Spring! Tulips, Trees & Geese, Oh My!

Yes, it's springtime in New Cumberland.  Although it only officially began Tuesday, the spring weather has been with us for weeks.  Winter was never really committed to us this year anyway.  It decided to visit elsewhere this year and that's fine with me.  Maybe the lack of winter weather this year will help me to appreciate next year's snowfalls, ice and bitter temperatures.  Nah, I doubt it.

Borough Park after February snowfall.

I can only recall 3 snowfalls this year.  The one at the end of October, which was still Autumn, one in January, and another in early February.  We got off easy.  I thought for sure after last year's torrential rains, the precipitation would continue through the winter and we would have a record snowfall this year.  I'm glad I was wrong.

View from Reno between Front and Second.

I've been taking advantage of this beautiful weather and taking walks around town. One thing for sure is we have a lot of lovely spring trees, shrubs and flowers.  Pink and white blossomed trees dot the landscape.  My daughter picked up some of the fallen pink blossoms from the ground and tossed them up saying, "Look, pink snow!"   I'll take that snow any day over the real stuff.  Gorgeous daffodils and hyacinths are in bloom everywhere these days.  In the past few days, I've noticed the tulips have just begun to open.  Tulips are my favorite.  When the tulips show up, the snow is usually gone for good.

Borough Park ball fields are springing to life.

A walk through borough park makes me feel like we are further into spring than we actually are.  The little tykes are practicing ball, other tots are frolicking on the play sets, while numerous adults walk or run laps.  Haven't noticed as many geese as in previous years.  One can only hope that many of them have found another place to poop and lay eggs this year.  I still scratch my head over the ban on dogs at the park.  We usually have all these geese wandering and doing their business all over the park.  No one cleans up after them.  Then we have this ban on dogs at the park.  99% of dog owners clean up after their dogs and keep them on leashes, but they are not allowed.  On top of that, the dogs would scare away the messy geese.  I am not a huge dog fan, but it's about time New Cumberland allow them in the park.

Bridge Street Business District.

Another walk through town took me up Bridge Street, through the business district.  I love the look of Bridge Street in the spring.  Those trees look like white puffballs just swaying in the breeze.  I wish they would stay like that all year round.

Elkwood Park

Further up, I passed Elkwood park, which was inundated with daffodils.  As I walked up Bridge Street, lovely blooms popped up in front of churches, homes and businesses. 

Park Avenue

I looped back to the library where the grounds are always appealing and well groomed.  Daffodils and pink blossoms painted the grounds.

New Cumberland Library

My travels then took me up near the new school.  Just as I walked across Seventh street, I glanced back, and WOW, this house just screamed spring.  Golden forsythia bushes along with those bright pink and white trees.  If that isn't one of the best springtime landscapes in town, I don't know what is.

I think it especially stands out against the lack of color coming from the grounds at the new school.  Let's all pray for rain, so the grass starts to grow on the hill below the new school.  Then we won't have to look at that drab brown dirt any longer. 

The hill below the new Hillside School has been planted with grass seed.

Spring has just begun.  Who knows what this spring will hold for us?  I can only hope we avoid the violent and drenching storms of last spring and summer.  Happy Spring Everyone.  Enjoy this beauteous weather while it lasts!

Finding the Artist in Everyone at Basso Art Studio

Last spring, while walking through town, I noticed a sign go up outside of Oxford Hall Celtic shop.  The sign read 'Basso Art Studio.'  Nearby, I saw a box hanging off of a railing.  The box contained class schedules for a brand new art studio and school being started up by Laura Basso.  I'm always looking for activities for my kids.  My family loves art and being creative, so I looked over the schedule to see if anything fit our hectic schedule.  Sure enough, there was a class for my kids.  The kids loved it and they looked forward to going each week.  My goal was to try to expand their artistic range a little.  They are obsessed with drawing anime/manga, a Japanese style of animation.  The class, and the teacher, broadened their artistic horizons and allowed them to share their interest in anime.  When our schedules allow, I know we'll be going back to Basso Art Studio for more classes. 

The Entrance to Basso Art Studio is down the stairs.

