Collections

The Fendig Gallery at the Carnegie Center has a new exhibit that will be on display until August 25. It is called "Collections" and as you might expect, it has paintings.

 It also has some sculpture. The exhibit honors Bob & Helen Lewis and these are from their collection. The late Bob Lewis was one of the organizers of the Prairie Arts Council.

However, the exhibit has some things you might not expect in an art exhibit, such as a collection of toys from old Cracker Jack boxes. (Younger visitors might not understand this one. At one time there was a prize in every Cracker Jack box.)

 Another unusual collection was of old cameras.

 A working phonograph that used cylinders was on display. These were considered outdated when I was a kid more than half a century ago.

 The opening reception for the exhibit was on Friday. Also on Friday Fenwick Farms was celebrating the completion of their outdoor seating area. The sidewalk in front has a plaque with their name. Fenwick Farms has done a lot to revitalize the south end of downtown.

 A number of summer activities have finished, including the summer swim team, which won its fifth consecutive league title. Tonight the Children's Summer Theater will have its final performance of Newsies. Other activities, however, are starting. Runners are gathering at Brookside Park in the mornings to get into shape for the coming school year.

The Fair has opened. Newton County Fair was this past week and it had its carnival rides canceled. I hope that they had a penalty clause in the contract with the ride company.

Finally, people in Rensselaer have been hearing the crop dusters this week.