Carolyn Roland-Your Delaware and Chester County Historic Homes Specialist

Who would have believed that The Flyin' Hawaiian would not only dominate in the Phillies outfield, but in last week's Philadelphia International Flower Show?

In a category named Mailboxes and Lampposts, a mailbox full of "Phan-mail" for Shane Victorino won a blue ribbon for the Garden Club of Philadelphia.

The judges commented, "After the Phillies 2008 World Championship and five consecutive Division crowns, a deluge of Phanmail is delivered to Maui's #1 son, Shane Victorino. Tropical humity, sun, and lava rock, hit a grand slam of lush plant material. Conveying "high hopes" in the spirit of Aloha, 'It's outta here!' ....Love the hometown team! Go Phillies." And I say, "Way to go, Garden Club of Philadelphia!"

The Philadelphia International Flower Show is in progress this week at the Convention Center in Center City with the theme of Hawaii:Islands of Aloha.

A friend and I thought we would try taking the SEPTA train from Elwyn, Pennsylvania for a change and to eliminate driving in city traffic and paying city parking fees. That worked out pretty well, thanks to another friend who advised me to go after 2 pm, by which time some commuting students would be vacating their parking spaces at the station lot.

We arrived just as many chartered bus crowds were leaving, and only had a crowd at the first exhibit, by the American Institute of Floral Designers (left).

For me, one of the most interesting elements was how the designers chose to mount and display their flowers. Below, you see an orchid hanging in a little lucite swing, then a "lily shower" with lilies in their little glass tubes of water hanging on clear wire and the flower heads backed by lucite squares hung separately, so they wouldn't flop over. The last picture has orchids which were lighted from below with blue lights. Interesting! The show is open until Sunday, March 11.For info see http://www.theflowershow.com/home/index.html

Today was Howard Pyle Day at the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington, Delaware. A special exhibit of his paintings and illustrations ends this weekend, so there were some interesting events going on.

After looking at the artwork, I saw 3 chefs and some pretty fancy cakes. They were asked to create cakes interpreting Pyle’s artwork, and I am picturing 2 of these cakes. One, by Liz Marden of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, was inspired by Pyle’s Mermaid.

The other cake, created by Hotel DuPont pastry chef Michelle Mitchell and her assistant, shows a DuPont powder wagon which probably inspired some Pyle illustrations.

There was also a mock lecture by Howard Pyle impersonator, Jim Norton, with Joyce Hill Stoner portraying his secretary, Gertrude Brincklé.

(note: Pyle died in 1911 and Gertrude in 1973 and former client and late friend of mine, Peggy Chadwick often spoke of her friendship with Miss Brincklé. And I almost forgot all the luminaries in the audience at the lecture including a woman made famous by Andrew Wyeth's paintings, "Helga," who spoke out several times in the question & answer portion. But then you didn't expect her to be shy!)

March 5, 1804, Nathan Burrows, a farmer living near John Dickinson’s plantation outside Dover, Delaware wrote, “Tis with regret I acquaint you that your house was burnt down on Saturday last.” With these words, Dickinson discovered that his home had been accidentally destroyed by fire on Saturday, March 3, 1804. Exactly 208 years later, on Saturday, March 3, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., the John Dickinson Plantation, located at 340 Kitts Hummock Road in Dover, Del., will commemorate the anniversary of the blaze with a program that explores both the details of the fire and Dickinson’s decision to rebuild his beloved family home. Admission to the program is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-739-3277.

Also on March 3, the Chester County Historical Society in West Chester, PA, is kicking off the Bayard Rustin Centennial with a luncheon, a performance of spirituals sung by Rustin, and a talk by the Reverend Anderson Porter, colleague and friend of Rustin. 12:00 noon ~ Luncheon, 12:45 p.m. ~ West Chester University Gospel Choir.1:15 p.m. ~ Rev. Anderson Porter, Keynote Speaker. Website http://www.chestercohistorical.org/featured.php Free for CCHS members and the public to attend but RSVP required at rsvp@chestercohistorical.org

The Winterthur Ceramics Conference will take place on April 26-27.Study beverage and dinner wares and the entertainments that included them during the 17th through the 19th centuries. Study period documents, advertisements, archaeological evidence, ceramics! This year's conference also celebrates the opening of the major exhibition Uncorked! Wine, Objects & Tradition on April 28.

Women’s History Month Celebration in Delaware
Saturday, March 3, 2012 “Victor’s Queens.” Program focusing on the talented female vocalists of the Victor Talking Machine Company, accompanied by early recordings of those artists played on authentic Victor Talking Machines. Johnson Victrola Museum,

Historic New Castle AudioWalk A perfect way for individuals to learn about New Castle's 360+ history while exploring this National Historic Landmark District at their own pace, either a short or long version New Castle AudioWalk is available for rent at the Amstel House Museum during regular museum/office hours. Seehttp://www.newcastlehistory.org/houses/education.html


Sunday, March 4, 2012 “Victorian Secrets: Undressing the Well-Dressed Victorian Man and Woman.” Program by period-clothing designer Thomas Tear on Victorian fashion and social customs. Models will display and disrobe their period clothing.New Castle Court House Museum, 211 Delaware St., New Castle, DE 19720. Program at 2 p.m. Museum open 1:30–4:30 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-323-4453.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) and Preservation Pennsylvania have just released their study of the Economic Benefits of Historic Preservation Activities in Pennsylvania, and a companion report on related policy recommendations. You can find them on Preservation Pennsylvania's website.

Coming up: The Victorian columns are from a home in Wilmington which will soon be on the market. And be looking for a mid-century modern home which is a classic.

Please visit Carolyn’s blog/website http://activerain.com/blogs/delawareolderhomes . And check out http://croland.psre.com/ . Carolyn Roland can be reached at the Hockessin, Delaware office of Patterson-Schwartz, 302-239-3000 or direct 800-771-2332. Email Carolyn at any time with comments or if you wish to be removed from the mailing list at oldhome@verizon.net.

This spring the South Graylyn Crest Civic Association community event will be all about children who are in need. Many children go to bed at night without a good pair of pajamas or a bedtime story. Some of these children are in shelters and others are in foster homes waiting to be adopted. SGCCA will partner with Sprout to help them deliver a good night to children in need. The Great Sprout Tuck-In is presented in conjunction with the Pajama Program.

Our goal is 150 new pairs of pajamas and new bedtime stories. Our drive kicks off in March with the delivery of our newsletter and an empty bag. The first round of donation pickups will occur on Saturday March 31st. A second opportunity to donate will occur at the Easter Egg Hunt in Chatham Park where SGCCA Board Members will be available to accept your donation. We hope all houses will consider participating in this great cause.

To find out more about The Great Sprout Tuck-In please visit the website below. Our drive is seeking pajamas in sizes from infants to 18 years old. On the website you will find a link to the Pajama Program’s wish list on Amazon.com. http://www.sproutonline.com/sprout/greattuckin/

Acme Markets has kindly donated the paper bags for donations – consider them on your next grocery run. Please set this bag out on March 31st by 11 AM for pickup! If you cannot make the March 31st pickup, please consider bringing your donation to Chatham Park on the day of the Easter Egg Hunt. If you don't live in South Graylyn Crest, please see the website above for instructions on making a donation.

Thank you in advance for helping give those in need a good night!!