Blogging Along the Brandywine: A series of disjointed ramblings

Posted by Sally Denk Hoey on April 23, 2009

Now before you go into panic mode, the next 530 words will not be a critique of watercolor technique in the Brandywine Valley.

If someone started discussing an impasto, a chiascuro or a gouache I would probably think they were talking about their latest foray into Eastern Mediterranean cuisine.

And although I've been attending the private exhibition openings at the Chadds Ford Gallery for almost 30 years, I will readily admit that a big motivating factor is, as I always say, “to see and to be seen”.

But this time I went with a great deal of trepidation as it was the first such function I was covering for Chadds Ford Live.

Fortunately, as soon as I arrived, I spied Dr. Paul Feltz who was there with his lovely wife Jan. They had stopped by for a few minutes on their way to the Rainbow Theater in Lancaster to see a British comedy.

Oh wait…stop the presses …this is not my style …let’s start again.

Before I see any art, my first stop is the covered porch for the hot hors d'oeuvres, vegetable crudités and a glass of wine. A lot of others had the same idea too.

Each time the chefs from the Brandywine Prime, catering Friday’s affair, brought in more trays to refill the chafing dishes they were set upon by the likes of a pack of hungry wolves.

I enjoyed the art too...really !

And just so gallery director Barbara Moore doesn't curse me under her breath
whenever she sees me, every few years, despite my best intentions and limitations of my bank accounts, I do succumb to a piece of original art.

It’s always heart-pounding love at first sight as the masterpiece hypnotically calls me from across a crowded room, "Saaal-ly....buuuy meeeeee."

Most women complain about not having enough closet space - I always want
more wall space.

But back to Paul Scarborough, whose works were flying off the walls and being sold before they were even dry. He told me he was doing the same as always, “painting and fishing”.

My personal favorite was a rich water color of the woods at “The Big Bend” called “Brandywine Bluebells”. I closed my eyes to imagine myself in the solitude, ankle-deep in Bluebells, hearing only the gentle rippling of the Brandywine and the clear song of the tiny cardinal Paul had all but concealed in the distant branches.

As I was leaving, I saw the daughter of a long time friend who I had not seen in many years, and went over to give her a hug.

“Sally”, she said, “Have you met my husband Steve?”

“I’m sure I have”, I said as we shook hands. “It must have been at your wedding reception. How many years has that been? “, I asked recalling the beautifully catered affair on the elegant grounds behind the Pennsbury Inn.

After a momentary silence she laughed, “Oh, that was a different husband” she explained. “This is my second”

I guess I have to practice some more on this social reporting.

P.S. Barbara, I ate all your M&M’s- sorry.

About Sally Denk Hoey

Sally Denk Hoey, is a Gemini - one part music and one part history. She holds a masters degree cum laude from the School of Music at West Chester University. She taught 14 years in both public and private school. Her CD "Bard of the Brandywine" was critically received during her almost 30 years as a folk singer. She currently cantors masses at St Agnes Church in West Chester where she also performs with the select Motet Choir. A recognized historian, Sally serves as a judge-captain for the south-east Pennsylvania regionals of the National History Day Competition. She has served as president of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates as well as the Sanderson Museum in Chadds Ford where she now curates the violin collection. Sally re-enacted with the 43rd Regiment of Foot and the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment for 19 years where she interpreted the role of a campfollower at encampments in Valley Forge, Williamsburg, Va., Monmouth, N.J. and Lexington and Concord, Mass. Sally is married to her college classmate, Thomas Hoey, otherwise known as "Mr. Sousa.”