The Chatter for September

7/30/2019 The Chatter for September

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September/October2013 Editor:NancyDiPacePfau Number16TherearedefinitelysignsthatFalliscomingtheleavesarestartingtochange(IwouldimaginethecolorwillbeatitspeakbythefirstofOctoberthisyear,abitearlierthanusual),thenightsarecool,thegeeseareorganizingtheirflightpatterns(Ilovehearingthemhonkingoverhead),andIhavethisyearningtogetmycorduroysoutofstorage!

OnthefinalnightofAugust,agreatcommunityturn-outfortheBeekman1802Ice

CreamSocial!Dancingawaythenight:JohnHall[akaFarmerJohn]andfriend.

SPECIALTHANKSTOTHEAMERICANHOTELFORCOVERINGPRINTINGCOSTS!!


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CALENDAR

Mark your calendars for the excitement in September in the Spa:

September7:MovieNightatChalybeatePark8PM

ComeonouttoseeGentlemenPreferBlondes $5donationfortheParkRestoration! September14:PremiereofMovingMountains withAustinJetton

8PMatMargisCafonBeechwood,$20donation.

September20-22:AnnualHarvestFestscheduleavailableat Beekman1802.comorSharonSpringsChamber.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWS

TheCollinsFamilyreturningtheSchoolHouseWaterJug:

OnSaturday,August31st

,theAntiqueWaterJugwasreturnedtotheSharonMuseumbythemembersoftheCollinsfamily,picturedabove.InotherHistoricalSocietyNews,KarenCuccinellowillspeakon SchoharieCountyMurdersandMayhem,7PM,September16thintheLibraryConferenceRoom.OnOctober21 st,CarlWaldhamandChrisCampbellwillpresentTheHistoricalLandscape:Hills,Valleys,Rivers,andTwoTowns.


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NOTES FROM THE EDGE[FIELD]The "Short Season" of Sharon Springs is driven by Glimmerglass

Festival. Many guests return each season [booking a year in

advance, usually for the same room on the same weekend] and have become

"family." Several guests remarked that the past opera season was one ofthe best ever, with a nicely varied selection. One woman considered theGlimmerglass production of "The Flying Dutchman" superior to that of The

Met!New guests offer the contrast of a first-time visit to Sharon Springs. Several

times this summer I hosted guests who had wandered off Route 20 or the

NYS Thruway to discover the hidden magic of our beloved village --entranced by the historic charm, friendliness and diversity. One couple could

hardly believe their innkeeper would not only accept a personal check, but

allowed them to mail it once they returned to Illinois!Our Fabulous Beekman Boys, of course, attract wonderful guests to Sharon

Springs -- those looking for the "source" of the fabulous quirkiness viewed

onscreen. The new Beekman 1802 shop is highly regarded, both inarchitectural style and merchandise.

A couple relocating from Boston to Cooperstown stayed at Edgefield for a few

days before their rental house was ready. The wife knew of the Beekman

Boys, but didn't realize they were in the epicenter until spotting the Beekman

1802 sign when driving into town. They loved an introduction to "this side"of Cooperstown, enjoying shopping and wonderful dining -- in both regards,

Sharon Springs holds its own with our better-known neighbor.Coming soon: The Sharon Springs Historical Society architectural walking

tour during the Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 21. A recent

transplant from Virginia, Josh Stilwell, will lead the tour, offering historical

insight and tidbits into Sharon Springs' rich history. The tour ends withafternoon tea at Edgefield, where weary tour-goers see an interior, for a

change of pace. That tradition of visiting Edgefield began several years ago

with an impromptu invitation when David and I saw a large group on

Washington Street shepherded by Nancy Pfau and Mitchell Owens. A womanon that tour stayed at Edgefield this year. She and her husband took a

bicycle outing in the area and enjoyed dinner at the American, which she

had seen while touring.

