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Touch
of Gray - September / October 2003
Memories
of a More Peaceful Middle East
From Bowls to Jewelry: Carolina Meadows Residents Try Their Hands at Ceramics
Swedish Theme for Evening at Carolina Meadows
Memories
of a More Peaceful Middle East
Due to the war on terror and the hostilities
in Iraq, Islam and the Middle East are popular topics everywhere
these days. The auditorium at Carolina Meadows was well-filled
when new resident and renowned scholar, Dr. Herb Bodman, recently
conducted a six-week series on the Middle East under the sponsorship
of the Duke Institute of Learning in Retirement (DILR).
Several months earlier Herb had presented a series of historical
programs on Islam at the Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill.
In his Carolina Meadows programs he introduced videotapes
from a remarkable collection of some 800 tapes assembled by
his wife, Taffy. She started the collection more than 25 years
ago when they were both in Lebanon. Many of the tapes dealt
with the culture of the Muslim World, particularly as seen
through the ideas of western observers.
The young Herb Bodman was headed for a career in academics
when World War II called him to duty. He served with the infantry
in reconnaissance (1943-45) and saw combat in Europe. After
the war he returned to UNC in Chapel Hill to earn a degree
in History. There he began his life-long devotion to studies
and education related to the Middle East and the culture of
Islam.
His wife, Taffy (Ellen Fairbanks), also came to UNC at Chapel
Hill about the same time. She had earned a BA in History/Music
from Smith College and completed her Master's at UNC, becoming
a History Instructor there in 1946. The Bodmans met when Herb
enrolled in Taffy's class. They left Chapel Hill for Princeton
where Herb earned M.A. and PhD degrees in Middle East Studies.
At that point the Ford Foundation offered a fellowship in
Language and Area Studies to Dr. Bodman to reside in Lebanon
and travel in the Middle East. Research on his dissertation
on eighteenth century Aleppo, Syria was also a goal of the
award. In 1952 the Bodmans, now with a four-year old daughter,
Carlie, and a two-year old son, Whitney, set out for Beirut.
Herb recalls that their new home was in a five-story apartment
building. Each apartment occupied an entire floor. There were
five families in the building, occupied by four Americans
and one other national. The Bodmans' apartment was spacious.
A cook, and a houseboy were provided. The rooms faced south
and had terrazzo floors. The sun's warmth was a blessing.
There was no other source of heat except kerosene heaters
and at that time no air-conditioning. With a chuckle, Herb
recalls, "Later upon our return to Chapel Hill, with
memory of the sun's warming those Beirut floors, we built
our home to face south and relied mainly on solar heating."
During his first year in Beirut, Dr. Bodman was also committed
to a project of two months researching the history of archives
in England and France. This resulted in his history of Aleppo,
Syria, in the 18th century. The region was in the midst of
turmoil and the book turned out to be actually a sociological
history of urban political factions as well as a study of
the period.
In Beirut Taffy taught English (especially English technical
terms) to professionals training for advanced study who came
from all over the Middle East. There were an Afghan foreign
minister who was later killed in Afghanistan; a woman doctor
from Iran who was a regional health administrator in the government;
and an Iranian customs administrator. "The latter was
a useful friend when Taffy and I made a shopping sortie into
Iran," commented Herb.
At the end of their stint in Lebanon, the Bodmans returned
to North America, first to Montreal and McGill University;
then to Washington, D.C. where Taffy taught at the American
University and Herb worked with the United States Information
Agency on a Middle East Program, later extended to the Near
East, South Asia and Africa.
By 1960, both were back in Chapel Hill. Herb was appointed
to the UNC Department of History. Taffy was associated with
North Carolina Central University. She later became UNC Media
Consultant on Islam until 2002. But she was especially known
in Chapel Hill as founder and chair of the Chapel Hill Library
Book Sales. Although they took many trips to Muslim countries
in their later years, few included the Middle East. A happy
chance came in 1999 when their son Whit was studying Arabic
in Damascus, Syria. He is presently Professor of World Religions
at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Herb and Taffy retired last year and moved into a villa at
Carolina Meadows. In his leisure time Herb enjoys sailboat
racing. He recently retired as United States Sailing Administrative
Race Officer for the Southeastern states. In June he was fleet
champion in the annual North Carolina Governor's Cup.
The interest shown in the recent presentation by Herb of Taffy's
tapes on the Middle East has led to a proposal for a new presentation
at Carolina Meadows. It will be on the broader topic of the
United Nations and its future. Planned by a group of Carolina
Meadows residents, the course, directed by Herb, will meet
weekly for six weeks beginning in September and ending the
week of United Nations Day on October 24. -- Iris Evans, Resident
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From
Bowls to Jewelry: Carolina Meadows Residents Try Their Hands
at Ceramics
When a team from the Continuing Care
Accreditation Commission came to Carolina Meadows five years
ago, they observed that the exhibits of art by residents throughout
the Club Center hallway were exceptional. To the paintings,
carvings, needlework and sculpture on display in the main
hallway can be added ceramics produced by members of the Pottery
Group. If you walk down the hall too quickly, you may miss
a small mixed-media contribution of a ceramic cardinal mounted
on an octagonal mirror created by Joyce Barrows.
Meeting Friday afternoons in the lower level of the Club Center,
members of the Pottery Group are counseled by Barrows who
describes herself as "a technician."
