Blanchard House Museum Presents Espionage Exhibit

I'm an espionage fan from way back.  And so I found myself recently at Punta Gorda's own Blanchard House Museum to see its exhibit on "African-American Espionage During the Civil War."  It was an interesting exhibit that showcased the bravery--and creativity-- of African-Americans who fought against slavery during the Civil War by serving as spies.  

I enjoyed the irony of the fact that racism resulted in African-Americans being well-situated to engage in espionage.  Slaves were part of the background of Southern life.  Most slave owners assumed that African-Americans lacked the intelligence to understand information they overheard about troop movements and the like.  And of course most, but not all, slaves were illiterate, so important documents were often left in plain view for slaves who did have reading skills to see.  (This tidbit reminded me of the scene in "Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd when Sarah is told that she has engaged in an act of treason by teaching Handful how to read.)    

One device used to pass information was the “clothesline telegraph,” Dabney was a cook with Union General Joseph Hooker's camp outside Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Dabney's wife (whose name is not known) worked as a laundress in Fredericksburg for a number of Confederate soldiers, a job that allowed her access to considerable information about troop movements.  The couple established a system pursuant to which each Confederate general was assigned a shirt color and and each placement of the shirt on the clothesline represented a different location.  With each change to the clothesline, Dabney and, in turn, General Hooker received considerable intelligence about Confederate plans.   

Not all whites were of the view that African-Americans should remain slaves.  Elizabeth Van Lew was from a prominent Richmond family.  Following her father's death, all of the slaves in the Van Lew household were freed.  Among them was Mary Bowser.  Recognizing Bowser's intelligence, Van Lew arranged for her to be educated at the Quaker School for Negroes in Philadelphia.  Bowser returned to Richmond after graduation, and Van Lew enlisted her as a spy.  Bowser worked as a housemaid for Jefferson Davis at the “Southern White House” where documentation about the war was readily available.  (For those of us who have forgotten our history, Davis was the President of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.)  Little did President and Mrs. Davis know that Bowser was not only literate, but she had a photographic memory.   

One way that Bowser passed along information was through the use of  hollowed out eggs that were placed in a basket along with real eggs.  When the eggs were delivered, the recipient could make an omelet while deciphering the coded message.  

And who doesn’t love the old invisible ink trick?  It was a favorite of Van Lew as well.  A secret message would be written in sugar water in a seemingly innocuous piece of correspondence, only to be revealed when the recipient passed the letter over a flame.  Simple yet effective.  

Thanks to Dr. Martha Bireda, Executive Director of Blanchard House Museum, and Jill, Scot and Beth Shively for putting together this interesting exhibit.

You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz

As I gear up for my annual outing to Book Expo, I've been perusing my bookshelves to see what books I lugged home from last year's event that remain unread.  "You Should Have Known" by Jean Hanff Korelitz was one of them.  There's been a profusion of reviews (universally favorable) about this thriller from papers and magazines as disparate as the New York Times and People and Vogue.  So what was I waiting for?

Perhaps it was the premise of the book that put me off.  Grace, our protagonist, is a therapist on the Upper East Side who specializes in couples/relationship therapy.  She's written a book -- entitled "You Should Have Known" -- whose thesis is that if people just paid more attention early on in a (failed) relationship, they would be able to identify all those character traits that ultimately become so unbearable in your partner.

Graces chastises her clients (at least to herself) for not listening to that inner voice.  In an interview about her upcoming book, she says, "If we were to bring to [relationships] a fraction of the care we brought to, for example, our consumer decisions, problems would arise far less than they do?...We'll try on twenty pairs of shoes before we make a purchase.  We'll read reviews by total strangers before we choose someone to install our carpeting.  But we turn off our bullshit detector and toss out our own natural impressions because we find someone attractive, or because he seems interested in us.  He could be holding up a placard that says I will take your money, make passes at your girlfriends and leave you consistently bereft of love and support and we'll find a way to forget that we ever knew that.  We'll find a way to un-know that."  Hmm.

