As the slave ownership discussion took place, I thought of Beth and sensed a missing voice. She sometimes had a tart, "You youngsters shouldn't be messing with me," voice on the list. But, she was also one of the first to direct us to crafts fairs, community celebrations or events at the Arts League.
I suffered a house fire once, in 1985, during a brief foray of living in Center City. I lost many of the photos I had of family. The losses were huge, because my parents were dead, and the photos represented one way to tap into and restore half lost memories. I know the weight of those lost pictures and so realize the enormity of losing a friend and neighbor to fire. The Irish tradition is to 'wake the dead. To stay awake, with the body for the time it takes to say good bye and put it in the ground. It is a time of reminiscence, of overeating and over drinking. It is an opportunity to explore the most brutal truths and the wildest exaggerations. There are even bragging rights for the best stories. It is time to internalize a prayerful desire to forgive and be forgiven, to say goodbye in peace and with affection and to wish safe passage to the departed. I last saw Beth, on March 19, in the basement of Cavalry Church. She was bustling around the kitchen, serving dinners to the performers and guests at an undersold "CROSSROADS" concert. I am happy I was able to compliment her on delicious food and thoughtful menu. For us Omnivores she had created a St. Patrick's dinner of parsley potatoes, boiled cabbage, corn beef and soda bread. The Vegetarians were offered a hearty Chili with brown rice. The meal came with dessert and coffee and diners choice of bottled water or juice. Ticket holders could buy the sumptuous meal for $5.00 inclusive, while performers ate for free. You could tell that many of the performers were not used to such great home made food, served by a motherly, blue-jeaned woman with gray braids. I watched as several folks confirmed "This is free". Beth and the performers exchanged little social bits that revealed a mutual admiration society. She was a "groupie" to their talent, they were nourished, supported and encouraged by her attention and food. Beth and I shared disappointment at how few neighbors had taken advantage of the concert. And we expressed joy at seeing that people had come in from the suburbs and even other states. Conversations that swirled around us regarded attendance at and comparison of folk festivals. Tallies were kept on who had attended the greatest number of festivals. It was clear even the youngsters had "lived". It was a roomful of real people who had traveled. Some were self taught, but all seemed to have a vast knowledge of music, culture and getting along. Larry and I are not part of the folk scene, we just found ourselves, at the last minute, with some rare time together and this concert offered the easiest, walk-to "date". We happily enjoyed a good meal, good company and three very different performances. First was Erik Peterson, who pulls coffee at Green-Line Next were the "WIYOS". A group of self-described music nerds, and a jug band that coupled music and comedy in a fun way. Last was the "Luminescent Orchestrii" playing passionate gypsy music and heartrending Boleros with vocals in Rumanian and Spanish. I regret that I did not make time to put compliments on the list, while Beth was here to read them. Many of us have good ideas or intentions, but so little time. So, here I am, thanking Beth posthumously, for her work to expand culture and community. And it seems fair to thank neighbor Daniel Flaumenhoft, for making CROSSROADS available to us. And former neighbor, Nelson Wicas, who worked to find financing to get this program off the ground at Calvary church. And to also thank the Cherry Tree Cooperative folks who kept folk history and music alive in UC, first at St. Mary's and now at Calvary. I hope friends and neighbors will check out future events. Tickets are only $11, or $6 for kids and seniors. The venue at 48th and Baltimore is a uniquely embracing space of incredible volume and beauty. The nature of death (and life) are mysterious. When the deceased was a neighbor on 49th Street, the loss was news, but when the "neighbor" became Beth, the loss became breathtaking and felt. The same is true with births. Every healthy baby is adorable. We feel joy at the news of new babies, but when the baby is one of our own, there can be love at first sight. I will probably find an excuse to visit with CJ, MA. JC and/or BT, other woman who know how to comfort with food and reality. I hope someone will forward a picture of Beth to me, and that other stories of her will be shared. Good bye Beth, you will be missed. Liz On Mon, 4 Apr 2005 11:06:45 EDT [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > > Sadly, some of us have become aware that the person who lost her > life was a > member of this listserv, Beth Showell.� Beth, a retired teacher from > West > Philadelphia High School, was a former president of Cedar Park > Neighbors and was > active in many community endeavors for many years.� Currently she > was in charge > of the dinners that were served at Calvary during the Crossroads > Music Series, > and Abbraccio served her wonderful carrot cake as one of its > popular > desserts.�She was also very involved with the University City Arts > League's craft > shows and events. > > I have not heard any additional details. ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