Long-time visitors and newcomers alike adore Sharon Springs. Let's always

make them feel welcome.Daniel Marshall WoodEdgefield B&Bwww.edgefieldbb.com


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STUDIO NORTH DANCE STUDIOThursday, Sept. 5th from 5-7pm.Stop by and check our Fall schedule as well as our new dance items in thestore.This year we will add new classes to our schedule including Zumba, Cardio

Boxing, Baby & Me,Hip Hop, Ballet for Adults and Tap for Adults. Our ever popular regularclasses will continue:Dance for Heart, Acrobatics, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, Lyrical, Pre Dance,

Parent/Tot, Belly Dance,Gentle Yoga, Power Yoga and Children's Combo classes. You are never too

old to start dancing!!

COBALT BLUE SOUVENIR PIECESBySandraManko

TheprimarypurposeofguestsvisitingSharonSpringsintheearlytwentiethcenturywastotakeadvantageofthebenefitsofthemineralwaters.However,patientsandtheirfamiliessoonfoundtheyhadagreatdealoftimeontheirhandsbecausetreatmentsonlyengagedasmallportionoftheirday.AsthefameofSharonSpringsspread,recreationalactivitiesandentertainmentbecamecrucialtoattractingandkeepinghappy,contentedguests.Atypicaldaymightfindgentlemenspendingafewhourswithmaleacquaintancesinahotelsaloonorbowlingalley.Meanwhile,theladiesmighthavespentaquietafternoonengagedinneedlework,visitedoneofthewatertemples,ordisplayed

theirfashionablegownsastheymeandereddowntree-linedstreetsinsearchofsouvenirs.Victoriantravelersseldomreturnedhomeempty-handedfromtheirtoursandsojourns.Someofthemoretrendysouvenirsweredresserdishes,mugs,thermometers,plateswithpicturesofspasandtemples,andofcourse,postcards.Notripwascompletewithoutpostcardssenttothelessfortunate,commiseratingwiththeirmisfortunefornothavingtheopportunitytocomealong.OneofthemorepopulartokensasaremembranceoftheiroutingwastheCobaltBluesouvenirdishes.ThesesmallmementosfromSharonSpringscameinmany

shapesandsizesi.e.smallpitchers,pintrays,dresserdishes,miniaturevases,ormaybeateaset.TheyweremadeofCobaltbluechinaorporcelainwithgoldtrimming,whiteinterior,usuallymeasuringabout24tallandabout46wide.Onesidehadaprintedcolorimagesimilartopostcardimagesofthattimeperiod.MadeinGermanywasusuallystampedonthebottom.ThesouvenirpiecesfromSharonSpringstypicallyhadanimageofthePavilionHotel,MagnesiaTemple,orLowerBathhouse,themoreexquisiteSharonestablishmentsofthistimeperiod.


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Todaytheseitemsareverycollectible,thereforequiteexpensive.PresentlyatinyCobaltbluevaseinanantiqueshopmightsellanywherebetween$25to$100,dependingontheconditionandthepopularityofthetouristarea.SharonSpringsitems,muchlikeSaratogaSpringssouvenirsarecollectibleandindemand.Antiquedealersandcollectorslikethembecausetheyarequalityitemsandnotplentiful.As

timegoeson,thevalueincreases.


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THE PEOPLE ARE THE STORIES by Gail Luna

Through its long history, Sharon Springs has seen a community ever changing andevolving. During the Nineteenth Century at its height of popularity as a spa town,

Sharon Springs saw ten thousand people through its doors. It has welcomed visitors from

all over the world. Visitors with many styles, ideas and vision. Now in the Twenty-firstCentury it doesnt nearly see that many people, however we thought it would be an

interesting idea to get to know our community by introducing you to the people who livehere. As most of you know there are many talented, artists, musicians, businesses, and

interesting people who have decided to make Sharon Springs their home.

After introducing artist Peter Cozzolino in the last issue of the Chatter, I interviewed his

partner, artist Marguerite MacFarlane. Excerpts from the interview are below. Sadly,Marguerite passed away in July. I hope youll enjoy reading these thoughts of another of

the truly gifted artists in Sharon Springs.


