Hurricane damage in Greenwood Cemetery.

Posted on by Thor

I drive by Greenwood Cemetery almost daily and after Hurricane Irma I was amazed at the amount of tree damage there was in the cemetery. I decided to return to document some of the trees that had snapped like twigs. The first stop was to the four headstones for victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre. This area of the cemetery had been largely spared. As a matter of fact one stone had rainbow balloons, rainbow flowers, a pin wheel and a rainbow colored teddy bear. All the memorial items were pristine. The day before had been Leroy Valentín Fernández‘ birthday. Clearly the family had come out and colorfully decorated his headstone to mark the occasion. All of the Pulse victim headstones now had color photos that were laminated in plastic and cut into the headstones. The photo of Cory Connell was had outstretched arms as if he were ready to wrestle the world. All memorial items had been removed form his stone, probably in preparation for Hurricane Irma. All 4 stone sat quietly in the shade of a large tree that had weathered the storm fine.

Pam Schwartz and I searched the cemetery for the tree I had seen while driving by the cemetery. Blanche Crews headstone
was knocked over by a fallen tree limb. It was wedged back up with
fallen branches making it look like the fallen angels had crutches.  Dozens of trees had snapped and branches littered the entire cemetery making it appear wild and overgrown. I settled into a spot near the headstone of Edgar Earl Hitchcock. I of course wondered if he was related to the film maker. Pam quickly did research and found out that Edgar was an important figure in Orlando’s medical history. He founded the Pediatric Associates of Orlando in 1939. He was shown in a photo giving the very first polio vaccine shot in Central Florida to a young boy. His wife Ruth died many years after him but her headstone was not in her family plot or perhaps there is just no headstone.

Across the lane from where I was sketching, a family arrived in several cars. Blue and white helium balloons bounced up out of the car behind them. They were visiting the headstone of Richard Marcano Trinidad who had died on August 19, 2016. He had died at the tender age of 36. His stone noted that he was a Stealers fan and the epitaph read…”For the best daddy in the world. We will never forget you…from your kids.” An Orlando Sentinel article reported that police had been dispatched to a home near UCF, where they found Trinidad critically injured. His 36 year old girlfriend was on the scene. I could not find any further reports about how or why Richard had died. The family released the dozen or so blue and white balloons and they silently rose into the sky.

Near the fallen tree I was sketching was the headstone for Harry P. Leu (1884-1977) and his wife Mary (1903-1986) of Leu Gardens fame. Their two granite slabs lying side by side, were pristine except for a few leaves. The Harry P. Leu historic home however has suffered damage from a huge tree limb that crashed into the roof, exposing the Leu bedroom to rain and wind damage. The ceilings and floor boards are soaked. Leu Gardens has closed indefinitely. Pam Schwartz, the Orange County Regional History Center curator went to the historic home to offer advice on preservation societies who might be able to help as well as FEMA contacts. 

The History Center off site storage facility had suffered damage when a roof access panel was blown loose and it gouged holes in the roofing as the heavy metal lid was hurled by the high winds, causing leaks over the historic collection. I was with Pam when she found the soaked warehouse and helped in removing soaked ceiling panels and now useless archival cardboard boxes. It look hours of work and in the emergency the sketchbook was ignored. Even though the floor were dried and artifacts were lifted to be  dried out off the floor, it was then discovered that the walls of the warehouse are fulled with mold. Now an effort needs to be made to save the collection form that mold which is inside the walls up to 10 feet high. The History Center is replacing all the inner walls in an effort to  protect and preserve Orlando’s History.

Parkin’ Lot Pickin’ behind Twistee Treat.

Posted on by Thor

Each Friday for about the past 27 years,weather permitting Blue Grass musicians gather in the parking lot on the corner of Colonial Drive ad Maguire in Ocoee Florida for a Blue Grass jam. The parking lot lamp acts as a spotlight for this group of tailgate musicians. The one female musician grew up performing in this lot since her father started the tradition. This is a true old Florida past time. Banjos, fiddles, guitars, mandolins and upright basses all find their way to this gathering each week. Jack and Judy Lewis founded this jam session 22 years ago, making it Florida’s longest running Blue Grass jam.

