Canton's Pioneers in Flight was released today!
Special thanks (again!) to Gary Brown for the wonderful article he wrote about it in today's paper:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=394998&r=0&Category=8&subCategoryID=0
I was not expecting to see my picture on the front page of the newspaper!! (There was a little photo above the banner, and then the story is inside)
I hope people find the book as interesting to read as I did to write it!!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Tea with the Curator - Little Chicago
I had a great time today!! With a sold out crowd for our first Tea with the Curator in our new 1920s series, I couldn't be happier!
I thought it went great. I talked a little bit longer than I had intended, but I think people were OK with that. I sometimes get carried away when I am really excited about something!
First, I gave an overview of the era, focusing on both national trends and local events. Then we talked about Prohibition and the murder of Don Mellett in Canton in 1926. I ended with the 21st amendment (which repealed Prohibition). This is a "new & improved" version of the old "Little Chicago" program from my Canton: A Journey Through Time Lecture Series.
Chris took a short video from the beginning of my program. A few more photos follow.
Thank you so much to all who attended!! We hope the rest of the Tea with the Curator series sells out! AND our new Soup at Six series too!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Busy busy!!
Someone just asked me why I haven't posted in a few days. The answer is simple. I've been pretty busy!!
I have met with several women this week who are bringing in dresses for the Bridal Show. So far we have 28 in the building. I have a few more appointments next week as well. There are only a handful of people who haven't called me back yet. I plan to call them again next week and find out if they are still interested.
We have some really gorgeous dresses and some wonderful stories for this year's show!!
Between dress appointments I met with Gary Brown about a story for my new book Canton's Pioneers in Flight (as I mentioned last post), and I went to Dick's Restaurant to give my program "Sweet Stuff: The Story of Chocolate" for the Massillon DAR. (By the way, the chocolate program is sponsored by Anastasiades Exclusive Chocolates in North Canton, so I bring chocolate with me when you book that program!!)
Next week is looking equally busy.
The Tea with the Curator on Monday is SOLD OUT!! I am just thrilled about that. We are so grateful to this community for embracing what we do here at the museum. It is very rewarding to serve you.
I have a new intern starting next week too. Her name is Erin and she is a history major at Kent State. I have a list of projects for her all ready to go, so I am looking forward to getting her started!
McKinley Day prep continues. Mayor Healy, Senator Schuring, and Rep. Oelslager have all contacted me and will be attending the wreath laying ceremony at 3:00 PM. Brigadier General Douglas A. Richardson will be representing the White House this year. So everything is falling into place for McKinley Day.
I am going to rest up this weekend for the work ahead next week. Things are almost always busy around here!
I have met with several women this week who are bringing in dresses for the Bridal Show. So far we have 28 in the building. I have a few more appointments next week as well. There are only a handful of people who haven't called me back yet. I plan to call them again next week and find out if they are still interested.
We have some really gorgeous dresses and some wonderful stories for this year's show!!
Between dress appointments I met with Gary Brown about a story for my new book Canton's Pioneers in Flight (as I mentioned last post), and I went to Dick's Restaurant to give my program "Sweet Stuff: The Story of Chocolate" for the Massillon DAR. (By the way, the chocolate program is sponsored by Anastasiades Exclusive Chocolates in North Canton, so I bring chocolate with me when you book that program!!)
Next week is looking equally busy.
The Tea with the Curator on Monday is SOLD OUT!! I am just thrilled about that. We are so grateful to this community for embracing what we do here at the museum. It is very rewarding to serve you.
I have a new intern starting next week too. Her name is Erin and she is a history major at Kent State. I have a list of projects for her all ready to go, so I am looking forward to getting her started!
McKinley Day prep continues. Mayor Healy, Senator Schuring, and Rep. Oelslager have all contacted me and will be attending the wreath laying ceremony at 3:00 PM. Brigadier General Douglas A. Richardson will be representing the White House this year. So everything is falling into place for McKinley Day.
I am going to rest up this weekend for the work ahead next week. Things are almost always busy around here!
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Invitations, books, and gowns -- oh my!
Busy week so far!!
I have made appointments all week for people to bring in their gowns. I love seeing all the different styles every year, and this year I am interviewing everyone as well to write the script for the show. People have wonderful stories to share, and beautiful dresses! So far, the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s are represented here in the building. In the end, we will have at least one from each decade.
Today I also worked up a draft for the bridal show invitation. Since we are going with a "beach theme," I wanted to use the ocean, and also incorporate our colors of hot pink, teal, and lime green. I like what I did, but I always have to sleep on it and revisit in later to see if I truly like what I've done.
McKinley Day luncheon invitations were mailed out today (thank you to board member Don Deitemyer for hosting again this year!), which is my last batch of McKinley Day related mailing. I heard from AnnMarie Daneker, our contact with the Army, so the General is in place. Thankfully they are coming in on Friday and leaving on Sunday this year, so we won't be rushing the General around like we usually have to do! It will be a more leisurely time for all involved.
Gary Brown was in today to talk to me about my new book. It is such a thrill to be able to document Canton's history! While talking about the book, I got excited about aviation all over again. Scott Heckel was taking pictures, and I didn't expect to be his subject. I hope if they choose to use a picture of me, it will at least be a good one!
