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Pinchot Family’s Long Pool at Grey Towers National Historic Site – UNH 150th Anniversary Alumni Photo Exhibit

Pinchot Family's Long Pool- Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, PA

Pinchot Family’s Long Pool- Grey Towers National Historic Site, Milford, PA

I am thrilled and honored to have one of my photos selected by the University of New Hampshire’s Museum of Art for its 150th Anniversary Alumni Photography Exhibit in Durham, NH.

This picture and a series of images I submitted have special meaning for me especially during the Centennial of our National Park Service– “America’s Best Idea”.  My images captured beauty in parks, monuments and historic sites.  This particular one from the Grey Towers National Historic Site has very warm significance as it is the estate of James, Mary and Gifford Pinchot and their descendants- located in Milford, PA .  The Pinchots’ money created the Yale Forestry School and their son Gifford became our country’s first Chief of the Forest Service, serving under President Teddy Roosevelt.  Read his biography telling much more including his role as Governor of the State of Pennsylvania.

After leaving the University System of New Hampshire (Plymouth State College) in 1994 I was privileged to create the Career Development Office for Yale’s (now named)  School of the Environment.  It is the longest continuously operating forestry school in the US.  I have been privileged to visit Grey Towers on 3 occasions.  I highly encourage anyone traveling long Interstate 84 in PA to stop at this lovely spot dedicated by President Kennedy in 1961 after the Pinchot family gave the estate to the American people.  Interestingly, it is the only national “park” not administered by the NPS.  Because of Pinchot’s important link to the US Forest Service, this property falls under their management.  Housed at Grey Towers is also an important nonprofit organization that focuses on forest policy – The Pinchot Institute for Conservation.

Information can be found on the UNH Museum’s Facebook page. The exhibit is running from August 31 – October 16, 2016 (6 weeks). A public opening reception will take place Thursday, September 8, 2016, 6 – 8PM.  I have seen the works that will be included in the catalogue from the 22 photographers.  A variety of subjects and styles.  Do attend the reception on September 8th; or drop by during the 6 weeks the exhibit is hung for viewing.   My wife Bobbe and I will attend and would love to see some familiar faces that evening!!

Finally, please do let me know your reactions to the exhibit and to my contribution.

Peter

Peter Otis Photos, LLC

PLACES… plants… people… plus other gems…

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Gifford Pinchot, Grey Towers, James Pinchot, Milford, PA, Peter Otis, Peter Otis Photos, Pinchot Institute, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, U.S. Forest Service, Yale Forestry School, Yale University

Spring Is Coming to Branford, CT

Branford, CT

March 9, 2016

I happened to stop by the Branford Town Hall today and discovered that they had just received a shipment of their latest Branford Events magazine.  This is Volume 4 – Quarter 1 – 2016. It was a treat to be able to provide a snowy image for the last issue, but even nicer to give them a spring shot of the Branford Congregational Church and new leaves and blossoms reminding us of the direction our weather is heading over the next few weeks.

Happy Spring!

Peter

Peter Otis Photos, LLC

PLACES… PLANTS… people… plus other gems…

 

Branford Events Cover - Spring 2016 - Congregational Church, Blossoms and New Leaves (With Permission from Branford Events, published by Essex Printing and Events Magazines)
Branford Events Cover – Spring 2016 – Congregational Church, Blossoms and New Leaves (With Permission from Branford Events, published by Essex Printing and Events Magazines)

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Blossoms, Branford, Congregational Church, CT Branford Town Green, Essex Events Magazines, Essex Printing, Peter Otis, Peter Otis Photos, Spring

Mohegan Sun: A Playground for 9 From 4 to Much More

Sky Hotel Exterior- afternoon
Sky Hotel Exterior- afternoon
Harlem Globetrotters' showmanship
Harlem Globetrotters in their 90th year of excellence
Sky Hotel Interior Feature
River Blue Sculpture by Dale Chihuly

Uncasville, CT

Members of our family wanted to create a surprise birthday somewhere with activities that would appeal to all 9 of us, ranging from age 4 to, now, 70.

The top choice for a birthday gathering for our family with multiple interests and limited time available in winter with its unpredictable weather turned out to be Mohegan Sun just 45 minutes from our home and not much further for two families from Massachusetts. Elements to consider when finding a spot started with needing a swimming pool for kids! Reasonable room rates were essential (helped by some discounted rooms).  Then, we needed to find a spot during school vacation week and discovered that the Harlem Globetrotters were performing at Mohegan. Upon arrival and during our stay other parts of this location that made it special included the fact that the entire complex is a sensual display of sights, textures and sounds.  We even managed to spend our time in the smoke-free areas.  Our kiddos were fascinated by the escalators, the waterfalls and colorful pool in the hotel lobby, lighting effects, and “Robo-Wolf” near the the Wolf Den! Top it off with dinner at Pepe’s Pizza, gravity-defying displays and a “win” by the Globetrotters, gigantic breakfast pancakes and waffles at the Hash House A Go Go and extended water splashing time in the swimming pool.  It  made for a perfect visit!



Tribal symbols and history display
Hotel lobby water feature

Favorite swimming pool
Robo- Wolf
Water and rocks

 

Pre-sunrise the following morning found me heading toward the cove way below our room and adjacent to the Thames River to capture these images.


 

Take a look at this slide show of inside and outside textures and colors:

Mercenaria mercenaria – hard wampum clams
“stone”
pool water

outside buildings
oyster shells
dugout wood

land, water and glass
interior floral glass by Dale Chihuly
coniferous trees and glass

deciduous trees and glass
white birch
corn mosaic behind concierge desk

River Blue Sculpture
toboggan wood
building exteriors

River Blue Sculpture
textures above
mosaic behind registration desk

textures above
“ice crystals”
ceiling

textures above
water
lights

 

Unexpected bonuses:  (1) The  towering glass sculpture by world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Titled “River Blue,” (10,000-pounds, 14 feet wide and 25 feet tall). ” Thousands of richly colored glass components, 2,500 in all, were hand-blown by a team of artisans in Seattle, then fully assembled on-site to make… the distinctive cobalt blue, silver and clear colored glass sculpture. ” (2) One of us had a chance to use the one quarter cent (yes 1/4 cent) slots and still come home with more that 1/2 of what she started with — $5.00. (3) The mini hallway-wide display of tribal symbols, history  and natural and man-made objects located up the escalator from Pepe’s Pizza. (4) The Harlem Globetrotters who are still playing great basketball in their 90th year. (5) One grandchild saying this is now his FAVORITE place to visit!  (6) And finally, the clarity of close-up and distance photos I captured using a new small camera with a prime 35 mm lens.


Who knows what fun family adventures will take place next, or where?

Peter Otis

Peter Otis Photos, LLC

PLACES… plants… people… PLUS OTHER GEMS…

Filed Under: Blog, Uncategorized Tagged With: casino, CT, Dale Chihuly, family fun, Harlem Globetrotters, Mohegan Sun, Mohegan Sun Arena, Peter Otis, Peter Otis Photos, River Blue, Swimming, Thames River, Uncasville

Recent Posts

  • Pinchot Family’s Long Pool at Grey Towers National Historic Site – UNH 150th Anniversary Alumni Photo Exhibit
  • Spring Is Coming to Branford, CT
  • Mohegan Sun: A Playground for 9 From 4 to Much More

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