Josh Kilmer-Purcell's Blog, page 68
July 30, 2013
Wedding Photos – Guest POV
Hollywood in Sharon Springs
Long before “The Millionaire Matchmaker” and before Sharon Springs became the setting for a reality TV show, it was a playground for the wealthy and the idle which made it the perfect setting for the George Cukor directed trifle, The Model and the Marriage Broker.
The movie summary:
Marriage broker Mae Swasey, who somewhat cynically arranges her loser clients’ affairs, meets model Kitty Bennett and can’t resist meddling in her life, by disentangling her from a married man and fixing her up with a nice radiologist. Of course things go wrong…
The movie came and went and was nearly forgotten—even by those who lived in Sharon Springs at the time of its premier.
Last year, FOX Studios started releasing select pieces from its film archive on DVD as part of its Fox Cinema Archives series.
The New York Times wrote:
Fox was the first studio to embrace the new realism that emerged after World War II, and this delicate 1951 comedy of loneliness gave the great George Cukor, on the rebound from nearly two decades of artificiality as an MGM contract director, a chance to explore the rarely depicted middle-class Manhattan of workday professionals. Jeanne Crain is the department store model whose inbred hauteur gets a healthy shake-up from a matchmaker (a nuanced Thelma Ritter) who believes she’d be better off with an X-ray technician (Scott Brady) than her married lover. Milton R. Krasner’s black-and-white studio photography blends nicely with some evocative Flatiron district location work in this handsome disc. Of the current batch of Fox Cinema Archive titles, this one is a real keeper.
So with the NYT weighing in, we guess we WILL keep it!
Let us remind you that if you visit Sharon Springs, you may just find your perfect match—if not in a mate then in a neighbor!
July 28, 2013
Put a Bow On It
We’ve never been afraid of playing a little “dress-up”–either choosing our clothes or up-cycling a piece of furniture.
For our wedding, Karen Tenney, one of our B. 1802 weavers, hand-wove this beautiful fabric which was then given to Boutaugh to craft into a bow tie for Brent to wear. (Our friend, Chris Wrobleski, is the founder of Boutaugh and previously shared tips on how you can make your own tie at home. Click here)
We had enough fabric left over that an additional tie was made, and we want to share it with you.
In the comments section below us, share your best tip for turning something old into something new. A winner will be chosen at random from all of the comment selected.
Wee Wheels
We first met Nick when he pulled up in front of the Mercantile a couple of years ago in the cutest car we had ever seen. He said at the time that he planned to move to Sharon Springs the following year.
We honestly didn’t believe him. We’ve heard it all before.
But move he did, and now he’s already taken on the Sharon Springs Spirit to create his own event in town!
the 1st Annual Sharon Springs Wee Wheels Tiny Car Show
Saturday, August 3rd
Nicks says:
I’ve always been attracted to strange, little things. Which is why my love for the tiny village of Sharon Springs, and for tiny vintage microcars makes perfect sense. Hosting a tiny car show became a way to share vintage microcars with the community, most of which are so rare their mere existence is often a surprise to people. Similar to the village of Sharon Springs, which became a destination for holocaust survivors after World War II, vintage microcars became popular in the postwar period as an affordable alternative to typical transportation. Throughout Europe, their small size made inner city travel and parking a breeze. In the US, the postwar period was a time of excess, and microcars were simply viewed as too weird by most American consumers, even in their heyday. Most of the cars in Saturday’s event date from the 1950’s and 1960’s, and include makes such as the BMW Isetta, Messerschmitt Kr200, and the original Fiat 500.
Come join us this Saturday, August 3rd, rain or shine! The public show will be held from 11am-4pm in the parking lot next to 204 Main Bar & Bistro. The event is free for registrants and the general public. Vote for your favorite tiny car, take a peek around our tiny village, and just revel in the tininess of it all!
When: Saturday, August 3rd, 11am-4pm
Where: Rear Parking Lot, 204 Main St, Sharon Springs, NY
For event updates, go to weewheelsny.com
For any other questions, please contact your host Nick Drummond at nick7764@hotmail.com
July 25, 2013
Wedding Elixirs
Warren Bobrow, author of Apothecary Cocktails, Restoratives from Yesterday and Today is a master mixologist (and the guardian for our Soused Gnome), and he created the signature cocktails for the wedding.
Any good celebration begins with something good in a glass, and these concoctions are just perfect for any summertime entertaining.
