By Alan Burke
Staff writer
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MARBLEHEAD — Artist/photographer Dick Buckley organized last weekend's successful Evolutions' Art Exhibit on Marblehead Neck. In a previous life, Buckley was a high-profile advertising executive, which had him recalling the time he directed a public service television commercial with the late Boston Pops conductor Arthur Fiedler.
The idea was simple, Buckley explained: Fiedler, a famous fire buff often seen at local blazes, would say his lines in an apartment with fire engines rumbling and flashing their lights on the street below. Then he would "jump" out the window into a waiting firemen's net.
Of course, the jump would be faked. But the film would end with the world-famous conductor sitting in the net.
All that went smoothly, Buckley said. Fiedler had no trouble climbing into the net. But back on the second floor, with Buckley wielding the baton this time, the world-famous performer kept flubbing his lines.
"Do it again, maestro," Buckley said repeatedly. "Do it again."
No local color allowed
That's because everything will be in penetrating black and white. Director Deb Greel can't be more specific than that because the new exhibit hasn't been chosen yet. Moreover, everyone's invited to apply to have their black and white photographs mounted throughout the King Hooper Mansion.
"I think people are intrigued by black and white," she explains. "It evokes the past."
The photos will be part of the fourth annual photography and sculpture show. This is an open show, so both members and nonmembers of the Marblehead Arts Association are invited to submit three pieces of work on Tuesday, Sept. 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 8 p.m.
Joseph Flack Weiler will judge the photos and Michael Guadagno the sculptures. Prizes will be awarded, and the resulting exhibit will run from Oct. 2 to 31.
Color is OK for the sculptures.
What the butler saw
Well, Auguste Levasseur wasn't exactly the butler. He was the private secretary to the Marquis de Lafayette, hero of the American Revolution, general in the Continental Army, confidant of George Washington and just barely able to keep his head during his home country's French Revolution.
In the 19th century, with all that turmoil behind him, Lafayette made a tour of America, including Marblehead. He'd been here once before to see Revolutionary War buddies Gen. John Glover and Elbridge Gerry. At age 67 in 1824, Lafayette took the bows and let Lavasseur take the notes.
Oddly enough, no one ever translated them to English until author and lawyer Alan Hoffman did it recently. Presumably, no man is a hero to his private secretary. But Lavasseur apparently kept his misgivings to himself. Nevertheless, he provides a unique view of Lafayette's barnstorming tour of the country he helped found.
The French nobleman proved so popular, according to Hoffman, that "80 counties, cities and towns" were named after him. Reportedly, a few streets got the name, too.
Hoffman will discuss all this at the Marblehead Historical Society and Museum on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Lafayette helped give America freedom. Freedom isn't free, and neither is the lecture, which will cost $10 for members and $15 for everybody else.
A weighty issue
Marblehead did better than the state as whole, but a review of first-, fourth-, seventh- and 10th-grade students here revealed that 23 percent of the kids are overweight. The Department of Public Health did the survey, and Marblehead is the only North Shore town included.
It's a bigger problem for the boys, with 25 percent packing on the pounds as opposed to 23 percent of girls. The 80 communities tested averaged 34 percent.
She'll be seeing Siberia from her house
Keri Cahill, that is. The founder of the Rebel Shakespeare Company hasn't had any luck getting permission for Anya, the sister of her adopted daughter Anastasia, to come to America. Thus, according to her blog, "Creating My Own Little Nirvana," she's leaving to reunite the sisters in Anya's home, Siberia, during a three-month visit.
Cahill couldn't be reached for comment. On her blog, she admits to anxiety about the move — she's trying to sell her book collection to help pay for it — but adds, "I'm not afraid anymore. God gave me a great peace about it last night, and I awoke to a confirmation of His support. An acquaintance repaid a loan from long, long ago that I thought I might never see. It is a significant enough amount that I can cover those extra bills while I am away."
