Directed by Christopher Dowan
Celebrity model Clair has become the latest pop culture gossip: photos have been released of her having an affair with a woman, and everyone wants to know with who. We follow Clair on that chaotic night, one that highlights the difficult journey towards self-acceptance.
Bounty (12:49)
Directed by Hope Dougherty
Bounty hunters Rosa and Claudine have final-
ly tracked their bounty, Victor. As they decide whether to of take him in hot or cold, they learn Victor knows something they don’t, and it will change the course of their lives.
In Passing (10:23)
Directed by Hillia Aho
Rey is a sous chef in a fast-paced New York City restaurant and her long-term partner, Elle, works from home as a painter. As Rey grows more overworked, she begins to fixate on the work imbalance between them, and the strength of their relationship is thrown into question.
Slaycation (14:58)
Directed by Ken Brewer
Nine drag queens are invited to a remote island mansion on the promise of fame and fortune.
Lines of a Woman (15:00)
Directed by Melissa Gagliardi
A trauma therapist crosses paths with new patients every day, but the line between therapist and patient begins to blur when she gets a call from a college student living in her car. (mature)
Second Thought (7:00)
Directed by Chris Stanley
The film explores the nuances of modern gay dating and highlights the diverse experiences within our community. It’s about encouraging deeper connections and understanding that romance can be more fulfilling when it’s not rushed. (mature)
At Grey Towers National Historic Site
151 Grey Towers Drive, Milford, PA
11:00 a.m. • The Lorax (1hr 26m)
Twelve-year-old Ted will do anything to find a real live Truffula Tree in order to impress the girl of his dreams. As he embarks on his journey, Ted discovers the incredible story of the Lorax, a grumpy but charming creature who speaks for the trees. Featuring the voice talents of Danny DeVito, Ed Helms, Zac Efron, Taylor Swift and Betty White. (Animation)
2:00 p.m. • Planet Earth, As You’ve Never Seen It Before (2hrs)
This stunning cinematic experience captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet’s wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, Planet Earth takes you to places you’ve never been to experience sights and sounds never before captured on film. (Nature Series narrated by David Attenborough.)
At The Columns
Museum
608 Broad Street, Milford, PA
12:00 p.m. • Salmon Secrets (40m)
Documentary. Directed by Jeremy Mathieu. An investigation to understand the impacts of the fish farms industry on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.
1:00 p.m. • The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms (1hr 20m)
Directed by Eugène Lourié
A prehistoric sea beast leads a path of destruction across eastern North America. (The beast is rumored to be the inspiration for Godzilla)
2:30 p.m. • Attack of the Crab Monsters (69m)
A Roger Corman Classic! Radioactive crabs make life for some nosy scientists difficult.
By Alison Porter
Remembrance of Dinners Past
Recently, while trying to bring order to my haphazard and vast recipe collection, I came across a faded index card cryptically entitled “Fall Pork Roast.” I was instantly transported back several decades to the first time I served said pork roast, as part of an elegant (in my mind at least) dinner which started with a salmon mousse and ended with an apple tart. In between were all my hopes and dreams as a young newlywed.
Back in those days, I was eager to join the suburban commuters streaming in and out of Grand Central Terminal, on my way to my office, carrying a briefcase, walking in my business suit, the outfit completed by sneakers and short white socks over pantyhose. I was young, fresh, and ready to take on the world. My future stretched out before me, so bright and shiny.
One hot summer afternoon, I was walking home, sweating in my linen suit, wishing I had a car. A young blonde woman passed me driving an ancient paneled station wagon. To my surprise, she parked on the street by my
apartment building. To my further surprise, we rode up in the elevator together.
It turned out she and her husband were our new neighbors, recently off a plane from Germany. They too were seeking a brighter future in New York. She was sweet and easy to talk to. She confided that when she saw me walking in my suit, she knew that all she wanted was a job where she got to wear business clothes and travel with the commuters to the big city. We laughed and quickly became friends.
A love of cooking helped forge a strong bond between us. I helped her navigate the confusingly large supermarket, with an entire aisle allocated to cereals, but hardly any kinds of pickles or mustard. I showed her how to make American classics, such as chocolate chip cookies and brownies. I was treated to traditional German dishes, including sauerbraten and the absolute best potato salad in the world. We shared little plates of our dinners back and forth between our apartments.
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After moving to a house, I was eager to host dinner parties, and I wanted to invite my new friends from Germany. I couldn’t wait to unpack the wedding china and set a pretty table on our dining room set. I subscribed to Gourmet, Saveur, and Bon Appetit and pored over recipes with exotic ingredients, such as cilantro, sunchokes, and kiwis. I even tried, without much success, to grow herbs in the shady backyard.
I chose the menu with care. At the time, I thought it was the height of elegance, but really it was a combination of some of my favorite dishes. As I think back on it now, it was not a very cohesive meal. Salmon mousse was more like a spring and summer dish, while pork roast leaned hard into late fall fare. Apple tart was a classic and had year-round appeal.
