ON THE HOUSE · SPRING 2019 · 13

Spring in Poetry and Photography

An Epistolary Ode to Spring

You asked me, Nelly, for a poem to greet the spring; But the weather has been so harsh since the Equinox And as I strive to sound hopeful and roundly sing Sweet praises of springtime it rings with paradox.

Of course I could now write a time-worn ode With derivative lines that echo the orthodox; And steal from bards both old and new a code at could only appeal to an inveterate philodox.

Here attached, then, is a poem I recently found And have slightly revised, one that speaks of a serenity And a sense of solace that are intimately bound To nature and remind us of the daunting forces of eternity;

A short poem which, though not particularly vernal, Was yet inspired by the manifest energy of that season; For hope, no doubt, can truly spring eternal As long as birds translate wind’s rhyme and reason.

Eric SELLIN Philadelphia, April 2019

A Midday Walk In May

We walk along the tow path through the college park, Beside the indolent waters of an old canal, Where, here and there, turtles lie along the banks, On fallen branches, sometimes basking there two deep. A quiet place it is, near the middle of the town, Where we can yet walk in peace along this path, Beneath a double helix of soaring, circling hawks.

Eric SELLIN Indianapolis, May 2007 Photographs of Washington Square taken by Simon Roberts 14 · SPRING 2019 · ON THE HOUSE ON THE HOUSE · SPRING 2019 · 15 Celebrate in His Bicentennial Year Joseph Quinn “ celebrate myself.” So at 328 Mickle Street. I begins Walt Whitman’s He spent only 20 of his most famous poem, “Song 73 years as our neighbor of Myself.” across the Delaware. is spring everyone He initially bemoaned can celebrate Whitman, finding himself in what as we recognize the 200th he called his “little Camden anniversary of his birth shanty.” But he soon found in 1819. e University compensations, in the of Pennsylvania is the faithful domestic circle primary sponsor and that developed around organizer of the festivities, him at home, and across called Whitman at 200: the Delaware in cosmopoli- Art and Democracy. e tan, artistically thriving celebration will culminate Philadelphia. in Philadel phia on May Numerous contemporary 31st with a public event sources document featuring proclamations, Whitman’s life in Camden music, and birthday cake. and his connections to (See the list of internet Philadelphia. One invaluable sites below for a link to resource is Walt Whitman the full schedule of events.) in Camden, based on volu- Whitman’s “little Camden shanty” at 328 Mickle Street Some might consider all minous notes on the poet’s this attention overkill for activities compiled by a Library, hung out with out as a bookseller for J. B. a man who never actually young disciple named dock workers and streetcar Lippincott, he established lived in Philadelphia. Horace Traubel. drivers and, on occasion, his own business in 1882. idled in waterfront saloons. McKay took over the Furthermore, he published Before suffering a second But gradually Whitman was printing plates from the just one book of poems, debilitating stroke in 1888, drawn into a more genteel, infamous 1881 “banned in . e first Whitman had many oppor- professional, and artistic Boston” edition of Leaves of edition was issued in 1855, tunities to ferry over to circle of Philadel phians. He Grass. anks in part to the and Whitman spent the Philadelphia for business became less the “hankering, obscenity controversy, the rest of his life updating, and pleasure. He lectured gross, mystical, nude” bard new 1882 edition issued by enlarging, and republishing at the Chestnut Street of “Song of My self,” and McKay became a bestseller. it until a Deathbed edition Opera House. He attended more the “Good Gray was released in 1892. e plays at the Walnut Street Whitman met omas Poet,” as he was described book has since become one eater and went to the Eakins in 1887, a year after by his Washington friend of the most read and influ- opera at the Academy of Eakins was involved in his and patron, William ential in literary history, Music, where he enjoyed a own obscenity controversy. Douglas O’Connor. and his personality has performance of Donizetti’s He was forced to resign continued to fascinate La Favorita. Whitman He was befriended by many from e Pennsylvania scholars and ordinary expressed his love of opera, prominent Philadel phians, Academy of Fine Arts readers alike. especially the florid bel canto including publishers, news- for using undraped models works of Donizetti, Bellini paper editors, lawyers, mer- in his mixed-gender life In June of 1873, after and Rossini, in several chants, scholars, and artists. drawing classes. e two suffering a stroke and being passages of Leaves of Grass. e Philadelphia Press and established a close rapport, dismissed from his position He believed that “But for Public Ledger vigorously no doubt based on their as a clerk in the U.S. the opera I could not have supported and defended mutual admiration for the Attorney General’s office, written Leaves of Grass.” Whitman in their pages. natural, realistic presenta- Whitman reluctantly tion of the human body, moved to Camden to live Along with thousands of One of Whitman’s most clothed and unclothed. with his brother, George. others he toured the 1876 important Philadelphia ey spent a lot of time In March of 1884 he Centennial Exhibition. contacts was his publisher, moved into his own house He visited the Mercantile David McKay. Starting continued on page 17 16 · SPRING 2019 · ON THE HOUSE

