Lots of famous people live in Riverdale Park. Back in the early 19th century these lands were the retreat for the folks who created this country. In fact, all the early residents of the town were paparazzi working for such tabloids as Poor Robert's Enquiries and Illustrations, Etchings, and Engravings of the Leisure Class. My attic is chock full of those rags, and by sharing that fact you know I am not making up this story. Verisimilitude, baby.
Among our celebrity community is Jim Landry whose photobjournal was linked on instapundit in February. For those of you not familiar with e-celebrity that's some serious press. It's like being featured in the Washington Times. I will freely admit I'm jealous, and begrudgingly admit it is an okay bjournal. Then again, I suppose it would be a pyhrric promotion for me to get a shoutout from instapundit, being as how it's conservative blog.
Alice Ewan Walker was once on NPR. That's huge. NPR is the thinking man's Howard Stern Show, and Howard Stern is famous, too. When I think of Alice I am reminded of her confronting our county councilperson who just "happened" to be in the neighborhood. He "happened" to come into the bookshop the night of a political fundraiser for the current mayor. Watching the scene, I imagined she would at any moment grab his tie and get in his face, gritting her teeth saying, "What about the trees, you political scum?" Alas, she was only adamant and well spoken.
Come to think of it, my definition of "famous" might be a bit erudite. To make up for that, here's my current favorite joke:
Q: What's brown and sounds like a bell?
A: Dung.
I'm sure there are many more secret celebrities in this town. Please send tips and compromising photos my way.
Among our celebrity community is Jim Landry whose photobjournal was linked on instapundit in February. For those of you not familiar with e-celebrity that's some serious press. It's like being featured in the Washington Times. I will freely admit I'm jealous, and begrudgingly admit it is an okay bjournal. Then again, I suppose it would be a pyhrric promotion for me to get a shoutout from instapundit, being as how it's conservative blog.
Alice Ewan Walker was once on NPR. That's huge. NPR is the thinking man's Howard Stern Show, and Howard Stern is famous, too. When I think of Alice I am reminded of her confronting our county councilperson who just "happened" to be in the neighborhood. He "happened" to come into the bookshop the night of a political fundraiser for the current mayor. Watching the scene, I imagined she would at any moment grab his tie and get in his face, gritting her teeth saying, "What about the trees, you political scum?" Alas, she was only adamant and well spoken.
Come to think of it, my definition of "famous" might be a bit erudite. To make up for that, here's my current favorite joke:
Q: What's brown and sounds like a bell?
A: Dung.
I'm sure there are many more secret celebrities in this town. Please send tips and compromising photos my way.
posted by Maureen at 2:23 PM
4 Comments:
Dear Louella Parkette-
I can give you some famous Riverdale Park people of the past -- for beginners --
the "infamous" Aaron Burr was a guest at Riversdale in the early 1800s when he was VP for Thomas Jefferson -- he wanted to visit again, however, George Calvert would have none of it after his "affair with Hamilton."
Many, many times, George and Martha Washington's grandchildren rode in a carriage to the formal entrance door to be greeted by Rosalie Calvert for a visit that spanned many days (they always brought their young children and nursemaids with them).
I don't want to put the reading audience to sleep so I'll close with the two tidbits above -- there are many, many more "people from history" who once trod the ground and viewed the surround that makes up your homes today.
If you'd like to take more "walks back into history," just let me know and I'll give you more at a future comment session.
The History Ferg
I've claimed that I don't miss the East Coast, but now I'm wistful for the bits of American Colonial and Post-Revolutionary War history that used to filter through my daily life (and that I took for granted, because obviously, the REAL history was overseas).
Hey Parkette, Don't forget Riverdale Park was mentioned in the book "Cadillac Jack" by Larry McMurtry. The bookshop was specifically mentioned.
A tidbit from the Riverdale Park Reader.
Dear Parkette: Thanks for the plug. MusicFromTheFilm is not exactly breaking page-view records, but it is fun and the occasional feedback, whether yours or someone in Sweden, makes the small effort worthwhile. Thanks again.
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