I really wanted things to be perfect, but my inexperience and poor time management skills were working against me. For instance, I didn’t know that I could have set the table a day or two before the big event. And that I could have preordered the roast and made the pie dough the night before and left it to chill in the refrigerator.
I did, however, prepare the salmon mousse ahead of time. It sat, perfectly seasoned in the refrigerator. I had learned the hard way not to leave the mousse to the last minute.
A few months earlier, I was running behind on cooking, and another friend offered to help me in the kitchen. She was a pretty good cook, I thought, and I entrusted her
with finishing the mousse and folding it gently into the metal mold. Unfortunately, this friend also followed the latest health fads and had decided to omit the salt because salt raised the blood pressure. It certainly raised mine, when I licked the bowl and tasted nothing but a bland creamy mess, with a hint of dill. I had to scoop the mixture out, gently introduce the missing salt and coax the mousse back into the mold. Lesson learned.
This time, when I went to the supermarket, there were no rolled pork roasts. I finally settled for a large slab of pork loin with a substantial fatty side. I figured that I would slice open the roast, arrange the filling, and tie it up myself. Easy peasy. But when I got it home, I couldn’t find any twine, and it was time to improvise. I had to think quickly.
I borrowed a technique for making a roast leg of lamb. I wasn’t sure my idea would work, but it was worth a try. I made deep cuts all around the sides of the roast. Into each slit, I stuffed garlic slivers and an apricot or prune. I patted the meat dry and smeared olive oil all over it. Then I sprinkled on a little more salt than normal to counterbalance the sweetness of the fruit as well as a healthy amount of fresh cracked pepper. I hoped for the best and hurried on to make the apple tart, which could have been made the night before.
We dined by candlelight with bone china and sterling flatware and ironed linen napkins and tablecloth. We shared a nice bottle of wine or two, drinking from crystal goblets. We felt elegant and special. The meal was a success.
Over apple tart, still hot from the oven, our new friends complimented the meal, especially the roast. They both remarked how interesting and innovative it was to mix the sweet with the savory. This did not happen in Germany. I said that I had been trying to make “comfort” food that would remind them of home: pork roast, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Instead, they thought this was nouvelle cuisine, and we all had a good laugh.
The apple tart recipe has been a favorite since my teenage years, shared by an excellent French cook. Madame had very high standards and would never think of anything other than a traditional pâte brisée for the crust. I tried not to let perfect get in the way of delicious. Over the years, I have compromised on the crust and have used both refrigerated and homemade crusts. They are both terrific because the unique part of this apple tart is the filling, no matter what the crust is.
My recipes are still loosely organized, at best, and I have a lot more work to do. As I look through recipe cards, it’s almost like a treasure hunt. When I run across the handwriting of my mother or my younger self, I feel connected with past meals and happy times with friends and family. I remember myself as the young woman embarking on a life full of adventures.
Fall Pork Roast
5 pound boneless pork
loin roast
¾ cup pitted prunes
¾ cup dried apricots
12 cloves of garlic, sliced thin
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper, or to taste
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Make deep cuts all around the pork roast and fill each slit with a prune or apricot and a few slivered garlic pieces.
• Pat the roast dry then rub it with olive oil, and coat generously with salt and pepper. Place in a heavy bottom pan fat side up and roast for 20 minutes at 425 degrees.
• Decrease the temperature to 375 degrees and cook for an additional hour or until the internal temperature is 145 degrees.
• Remove from the oven, cover with foil and let rest for 20 minutes before serving.
Apple Pie Tart
4 pounds crisp cooking apples, such as Granny Smith
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup calvados, rum, or cognac
1 tablespoon vanilla
⅔ cup sugar
1 tablespoon butter
⅓ cup apricot preserves
Pie crust prepared or pâte brisée dough
• Quarter, core, and peel the apples. Cut enough apples into ¼ inch slices to make 3 cups of apples. Place in a bowl and toss with the lemon juice and sugar. Reserve.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Cut the rest of the apples into rough slices, approximately 8 cups. Place them in a heavy bottomed saucepan over low heat for twenty minutes, stirring occasionally until the apples are very soft.
• Beat in the rum, vanilla, sugar, and butter. Raise the heat and boil until the apple mixture is thick enough to stick to a spoon. Cool the mixture slightly.
• Spread the apple mixture in a pie shell, arrange the reserved apple slices in concentric circles in a pattern on top of the pie. Bake for 30 minutes until slightly brown.
• While the tart is baking, warm the apricot preserves in a small saucepan over low heat. Add water as needed to make a thin consistency. Spoon the apricot glaze evenly over the baked tart.
• Serve with ice cream or whipped cream, or both.
By Kate Gordon
Upper Delaware Valley Building Traditions
When we think of 18th century American houses, we generally have in mind a two-story building with triangular gables on each end wall supporting the roof. The front door is centered in the wall facing the street, and the windows are arranged symmetrically on either side of it and across the second story.
