I guess first “to do”.
In the 15 odd years (yikes!) that I have been here in
Southern Maryland, I have to say I have NEVER attended the legendary “Opening
of the Tiki Bar”. I was going to say
that I was “proud” to say…. But that’s kind of not fair. Obviously there are many (thousands) of
people with differing opinions because the opening receives almost national
coverage. It is a pilgrimage for many
folk. Fortunately we will be able to observe
(and most likely hear) some of the goings on from the safety of the digs across
the river from the festivities. I’m sure
we’ll see the flashing lights (but not the other flashings) and hear sirens,
and maybe some music if winds are right, but not the huge crowds. So if you go, I hope you enjoy it, be careful
and arrange for transportation if that is a factor. It is just another unique event here in the
land of nothing to do.
On a little higher plane there is an interesting concert Sunday
evening in the Brick Chapel at Historic St. Mary’s City. As
a Chapel Volunteer (ChapVol) there spending many hours, there is an interesting thing about acoustics
inside the Chapel. Last Wednesday when I was there hosting groups of
kids for Homeschool Day, there were herds of varying amounts of them, from two
or three to upwards of ten. Once they
figure out the echoes are great, screaming contests often ensue. With the cacophony of that going on, it is
IMPOSSIBLE to talk to somebody even if they are right next to you and be understood. It is
amazing. On the other hand, music,
choral or instrumental, is just lovely.
One of the historians at the city calls the walls the “17th
century amplifier system. It is
gorgeous. But I digress… Sunday at six
thirty, a male a cappella ensemble called (and i am not making this up) “The Suspicious Cheeselords” will
perform music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. There is a $5 fee at the door, and you must
walk out to the chapel from the Visitor Center off Rosecroft Road. Seating is limited by the size of the chapel.
In kind of a related note, the first of this year’s River Concert
Series will be on the 22nd of June.
I see a note in the paper this morning that there has been a task force
assembled to consider the future of the Series, as there has been much
speculation on the cost and sustainability of the concerts. With the Orchestra expanding its venues (with
a fee), it will be interesting to see what comes out of it. The “report out” is expected this fall.
This weekend will also mark the celebration of Earth Day
with things too numerous to mention going on in Leonardtown starting Sunday
afternoon.
Whew.
Passings
Yesterday (or the day before, it all runs together) the
Today folk spent a good half hour eulogizing Dick Clark. No doubt an American phenomenon (I won’t say
Idol), he provided a stage (ha ha) that launched many a career, and kind of
brought popular music into the mainstream.
With a little less fanfare it was noted last Thursday that Levon Helm passed from complications of cancer. He, along
with Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson and Robbie Robertson formed the
(IMHO) iconic musical group “The Band”. Don’t think
ever before or since there was a group with such unique music. You new immediately who was playing songs
like The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down; Ophelia; and of course “The Weight”. Classic, classic stuff. You just don’t hear that anymore.. You still have a recording of "Music from Big Pink" with Dylan ? You should. They’re all going, leaving us with the likes
of the Justin Biebers of the world, The Voice, American Idol and other trash.
Finally Food
I had an interesting conversation last night with somebody regarding
MSG. It was discovered that she has an allergy
to MSG resulting in unpleasant symptoms.
She related a story about a recent (sort of by accident) trip to one of
our local chains, Texas Roadhouse. She is
pretty food savvy on her own, and knows enough not to order steaks in a place
like that because the rubs they use often contain MSG. She spied a chicken dish on the menu, and just
to be sure, asked the server if it contained MSG. The reply was she didn’t know, but would go
ask the kitchen. Upon return, the diner
was told that “All of our food has MSG”.
MFO and I were somewhat taken aback by this. We thought that MSG had sort of “fallen out
of favor” and was not in widespread use anymore. I have no separate confirmation of this, but I
pass it along for what it’s worth.
Tonight MFO and I are attending the annual Dinner of the St.
Mary’s County Historical Society. It is always kind of a fun event, most of the
local “history” people show up, and there is usually a good program. But more interesting to the feeder is the
venue. They usually have the dinner at
the Olde Breton Inn, home of the local catering legend Eddie Bailey, and tonight will be no different. I probably could give you the menu from
memory, but we’ll see if there are any changes.
I may take the new little point and shoot and provide
documentation. MFO and I along with the
other attendees will most assuredly be
DFD
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