The Rose of Sharon (For one aromatic cocktail)
1.5 oz. Star Vodka (or your choice)
1/2 oz. Royal Rose Simple Syrup of Roses
4 oz. Polar Seltzer Mint Mojito Soda Water
1 Dash- Fee Brothers West Indian Orange Bitters
1 Dash- Basement Bitters (Hudson Distilling, NY)
Sprig of Garden Spearmint
1/2 Lemon Pinwheel
Spring Fizz (for one mocktail)
1/2 oz. Royal Rose Simple Syrup of Roses
4 oz. Polar Seltzer Ruby Red Grapefruit Soda Water
Sprig of Garden Spearmint
1/2 Lemon Pinwheel
1 Dash- Bitter Truth Lemon Bitters
2 Drops Bitter End Moroccan Bitters
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July 23, 2013
Gartending: Big Easy Gin Fizzy
Klaus just got back from New Orleans where he participated in the yearly event named Tales of the Cocktail. It is also know more commonly as Tales. It was at Tales last year that Klaus caught the cocktail bug. He always had it deep inside his little ceramic heart to be included in the travel. He gets so excited from going into the soft leather briefcase, wrapped carefully in a towel. When he goes through the TSA security he wonders why this perfectly normal person with the wild hair would have a German Drinking Gnome in his computer bag? It’s hard to say, but as I discovered in France with gnomes all are not what they seem. I was passing through security in Charles du Galle airport and the two young men looking down at me from the bridge over the security area were looking at me very intently. They said something to their communication gear and two more equally disturbing young men carrying sub-machine guns were escorting me to a back room. It’s very efficient and very crisp to see in a movie, less so when the cold steel of a gun is directed towards you. I have to admit it was a bit exciting, but scary all the same. Before I was led off to the bowels of the airport for a precursory conversation I glanced at the video monitor that had just x-rayed my briefcase, I saw the outline of Klaus: The Soused Gnome.
I knew all would be fine!
So when Klaus arrived in New Orleans after an uneventful trip and he found himself riding on top of the world famous Carousel Bar! Marvin himself, in the flesh sitting right there in front of him, waiting for Klaus to say three magic words, Ramos Gin Fizz!!!!! And so it goes. Klaus at the bar, Marvin at the ready and Klaus is silent! The Carousel gave a small shudder and time seemed to stand still, even for a moment. At that very moment a little Ramos Gin Fizz appeared as if by magic in front of Klaus. His own little drink! History in a glass personified! And Klaus, sitting up there on the bar, watching the world go by in historic New Orleans, the land of dreams, 15 minutes round and round and round. The room changes, Klaus makes new friends and all is brilliant for a 15 minute parcel of the day. The two Ramos Gin Fizzes that I enjoyed in Marvin’s care were the two greatest experiences of my life. And the simple act of making a tiny one for Klaus endeared me to this place forever. Thank you Hotel Monteleone. You are a class act. And while I’m on the track with Klaus sitting in front of me, I think of the happiness that he brings to a room. Not everyone gets it, far from. At 52 I can be eccentric! Most of my peers in the room are ½ my age or more. Not that this is bad, far from- but Klaus is painfully aware of his place in the universe. Recently he found out his age and it caused him great alarm. I will say that he’s older that I thought and in pretty good shape for his age! At any rate that cocktail that Marvin made for him was the most refreshing and delicious thing ever. The Ramos Gin Fizz is a historic cocktail with only a couple of ingredients. You should use a gin that is dry, instead of botanical. It should play well with others so to speak. The milk that you use is equally important. Whole milk is a necessity. DO NOT USE SKIM. I’ll rue the day that you make a venerable cocktail such as the Ramos Gin Fizz with Skim Milk… that is just not done.
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RAMOS GIN FIZZ
The Ramos Gin Fizz as produced by Marvin at the Carousel Bar in New Orleans
From what I saw this is approximately the recipe. Klaus was in the way.
2 oz London Dry Gin
.25 Lemon juice (it looked very fresh from the kitchen)
.25 lime (also fresh, no excuses)
.25 simple syrup (I like the Rock Candy Simple from my friend Joe Fee)
2 oz. heavy whipping cream
an egg white, no shells! Be careful!
One shake orange flower water
Spritz of seltzer. I used Perrier Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
All goes into a Boston Shaker filled ¾ with ice then shake like crazy for a while. How long? Oh, you’ll know. It’s supposed to be light and airy.
Pour into a Collins Glass with ice and top with a spritz of seltzer water.
Klaus had his in an old fashioned glass.
Connect with Warren. Click here
Gartending: Big Easy Gin Fizz
Klaus just got back from New Orleans where he participated in the yearly event named Tales of the Cocktail. It is also know more commonly as Tales. It was at Tales last year that Klaus caught the cocktail bug. He always had it deep inside his little ceramic heart to be included in the travel. He gets so excited from going into the soft leather briefcase, wrapped carefully in a towel. When he goes through the TSA security he wonders why this perfectly normal person with the wild hair would have a German Drinking Gnome in his computer bag? It’s hard to say, but as I discovered in France with gnomes all are not what they seem. I was passing through security in Charles du Galle airport and the two young men looking down at me from the bridge over the security area were looking at me very intently. They said something to their communication gear and two more equally disturbing young men carrying sub-machine guns were escorting me to a back room. It’s very efficient and very crisp to see in a movie, less so when the cold steel of a gun is directed towards you. I have to admit it was a bit exciting, but scary all the same. Before I was led off to the bowels of the airport for a precursory conversation I glanced at the video monitor that had just x-rayed my briefcase, I saw the outline of Klaus: The Soused Gnome.
I knew all would be fine!