It would be what realtors call a Colonial-style house and architectural historians a Georgian-style one. Examples of this form are found throughout the Northeast, and in many ways it is the archetypical style of the Colonial era.
The form was used in the 18th century by both the German settlers who came to the Upper Delaware River Valley by following the river north from the Philadelphia area and by the Dutch settlers who followed the Wallkill River south and east from Kingston, NY. It was also favored by the English settlers who later came to live in the area.
The Van Campen Inn on the Old Mine Road in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Walpack Township, NJ, is a splendid example of this form and reflects the wealth and high status of the families associated
with it. It was probably built in the early 1740s by Harmon Rosenkrans, whose father Abraham had invested in 900 acres along the Delaware, known as the Shappanack Tract. Fourteen years later, Rosenkrans sold the property to Isaac Van Campen. During the Revolutionary War, Van Campen entertained such notables as General Horatio Gates, Benedict Arnold, and Count Pulaski.
The house is built of stone, which both the Dutch and the German settlers preferred, whenever it was available and they had the resources to quarry and build with it. It has two rooms on each floor, one on either side of the central hall. The Dutch influence is best seen in the rich interior woodwork. The slight upward flare to the roofline at the eaves is also a Dutch feature. The house was beautifully restored in the 1980s and is now operated as a museum by the Walpack Historical Society in collaboration with the National Park Service.
But while the two-story center hall house is almost a universal upper class early American style, there is another form that is peculiar to the upper Delaware valley—a one-and-a-half-story form known as the Upper Delaware
Van Campen Inn, Walpack Township, NJ.
Photos by Kate Gordon
Valley Cottage. These are much humbler dwellings, built of stone or wood and often with only one room to a floor.
A distinctive feature of the style are the small knee-wall windows, set into the side walls of the second story between the floor and the eaves. These are sometimes known as eyebrow windows, or popularly as “lie-on-your-belly” windows because you have to lie on the floor to look out of them.
The form persisted throughout the 19th century as both a stand-alone dwelling or as the kitchen and servants’ wing to a grander house. In some instances, it served as both, starting as a self-contained house, then being demoted to the service wing when the family prospered enough to build a more ostentatious Georgian style block containing formal parlors and bedrooms.
An excellent example of this evolution can be seen in the Smith-Dodd House, located on the Old Mine Road several miles north of the Van Campen Inn in Sandyston, NJ. A colonist named John Smith came to the area in the 1730s, settling on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River. His grandson, also John, built the original woodframe portion of the house in either 1803 or 1813.
The single room on the ground floor would have served as an all-purpose kitchen, living space, and winter sleeping area, while the second floor provided storage and ad-
ditional sleeping space in the warmer months. The only fireplace would have been on the ground floor.
The Smith family were numerous and prosperous, so it is not clear whether they added the stone portion, or whether it was added by Dr. Thomas Roe who acquired the property in 1841 when he married Susanna Smith. In the late 20th century, the house was home to the architect John Brant Dodd and his wife, Cherry, who were responsible for preserving so many of our area’s architectural treasures, including the Van Campen Inn.
Rosenkranz House, Village of Walpack, NJ
Smith-Dodd House, Sandyston, NJ.
Just as the European settlements in the upper Delaware valley mixed people of Dutch, German, and English origin, so the architecture blended vernacular traditions with a few high-style flourishes garnered from pattern books or visits to older, more urban centers such as Philadelphia.
The Rosenkrans House, located in the village of Walpack, splendidly illustrates the way architectural traditions came together in this area. It was built about 1850 by Jasper Rundle. Jasper and his brother Isaac opened the first store in Walpack Center, and Jasper served as the village’s first postmaster when a post office was established in his store in 1854.
The core of his house follows the Georgian pattern with a central entrance flanked by two windows. But instead of opening into a hall with an impressive staircase leading to a full-height second story, there is just one room on the ground floor with a tight winder staircase by the fireplace leading to a half-height second floor, similar to the arrangement found in the original wing of the SmithDodd house.
While the house is basically a simple vernacular house, it displays one high-style feature. The knee-wall windows are set into a broad, flat frieze under the eaves and are separated by inset panels, reminiscent of the friezes topping the walls of ancient Greek temples.
The Greek Revival style, as it is known, became popular in the first half of the 19th century, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens and other relics of ancient Greece, and many churches and civic buildings copied the Greek models quite faithfully. The architecture of the Greek de-
mocracies and early Roman Republic was seen as a fitting model for the architecture of our new nation.
The E.L. Garis Farmhouse in Millbrook Village is another good example of a one-and-a-half-story Upper Delaware Valley Cottage. It is one of four original houses remaining in the village (the rest are reconstructions or were moved to the village by the Park Service). Built ca. 1850, it is roughly contemporaneous with Jasper Rundel’s house in Walpack, and the interior layout is very similar. However, despite the fact that Garis owned the mill, hotel, and store in Millbrook, the house is much simpler, with fewer windows and no high-style flourishes. It is a farmhouse, plain and practical.