Basso Art Studio, founded just last year, is tucked away underneath the Oxford Hall Celtic Shop, in the business district of  New Cumberland.  The proprietor is Laura Basso, and after years of working for others, she decided to establish her own studio.  Laura grew up right here in New Cumberland and now lives nearby, in Etters.  She has been studying, working, and teaching the arts most of her life.  She has a degree in Fine Arts from Kutztown University and has exhibited her work in venues throughout the mid state, including Whitaker Center, Mechanicsburg Art Center, New Cumberland Library and more.

Laura Basso didn't start out with the intention of being an art teacher.  That came about through her wanting to be involved in her kid's school.  West Shore School District used to have a program called the "Famous Artists Program," where parent volunteers would go into classrooms and present lessons about popular artists and their works.  Laura thought that was right up her alley and ended up spending 8 years with the program.  Through her volunteerism, she found out that she enjoyed sharing her love of art with others.  From there, she took up teaching art classes at a local gallery.  Last May, she branched out and opened her own studio and school.  She says her young business is growing and thinks being on Bridge Street helps bring in a lot of people.  She says, "I moved here and got so much support from the community."

Laura Basso in her studio.

Starting any kind of business can be difficult, but Laura tells me she's making it work.  "I just love it so much and get such a positive feedback from the kids, and the parents, that I just keep doing it. It's fun, I'm lucky."

Laura's words say it all when she talks about the children's classes, "I have just a positive response.  Lots of smiles, it's like magic.  Everything clicks and I see the light bulbs go on in their heads."

She adds, "It gets the kids to use creative problem solving skills, which is beneficial in any subject, just for lifelong skills, or any career you go in to."

Laura offers classes for adults, too.  The classes are open to any skill level.  She tells me she gets a lot of people with little experience or who haven't done anything in a while, but those students are often her favorites.  She teaches most of the classes herself, but recently added Shannon Kelley, who focuses on preschool art, and Donna Kovalchick, who teaches photography.   She says, "I think it's inside all of us.  It doesn't matter if you can't draw or have no experience, you can still find that creativity in you just for life fulfillment and enjoyment."

Kids and adults can get creative at Basso Art Studio.

March is 'National Youth Art Month,' and Laura has activities planned to get more kids interested in art.  Youth Art Month is observed  each March to stress the value of art and art education for all children.  The studio will be hosting a Youth Art Exhibit all month.  To kick it off, Laura will host a reception at the studio on March 10th, from 1 pm - 4 pm.  On that day, kids and families are welcome to go into the studio and try their hands at creating their own art.  Laura will have art supplies available for the kids to use, and when they are finished, they can take their masterpieces home with them.  The event is free and open to the public.  The studio's class schedule will be available at that time.  Refreshments will be available.  In addition to the open house, the Children's Art Exhibit will be available for viewing March 17th, 24th & 31st.  But, if your kids want to be creative, make sure they get there on the 10th, that's the only day she'll have the supplies out for them to use.  To see the National Art Month flyer for Basso Art Studio, click here for the Youth Art Month Flyer.

Create a picture of a yummy treat!

Classes and lessons are available for both children and adults.  Classes offered include; preschool art, multimedia art, teen drawing, pastel and much more.  Laura offers painting parties, a scout merit badge program, home schooling classes and private art lessons.  Laura tries to think outside of the box and come up with unique classes for her students.  A friend of hers gave her the idea to have a class where students purchase a dessert from Dingeldein Bakery, (which is just across Bridge Street from the studio), then bring the dessert to the studio where they will create a picture of it.  When finished, the students get to enjoy their desserts along with some complimentary tea from the Oxford Hall Celtic Shop.  You get to be creative and enjoy a wonderful dessert, what could be better!

Basso Art Studio is located in downtown New Cumberland at 315B Bridge Street, just below the Oxford Hall Celtic Shop.  For more information about Laura and Basso Art Studio, please go to http://www.bassoartstudio.com/.

For more information about Youth Art Month, go to
http://acminet.org/youth_art_month.htm

Links to other businesses mentioned in this blog:
http://www.oxfordhall.com/mysitecaddy/site3/