When the sessions first started out, Jack Lewis says, Moonlite Express
acted as the core of the group, never missing a Friday night.The jam session has gained a reputation. It’s received so much attention that people
have traveled from different states, and even other countries, to pick
along with the Moonlite Express and the crew of regulars. Lewis doesn’t
operate a website, and the jam isn’t advertised, so people have to find
out about it through word of mouth. This group refuses to go electric, they play all
acoustic instruments. To amplify, they might play into a microphone.

The Blue Grass Jam is an inspiring sketch and great date night any time of the year. The most obvious landmark is the Twistee Treat on Maguire on the corner of Colonial Drive. Order some soft serve ice cream and then listen for the Blue Grass music. You will literally find the group on the far end of the parking lot. I got to share this session with Pam Schwartz and we met several musicians since they were interested in seeing what I was sketching.

Weathering Hurricane Irma.

Posted on by Thor

I spent all morning looking for a coffee house with Wi Fi. My apartment has no power. I tried Stardust Video and Coffee first. A staff member was dumping water out the front door using a plastic trash pail. He let me know that Stardust was without power. A crew was cutting up a fallen Live Oak across the street. I tried Drunken Monkey next. The parking lot was full. I parked a few blocks away and walked in. There was a huge line for coffee. Nicki Drumb, who got an awesome grant to help create “Moving Art“ on Orlando’s Sun Rail, had her cup of coffee and gave me a hug in line. She let know that the Monkey had no Wi Fi. Ugh, I groaned. Next I tried the Orlando Public Library which had bombastic music piped in at the entrance. Unfortunately the library was closed. 

At this point I gave up my quest for a digital connection. Instead I sketched this fallen tree near my apartment. The neighborhood was coming alive with people walking their dogs to get out after being cooped up for several days because of Hurricane Irma. Baby Blue , the owner of the Venue stopped her car and asked me if I needed anything from my curbside sketching perch. A neighbor who was also out of power stopped to see my sketch and we chatted for a moment. It is amazing how catastrophe helps bring a community together. With my sketch done, I drove up to Winter Park, because The re was a rumor that Austin’s Coffee (929 West Fairbanks Road Orlando FL) was open and it had Wi Fi. Behind the counter the Batista’s mused,”We got Nihilism, we got musings in cool places,We got bad attitudes, oh and we got power.”  With an ice cold Yak and a Portabella Mushroom sandwich, I finally settled in to write this article.

The night before, power flickered off just as Pam Schwartz pulled a hot home made pizza out of the oven. We played cards by candle light as the winds picked up outside. I followed the eye of the four hundred mile wide storm on the radar app on my phone. South West coast of Florida as a category four Hurricane and it crept north at 15 miles per hour. The winds blew objects which rolled and scraped over the roof. The sky flashed a mysterious vibrant blue. Emergency vehicle lights strobbed and illuminated the trees a blood red. Something banged at the front and back of the house. Several intense wind bursts made it seem like The roof might lift.

The next morning clean up began. It seemed like half of the tree limbs had snapped off of the tree. Curb side piles grew to fortress proportions. Large trees were down in the neighborhood. With yard work out of the way curator Pam Schwartz and I drove south to check on the warehouse where the Orange County History Center‘s off site storage facility is housed. What we found was shocking and unexpected. A huge double rainbow spanned the horizon opposite the setting sun over the huge warehouse parking lot which was now a lake which was thigh deep.

Participation at the Maitland Art Center.