The Old Mine Road (here renamed River Road) passes through the former village of Millville in Montague, NJ, where Shimer’s Brook was harnessed to power several gristmills and sawmills that operated between 1750 and 1830.
DeRemer House, Montague, NJ.
E.L. Garris Farmhouse, Millbrook Village, NJ
The DeRemer House, which was built around 1870, demonstrates how the traditional Upper Delaware Valley Cottage and Georgian house forms persisted even as architectural styles changed.
At first glance, the house looks like a typical large Victorian farmhouse, with tall windows, porches, and gingerbread brackets under the eaves of the main block. But look again, and the main block still displays the traditional Georgian form, with a central doorway and paired windows illuminating the rooms on either side of the central hall. The kitchen wing, to the left, is an old fashioned one-and-a-half-story Upper Delaware Valley Cottage, with the kitchen on the ground floor and storage or sleeping accommodations for servants on the upper level.
It is not an addition. It was built at the same time as the main block, deliberately separating the heat and smells of the kitchen and the sleeping quarters of the farmhands from the more elegant rooms occupied by the owner and his family.
When looking at rural architecture, it is always interesting to observe the interplay between building techniques, which are usually passed down from father to son, and building styles, which were transmitted through pattern
books or direct observation to people with the inclination and means. Building techniques were learned on the job; they are conservative because the builders know that a house built the way they learned from their fathers would stand and be suited to the local climate and the needs of the residents.
The result is that rural houses tend to preserve traditional forms for decades while fashionable details are applied to the surface, like make-up, usually in the form of fancy moldings, brackets, posts, and railings that were manufactured in more urban areas and shipped to clients in the country. It’s the cliche of a house having a Queen Anne front and a Mary Jane back, and it never ceases to intrigue and delight me.
Dedicated to the memory of my dear friend and mentor in all things architectural: John Brant Dodd, AIA, and his wife, Cherry.
Note: all the houses discussed in this article are situated on public roads within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The Van Campen Inn and the houses in Millbrook Village and Walpack Center are open to the public on scheduled days throughout the summer. For more information, consult: www.nps.gov/dewa/ and www.walpackhistory.org
Film Scholar John DiLeo’s New Read
Getting Even with Oscar
In his latest book, Not Even Nominated: 40 Overlooked Costars of Oscar-Winning Performances, film historian and author John DiLeo writes, “Competitive awards in the arts are inherently ludicrous; some might even call them stupid. Okay, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, join me in delving into the Oscars for a few hundred pages. Even if you are an award-hating lover of movies, the Oscars are hard to ignore.
“What the ‘Best’ picks of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences have offered,” DiLeo continues, “are prominent markers of their moments: the patina of excellence as deemed by industry peers, influenced by whatever factors come into play in any given year, not just quality but popularity, sentiment, trends, etc. For those of us not in the Academy, Oscar’s selections can function as a means to measure our own judgments, whether we passionately defend certain choices or vehemently disparage them as conspicuously misguided, all in the name of defining and refining our individual responses to movies. For those so inclined, reacting strongly to Oscar’s choices is the primary fun of the Academy Awards.”
DiLeo puts the focus on some shockingly neglected-by-the-Academy acting achievements. These head-scratching boo-boos are rectified by
Left to right: Mark Johnson, Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, and Barry Levinson receiving awards for Rain Man.
DiLeo with his full-blown appraisals. Film buffs will be informed, entertained, and delighted by the insights into some of Hollywood’s stellar performances.
Throughout his career, DiLeo has interviewed some of Hollywood’s most glamorous screen stars: Tab Hunter, Arlene Dahl, and Jane Powell, to name a few. We asked the renowned interviewer some questions of our own.
The Journal: This is your eighth book about classic films. Where did the inspiration come from for this topic?
DiLeo: There are hundreds of books about the Oscars, so I had to find my own spin on the subject. I became struck by outstanding performances that weren’t even nominated for an Academy Award, even though the actors’ co-stars were awarded. How many examples are there of this phenomenon spread throughout Hollywood history? Enough for a book!
The Journal: The amount of detailed information you provide in this, and in all of your books, is mind-boggling. How do you go about conducting your research?
DiLeo: Most of the research I do comes from my own reference system, which I developed over the past 25 years. I make detailed notes on every movie I watch, not just facts but also my impressions of the performances, the direction, the plots, and so on. Those notes are now on over 8,000 handwritten index cards—front and back!— filed in old-fashioned wooden filing drawers. Of course, I also rely on classic movie books and the internet. And if a movie is based on a novel, I’ll read the novel to gauge how well it was adapted into a screenplay.
The Journal: As you were compiling the information and structuring the book, were there any surprises for you personally about co-stars of Oscar-winning movies who were overlooked for nominations?