Korelitz' writing is very readable, and she interjects a fair amount of humor and satire into her work.  Take, for instance, the committee meeting for a benefit for her son's school that Grace attends.  On the list of auction items:  a "toe shortening" by a doctor who's "famous for making the second toe shorter than the big toe." And later, at said benefit, Grace meets a woman "whose lips are so swollen that she wonders if the mild looking and slightly distracted looking man with her had recently hit her in the face."  (These scenes made me flash back to "Where'd You Go, Bernadette?" and its hilarious private school event.)

Of course, Grace gets her comeuppance -- in spades.  If only she had applied her advice to her own relationship.  The twists and turns are fairly remarkable, and once I cracked the book open, it was hard to put down.  "You Should Have Known" is a book worth bringing along on your summer vacation.

Best of......

Writing for Florida Weekly's "best of" edition (which compiles Charlotte County's "obscure, scandalous, the whimsical and wondrous") is always lots of fun.  Throughout the year, I keep my eyes open for curiosities that warrant a "best of" blurb.  Here are a few of my favorite submissions this year (along with their back stories).

A few months back, my friend Dorrit asked, "What's the deal with that knight sitting in the middle of a field just over the bridge?"  I have to admit that I'd never noticed him!  Now we both know.

Best Knight in Shining Armor

>>Statue by Wilson Real Estate

Auctioneer about town Phil Wilson long ago promised his wife Linda a knight in shining armor. On a trip to Mount Dora, Wilson came upon this physical incarnation of his promise and couldn’t resist. Who says chivalry is dead?  

I have always been an avid reader of mysteries and thrillers. So you can imagine my surprise (and excitement) when I learned that the Board of the Visual Arts Center has a former Secret Service agent in its midst--Jared Yankwitt.  The Secret Service's loss is our gain.

Best Keeper of Secrets:  Jared Yankwitt

Netflix’ “House of Cards” might make being a secret service agent look glamorous (especially if you’re watching over the Underwoods), but former agent Jared Yankwitt confides that the job is actually pretty boring. He might just be being coy, though. After all, he did have a top secret security clearance.  

I am on the look-out for amusing signage throughout the year, and Calusa State Bank often has something to offer.  Earlier in the season the marquee read:  "When life gives you lemmings, make lemonade."  It got my attention, but also grossed me out.  I liked this one a lot more. 

Best (Boston) Accent:  Calusa State Bank

Most bank marquees remind passersby about community events or low mortgage rates. While Calusa State Bank’s marquees also serve this function, they sometimes provide a chuckle or a groan, depending upon your sense of humor.  Either way, they’re worth keeping an eye on. 

 

Everyone in Punta Gorda knows Bonnie Yonker and the Yoga Sanctuary.  Bonnie often includes pictures of her daughter Maya in the monthly newsletter.  Last year we named Maya "best budding yogi" for her incredibly cute "happy baby" asana.  I couldn't resist using her again this year.

Best Budding Yogi, Take 2:  Maya Yonker

For the second year running, Maya Yonker wins the prize for best budding yogi. Mom Bonnie owns the Yoga Sanctuary, and at the ripe age of 21 months Maya is now purposefully doing yoga poses. The question is: With her zen attitude, will Maya still subject her parents to the “terrible twos”? 

I still can't quite get my head around a sex shop in the middle of Port Charlotte.  I noticed the store last fall with its eye-catching sign, and it immediately went on my list.  Turns out that the store has been there years, although the signage was updated last fall.  When I spoke to the manager, he was quick to tell me that their customers are not just guys coming in to pick up something "for" their girlfriend.  His words were borne out the day I pulled over to snap this shot as a happy looking couple made their way to their car.

Best Toy Store:  Jack n Jill Adult Superstore

The Villages apparently don’t have anything on Charlotte County. Despite the County’s demographics, business is booming at this “adult entertainment store.” A new location will open in Venice later this year. Come one, come all.

I've already started putting my list together for next year.  Let me know if you see something just wacky enough to include!