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Gail Lunas Interview with Marguerite MacFarlane

A paintbrush, colors gently mixed to find the right combination of hues. It beginswith a line, a stroke, a wash of a brush, a streak or a spatter, it will create art that will take

your imagination as well as your soul to places its never been before.Art, the definition of art is: the expression or application of human creative skill

and imagination, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty oremotional power. Works produced by human creative skill and imagination.

Marguerite, a long time Sharon Springs resident, was an artist. A wonderful,exciting, talented, expressive and extraordinary person. One who loved research,

exploring and finding the right combination. Marguerite was spiritual, had passion, andmost importantly, love. All of this came out in her artistry.

I remember my first trip to the studio, walking in and being hit not only by thepassion, but the love for what they do. The smell of the paint, the many swatches of

different colors on the wall. The splatter of paint covering everything. The study of form,

shadow, light, the paintings ofTrompe loeil. The dollar bill and coins that lay on thecounter and when reaching for them you realize its a painting. The beautiful canvas witha childs face smiling back at you waiting for that final stroke of genius. The studio is

filled with creativity and positive energy. Its exciting to walk into a place like this, aworld of wonder, the world of art. This was Marguerites world.

As the magical tour continued, I was stunned at the beautiful art, the art of notonly Marguerite but Peter as well. The studio is filled with world class paintings and

sculptures. I cant believe this is in Sharon Springs, NY, we are so fortunate to have had aperson of Marguerites caliber here in our community. I look at her paintings and wonder

how she creates each masterful stroke. Its talent, its passion, its Marguerite, the finedetails. Looking at one stroke, the stroke of an eye lid, of a lip, the arm, a

finger, its unbelievably real. Its Marguerite, the details of life.In Sharon Springs we have lost a woman who lived her life to the fullest. With

passion, with integrity. These are the people in Sharon, these are the people who makeour community what it is today. Marguerite will be forever missed... Here is an interview

I did with her prior to her departure to another studio. It was a fun interview in the sensethat we laughed. Laughter is always good. It was short, she was to the point, and knew

what she wanted to say. That was Marguerite.

FULL NAME: Marguerite MacFarlaneWHERE WERE YOU BORN? Brooklyn, NY

WHAT IS YOUR PROFESSION? Decorative and Fine Artist

WHAT TYPE OF WORK DO YOU MOST LIKE? I Love it all, the design of it,creatively working with clients.BIGGEST INFLUENCE IN YOUR LIFE: Isabel ONeil-she brought to America the

decorative art. I apprenticed for her for 10 years. Ran her studio and school. Everyonecame to her studio.

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE? Alex Neal. Fine art, Impressionists and ancient painters.MOST INFLUENTIAL PROJECT? I love them all. I strive to know all about the project

in design. I will do a lot of research. Thats what makes the difference.


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MOST MEMORABLE PROJECT? The mural in Fort Plain. That was the most fun. TheCity Hall in Morris town. We won an award for this design. It was a 14th Century Italian

room. It was the most successful I ever felt, especially when we won the award.MOST NOTABLE CLIENT? Eddie Murphy, Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard, Harvey

Weinstein. Mike Nichols.

FAVORITE PIECE OF ART YOUVE CREATED? The Venetian Room.WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO SHARON SPRINGS? Ive been involved Upstate formany years. We had the studio in Englewood NJ and decided when all the kids graduated

we would move. We found Sharon and had one of the most beautiful farms. After 9/11we decided to move upstate permanently. We gutted it, rebuilt the studio.

THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY? I have 5 kids, 10 grandchildren 2 great grandchildren, Im82 years old, live life, find your solutions!!!

In closing, I am amazed how a brief conversation can be so full and rewarding and

ultimately inspiring GailEditors note: You can see Marguerites most recent mural at Maranatha Fitness Center

in Cobleskill.

WASHINGTON HOTEL TORN DOWN

As part of their plans for development, Sharon Springs Inc. tore down the Washington

Hotel seen here in better days. The hotel, formerly located on South Street, was built in1898. I can remember listening to Jasha Heifetz playing his violin on the porch in the

1960s. Sadly the hotel had collapsed in 2003 after a severe snowstorm and there was noway to save it. But its nice to remember its earlier gracious days.

Documents

The Chatter for September