Posted on by Thor

The Maitland Art and History Museums hosed Participation at the Germaine Marvel Building. A large outdoor event tent was set up on what were formerly shuffleboard courts.  Two young female violinists performed with a piano accompaniment. One of Central Florida’s most intriguing fundraising events,
Participation is a feast for your senses. Local artists transform dining
tables into works of art, and guests enjoy dinner with the artist at
these unique creations. The evening includes live performances and
demonstrations, a silent art auction, elegant dining and more. It is an immersive sensory experience that provides patrons the opportunity to learn about the creative process while raising crucial funds to support educational programs at the Museums.  Artists are the cornerstone of this event.

Participating artists received a
complimentary dinner, and networking  opportunities with Central Florida
collectors and promotion through A&H event marketing Each artist was asked to donate an artwork indicative of their style for the silent auction. All works were valued between $500
and $3000. Starting bids for artwork began at 25% of full value. Artist will provided the A&H with a current resume, bio,
artist statement; digital image of donated artwork and will provide
size, medium and value of work. Tables for the event will seat 8 people and are 60 inches diameter. Artists received an honorarium to put toward supplies.

In sketching the event, I decided to focus on Victor Bokas‘ table. He had a display with lots of poodles, and a small cat that was climbing to the top of the  centerpiece. Victor’s work is bright and abstract while also incorporating recognizable elements. The bright palette clearly has a tropical influence.

Whitney Broadaway has a table with an illuminated wire tree as the centerpiece. Individual leaves hung from the limbs from mono filament and the leaves all twirled in the evening breeze. Whitney said she designed and built the tree the night before in a mad rush. A large battery was hidden in the base.

Pam Schwartz joined me at the event and she was nice enough to make sure I had some food and drink. I wasn’t seated at a table but leaned back against a tent pole as I sketches Victor’s table. I usually skip food since my hands are always busy sketching, but this time I juggled tasks. As I sketched the scene grew darker and darker and I spent my time chasing the light as I painted.

The Orlando Shuffle.

Posted on by Thor

Shuffleboard is free at Orlando’s Beardall Courts, (800 Delaney Avenue Orlando FL) each month on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of each month from 7PM to 9PM. I challenged Pam Schwartz to a game figuring I have an advantage as an artist given my eye and hand coordination. I got off to a great start taking a lead but then slipped back as Pam warmed up. I lost by a humbling amount. I tried to erase the chalkboard score but I was held back as a photo was taken of the score. I can claim ignorance and a short memory as I gloss over the score.

At a Tacky Tourist event at the Orange County Regional History Center a shuffleboard court was set up on the floor of the museum lobby. That game I won as Pam teamed up with Whitney Broadaway‘s daughter. It wasn’t a full court, but I am sure Rick Kilby set it up to the official specifications. For some reason Pam refuses to accept this clear victory and perhaps a rematch is needed.

The bottom line is that shuffleboard is some free fun, so get out and give it a try.

Science of Wine at the Science Center.

Posted on by Thor

I went with Pam Schwartz to the Orlando Science Center, (777 E. Princeton St. Orlando, FL 32803) for Science of Wine.  The event allowed patrons to experience the science behind the taste and body of some very full bodied wines. We became the sommelier and scientist at one of Orlando’s most unique wine and food events. It was an evening of wining, dining and learning.

As I sketched, Pam wandered to sample some of the food and drink. She brought back the best samples for me to try as well, as I worked. I immediately focused on the musicians who were mostly ignored standing in front of  articulated dinosaur bones.

Samples were available from more than 150 wines from the world’s major regions. The hand-selected pairings were provided by local dining spots like Norman’s, Black Rooster Taqueria, Shin Jung Korean BBQ and Tapa Toro. 

Pam and I decided to participate in the wine-themed canvas painting. About 20 tiny easels were set up with wine glasses already drawn on the canvases.There was a selection of just green, red and black paints. I joked that it was impossible to work under such crude conditions. I decided to paint the couple seated opposite us as they worked on their canvases. The canvas had two cups, two faces and lots of angles. It wasn’t my best work. One of the people working the event said, “You must be an artist.” “Not really.” I said. “I just sketch stuff.”