DiLeo: Not really. I started by making a master list, and rewatched some performances that originally struck me as outstanding. On repeat viewing, I realized the role wasn’t as complex or the performance wasn’t as memorable as I originally thought, so I was able to cull the number down to 40. There was no magic number to strive for, but 40 performances stood out. I also wanted to reflect the decades from the 1920s to contemporary films, and, therefore, the choices are evenly spread throughout ninety years.
The Journal: I’m a huge fan of Moonstruck. Share with our readers a little bit about how Nicolas Cage, a not-even-nominated co-star, was central to the success of the narrative and the movie itself, and why he deserved an Oscar nomination.
DiLeo: Including Cage’s performance in Moonstruck was an easy decision. Moonstruck was an enormously successful movie with the public and with critics, garnering six Academy Award nominations and three wins for Cher, Olympia Dukakis, and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley.
Shanley conceived the film as a Hollywood version of a grand Italian opera set in 1980s Brooklyn, and Cage’s character is the catalyst for just about everything operat-
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Dorothy McGuire and James Dunn in
Tree
in Brooklyn (1945).
Burt
Lancaster and Jean Simmons in Elmer Gantry (1960).
ic that happens, including love, lust, and infidelity. The characters, particularly Cher’s, are stuck in their humdrum lives until Ronny (Cage) appears and takes the whole movie—and us—into an emotionally expansive whirlwind. No other actor could have swept us away the way Nicolas Cage did.
The Journal: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing your type of books?
DiLeo: The biggest challenge is to come up with a fresh angle, something original that I haven’t already written about in my previous books. I don’t want to repeat myself, so I need to develop a concept that offers a new window into classic movies.
The Journal: And the most enjoyable aspect?
DiLeo: I love working by myself: doing research, watching the movies alone, consulting my notes, realizing that a chapter is taking shape, cutting and adding material, etc. I even enjoy spending way too much time choosing a single adjective!
The Journal: The book starts with overlooked star Charles Farrell, whom many readers may not even be familiar with, the possible exception being his portrayal of the father in the TV show My Little Margie. Did you have to weigh whether old time lesser-known stars such as Farrell and George O’Brien should be included in a book published for a 2024 readership?
DiLeo: My target audience is essentially people who like older movies, and my heart and soul lie with movies from the ’30s, ’40s, and ’50s, so there’s always a classic component to my books. But I also enjoy the fact that while younger readers may primarily be interested in more contemporary movies, those readers may also discover some of the gems from the Golden Age. It’s a passion of mine to shine a spotlight on wonderful but forgotten stars of Old Hollywood.
The Journal: The book is divided into chapters on 40 overlooked co-stars of Oscar-winning performances. If you had to choose a 41st, who would it be?
DiLeo: Interestingly enough, there is no 41st choice. I didn’t exclude any performances that merited inclusion. I can honestly say, no one wound up on the cutting room floor!
John DiLeo will be hosting Main Stage and Salon segments at the 25th Annual Black Bear Film Festival in Milford, PA, on October 18th–20th. Tickets are available at www. blackbearfilm.com.
Not Even Nominated: 40 Overlooked Costars of Oscar-Winning Performances is available at bookstores and online.
Will Voelkel is a Milford resident, former Executive Director of the Black Bear Film Festival, and a frequent contributor to The Journal
ON WITH THE SHOW
Q: You’ve been hosting events and films at Milford’s Black Bear Film Festival almost every year since its inception 25 years ago. How do you manage to keep it all fresh for both you and your audiences?
A: Each star I’ve interviewed on the festival stage has been a one-of-a-kind personality with a unique career, so every conversation is different from the others, and each has been a thrill in its own way. The interaction with the audience also keeps things fresh.
As for my Salon programs, they have allowed me to “put on a show” with film clips and audience Q&A, with each of those events tied to one of my books.
Q: You’ll be interviewing actress and filmmaker Illeana Douglas at the festival this October. How do you decide what questions to ask the celebrities you interview?
A: In Illeana’s case, there are three areas I’ll focus on: her new book Connecticut in the Movies (available for sale and autograph at the festival), the career of her legendary grandfather, Melvyn Douglas (who won two Oscars), and her own acting career in films such as Cape Fear and To Die For.
Before the interview, we’ll be screening Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, a classic comedy, not only featured in Illeana’s book but costarring her grandfather, alongside Cary Grant and Myrna Loy.
My preparation for the interview will include reading Illeana’s two books and revisiting her most celebrated movies, as well as her grandfather’s. She’s the perfect guest for Black Bear’s 25th anniversary because her family’s screen legacy spans nearly 100 years.
So much to chat about!
Café Wren is a long-awaited anchorage in the Delaware River town of Milford, PA. Milford has a rich history in conservation, art, literature, and community. Café Wren pays a sincere and effortless homage to each.
