LINGLESTOWN, BEAVER FALLS, AND NEW BRIGHTON, PENNSYLVANIA

Stopping at Lio's for a pizza to take along.

Who doesn't love "Back to School" night? You get to see your child's "workplace" and hear how wonderful s/he is from the teacher. Oh, it's crowded and hot, and you wore a heavy sweater or coat, and it rained while you were waiting to get in the building, but it's all worth it.

So on Tuesday this week the Box and I drove out to see Cole and Chloe's school in New Brighton and let them show me around. Susanne was in Boston with Matthew, Marylee, and Ian, so I went alone. Papi got the kids all to himself!

It must seem strange to the kids to go back to their school at night. The whole place looks different then. What surprised me was the huge line that formed outside the main door until it was opened. It was encouraging to see all those kids and their parents.

Chloe shows off her desk.

First we looked at Chloe's kindergarten classroom, filled with all sorts of colorful teaching aids and kids' projects covering the walls. She showed us everything and posed prettily at her desk. Meanwhile, Sarah, quaking in her boots, approached the teacher to find out all about Chloe's faults and weaknesses. I stood back so I could call 911 if necessary. I did overhear something about the fifth grade teacher bringing her to her room (where she was supposed to be) one day before school. I wonder what she was up to... Chloe is bright and funny, fearless, and fashion-conscious. A regular girl!

Cole thinking.

Next we went to Cole's room, where pretty much the same scenario took place. Cole sat at this desk and put on his thinking cap, thinking deep thoughts as he posed for his picture. Again, I stayed away from the teacher, so I can only imagine what she had to say. I am pretty sure she was pleased with Coles' performance in reading and math. She probably wondered how Sarah could stand his fidgeting! I say it is because his brain is too big for his head.

We looked at the library and the cafeteria, where they were selling books and other school paraphernalia, including some sort of bear. I don't know what that was all about. I do know that they should have had more than one cashier, as the line was very long and moved very slowly. We skipped the book buying.

By then the kids were ready to head home, get a quick bath, and head off to bed. Early the next morning, I heard them moving around and rushed downstairs to say goodbye before they left for the day care where they stay until the school bus picks them up. Both of them were busy tying their shoes. It was the beginning of another long day for mom and kids alike.

The Box waiting for a donut.

I headed back to Harrisburg on the turnpike, but not before making a stop at famous Oram's Donuts. There I bought some original-recipe cream filled donuts with butter cream icing. Who could drive by without stopping? I swear I heard them calling my name. Unfortunately, the dinner plate sized cinnamon buns were all sold out.

When exiting the turnpike at Harrisburg, I turned south into nearby Highspire and then to the edge of Middletown, where I visited my friend Bob at his sickbed. Bob knows virtually every eatery in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His many years of traveling for his state jobs led to an encyclopedic knowledge of Pennsylvania cuisine. (Unfortunately, this hunger for knowledge interfered with his official duties, and he accomplished virtually nothing during the many years he was paid. NOT.)

Upon tasting the donut I brought for Bob, he declared it "the best donut I have ever eaten." I had to agree. Of the more than 10,000 donuts (or is it 10,000 dozen?) I have eaten since 1946, Oram's is best!

 What October visit is complete without a hostess pumpkin?

 The turnpike wants you to stop texting.

 South Beach or Beaver Falls?

 Chloe looking quite at home in her classroom.

 Hmm, if I didn't know better, I would

think an ice cream truck came in the door!

 Sarah looks over Chloe's folder. Must be good news!

 Sarah waits patiently to meet Chloe's teacher.

 "Mrs. Darnley, you must be a wonderful

mother. Your daughter is so smart!"

 Chloe poses in front of the bulletin board.

 Cole shows a Hallowe'en spider.

 Mom stops to admire Cole's work.

 "Mrs. Darnley, you must be a wonderful

mother. Your son is so smart!"

 This is the core of the school. It is built

into a hill, so everything is up or down.

 Here's the main entrance to the school.

