Museum that honors the 1969 Woodstock concert to open

by Jamie Rhein on

On June 2, The Museum at Bethel Woods will open on the site where the 3-days long Woodstock Music and Art Fair happened 40 years ago. The museum will include concert memorabilia, stories, multi-media experiences, and cultural highlights of war protests, fashion and much about the 1960s.

This was the time of Flower Power, war protests, and people looking for ways to self-actualize. Of course, some folks just wanted to hear some mighty fine music. Consider the line up that included: Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Santana, Blood Sweat and Tears, The Band, Joan Baez, Jimmy Hendrix, etc. etc. etc.

Although, the name of the concert was Woodstock, it wasn’t actually held in the town of that name, but 43 miles away in Bethel at the 600-acre pasture of Max Yasgur’s farm. The town of Woodstock came up with ordinances to prevent the concert from happening there, so the farm became the happening place. Despite the rain, 440,000 people gathered. For many, the concert symbolized their quest for freedom and hope.

For an in depth history of the concert, check out this Web site, “1969 Woodstock Festival and Concert.” It includes a Times Herald-Record article by Elliot Tiber that details how the event came to be with insider type tales.

Already there is the Bethel Woods Center for the Performing Arts on the property so the museum will be a companion to that. It is hoped that the museum will bring much needed dollars to Sullivan County. Although, I’ve been to Woodstock–the town that is in Ulster County several times, I haven’t been to this version. Now that there’s the museum, I’ll make the trip.

The museum looks like it will be fantastic. For some, perhaps it will be a trip down memory lane. For others a history lesson. Anyone who loves the mix of social issues, politics and music should think about heading here. Pair the trip with a stop in Woodstock, the actual town. The two are companion pieces in a way, and the Mid-Hudson Valley region of New York is absolutely splendid–even if all you do is drive around on the narrow, windy Ulster County or Sullivan County roads.

Here’s a tip, when on a windy county road in upstate New York, slow down on curves when it’s raining, Otherwise, you can sail off into a ditch with the undercarriage of the car scraping on pavement. I know; it happened.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Changing of the Guard

by Jamie Rhein on

At 3:00 p.m. today, there is a supposed to be a moment of silence to honor those who have died in war. I’m not usually one to be moved by pomp and circumstance, although, during high school graduations, the song “Pomp and Circumstance” played by a high school band does tear me up. Even though this is how I am, the “Changing of the Guard” at the Tomb of the Unknowns, another name for the memorial in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., is an experience I’ve never forgotten. There is something tender and honorable in the gesture of remembrance. So, here is my 3:00 p.m. EST offering.

The laying of a wreath at the tomb is one in which the public can participate. Here are four middle schoolers doing just that. Ignore the kid at the end of the video. The person who shot the tape was not too pleased, but in a way, that’s how life is. As we travel about, those we come in contact with don’t necessarily see life–or memorials, the way we do.

Murray City, Utah: American Idol runner-up, David Archuleta’s hometown

by Jamie Rhein on

As I wrote in my post about Blue Springs, Missouri, David Cook’s hometown, I wondered about these hometowns during the segment of American Idol where the contestants go back to visit where they are from. The places that are big enough to hold the crowds that gather to cheer on their hometown favorites always seem to be a mall or a football field–not the things that distinguish one town from another or draw travelers to them.

Even though David Archuleta didn’t win, here’s a Murray City post anyway. Its history, like Blue Springs’ history, tells the tale of settlers moving west. In Murray City, the first to show up were the Mormon pioneers, however, over time, the ethnic groups and religions have become quite diverse, partly because of the railroad. Murray City once had the largest ore smelter in the region.

Murray City is also similar to Blue Springs in its population count and its location to a large metropolitan area. Murray City is close to Salt Lake City.

So, what is there to do in Murray City besides troll around looking for David Archuleta hangouts? There is a lot to do if you live in Murray City, but it’s not set up for tourists that I can tell. Here’s what I found to do.

You can tour the Murray City Museum at the city hall to find out about the city’s history.

At the Heritage Center there are dances and various classes that you might be able to stop in as a visitor, but they are set up for town residents, I imagine.

The Murray Park Amphitheater offers performances through the Arts in the Park Series. Just like in Blue Springs, you can golf.

In my impression, Murray City is one of the places to live, and not necessarily to visit, unless you’re on the lookout for David Archuleta. Just remember, the guy is a person and not a tourist attraction.

Happy birthday, Brooklyn Bridge

by Jeremy Kressmann on

As a New Yorker, I sometimes tend to get a bit jaded about the incredible sights all around me. Times Square might be cool to visitors, but to me it’s nothing but gaudy neon and schlocky souvenirs. United Nations? Pretty neat, but quite a headache when you’re trying to get to work on the East Side and some diplomat’s motorcade makes you take the “long walk” to the office.

But then today, I noticed that it was the 125th anniversary of the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge and I had to take pause. The Brooklyn Bridge is probably my favorite New York landmark – not only for the breathtaking views you get when you walk across it, but also for its historic importance to the city and to American innovation in general. First opened on May 24th, 1883, the 6,000 foot long bridge was considered one of the greatest American engineering marvels of its time. It is perhaps a fitting tribute that the bridge is still fully operational today, transporting pedestrians and vehicles much as it did when it first opened 125 years ago.

If you happen to be in New York this evening, take a stroll down to the old bridge and check out the festivities, which include fireworks, a new lighting scheme and even a U.S. Navy flyover. And if you can’t make it, make sure to stroll across it the next time you’re in town. It’s definitely worth the trip.

Blue Springs, Missouri: David Cook, American Idol’s hometown

by Jamie Rhein on

While watching American Idol’s tours of the top contestants’ hometowns, I noticed that each town has a way of looking like there’s nothing to see but a shopping mall, a stadium and either an elementary school or a high school. After Cook won American Idol last night, I thought, I bet some folks are going to drive through Blue Springs to see what it’s like to be where a million dollar winner grew up. What’s there exactly?

Blue Springs does have a history that predates Kansas City which is close enough for Blue Springs folks to claim the Kansas City Royals as something to be proud of. Settlers on their journey elsewhere –probably Kansas City–although, the real adventurous types kept heading west, stopped to get water from the spring fed by the Little Blue River. Some did stay in Blue Springs to put up a grist mill and a railroad station to help with trade to the area.

Trade means a small town. At least that’s the case with Blue Springs which, I would bet, struggles to be seen as more than suburban community of Kansas City. Look around the United States, and you’ll find many examples of what I’m talking about. Around Columbus, Ohio, I’d put Worthington and Upper Arlington in that category. From the description on Blue Spring’s Chamber of Commerce Web site, I’d say their demographics are similar as well. Sure, they are their own towns, but if you drive from where I live in Columbus to either of them, there’s non-stop residential areas and commercial property connecting us.

Still, Blue Springs does have its own identity. If I were going, I’d head to the Dillingham-Lewis Museum of the Blue Springs Historical Society. Even though it serves mostly as an archival library, it is a significant house in Blue Springs and gives a glimpse of life well before David Cook had confetti rain down on him.

Blue Springs also has a large number of parks. Head to Burrus Old Mill Park, one of the oldest and where the town was originally located before it moved closer to the railroad station. It’s a basic park with lots of trees and picnic areas with barbecue pits. There is also a free skate park.

Close by in Lee’s Summit, is Missouri Town, a living history village museum of buildings that replicate the period of the 1820s to 1860s.

What else is there to do in Blue Springs? You can golf.

Also, if you go, don’t smoke in these places. The smoking ordinance went into effect May 1, 2008.