Ten years ago the group leader was resident Dott Weller, who
is still a fine artist, but no longer involved with clay.
Joyce offered to assist. She had taken courses in ceramics
at night school, continued to study instructive manuals, and
was able to set up and maintain the equipment and supplies
while aiding neophytes.
The Carolina Meadows administration supplied the electric
kiln, benches, tables, shelves and cabinets. Group members
share in costs for clay, molds, paints and glazes. Participation
is open to all residents.
"All sorts of artists have enjoyed at least a season
among us," said Joyce. "Some have been my teachers.
It's a fluid, flexible artistry. A few residents have sold
pieces in art goods stores. It's been very satisfying to see
one after another succeed in learning the various stages of
creating products of their imaginations."
To date, 811 articles have been fashioned by hand or with
the use of molds by members of the Pottery Group. The varied
art work has included: pitchers, dishes, baskets, bowls, bird
feeders, sun dials, jewelry, spoon rests, casseroles, wind
chimes, plaques, tiles, trivets, flower pots, vases and picture
frames.
"I enjoy the camaraderie of the group," reported
Jean O'Connor. "We freely share our ideas. It's fun to
make hostess gifts, or pieces for birthdays or holidays, like
door magnets, pumpkins, pendants or little animal figures."
For the Christmas season members have made candle angels,
reindeer and sleigh, tree ornaments and créches.
For the Carolina Meadows garden (and others), the potters
have produced plaques and unique identity tags for wildflowers.
Clay is rolled on canvas in preparation for shaping to the
worker's plan. After drying, an under glaze is applied and
preliminary firing takes place. Decorating, glazing and final
firing in the kiln at 2000 degrees follow.
A visitor is struck by the shelves filled with artwork in
varied stages of production-and especially with the immense
variety of colors and shapes reflecting the likes and imaginations
of the artists.
"Just molding the clay in your hands, applying the glazes,
then seeing the amazing results as the final colors appear
after firing is a delightful experience," says Rose Calamai.
"And then there's the joy of sharing these moments with
friends."
Soon the members will move into another mode of production.
A potter's wheel has been donated by friend Ed Mammen. The
group is hoping he will share his experience of this ancient
skill, to the delight of all. -- John Banks, Resident
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Swedish
Theme for Evening at Carolina Meadows
"In businesses, as students or
professors, and as visitors, there are over 2,000 Swedes in
North Carolina at all times," reported Anna Blomdahl
at the first Swedish festival held at Carolina Meadows on
Friday evening, September 26.
Appointed in April to be Sweden's honorary consul in Raleigh,
Blomdahl declared that there are more in the U.S.A. claiming
ties to that country than the whole population of Sweden.
After seven years in America she now says, "North Carolina
is our home."
The colorful fete came about when Joe and Marian Mengel, new
to Carolina Meadows this year, heard of earlier cultural celebrations
and asked, "Why not Sweden?" Joe's mother, whose
parents were from Skona in Southwestern Sweden, had imbued
him with a strong interest in her ancestral land.
"I developed ties with second cousins over there, and
Marian and I have visited them and have had them as our guests
from time to time," said Joe. "My love of what I
found in people and places has led me to participate in the
Vasa Lodge of Raleigh and in Swedish cultural events."
A native of Chapel Hill, Joe has served as president of the
Swedish-membership Lodge in the past.
Dick Ballard, recently named Special Events Chairman for Carolina
Meadows, was immediately enthusiastic about the Mengels' proposal,
and soon plans were made for decorations, dinner and an evening
program.
Colorful travel posters, straight from Stockholm, decorated
the Club Center. The breakfront featured a display of Swedish
glass, china and other art objects from the collections of
Joan Blewett, Bob Nelson, Regina Snyder and the Mengels.
Mark Maxwell, Food Services Director, came up with a menu
featuring entrees such as Gravlax sas (Poached Salmon with
Mustard Dill) and Farsrulader (Stuffed Veal Roulades). Luscious
desserts included Appelkaka (Apple Cottage Cheese Cake), Drommar
(Swedish Dream Cookies) and Swedish Chocolate Oat Balls.
Residents reserved all available facilities for the delicious
dinner which, served buffet-style, had the aura of a Scandinavian
smorgasbord.
Colorful travel posters, straight from Stockholm, decorated
the Club Center. The breakfront featured a display of Swedish
glass, china and other art objects from the collections of
Joan Blewett, Bob Nelson, Regina Snyder and the Mengels.
The auditorium was full for the program, which followed the
dinner. Joe Mengel presided. He introduced Consul Anna Blomdahl
who paid her tribute to her fellow Swedes and to their warm
reception by Americans.
Following were the Raleigh Swedish Folkdancers. In the costumes
of various provinces, the twelve performed to the lively recorded
music of Swedish bands. Although some resemblance to American
square dances could be seen, many were punctuated with humorous
references to amorous ventures. And the red stockings flared
as the dancers kicked their heels.
The Folkdancers have performed throughout the Southeast, winning
awards at many events, including the prestigious Atlanta Folk
Festival.
The final feature of the evening was the showing of the movie,
"Notorious," starring (who else?) the Swedish classic
beauty and actress, Ingrid Bergman, with Cary Grant and Claude
Raines. -- John Banks, Resident
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