 The next morning, the kids tie their shoes 

in preparation for another day of learning.

 Approaching the turnpike exit, I spotted this giant

cloud of nuclear gas coming from Three Mile Island.

HARRISBURG AND LEMOYNE, PENNSYLVANIA

Today was a pleasant day weather-wise after a rainy week. The day started with a drive downtown to Market Square Church. I attended the Adult Forum class to hear a presentation on the meaning of artist Salvador Dali's "The Sacrament of the Last Supper." After an introduction to the "whacko" life of the artist, the speaker pointed out the features of the painting that makes it such a compelling work of art.

I had to leave the presentation early for the regular morning rehearsal of the adult choir. We sing two or more pieces each week, so a last-minute rehearsal is important.

Our director, Eric Riley, received rave reviews from the audience and city newspaper for his organ performance in Saint-Saëns' "Organ" Symphony last night. After church today, Eric would be returning to the Forum auditorium to repeat his performance for the Sunday audience.

People were telling Eric he was "spot on," echoing the newspaper reviewer's assessment of his fabulous playing.

My sister Rachel and I usually have lunch together after church, and today we crossed the river for lunch and a visit to the Antique Marketplace in Lemoyne. Today there was a wine and cheese reception (I chewed on some ice, and Rachel guzzled wine like there was no tomorrow -- NOT) and discounts in all of the vendor's booths.

Rachel bought a bracelet, but I was able to escape without parting with any money. This is a specialty of mine.

I enjoyed looking at a lot of different things, and my achin' feet are proof of that. I ran into a young man named Steve, a friend of a friend, who does architectural salvage. He had a little room full of wooden and metal trim from buildings, stained glass, religious articles, and all sorts of good "junk." If I can help him find out who owns it, he might be able to retrieve something I would like to own from a building I know!

As I was looking at an oil portrait of a matronly lady, I turned and saw my friend Michael, with whom I worked at the PHMC. He was looking dapper, as usual, and told me all the latest news from the state's official history agency. We agreed it was time to have lunch soon (so that he could add the juicy details).

Well, my feet were giving out, so I headed for the Box, only to discover that the little smarty had driven himself out of the lot and across the street to do a little canoodling with a Hot Diva, who was wearing a very pretty little dress. You'll see pictures below.


I drove over the railroad in Lemoyne, turned right, passed through the famous Bottleneck, and right again on to the Market Street Bridge. The view of downtown was nice, so I stopped, put on the flashers, and took a picture.

Because the light was good and there were some great cloud formations in the sky, I drove up Third Street, which was alive with pedestrians and shoppers at Midtown Books, and took some photos of the Broad Street Market brick building and the newly-restored building that now is part of Harrisburg Area Community College's midtown campus, taking note of several other improvements that have sprung up in the neighborhood.

I could tell the Box was bored so I drove immediately to the Interstate and let him exercise his full power. I could hardly hear the radio over the roar of his monster engine. I think he was still thinking about the Diva.

Photos, top to bottom:  
1. A stained glass window in the narthex at Market Square Church is reflected in the leaded glass of the door into the nave, where the service is taking place.

2. Eric Riley, organist and choir director, is seen at the organ console during a quiet moment in the service.

3. The matronly lady. I was tempted to take her home. I bet she knew my mother!

4. My sister Rachel is one among many beautiful flowers outside the Antiques Marketplace in Lemoyne.

This vintage wooden speedboat will set you

back a little over $37,000.

Colorful Fiestaware always attracts my attention.

Above and below: I got a hoot out of
this old greeting card, obviously
meant for a 1950s woman to

send to a close friend. This garment
was often seen on the clotheslines of our uptown neighborhood!

A beautiful stoneware jug from New York state.

 
Miniature reproduction wooden chests.

Toys from my youth are now antiques.

These tin candle holders are meant

to stand on the floor. They looked Mexican to me.

The sun cast its eye on this collection

of cranberry glass and upholstery in a similar color.