A beautifully designed space, unlike any other in the region, the café is in itself a work of art. The comfortable and welcoming atmosphere is tethered to a tangible experience by locally roasted coffee and a simple yet thoughtful menu. Comfort foods such as egg sandwiches and grilled cheese are offset by a hint of adventure with add-ons: brie, fig jam, prosciutto, fermented veggies, or locally smoked salmon.
Next door to Action Bikes and Outdoor and across from the Columns Museum, Café Wren’s location is as sensible as the natural woodland. The inside space has an at-home feel with a quiet invitation to sit and stay all day.
As if food and atmosphere were not enough, Café Wren has quickly become a hub for live music, community events, and a much-needed home for book clubs, drawing clubs, game nights, and the weekly “Stitch ’n Bitch” group that meets over coffee and pastries to share knitting, stitching, sewing, and gossip.
Every fourth Thursday of the month, local artist and musician Kristin Albrecht of Wolfe Lane Wellness and the Joe Ferry Experience hosts the “Time’s Right Open Mic” at Café Wren, which regularly draws large crowds and talented musicians, poets, story-tellers, comics, and performers. Café Wren recently held its first amateur stand-up comedy open mic, the successful evening hosted by the Daily Show’s Michael Kosta.
Artist, owner, and Marine Corps veteran Aaron Stark says he wanted to create a space that reflected what he sees as Milford’s most attractive qualities, where the community could come together to celebrate its similarities and shared values. “We have made a very intentional effort to feature delicious local food, local art, and local goods, hoping to showcase just a fragment of the talent our community has to offer. We have something for everyone; long-time locals, recent transplants, and weekend tourists are all raving about the very welcome addition to Milford.”
You can find upcoming events at Café Wren by following @cafewren on Instagram, checking the website at www. cafewrenmilford.com, or by stopping in to see them at 611 Broad Street.
Cafe Wren
Going Bat Crazy
Bats clearly have an image problem.
The publication of Charles Darwin’s account of his journey aboard the HMS Beagle in 1839 marked a turning point for the bat. Though this book is known primarily for Darwin’s first exploration of natural selection, it also described the first direct observation of a true vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus) feeding on blood. It caused an instant sensation. The effect on vampire literature was huge. As the second edition of Darwin’s work was being rushed out, vampires were drawn to look and behave like bats for the first time.
The association of bats with death and evil was forever solidified in the 1897 novel, Dracula, by Irish author Bram Stoker. According to legend, Stoker was inspired after hearing about a person allegedly drained of blood by a vampire bat. He conveniently ignored the fact that vampire bats are too small to take more than a tablespoon of blood and they are limited to South America. In Stoker’s depiction, his vampire figure was demonic, underscored by the fact that ‘Dracula’ means ‘the devil’ in Old Roma-
nian. And the idea stuck. Stoker made a clear association between bats and the blood-drinking vampire in his book:
“Then I caught the patient’s eye and followed it, but could trace nothing as it looked into the moonlight sky, except a big bat, which was flapping its silent and ghostly way to the west. Bats usually wheel about, but this one seemed to go straight on, as if it knew where it was bound for or had some intention of its own.”
The British publication Punch made its association visual in a cover drawing in 1885. And this association was made even more visual and lasting through the 1931 movie, Dracula, based on Stoker’s novel, starring Bela Lugosi.
But let’s leave Transylvania and go even further back in history.
Dating back to biblical times, in western countries, bats have generally been associated with bad luck and evil. In Leviticus 11:13-20 (New International Version), the bat
is lumped in with various “birds” that are considered unclean.
“These are the birds you are to regard as unclean and not eat because they are unclean: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat. All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be regarded as unclean by you.”
Today’s science tells us that bats are not birds, but instead mammals, and that there are no flying insects that walk on all fours (to my knowledge). It was the Swedish taxonomist, Carl von Linné, who reclassified bats in 1758 in the 10th edition of his Systema Naturae.
But, in any case, bats were described as unclean and to be avoided. As a result, it’s not surprising that throughout
history, bats in (Christian) Europe were associated with the devil, evil spirits, and witches. But as we will see, the association of bats with evil will get even scarier and more serious in the 14th century.
Many people in the Middle Ages believed in witchcraft. Bats were associated with witches, dark magic, and sorcery. People in rural Scotland and northern England suspected bats of being messengers between witches and the devil.
In Bayonne, France, 1332, a noble woman referred to as Lady Jacaume, is said to have had “crowds of bats” flying around her house and garden. Unfortunately for her, this was taken as a clear sign she was dealing with dark forces, so she was burned at the stake.
William Shakespeare also equated bats with witches, spells, and curses. In Macbeth, there is an incantation of the three witches: “Eye of newt, and toe of frog, wool of bat, and tongue of dog.” And in The Tempest, Caliban’s curse on Prospero includes the scary curse, “All the charms of Sycorax, toads, beetles and bats, light on you.”