So when Klaus arrived in New Orleans after an uneventful trip and he found himself riding on top of the world famous Carousel Bar! Marvin himself, in the flesh sitting right there in front of him, waiting for Klaus to say three magic words, Ramos Gin Fizz!!!!! And so it goes. Klaus at the bar, Marvin at the ready and Klaus is silent! The Carousel gave a small shudder and time seemed to stand still, even for a moment. At that very moment a little Ramos Gin Fizz appeared as if by magic in front of Klaus. His own little drink! History in a glass personified! And Klaus, sitting up there on the bar, watching the world go by in historic New Orleans, the land of dreams, 15 minutes round and round and round. The room changes, Klaus makes new friends and all is brilliant for a 15 minute parcel of the day. The two Ramos Gin Fizzes that I enjoyed in Marvin’s care were the two greatest experiences of my life. And the simple act of making a tiny one for Klaus endeared me to this place forever. Thank you Hotel Monteleone. You are a class act. And while I’m on the track with Klaus sitting in front of me, I think of the happiness that he brings to a room. Not everyone gets it, far from. At 52 I can be eccentric! Most of my peers in the room are ½ my age or more. Not that this is bad, far from- but Klaus is painfully aware of his place in the universe. Recently he found out his age and it caused him great alarm. I will say that he’s older that I thought and in pretty good shape for his age! At any rate that cocktail that Marvin made for him was the most refreshing and delicious thing ever. The Ramos Gin Fizz is a historic cocktail with only a couple of ingredients. You should use a gin that is dry, instead of botanical. It should play well with others so to speak. The milk that you use is equally important. Whole mile is a necessity. DO NOT USE SKIM. I’ll rue the day that you make a venerable cocktail such as the Ramos Gin Fizz with Skim Milk… that is just not done.
<
>
RAMOS GIN FIZZ
The Ramos Gin Fizz as produced by Marvin at the Carousel Bar in New Orleans
From what I saw this is approximately the recipe. Klaus was in the way.
2 oz London Dry Gin
.25 Lemon juice (it looked very fresh from the kitchen)
.25 lime (also fresh, no excuses)
.25 simple syrup (I like the Rock Candy Simple from my friend Joe Fee)
2 oz. heavy whipping cream
an egg white, no shells! Be careful!
One shake orange flower water
Spritz of seltzer. I used Perrier Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
All goes into a Boston Shaker filled ¾ with ice then shake like crazy for a while. How long? Oh, you’ll know. It’s supposed to be light and airy.
Pour into a Collins Glass with ice and top with a spritz of seltzer water.
Klaus had his in an old fashioned glass.
Connect with Warren. Click here
July 22, 2013
Summer Peaches
Fresh Peaches in Cilantro Syrup
It is deceptively difficult to improve on the fresh flavors of summer produce.
Millions of years of evolution have made a peach fully ripened on a tree perfectly irresistible.
But that doesn’t stop us from trying.
We always love trying different combinations of flavors when the summer harvest is at its most bountiful.
Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t.
This experiment was one that ‘wowed’ our guests. The unexpected earthy and citrus-y notes of the fresh cilantro leaves perfectly accentuate the sweetness of the peach.
Ingredients
peaches (one peach for each serving)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 small bunch of fresh cilantro
Instructions
Peel and halve peaches, removing the pit. Place in a large bowl
Prepare a simple syrup by putting one cup of sugar and one cup of water in a sauce pan and bringing to boil. Stir until all sugar has dissolved.
Once sugar has dissolved completely, remove from heat and toss in the cilantro (it is fine to use stems and all)
Allow cilantro to steep for one hour then strain the syrup
Pour the syrup over the peaches and refrigerate until chilled.
Garnish with a cilantro leaf
July 21, 2013
5 Beautiful Things
A Stitch In Time
Before I knew about Miyuki Sakai, a Japanese textile artist living in San Francisco, I had never heard of drawing with stitchery. I had seen many examples of beautiful embroidery but none quite as organic and free-form as Miyuki’s. Her inspirations are found in the everyday: a beautiful pie at a local bakery, a stack of pancakes at a café, milk bottles, a flower arrangement or a baskets of berries.
Born in Osaka, Japan, Miyuki spent hours watching and learning from her mother, who made all of her children’s clothing by hand. During her down time, Miyuki learned to use the sewing machine herself and created her own unique work. After graduating from the Kyoto Art College and living in Tokyo for several years, Sakai now enjoys a home and career in the United States and has won several awards for her embroidery work, including the bronze Art Directors Club Award for her work with Martha Stewart Living.
Below are five examples of her work. I marvel at how the stitching looks so much like pencil lines. Visit her website, here. Beautiful, indeed!
July 13, 2013
The Chatter for July
We’ve lobbied really hard for Garrison Keillor to give up life in Lake Wobegone and move to Sharon Springs, but thus far he has not answered our letters or returned our calls.
Sharon Springs has beautiful people and above-average children, too, so on to Plan B.
What is a small town village without a small town paper to keep track of what everyone is doing?
Nancy Pfau, the town historian, is now editor of our own little paper.
Each month you can check back here for a new issue and follow the lives of the real village people. If you pay a real visit, you may even want to submit a story idea of your own!
You may not live in small town, but at least you can pretend.
See below for the July 2013 Issue
View this document on Scribd