I love these architectural plaster of Paris

clocks, from the 1940s, I'd guess. Michael, what do you think?

Here is the Box cozying up to some crazy

Hot Diva along the street.

The Diva was sporting this pretty design.

Here is the view from the Market Street Bridge.

I made it black and white because I thought it was more interesting.

The brick market house and its plaza.

The old Evangelical Press Building is now the

center of HACC's midtown campus. It's a

great adaptive re-use and spurred other

improvements in the area.

Note: Okay, I am done trying to make these darned captions line up and behave themselves! Hope you enjoyed.

PINE GROVE FURNACE STATE PARK, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Yesterday the Box barreled down I-81 to the Newville exit on our way to the Laurel Lake area of Pine Grove Furnace State Park. We drove the eight miles from the exit to the park, uphill all the way, the Box purring effortlessly under the load of two-liter sodas and bags of ice.

We had a delightful time with Australian, French, and Norwegian families and their American community sponsors and enjoyed un pique-nique. 

The International Fellows are all Lt. Colonels or Colonels in their respective armed forces and come from around the world to study at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. The community sponsors help them to adjust to living in the United States and show them a little bit of the "American way of life." It's quite a wonderful experience in international friendship.

When we pulled up at the pavilion near Laurel Lake, several of the families were already there and introducing themselves to each other. We joined them and then started to prepare the tables. I had bought plastic table coverings and utensils at Neiman-Marcus -- er, I mean the Dollar Store -- and we covered the tables. We placed our cooler, filled with just about every fizzy drink known to man, as well as water and lemonade, on the bench of the dessert table (for which each family had brought a contribution).

Have you ever seen a swarm of locusts? Then you can imagine what it looked like when the kids saw the drinks and the desserts. They surrounded the table and tried all of the goodies, then mixed up potent cocktails of Coke-orange soda-ginger ale, and others defying description. It was amusing to watch. Dessert first! What a crazy idea -- and one that should be universally adopted.

Meanwhile the adults laid out their meals and began to enjoy them and the accompanying conversation. Then they had dessert!

I enjoyed speaking with the Norwegian IF, Odin, noting that of all the ethnic groups in Pennsylvania, there did not seem to be many Norwegians. I recalled, though, that there was a state historical marker about the Norwegian Ole Bull, and there was a state park named after him. According to the state park's Web site:

"Ole Bull State Park is named for Ole Bornemann Bull, the famous Norwegian violinist who toured the United States in the 1850s. In 1852, Ole Bull purchased a large tract of land in Potter County and attempted to develop a series of Norwegian settlements. He began construction of a 'home' at what now is called Ole Bull Vista. He never finished this large, wooden cabin. After a year of severe hardships, the majority of the colony disbanded and moved west into Michigan and Wisconsin."

Elsewhere, the kids were roaming the beach, toes in the water, sand on their soles, under the watchful eyes of their parents. Soon the adults were joining them in a game of (one might say "modified") football. Even the youngest children participated, along with the some of the dads and one of the moms.

As the sun began to set, the kids were treated to a game of Bingo, organized by Edie, sponsor of the Dutch family who were unable to be present. Edie's a natural with organizing events and making them fun. The kids enjoyed the game and the prizes they won.

Meanwhile, the two youngest French kids showed off their expertise in bubble blowing. They should take their show on the road -- they're practically professional! Their dad showed them how to make really big ones!

Finally the time came for farewells, and we all packed up and headed for home, looking forward to the next opportunity to meet. This time the Box nearly took flight as we cruised down the mountain, unencumbered by sodas and ice.

The kids check out the desserts.

The Norwegian family with their sponsors.

Everyone loves brownies!

Our French family rests after football.

One of the Norwegian kids.

Elizabeth  and her mom Sarah (from Australia)

blow some bubbles with the French kids.

Getting to know each other.

The Norwegian dad helps his kids with Bingo.

Raphael demonstrates the French way to blow "bulles."

Elizabeth successfully hides behind a tree.