The Science of Wine raised critical funds to provide operating
support for educational programs and opportunities for science learners
of all ages to experience the fun and discovery of Orlando Science
Center. The Orlando Science Center just won first place as Orlando’s Best Museum in the Orlando Weekly reader’s poll. After my first cup of wine, I loved the place.

Passion PR Five-Year Anniversary Bash.

Posted on by Thor

Pam Schwartz and I arrived early to Gilt Nightclub (740 Bennett Rd, Orlando, Florida 32803) for the Passion PR Five-Year Anniversary Bash which was founded by Ilene Lieber. The evening was an Explosion of Live Entertainment All Night. There were complimentary cocktails Light Bites, Fun Photos, Swag Bags, DJ Music and more no cover optional donation to Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.

Makeup and body painting were happening near the bar before the event began. Celebrity impersonators Mariah Carey and Austin Powers. arrived and hugged their hellos.  Soon an aerialist was spinning from a hoop  from the ceiling. I never landed a complimentary cocktail but did order  round of beers. Most of the evening for me was spent sketching the five card stud table. Pam was working the table and winning the whole time. I sat in for one hand while she went to the bathroom. She was excited to be in the stall next to Mariah Carey. While she was gone, I lost every hand.

Mike Perkins presented a Collective Narrative.

Posted on by Thor

Mike Perkins, the Orlando Regional History Center director gave a talk at the Albin Polasek Museum‘s Capen House (633 Osceola Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789) titled “A Collective Narrative” about the museums efforts after the Pulse Nightclub massacre to collect and preserve the memorial items left at sites around Orlando.

The goal at the Orlando Regional History Center is to present History in an interesting way, You are going to have challenges as you work through your career, but you don’t expect to have something so incredibly changing, with such a huge impact to the community happen, and all of a sudden, while you are at the job it becomes your task to collect and retain this history that just happened. It was a shock to all of us. Pam Schwartz, who is the museum senior curator carried the bulk of this initiative.

It was of course the middle of summer. We had to collect at Lake Eola first since the city wanted to have July 4th fireworks. Collecting began on June 26th and went on for about 3 months? The question was directed towards two members of the museum staff, Emily Arnold, and Whitney Broadaway in the audience of seven. After Lake Eola was cleared, Dr. Phillips Arts Center (DPAC) became the primary site for a memorial.

Mr. Greg Zanis brought his 49 wooden crosses to Orlando Regional Health Center and that became its own memorial site. When the crosses were eventually collected, items left around the crosses were also collected. The crosses were stored in specially designed archival boxes and the items left at each individuals cross were put in an accompanying box in the museum archives. Photos are on the museum’s online digital archive that show the crosses when they were first put in place and then several photos document the memorial items as they were left at each cross. Mike gave credit to Emily Arnold for all the photos in his presentation but from the audience, she had to let him know that all the photos were by a photographer named Phelan Ebenhack.

All the candles couldn’t be collected. Only particularly beautifully decorated candles were collected the rest went into land fill (most have been kept for potential use). American flags that had touched the ground could not be collected. Those couldn’t go into the museum collection. After much of the memorial had been cleared at DPAC, Boy Scouts collected the flags and gave them to the military or fire department to be properly disposed of. There were huge banners that were often covered with other items and flowers. The banners were folded up or rolled up. Flowers could not be collected and they were turned into mulch. Keep in mind it was hot out. The sun and fading of items became a problem.

Candles would get kicked over and drip wax onto other memorial items. Items that were most at risk were collected first. The collecting was only the beginning of the work. Gathering was in some ways the easy part of the process. Once items were safely back in the museum archives, they were cleaned, and processed to be made stable for the collection.

Then of course Pulse became a memorial site and items are still being dropped off precipitously. So obviously a tremendous effort went into this. A tent would be set up and the History Center van would be close by. There were archival boxes, blotter paper, and a press, all to stabilize items so they cold get to the History Center with low humidity and temperature control. The collection now is called the One Orlando Collection and it has over 6100 items. The exhibit that we opened on June 12th was visited by about 700 family members. It was seem by about 2,400 people that week.