I have made appointments all week for people to bring in their gowns. I love seeing all the different styles every year, and this year I am interviewing everyone as well to write the script for the show. People have wonderful stories to share, and beautiful dresses! So far, the 1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1990s are represented here in the building. In the end, we will have at least one from each decade.
Today I also worked up a draft for the bridal show invitation. Since we are going with a "beach theme," I wanted to use the ocean, and also incorporate our colors of hot pink, teal, and lime green. I like what I did, but I always have to sleep on it and revisit in later to see if I truly like what I've done.
McKinley Day luncheon invitations were mailed out today (thank you to board member Don Deitemyer for hosting again this year!), which is my last batch of McKinley Day related mailing. I heard from AnnMarie Daneker, our contact with the Army, so the General is in place. Thankfully they are coming in on Friday and leaving on Sunday this year, so we won't be rushing the General around like we usually have to do! It will be a more leisurely time for all involved.
Gary Brown was in today to talk to me about my new book. It is such a thrill to be able to document Canton's history! While talking about the book, I got excited about aviation all over again. Scott Heckel was taking pictures, and I didn't expect to be his subject. I hope if they choose to use a picture of me, it will at least be a good one!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
New open hearth cooking equipment
Chris and I were out shopping today, and we had been tipped off by Bob Christy (the photographer who did the "Broken Down Heroes" exhibit a few years back) a few days ago that The Log Cabin Shop in Lodi had a trivet for open hearth cooking exactly like we have been looking for!!
Literally, we have been scouring antique shops since moving to Ohio in 2001 to find one like we had at the last museum we worked at in New York. They were never tall enough to put embers under and set a Dutch oven or frying pan on. All we ever found were short ones, either for decorative use or to use like a pot holder.
The trivet is about 6 inches off the ground, which gives Chris plenty of room to stack hot coals underneath. With the pancake breakfast coming up in February, it sure is good timing to find one.
In fact, they had two, so he got both of them! This will allow him to make better use of the fire, cooking more things at once.
The first cooking demo he has this year will be McKinley Day on January 26. If you come in that day, ask to see his new trivets! I'm sure he'll be happy to show them off.
Literally, we have been scouring antique shops since moving to Ohio in 2001 to find one like we had at the last museum we worked at in New York. They were never tall enough to put embers under and set a Dutch oven or frying pan on. All we ever found were short ones, either for decorative use or to use like a pot holder.
The trivet is about 6 inches off the ground, which gives Chris plenty of room to stack hot coals underneath. With the pancake breakfast coming up in February, it sure is good timing to find one.
In fact, they had two, so he got both of them! This will allow him to make better use of the fire, cooking more things at once.
The first cooking demo he has this year will be McKinley Day on January 26. If you come in that day, ask to see his new trivets! I'm sure he'll be happy to show them off.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Bridal show prep begins
Believe it or not, work has already begun on the Bridal Show, which will be April 5. This year I am going to be the MC, so I am very excited about that!!
I will begin by calling all of the people who have already contacted me about loaning a dress for this year's show. We actually had close to enough dresses for the 2008 show BEFORE the 2007 show even happened!! This morning I will start making calls and confirm who is still interested, as well as to set up an appointment to bring in their dresses and be interviewed about their stories.
In a related issue, since last year's show I have been using one of the portable dress racks for new textile donations. We received a beautiful collection of late 20th century party dresses and woman's suits that have been cataloged and tagged. BUT there is no place to put them! So we are looking into purchasing new racks and expanding textile storage.
Even though McKinley Day is technically our next special event, it pretty much plans itself. I am still waiting to hear from some of the people I sent letters to before the holidays. I believe I have all or most of the names for the wreath laying ceremony. I am still unsure which dignitaries are planning to attend.
And so the 2008 work begins!!
UPDATE: I have completed my list of calls. I had to leave lots of messages! I have 21 dresses either confirmed or here already, and 2 disconnected phone numbers. If everything comes through, we will have more than enough dresses. I always plan for a few not to work out. Happens every year.
So we are well on our way to getting this thing going!!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year!!
I returned to work today after a 10 day vacation for the holidays. Thankfully, not too much happened while I was gone, so it won't take me another 10 days to catch up!
I admit I was sad to see 2007 go, because it was a very special year for us. We had planned our 100th anniversary activities for so many years! I just can't believe that the entire year is over!
However, we do have lots of great activities planned for 2008, including a reprise (on a smaller scale!) of our 100 Hours Celebration coming in June. The $4 million Capital Campaign is well underway, and we are excited to be moving forward on a number of great projects that will make the museum even better than it already is!
We had such a successful year last year, but I do think we will build on that momentum and have an equally great 2008 -- even if we don't have a significant anniversary to celebrate!
I admit I was sad to see 2007 go, because it was a very special year for us. We had planned our 100th anniversary activities for so many years! I just can't believe that the entire year is over!
However, we do have lots of great activities planned for 2008, including a reprise (on a smaller scale!) of our 100 Hours Celebration coming in June. The $4 million Capital Campaign is well underway, and we are excited to be moving forward on a number of great projects that will make the museum even better than it already is!
We had such a successful year last year, but I do think we will build on that momentum and have an equally great 2008 -- even if we don't have a significant anniversary to celebrate!
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