Left:
Top right: Actor Bela Lugosi as Dracula.
However, bats have not always been regarded with superstition and fear in other parts of the world. In fact, in China they are historically viewed as lucky symbols. Five bats surrounding the Chinese character for longevity is one of the most popular Chinese symbols. In Chinese culture, a group of five bats holds auspicious meaning. Known as Wu Fu or Five Blessings, these creatures stand for the love of virtue, health, long life, wealth, and peaceful death. Because the number five is considered auspicious in Chinese culture, the number of five bats together have added symbolism.
Bats are very important in our tri-state area, but before we explore this, let’s debunk some of the common myths about bats.
Bats are blind. Bats’ eyes are small, but they work just fine. Larger bats such as fruit bats, search for food using sight and smell. Smaller bats mainly hunt by sending out sound waves and listening for the echo to bounce off insects and other objects.
Bats get tangled in women’s hair. This tale circulates widely, and the fear is that they would have to be removed with scissors. Between 1958 and 1961, Gathorne-Hardy,
Fifth Earl of Cranbrook in England, a renowned conservationist and founding member of the Mammal Society, decided to put this superstition to the test. He used two willing female teens, one reportedly with “relatively short curly hair” and one with “longer wavy hair that was done up behind in a bun.” Cranbrook took turns placing four different species of bats on their heads. (For the record, they were a nocturnal bat Nyctalus noctula, a long-eared Plecotus auritus, a Myotis nattereri, and a Myotis Daubentonii). In all four cases, the bats each walked around the volunteers’ heads. None became entangled in any way and all eventually lost interest and flew away without any difficulty. We are told that this experiment was repeated several times with the same results. Nonetheless, the myth persists even in today’s cartoons.
Bats make nests. They hang upside down from their roosts and tend to drop down and flap their wings before they start to lift off in flight; they rarely make a nest.
Bats carry diseases. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, very few bats captured for testing have rabies, fewer than dogs and other animals. However, during the Middle Ages, Europeans believed that bats spread disease, probably because they resem-
bled rats that actually did spread it. In fact, bats are not rodents. Unlike rodents, which can reproduce quickly and have large litters, our North American bat species give birth once a year and most have just one ‘pup.’ There is no evidence that North American bat populations currently harbor COVID-19 or other beta-coronaviruses like MERS and SARS, but ironically, according to scientists, there is a possibility that humans could transmit disease to bats.
Our tri-state area has nine species of bats with wingspreads from 8 to 16 inches. Three species migrate to warmer areas of the United States for the winter. The remaining six species move into caves to hibernate. Throughout winter, they eat nothing, surviving by slowly burning fat accumulated during the summer. A hibernating bat’s body temperature drops close to the air temperature; respiration and heartbeat slow.
According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, while in flight, a bat utters a series of high-pitched squeaks (so high, in fact, they are almost always inaudible to humans), which echo off nearby objects—bushes, fences, branches, insects—and bounce back to the bat’s ears. These sound pulses might only be 2.5 milliseconds in duration. Split-second reflexes help the creature change flight direction to dodge obstructions or intercept prey.
Not only do bats not cause bad luck, they are a help to farmers and gardeners. A little brown bat can eat up to a thousand mosquito-sized insects in an hour. An insectivorous bat takes them on the wing, often catching the insect on the skin between its legs, then transferring the insect to its mouth. Their sharp teeth break food into tiny bits for easy digestion. A bat consumes at least 25 percent of its weight in a single night’s feeding.
Like bees, bats are pollinators for plants and gardens. And by chowing down on thousands of bugs each night, bats also act as a natural pest control for plants. By planting fragrant flowers that are open at night, bats will feast on night-flying moths.
Unfortunately, the National Park Service notes that in Pennsylvania and other states, the bat population has recently declined by approximately 80 percent. The primary reason is White Nose Syndrome. Bats throughout North America have been combating White Nose Syndrome since it was first discovered in 2006. It’s a disease that originates from the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) and appears as a white, dusty growth that grows on the exposed skin of hibernating bats. Because bats are sociable creatures, the disease has spread like wildfire among the bat population.
According to the Organization for Bat Conservation, white-nose syndrome has killed 5.7 million bats in the northeastern U.S. since 2006. In 2013, the Pennsylvania Game Commission put out a call for volunteers to
help count bats in light of the dramatic reduction in their number caused by this disease.
It’s clearly in our interest to do what we can to protect bats and their habitats.
Remember, October is Bat Appreciation Month (appropriately, perhaps).
Bat houses can be observed at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) in Dingmans Ferry, PA. For more ideas on how you can help maintain the bat population, see the websites: Bat Conservation Trust, www.bats.org.uk, and Bat Conservation International, www.batcon.org.
BATS IN THE HOUSE
Bats are such a positive thing for humans that many people (including me) build or buy bat houses to attract them to their yards.
