Scouts' Honor

"Good Scouts (Portrait of a Girl Scout),"
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978). Cover illustration
for "Life" magazine, November 6, 1924.
Norman Rockwell Museum Digital Collections.

I had a delightful phone conversation today with the communications manager at the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts. Norman Rockwell Museum is planning a big celebration for the Girl Scouts of the United States of America on Saturday, September 22, to mark the organization's 100 year anniversary (a longtime supporter of scouting, Rockwell did some work for the organization), and I was calling to find out more information, and how to publicize the event. I have been feeling generally disappointed with some people lately, so this phone conversation helped to brighten my day.

Dana does essentially the same kind of work I am doing, managing the council's press department and trying to be a good spokesperson for the organization. I have to say that I admired the thoughtful, intelligent, and helpful manner she had-- as trying as it can get to deal with press, media, and the public, I imagine that she does a great job. We talked a bit about the history of the Girl Scouts, founded in 1912 by the trailblazing Juliette Gordon Low, who was inspired by the boys' scouting movement during a trip to Europe. Her "Girl Guides" gathered for the first time in Savannah, Georgia, and today there are 3.2 million Girl Scouts—2.3 million girl members and 890,000 adult members working primarily as volunteers. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others. 

The story of the Girl Scouts sounds fascinating, and I'm so glad the Museum is doing this celebration. My wife Sarah, in fact, was a Girl Scout for a long period of time, right through high school, and the more I learn about the organization, I can see why she would stick with it--the organization seems like it would match her personality traits of being helpful and service-minded. I guess that is part of why we connected--I too was involved with Cub Scouts, and my father was actually a scout master for a period of time--I have fond memories of my time with the group, and the service and community aspects match my nature and interests as well.

Unfortunately, the Boy Scouts have come under a bit of flack recently for not being so open-minded when it comes to issues of equality. There was a bit of concern about how to promote this event, because of some of the bad press that the Scouts have received. Actually, the Girl Scouts of the USA are a separate organization, and have been much more progressive when it comes to issues of tolerance and opportunities. It makes sense, since the organization was founded by forward-thinking women during an era of increased rights and gender equality. 

I guess I have been feeling slightly cynical lately, finding that some of the "artists" that I know have been more concerned with money than the important things in life--like family, friendships, causes for the common good. Maybe I have too high expectations of people. I think I'm actually coming around to be a little more realistic about people, about not counting on others' to fulfill my needs, help me find happiness. But I also have a wonderful wife now, who supports me and keeps me level-headed. 

Disappointments come and go... maybe more for the sensitive, idealistic type... but helping to promote meaningful events for organizations like the Girl Scouts, restores my faith in humanity. We need people like Juliette Gordon Low--it must be a honor to help forward those ideals. 

www.girlscouts.org

Norman Rockwell Museum press release I wrote for September 22 event

Pole Position

Well I have been interested, but haven't really managed to watch much of the Olympics this summer. I catch glimpses here and there... swimming like the dolphins can swim, knock-down volleyball matches, gravity-defying gymnastics, and this event, which I actually used to do for a brief spell back in high school:

Well... she makes it look a lot better than I did (uh, yeah... I better watch that again). Actually, Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva was on "track" to be the first woman in history to win the same individual event in three straight Olympics, but Team USA put a stop to that--last Monday, Jenn Suhr of nearby Fredonia, New York, won the gold medal for polevaulting, after clearing 4.75 meters at her second attempt (Isibayeva took the bronze, behind Yarisley Silva from Cuba, who won silver). As for the men, it sounds like an interesting year... with a #PoleVaultersMutiny over how many competitors will be in contention for a medal tomorrow (14 over the planned 12), and... this (oh snap!).

I'm actually much more into running now than I was back in my high school track days. Over the last decade, I have gone through periods where I have been pretty active with my running (and my legs prove it). 

Following our wedding, I have found myself a little exhausted and overbooked to keep a consistent workout routine... and I've been feeling it. Some aches and stiff back last night told me that I have to find a way around this.

So... this morning I woke up early and went for a good, healthy run in the Hudson Valley--first thing, right before work and other distractions entered my field. The difference in the way I felt was obvious as the day wore on. 