A question from the audience: “Were people upset when you took memorial items away?”

Mike: “When we told them what we were doing, generally they thanked us.”

Question: “Did you call the City or did the City call you?”

Mike: “We are a County institution.”

Question: “How did that happen? Did someone say, ‘Hey you need to do this?'”

Mike: “It was an organic thing. If anyone deserves credit, it would be Pam Schwartz.”

Passion PR Five-Year Anniversary Bash!

Posted on by Thor

I went with Pam Schwartz to Gilt Nightclub (740 Bennett Rd, Orlando, Florida 32803) for the Passion PR Five Year Anniversary Bash. Ilene Lieber who runs Passion PR has always been great about helping me promote events.

The evening promised to be an Explosion of Live Entertainment All Night. There were complimentary cocktails and light bites from 7 pm to 8 pm, photo opportunities, swag bags, DJ music and more. Celebrity look alikes were everywhere. Mariah Carey got on stage and did an admirable lip sync performance. Austin Powers worked his smarmy British charm on all the ladies.

I decided to sketch the poker table. Pam kept winning and placed some huge bets that brought back amazing returns. I took her place when she went to the bathroom and kept loosing. The guy next to Pam had a few too many drinks and was boisterous and a bit obnoxious each time he won a hand. Michelle Jones who founded the Violectric String band was also on a winning streak. There really wasn’t any payout for winning (other than Mardi Gras beads and candy), so there was no harm in taking chances. When it was time to go, Pam tried to bet all her chips and loose but she kept winning, stacking up a mountain of chips. All the money earned at the event went towards supporting Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando.

Wallaby Ranch.

Posted on by Thor

Wallaby Ranch (1805 Deen Still Rd, Davenport, FL 33897) is the first full-time Aerotow Hang Gliding Flight Park in the World. Open seven days a week since 1991. Flying in a hang glider at Wallaby Ranch is exhilarating, but much of the thrill comes from the anticipation and camaraderie even before the wings take to the sky. Air currents are best in the morning, so we were encouraged to get up at the break of dawn. Breakfast and coffee were available at the barn and everyone sat at the picnic tables chatting until the currents were just right. Malcom Jones, who founded Wallaby Ranch, has flown more tandem flights than anyone else in the world. He knows how to read the current and is known for never taking any unnecessary chances.

My flight took off without a hitch, but by the time we got back to the ground, Malcom had decided that the winds had changed making it unsafe for other tandem flights to take off. I got to experience the quiet thrill of soaring and seeing a rainbow encircling the shadow of my wings in the clouds. I was at the ranch to celebrate Pam Schwartz‘s birthday and unfortunately, she was grounded. She did get to take flight the next day and was equally impressed with the experience.

Most of the fun at the ranch happens on the ground, meeting new people who share a passion for flight. There is a pool that became mission central for much of the afternoon as people relaxed and soaked to stay cool. Pam and I took to the pool almost immediately upon arrival to watch the sunset. Once the sun went down, horse flies and dragon flies buzzed my ears causing me to flail and destroy the peace. In the evening, everyone gathered in the barn for dinner, games and music. We played a rather risque word game that was fun to play with strangers. One player would read a card that set up a situation and then each player had to put in their own card that they felt was the most funny or inappropriate way to finish the thought. You could tell if your card had worked if everyone else laughed at the result. When my card was read each time, I swear you could hear crickets chirping. I didn’t win.

Guitar and harmonica music set the tone for the rest of the evening and everyone sang along. The feeling of community being among people who fly is intoxicating and I can understand how learning to fly solo can become an obsession. 20 hours of tandem flights are needed before a pilot can fly solo. I heard that it is possible to stay in the air for hours if the winds are just right. My flight was video recorded from start to finish with a Go Pro camera mounted on the wing. It is amazing to relive the experience from the comfort of a couch.