Rosemary Curcio is one of a handful of licensed bat rehabilitators in PA, giving her the title of “Batwoman.” She and others suggest that we build bat houses large enough for a maternity colony. They should be at least seven inches deep, twenty-four inches wide, and twelve to twenty-four inches high. It’s important that they are mounted on a building or pole, at least 15 feet off the ground, get lots of sun, and have a water source nearby.
Aries (March 20-April 19) –You may need to go back to the scene of a family situation that you thought was resolved, and attend to one last piece of business. It may be deeply personal, or it may involve a financial matter. You have some time to work this out, though I suggest you get busy as soon as possible — time is moving quickly and there will soon be other items appearing on your horizon.
Taurus (April 19-May 20) – You can be more socially adventurous than you usually are, and this will lead to some unexpected creative outcomes. There is a quality of blending the colors of paint, and exploring new expressions of who you are in environments where you can be bold and test the responses that you get. You’re not going to offend anyone, and remember that most people are only pretending when they act like they have an opinion.
Gemini (May 20-June 21) – You might think of the last weeks of Pluto in Capricorn as a graduation ceremony or the opportunity to take a victory lap around the territory you thought was long impenetrable. That means where you have no power, or where others seem to have all the influence. This is just a reminder. It’s here as a refresher course for all the times you managed to get a grip on yourself and your affairs. You have done this many times over long years.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) – You are coming face to face with the essential crisis of your family. This starts with being wholly real with yourself about how you feel, what you need and what you want. That will blend nicely into what you want to do with your time on Earth, which is your choice and your prerogative entirely — not theirs. Throw that lie into the ocean. Open your heart and stand in your truth. ‘Stand in’ means to occupy the ground of, and to speak only from that position.
Leo (July 22-Aug. 23) – Your survival instincts are running high, or they will be soon. But all you really need is your ability to relate to other people. And I would add, in a way that steps aside from the sense of urgency that you might be feeling. You can use that feeling to guide yourself closer to the truth of an emotional or family matter, in which case it would be dedicated to your healing process. You will be much happier.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sep. 22) – It’s time to get moving on one particular goal that is of the highest priority, but which you may not think is possible. Here is a clue: it will not be feasible if you stretch yourself in too many directions. But if you have one thing you’re fully committed to, you will get it done. Leave no facet of yourself behind. Do not imagine that some part of your experience is not applicable and — more to the point — remember the things you have plenty of experience with that will be useful in your current situation.
Libra (Sep. 22-Oct. 23) – Your intuition will not fail you, if you use it and do not rationalize it away. Intuition means knowing without knowing how you know. It’s not false certainty —
there is no bravado, and nothing external about it. Though in the external, pay homage to time-honored traditions, and bring what you learn from them into the moment. This is a poignant time of year for everyone, and a special time of year for you. Your inner being stirs to life and is anticipating the important changes coming into your life.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 22) – You want more; that much is clear. But more of what? Is it something that can even be measured? Unlikely so; all the things that matter the most in life cannot be, and you are being driven toward something that makes a difference for you and for the people who are closest to you. This is a good time to honor your personal desires that you have for yourself. And it’s an excellent time to truly respect your spiritual calling.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 22) – With Jupiter in your opposite sign Gemini, you may be wondering why that image in the mirror seems to do all the things you do. What gives you a true reflection or accurate view of yourself? There is likely to be something, if you experiment. It may be listening to the sound of your voice. It may be writing, reading and rewriting. You tend to hem yourself in, often as a way of not having to deal with all that darned potential. If you’re done with that, declare it so — and then act like it’s true.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20) – That you may overcome an issue that has persisted over years or decades may seem like a long shot, though you now have your opportunity to make the changes you need to make. And that really is the bottom line: you must make necessary decisions to change your thinking and your emotional patterns — and through that necessity, set yourself free. Most of the issues you seem to face are not your own. They are about people most of whom are long gone from this world.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) – Pluto has backed out of your sign for a moment, after spending the past two years teasing its way in. You will get to remember something of your old life — the one that took shape in the years 2008+. Remember well what your priorities have been; how you defined your needs; and the curious sense of internal pressure that was pushing its way outward into your waking life. Pluto’s brief return to Capricorn is providing you with the opportunity to finish some pending business.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) – You may finally feel like you’re untangling the threads in a complicated situation that has bound up your personal and business life. Yet you must be cautious and never over-confident. Self-destructive tendencies could slip up on you; you must know your truth and stick to it, and now allow yourself to be guided by your environmental conditions, including relationships. If you’re not up to that, then it’s time to bow out gracefully rather than taking advantage of anyone or any situation.
Apple Fest Apple Fest 2024 2024
beer garden • kids crafts • artisan market
beer garden • kids crafts • artisan market
baking contest • games • food • live music baking contest • games • food • live music
costume contest • prizes • and more! costume contest • prizes • and more!
Oct Oct 226th 6th 112-5PM 2-5PM special performance by special performance by Scott Weis