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Philadelphia History Museum’s Uncertain Future continued from page 11

Philadelphia’s remarkable soon to start work on that tury-and-a-half ago. ese Not long ago, we were history are determined to project. An even more in- should make ideal settings named the first World find a new home for the triguing, and possibly less for showing off our history. Heritage City in North museum—a centrally costly, proposal is to clear America. It would be located, bricks-and-mortar most of the rooms on the Here is how this matter contrary to everything place where visitors near and ground floor of our vast City looks from the viewpoint that designation represents far can come to look and Hall to house the museum. of the writer. It would for the city to give up on learn. One suggestion was Evidently, space exists else- be an enormous loss for presenting its history to to convert the old Family where in facilities occupied everyone who has regard the world-wide public. Court building on Logan by city government for for Philadelphia if its To present that story at Circle into a new museum. the various offices which history museum remains City Hall seems a match But that was scotched with now use those first-floor under wraps. Virtually made in heaven. All that word that the long-delayed chambers, many of which every world-class city is needed is a determined conversion of that building are high-ceiling and ornate, on the globe maintains a citizen-led campaign to into a hotel is back on track. representing Philadelphia’s museum of its own history. make it happen. Its developer reportedly is grand dream of itself a cen- Philadelphia is such a city. Volunteers anyone? n

Celebrate Walt Whitman in His Bicentennial Year continued from page 15

together as Eakins worked relations. Pro- and anti- visitors a chance to stand in on Whitman’s portrait Whitman forces battled it the room where Whitman throughout 1887-88. He out in the local news media slept, worked, received claimed that of all the por- for two years until the visitors, and died. traits made of him, he liked initial proposal was finally His tomb is located in Eakins’ best, saying “it adopted and the bridge Harleigh Cemetery, a short comes nearest to being me.” christened in 1957. walk from the PATCO But it has not been all praise Want to get personally Ferry Avenue stop. and adulation. During his involved in the Whitman Designed by Whitman lifetime he was dismissed celebration? himself to look like a small by many, including some stone house built into a staid Philadelphians, as a Visit the Philadelphia hill, it contains not only purveyor of immoral trash. Academy of Fine Arts Whitman’s remains, The pious John Wanamaker to see Eakins’ moving, but those of his parents, Whitman designed this tomb banned Leaves of Grass autumnal portrait of brothers George and for himself and his family. from his stores. Whitman. Edward, sister Hannah Below are some internet and George’s wife. And locals may still recall Visit two easily accessible sources where you can get the controversy that erupted Whitman landmarks. Finally, read the poems. more information about in 1955 when the Delaware e home where Whitman Read and listen as Whitman at 200 events River Port Authority pro - lived his last years in Whitman howls his and about Whitman him- posed naming a new bridge downtown Camden, ”barbaric yawp over self, some of which I have connecting South Philadel - which then was numbered the roofs of the world” relied on for quotes and phia with Gloucester, New 328 Mickle Street, is (“”). details in this article. n Jersey, after the “Good Gray today’s 330 Mickle/Martin Poet.” Whitman’s fitness Luther King Boulevard. Further Reading for such an honor was It is just three blocks from Whitman at 200: www.whitmanat200.org/ questioned, largely on the Broadway stop of the The Walt Whitman Archive: www.whitmanarchive.org/ the basis of the sexual PATCO line. e modest frankness of some of his wood-frame house, main- The Walt Whitman Association: www.thewaltwhitmanassociation.org/ poems, especially ones that tained by the ventured into the realm State Park Service, offers The Walt Whitman House in Camden, New Jersey: of homosocial/sexual guided tours that give www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/historic/whitman/ 18 · SPRING 2019 · ON THE HOUSE

