I’m no Boy Scout

Posted 8/21/12

My father didn’t want me to join the Scouts. I’d like to say that I don’t know why, but while eavesdropping, he made it clear that he did not want me to start with the Cub Scouts because (at …

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I’m no Boy Scout

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My father didn’t want me to join the Scouts. I’d like to say that I don’t know why, but while eavesdropping, he made it clear that he did not want me to start with the Cub Scouts because (at that time) the packs were led by women known as “den mothers,” and he felt that my own mother already had too much influence over me. Instead, I was packed off to the YMCA, which was all male. Dad was determined to “make a man out of me or die trying,” which ultimately came to fruition more than 40 years ago.

Today, the Cub Scouts call den mothers “den leaders,” as men also take on this role (www.oureverydaylife.com), but we’ll never know whether that would have satisfied dear old Dad. Ultimately, it’s the code of ethics for either organization, which is (IMHO) important, and so far I’ve managed (with exceptions) to stay the course. The famous motto “Bee Prepared” [sic] rang in my head as Dharma the Wonder Dog and I prepared for the Honeybee Fest (www.narrowsburghoney beefest.com) and The River Reporter photo booth to which I alluded last week. Pondering “Scout Law,” I wondered whether I would pass muster. Am I trustworthy? Loyal? What about “helpful, friendly, courteous and kind?” “I hope so,” I wheezed to my sidekick. “We both know that ‘obedient’ is not my strong suit, nor yours,” I rasped, wagging a nicotine-stained finger in her direction, “but let’s both shoot for ‘cheerful’ and see how that flies.”

Constantly forced to be thrifty, I’m often flummoxed regarding her wardrobe, but thankfully, have pals who come to the rescue. TRR’s own Eileen Hennessy volunteered to secure a honeybee outfit for the dog, which was adorable, and since scads of visitors to our booth wanted to see the pup, she was dressed for success. Just when I thought I’d seen everything in the Upper Delaware River region, the buzz around the festival had been palpable, and as excitement built over the organizers’ attempt to make history (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) in their quest to have the most people dressed as bees in one place at one time, Dharma was crestfallen when we learned that dogs (there were a bunch!) dressed-up would not count, even though she had the requisite stripes, wings and antennae. “Maybe we should try for the most people dressed as dogs,” I suggested “and host a festival of our own.”

Filing that away for the future, we greeted and chatted, while Dharma herself was being shadowed by a newspaper photographer (www.pilotonline.com) assigned to capture her many charms (www.ed dieadamsworkshop.com) for posterity. As the fantastic parade passed by and more than 1,500 “bee people” swarmed the streets of Narrowsburg, we joined the hive and lined up to be counted. While the festival fell short of the world record, I was astounded by the sheer numbers of folks who participated, and everyone had a blast. In my ongoing effort to be courteous, I popped in to see why folks were buzzing around the storefront next to our booth (www.rivergalleryny.com) where another photographer, Marisa Scheinfeld, was signing copies of her beautiful new book, “The Borscht Belt: Revisiting the Remains of America’s Jewish Vacationland.” I chatted briefly with Sheinfeld, who was “thrilled with the turnout,” and I took note that International Center for Photography curator Maya Benton (www.icp.org) wrote, “These photographs invite us to consider the rich history… and the legacy of the Catskills is woven into the very fiber of the region.” The book was flying off the shelves, and I plan to return to The River Gallery, where I’ve been assured that more copies are on order.

With Yom Kippur on the horizon, (October 12), I contemplated the 12th Boy Scout law (bee reverent), but still had time to fly past the 2016 Callicoon Art Walk, which was still buzzing with activity. The two-day event showcased the work of more than 60 local artists and featured pop-up galleries, music, fire dancing, woodcarving demonstrations, and interactive art projects. With Dharma’s photographer still in tow, I popped in on some of the artists and schmoozed with a few. “Yesterday was really cool,” Eva Drizhal (www.gal leryeva.net) told me after recognizing the dog. “Everybody was excited, we had a lot of visitors, and I think the Art Walk really works,” she enthused. Painters Elise Freda and William Landau concurred, while Landau’s wife Gail discussed a series of photographs she has taken documenting one couple she has followed since 2004. “Every Sunday, musicians and dancers take to the streets near the Latin Quarter in Paris,” she said, “and I make sure to visit when we are there. She’s singing ‘La Vie en Rose,” Gail said, pointing out the vocalist in the frame. “Thank you so much for stopping by!”

Dharma tugged at her leash after spotting Susan Mendoza (www.lazyfoxny.com), who was overseeing a couple of kids painting on the sidewalk. “I’m going all Jackson Pollack on it!” 10-year-old Nathaniel exclaimed, while eight-year-old pal Rosalie added her own touch. “It’s a community project,” Mendoza explained. “Seeing your camera reminds me that I should have been taking photos all along! Remind me next year,” she suggested as we departed. I still have “brave” and “clean” to check off on my list of Scout laws, but with winter looming, I’m thinking I’ll have time to work on those after the dust settles and the post-holiday blues move in. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to strive for “courteous” and “kind,” since, as most of you know… I’m no Boy Scout.

To view all of the photos from the Narrowsburg Honeybee Festival, “like” our Facebook page, share the pics and tag your friends.

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