MARBLEHEAD — Famous at last.
Ashley Bowen waited a long time for his writing to attain a measure of fame — just about 250 years. The Marblehead sailor kept a diary after going to sea at age 13, around 1741. That document has proved to be one of the few records anywhere in the world of how ordinary sailors in that era lived.
And it was some era, with seafarers crisscrossing the globe and discovering cultures so alien they seemed to spring from another world.
The diary is under safekeeping by the Marblehead Museum and Historical Society. But Neptune Studios has taken some of Bowen's illustrations and writings to fashion their latest ornamental plates.
"They're interesting tales," Phyllis Tracy says of Bowen's work. She creates the plates with partner Susan Newberg. Both are enthusiastic Marbleheaders anxious to use the town's rich history to promote their products. In fact, they next anticipate a series of plates based on J.O.J. Frost's paintings.
"They're collectors' items," Tracy says. "People want to collect the whole series."
Bowen was at the siege of Quebec during one phase of the war between France and Britain.
At another point, he was held captive by the French. One of his drawings is a depiction of Marblehead Harbor, one of the earliest representations of the town.
"He shows the steeple on St. Michael's Church," Tracy says. It's a steeple that nowadays only exists in Bowen's diary and on Neptune Studio's plates.
Answering the siren's call
Marbleheader Jean-Marc Dykes is due back from college in Vancouver tomorrow or Saturday.
OK, he's a little late, but he's got a good excuse. Dykes left the University of British Columbia in May, crossing back into the United States, then pedaling across the country to increase awareness of the disease lupus.
He was inspired to make the trip when he learned that his art teacher, Debra Freeman Highberger of Accorn Gallery (that's near the Landing), had been stricken with the ailment. The plan was to raise $10,000 for the Brigham and Women's Hospital, where Highberger has finally found some relief.
"We've already raised all the money," says Debra's husband, Jack, who describes Dykes as "a brilliant kid," a student of both James Joyce's "Ulysses" and the Greek story of the same name.
"He wants very much to return on Friday." Weather is a factor. As in the story of the first Ulysses, a siren may be involved. Dykes will stop at the police station first. "And the police chief (Robert Picariello) will escort him in."
Something to bank on
Remember when you could bank on American cars?
Well, you can again on Sunday, Aug. 2, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the National Grand Bank parking lot.
Lots of great American cars will be on display. Unfortunately, the newest model will be 35 years old.
"It's our Antique Car Show and Rally," bank president Jim Nye says.
He expects 20 to 30 cars from the North Shore Car Club, along with entertainment for the kids. All this is meant to celebrate the opening of a new drive-through ATM.
They didn't have ATMs when these cars were first on the road.
In those days, believe it or not, you had to get out of your car and walk into the bank to get your money. And if you showed up after 3 p.m., you were out of luck because the bank was closed.
If you had no money on Friday afternoon, you were broke until Monday.
But at least gas was cheap and you could buy a few gallons with the change you found between the seat cushions.
"People love the muscle cars," says Nye, who is himself a bit taken aback by what's considered an antique. "I think of the Model T. But the most popular antique cars are from the '60s and '70s."
Unsettling to realize you can be an antique at 35.
