KNAPPSNEWS EDITORIALS
and ADDITIONAL NEWS ITEMS
Photo by Ivan Knapp III
The Gates of Central Park
I love Central Park, but… when I learned about the orange-colored curtains that were to drape along 23 of the 58 miles of pedestrian paths, I was a bit nervous.
Officially called, “The Gates, Central Park, New York, 1979-2005” I have a different view, call it a distant understanding now, than what I had (and perhaps) still imagine.
On Saturday, February 12, at 8:30 a.m. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg officially opened this 23 mile, $21 million art project from a place in the Sheep Meadow. On hand of course were the artists, Christo and his wife, Jeanne-Claude.
Photo by Ivan Knapp III
Our own son, who moved to New York City several years ago went the first day to see The Gates. Here, in his own words is his reaction. “At first I didn’t think it was anything special, but after walking through the park, I really came to appreciate them. You can’t really get a feel for them from TV or a picture. They are much more impressive in person.”
I asked him how they affect the park. He said, “They add a lot of color. Because of winter most of the park is dull grays and whites. The orange spices the park up.”
He also said that there were “tons of people” there to see this art event before it is over at the end of February. He added, “The display is huge. At first it seems like no big deal, but when you see how many there are actually (7532 gates of 1.089 million yards of orange fabric), it becomes an enormous deal. It makes people smile.”
The day after The Gates opened on February 13, The New York Times ran a feature on the front page with a photo either from a high rise or a helicopter. After seeing the photo, I think my son was right—the gates are much more impressive in person.
From this article, here are some other observations. The artists described them as “a river of bright color against the twigs and leafless branches.” (Maybe we need such bright gates to cover the damage of so many trees from the recent ice storm.)
The artists further described it as “a celebration of the processional, ceremonial walkways of the park” and said the “public spectacle of the gates is a part of the work itself.”
An observer said “It looks like Jeanne-Claude’s hair.”
Another said, “The prettiest curtains I’ve ever seen, like wintry butterflies.”
And an artist from Germany, “It’s impressive. It touches people. And it makes people happy. And to see the fabric moving—it’s so impressive.”
As the story points out, it took the artist several years to get the project approved—thus the official title, “1979-2005.”
This is not their first project—reporter James Barron said Christo and Jeanne-Claude “wrapped the Pont Neuf in Paris with fabric and rope; planted blue umbrellas over a 12-mile long valley in Japan; and yellow ones over a 24-mile valley in California; and wrapped the Reichstag in Berlin with 1.076 million square feet of silvery fabric and bright blue rope.”
And as the artists departed, the story says, Christo turned to utter just one word—“Ecstatic.”
Rhonda Beck
Twice is Nice
Twice is Nice, a new business owned and operated by Rhonda Beck in Coldwater at 120 South First Street will hold their Grand Opening November 22-November 24. Hours are Monday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday by appointment and closed on Sunday.
Owner Rhonda Beck explained to the media, that her business serves two purposes. “Twice is Nice is a resale shop that offers gently used home furnishings, collectibles and antiques at a great price. In addition the shop also serves as a community Furniture Pantry. The resale shop proceeds sustain the furniture pantry, which is a collaborative effort between Twice is Nice and OUR Home Family Resource Center.”
“Area families needing household furnishings will contact OUR Home who will keep a list of items available.” OUR Home contacts Rhonda Beck to schedule delivery of the items. Donations are accepted for both the Twice is Nice shop and the community Furniture Pantry.
Ronda Beck and her husband Ed moved to Coldwater two years ago when he was transferred from the Relizon Newark plant to the Coldwater facility. The Becks have three grown children: Stacey, Scott, and Jo, all who live in the Columbus area.
Once the Becks moved to Coldwater, Rhonda began volunteering at Harbor House and OUR Home Family Resource Center where she accepted a position as Community Resource Specialist. She began working on a major in Social Work at the Wright State University Lake Campus. Meanwhile, she attended auctions and flea markets “and soon had more items than she could use.”
She began looking for a place where she could open a place of her own to resale items and also store items for the Furniture Pantry of OUR Home. She found the perfect place at 120 South First Street in Coldwater, the former automobile display facility of Peanuts Werling, local Ford Dealer. The facility has lots of floor space with wall to wall ceiling to floor windows, and a good location. It was prefect. The Becks rented the facility and Rhonda has spent the last couple of months painting and renovating, getting ready for the Grand Opening.
Twice is Nice is open Monday through Thursday and by appointment on Friday and Saturday. Ms. Beck explained that she keeps the weekends open to attend auctions, get the furniture ready for display, and to visit with her family.
After graduating from Licking Valley High School near Newark, Ms. Beck held positions in retail stores in and near Newark, which will help her with her new business.
It is a spacious facility with clean, good furniture and furnishings. The large front windows really lend themselves to a great display of furniture from the street and sidewalk. During the few minutes of the interview, several customers came into the store to look around and make purchases. Adding to the homey atmosphere, Ms. Beck offers the customers and visitors a cup of tea with snacks and a chance to visit informally as they look around.
As Ms Beck explains, “Twice is Nice has something for all rooms in the home. We are like a household furnishings recycle shop with a little class. Stop in and visit with me.”
Anyone having items to donate or any items they would like to sell, call 419-678-2472 or 419-733-4272.
It is Rhonda’s intention to use her business as a service, to give back to the community by providing gently used furniture and furnishings at a reasonable price while also maintaining a Furniture Pantry for OUR Home Family Resource Center. She is dedicated to giving back to the community through her business.