Again and again I realize that it's better to just face life's adversity head-on, and do away with it. I have had some rather blue feelings over the last couple weeks, but am finding new ways to deal with that, rather than just accepting it. Some of my hang-ups have been rather silly, but it still has something to do with my sense of controlling my own destiny.

We're getting ready for a weekend camping trip with some longtime friends--I'm looking forward to getting out in the fresh air, but also anxious to get back next week to continue some of my independent creative projects... yes, looking to vault ahead even further in the second half of 2012.

http://www.london2012.com

Live Effect!

Here it is... a live clip of me and my wife Sarah dancing to "Strange Effect" onstage with Diego Garcia! We chose his recording of the Kinks' classic as the first dance for our wedding, and were honored when he invited us onstage to dance to it during his August 5, 2012 concert at Schenectady's Music Haven!



A beautiful night... even if he couldn't quite get my last name right! I toned down the "hamming" from our wedding dance, because I didn't want to take away from his performance.  Very talented group of musicians... they followed this with an equally lovely cover of Neil Young's "Harvest Moon." I highly recommend checking them out when they hit your town.

Related Link:

www.facebook.com/diegogarciamusic

And thanks to the staff at Schenectady's Central Park... what a lovely day in the pavilion jamming our wedding tunes, the peace march, and for putting on this concert.

Uncle!

un.cle

"n. 1. a. The brother of one's mother of father."

 Sam I am. Helping out with the "I Miss America" pageant/
protest, Schenectady, New York, May 2008.
Photo ©Schenectady Neighbors for Peace. All rights reserved.

So, I just received the news... I'm an uncle again-- for the sixth time! My new niece looks adorable. Of course my friends are asking me "isn't it about time..." yeah. I know. Hanging out with my lovable new nephews is making it harder to come up with reasons not to...

"Idiom: 1. cry/say uncle 
Informal
To indicate a willingness to give up a fight or surrender."

Well, I can't take that definition to heart, but life sure gets tough sometimes... I wish I could make changes happen sooner in other areas. It's been a long time comin'...

Strange Effect... Gone Viral

View from the Music Haven Stage.
Left to right: Diego, Sarah, JClowe Experience.
Photo courtesy Bob Fiorini. All rights reserved.

Whoa. I emailed Diego Garcia on Facebook to thank him for playing our wedding song for us last night in Schenectady, and added the link to the video that my friend Margaret shot from the wedding. He went ahead and shared it with his fans, and the blessed thing has gone viral! (well, at least I know he reads his emails)...

Hey, maybe it will get me a spot on the next Dancing With The Stars... or better yet, So You Think You Can Dance. 

It's Monday... back to the grind... back to other business. Moving on up...

Roses and Wine

Only a few miles up the road from us is a true gem--Schenectady's Central Park is beautiful, sprawling park that has just about everything you could think of... including a view! Seriously, you can take pedal boats out on the pond, go swimming, play tennis, volleyball... even frisbee golf (I've been a fan since my Rochester, New York days). The park also has the Rose Garden, which is just exquisite: 

 

Today we spent the whole day in the park--we had the opportunity to rent a whole pavilion space, and threw a little picnic, potluck, dance party. I just bought a sweet Bose music system, so it was chance to test that out, and jam some indie rock in the park. This gave us a chance to finally play the huge list of songs we had compiled for the wedding... around 90+! It felt good to kick back with friends and enjoy a lazy summer day. It rained a bit here and there, but no matter... it's getting to be familiar!

By late afternoon, Schenectady Neighbors for Peace had congregated at the peace pole they had erected in the park. The occasion was to honor the memory of those who perished in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan back during World War II. Tomorrow is the 67th anniversary, and it's still unbelievable to imagine that this horrific act happened. The memorial included music, poetry, prayer, and a silent march around the pond. The group ended up back at the pavilion we had rented, and we had a nice potluck dinner.

And that wasn't it! Later that evening, Latin alternative artist Diego Garcia performed a free concert at the outdoor Music Haven in the park. We had become big fans of Garcia, and even used his recording of the Kinks' "Strange Effect" as our first dance. Well, the rain came down steady at times, but we stuck it out with umbrellas and ponchos... by the end of his set, many of the audience had run up to the front of the stage to dance... little did we know what was in store next....