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AllanDombRealEstate PHILADELPHIA’S LARGEST SELLING CONDOMINIUM REALTOR® WE COOPERATE WITH ALL REALTORS® 1845 Walnut St. Suite 2200 Philadelphia 215.545.1500 allandomb.com [email protected] ON THE HOUSE · SPRING 2019 · 19 Telling Stories Martha Cornog uppose Ötzi the Iceman in advance. Each storyteller Shad made it home, accepted receives a wounded and bleeding. 30-minute rehearsal prior “What happened to you??!” to show date, and gets a video of their story after- “I went up the mountain, wards. ey also offer and those men from the coaching and instruction other valley jumped me.” for storyteller wannabes, “?&*#*! And then what either in terms of personal happened?” performance or for corporate folks looking to “find a e body of a man comfortable, confident, dubbed“Ötzi” was found and energizing way to in the Alps in 1991— communicate with clients, he had been killed some The Moth StorySLAMs colleagues, and customers” 5,000 years ago. But had (substantial fees charged). he survived his wounds hosts live storytelling provides opportunities You can browse past shows and staggered back to his around the world as well for training, performance, on their Vimeo channel. village, we can easily imag- as putting out a podcast, and education, along with www.tellmeastory.info/ ine that his story would books of stories, and the encouragement and an https://vimeo.com/chan- have been in great demand, Moth Radio Hour. open forum for storytellers nels/tellmeastory as much for information https://themoth.org/events and audiences to connect.” (Are their weapons better Regular story swaps are Once Upon a Nation than ours?) as for entertain- First Person Arts (FPA) open to all tellers and Storytelling Benches ment around the fire. e Playground at the listeners; members may Independence Historical Park plus nearby museums Today, storytelling based Adrienne attend monthly coaching and landmarks on the drama of real life 2030 Samson Street sessions. e Guild “History that speaks to is celebrated as an art Celebrating the “power maintains a register of you.” From Memorial form, accessible to anyone. of the personal,” FPA holds professional storytellers Day through Labor Day, Whether you yearn to tell monthly StorySlams, spe- for hire and is affiliated professional storytellers your own stories or simply cial customized programs, with the National hang out at 13 Storytelling listen enraptured, you can and an annual festival of Storytelling Network. Benches throughout Phila - find right here in Philly memoir and documentary https://patchworkstory- delphia’s Historic District a variety of places to get art that includes classes. telling.org and share short, entertaining your tale on live, tragedy StorySlam winners receive Tell Me a Story tales about Philadelphia or comedy. cash prizes and qualify to compete in the season’s Shot Tower Coffee history. Did you know The Moth StorySLAMs Grand Slam. “We believe 542 Christian Street that Betsy Ross was also World Café Live that everyone has a story Tell me a story holds a munitions maker? 3025 Walnut Street to tell, and that sharing semi-monthly community www.historicphiladelphia.org /once-upon-a-nation/story- Every first Monday our stories connects us with storytelling events, with telling-benches/ evening, the mic is open each other and the world.” performers curated from for all interested comers You can find FPA also on story pitches submitted continued on page 21 who drop names into a bag. YouTube and by listening e ten selected randomly to its podcasts. will tell their true stories in https://firstpersonarts.org five minutes without notes, Patchwork Storytelling while audience teams judge Guild them; winners qualify to Mt. Airy Nexus compete later in higher- 510 Carpenter Lane level slams. Tickets go on “Patchwork remains sale a week in advance and dedicated to the survival sell out quickly. e non- of the art form and profit Moth organization Once Upon a Nation Storytelling Bench 20 · SPRING 2019 · ON THE HOUSE

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Telling Stories continued from page 19