Just as it seemed he was finished, Garcia addressed the crowd, asking if the engaged couple he had met many months back were in the audience... we had been in touch via Facebook, and told him we were considering using his song at our wedding. Well, he invited us up on stage to serenade us with the song, and then asked us to dance... which we did! It was a repeat of our wedding, with us getting our best tango/cha-cha on--the crowd loved it! They said we were an absolute highlight of the concert. It felt great, and Garcia followed it up with another great cover, Neil Young's "Harvest Moon."

We are so grateful to our friends, family, and the park for an absolutely lovely afternoon... the honeymoon continues...

Photos ©Jeremy Clowe. All rights reserved.

Free For All + Fun Friday

If I had my way, every day at my job would unfold like yesterday. 

Norman Rockwell model June Larkin.
Rockwell used her Troy, New York home as the
 reference for his "Homecoming" illustration,
and asked her to pose for the picture. Photo by
Jeremy Clowe for Norman Rockwell Museum.
All rights reserved.

I started the day off by interviewing a former model for Norman Rockwell. Timely actually, because the model, June Larkin, posed for Rockwell's 1945 painting, The Homecoming, which is on a temporary loan to Norman Rockwell Museum. Larkin's family heard about the painting through a news story, which makes me feel that I am doing something right in my job as manager of the Museum's press department. 

The family lives out in the Troy, New York area, which is where Rockwell based his illustration. Larkin shared her memories of meeting the famed artist as he walked around the boarding house where she and her family lived back in the 1940s. Not knowing who he was, she engaged the artist in conversation, and he asked her to pose for a picture he was working on. It wasn't until months later that she realized she had been asked to portray the shy girl standing at the side of the building waiting for the homecoming G.I. on the cover of the May 26, 1945 issue of The Saturday Evening Post. 

Norman Rockwell used Troy, New York, as the backdrop of several of his best-known illustrations back in the 1940s-1950s. Interestingly enough, there are now markers in the city to mark some of the well-known locations of these illustrations. Albany Times Union writer Don Rittner has an interesting blog that talks about Rockwell's association with the "collar city." Larkin's family also tells me of a coffee shop in the city that has reproductions of all Rockwell's Troy illustrations--sadly, it doesn't sound like Larkin gets an unlimited coffee card.

Anyway, I enjoyed learning more about June, and hearing about some of the history of Troy--it is really a fascinating city, that I have enjoyed learning more about. At one time, it was the site of much industrial and manufacturing (Larkin worked in the garment business during World War II-- a real "Rosie the Riveter!"). Here is a WMHT-TV documentary I have been meaning to watch about Uncle Sam's hometown during those war years. I also have my own short film I shot in Troy courtesy of the Arts Center--will have to share that soon.

Photo by Jeremy Clowe
for Norman Rockwell Museum.
All rights reserved.

Yesterday was also Free Fun Friday at the Museum, a special day where our visitors were offered free admission, courtesy of the Highland Street Foundation. We worked with the organization last year and it was a big success, and this year proved no different (they offer free admission to cultural venues throughout Massachusetts during the summer). What was fun about this Friday for me, was that I was asked to go around and take photos of our visitors. I spent most of the day doing so, and there was no shortage of subjects. What I also enjoy about this is that it gives me an opportunity to meet and talk with people--I ran into people from all over the east and west coast who were visiting, including a woman from my hometown of Rochester, New York. I find it fun to be creative while also communicating--it gets you away from being chained to your desk or art table. It was a beautiful day, and I think I got some good shots.

On the topic of photography, I'm looking at some of our great photos from our wedding, and trying to figure out where to collect them. Today I'm also getting ready for our big picnic/party tomorrow. It should be fun, and I look forward to more "Kodak moments" with our friends.  

Related Links:

"Norman Rockwell And Troy Made Beautiful Art Together!" Don Rittner, Albany Times Union, August 8, 2011

No Ordinary Lives: The War Years in Troy, WMHT-TV