Philly Improv Theater Good Good Helium Comedy Club Two teams of improv co- (PHIT) Comedy Theatre 2031 Samson Street medians compete for laughs 2030 Sansom Street 215 North 11th Street Helium presents live shows and prizes, with audience PHIT offers improvisa- (11th & Race Streets) with mostly professional input and participation. A tional comedy jams and “We’re an intimate, comics. e Club also holds late-night, R-rated Blue Show performances, many free or BYOB black box theater open mic events every is held monthly. CSz Philly inexpensive and welcoming that houses up to four Tuesday and provide both also runs the Philadelphia of walk-ins. Long Story wildly different live courses and workshops in School of Improv, a year- Short events present comedy shows per night. stand-up, improv, and sketch long curriculum of classes improv inspired by real life. is includes stand-up, comedy. An annual Philly’s plus one-shot workshops. A variety of classes instruct sketch, improv, storytelling Phunniest competition www.comedysportzphilly.com/ about improv, sketch com- and (especially) everything welcomes entries from any- My personal addiction is edy, acting, and stand-up, in between..., live, one, first come, first served. the Moth, where last year some targeted to tweens mercilessly unpredictable www.philadelphia.heliumcom- one storyteller captured our and teens. One of the youth independent comedy.” edy.com/ hearts with the tale of her classes, or PHIT’s improv Apparently no open ComedySportz son’s birthday party— comedy summer camp for mic events, but planned around the theme teens, would make a unique they do offer classes Philadelphia (CSz Philadelphia) of broccoli. And then what gift for a young relative! in improv. happened? Wow, that was phillyimprovtheater.com/ www.goodgoodcomedy.com e Adrienne eater 2030 Samson Street a great story... n

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To Reserve Space Send an email to Terry Kowalski at [email protected]. Note that reserving space in multiple issues will give you a discount. For more information, or if you have questions, please contact Terry Kowalski directly at 484-557-0945. Published the first week of the month in January, April, July, and October.. 22 · SPRING 2019 · ON THE HOUSE Jim’s Famous Maryland Crab Cakes Chefs’ Corner Jane Hickman My father-in-law’s family for over 50 years. Jim would him carefully and wrote Note: If you have a favorite ran Callahan’s Seafood, often make crab cakes for down everything he did in recipe, we would love to test which operated in the us in the summer, but we this very easy preparation. it and put it in this column. legendary Lexington never knew why they were e key is good crabmeat: Send your recipes or requests Market in Baltimore so good. One day, I watched only use the best. n to [email protected]. ank you!

Maryland Crab Cakes

2 pounds jumbo lump crab meat 1 Carefully pick crab meat 4 Serve with cocktail sauce ¾ roll Ritz crackers, crumbled to remove all shells. (catsup and horseradish) or tartar sauce (mayon- 2 eggs, beaten 2 Beat eggs, add other naise, pickle relish, mus- 1½ tablespoons mayonnaise ingredients, and gently tard, and lemon juice) fold in the crab meat. 1½ tablespoons wet mustard and lemon wedges. 1-2 tablespoons parsley, 3 Heat 1/4 inch of Hickman by Jane Photo Yield: 12-14 large crab chopped vegetable oil in a frying cakes. Half the recipe Few dashes Worcestershire sauce pan over medium heat. makes about 30 small crab Fry crab cakes; turn once Few shakes of Old Bay cakes, perfect as an appe- until brown on both Seasoning, optional tizer. For small crab cakes, sides. Crab cakes can form balls of the mixture Vegetable oil, if frying also be broiled. with a round tablespoon.

You are invited to join Washington Square Citizens League Washington Square Citizens League is a nonprofit organization with more than 140 members. The vast majority of the members live in Hopkinson House. Activities include: Monday Afternoon Discussion Group Monthly Evening Programs Book Club Reel Discussion Theater Discussion Group Socials, including potlucks and dinners at La Buca Membership Fee: $10 per year. If you are not a member and would like to join, contact Susan Tomita at (215) 925-8464, or [email protected] or find a link to the membership form at https://thehopkinsonhouse.com/activities/ ON THE HOUSE · SPRING 2019 · 23

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