SEPTEMBER 2006 NEWSLETTER

To our Guests & Friends,

It appears this has become an 'all about art' issue of our newsletter. It's no wonder, however, because Hermann is a haven for artists and artisans. In order to acquaint you with some of these artists, we have started a new Hermann Area Artists page on our web site. We will continue to add to the list of artists during the next few months.

In this newsletter we will introduce you to Stephenie Harper, a stained glass artist who is creating special windows for the cottages at the Village.

We'll tell you about the en plein artists who are coming to Hermann as part of the "Along the Missouri" En Plein Air Paint-out. Local artist Catherine Mahoney, with the help of many volunteers, is behind this popular four-day event. Catherine also is the first artist to be featured on our new Hermann Area Artists page.

And finally, there is the unveiling of the Herbst Im Hermann winning poster on Sept. 16. This is the third annual poster contest sponsored by the Hermann Arts Council.

(You will notice an asterisk (*) throughout the newsletter. This indicates a reference to Hermann Hill's Three-Mile Walk. Information about the walk is on our web site.)

Hermann Hill Village update

August is the month we made the Village more like the Inn by providing our Cottage guests with the same breakfast entrees we serve at the Inn. We also added books for casual reading, journals and colored pencils to write and draw your comments, and umbrellas. Most important, we have installed the last three stained glass windows above the beds in levels 302, 402, and 502.

When we started designing the first five cottages, we wanted to differentiate them with themes common to the Missouri River.

Stained glass window above
the bed in Cottage 5, room 502.

The lower level of each unit has a 3' x 6' window above the bed that features a stained glass window designed and crafted by Stephenie Harper.  Cottage #1's theme is Lewis and Clark, Cottage #2 features Missouri River Steamboats, Cottage #3's window highlights the Hermann Wharf, and Cottages 4 and 5 have bridge themes, the old Missouri River Bridge in #4 and the new Missouri River Bridge in #5. We are decorating each cottage with these themes in mind and are particularly happy when we can add Hermann memorabilia to the cottages.
 

About Stephenie Harper:

Stephenie Harper enjoys the challenges of creating unique pieces of art. She studied stained glass in Quincy, Ill., while residing in Palmyra, Mo., but it didn't take her long to realize that the "run of the mill" sun catcher type of art just wasn't for her. "I began doing unusual one-of-a-kind pieces for entry doors, church windows and such. That's when it all came together," she said. Now Stephenie does custom order work exclusively.  The glass at Hermann Hill Village and Conference Center has been a special project, which has made Stephenie draw on every ounce of creativity she can muster. On the Village project, Terry and Peggy wanted to take various views of the river and recreate them in glass. "It's been a real challenge, Stephenie said. "But I'm very grateful for the opportunity. Most artists can work their whole life and never get a chance to do this kind of project."  Stephenie's husband Larry, an artist in his own right, works with wood to create unique segmented bowls and containers.

He also makes all of the frames for Stephenie's stained glass. Larry and Stephenie currently reside on their farm near Cameron, Mo., and are members of the Crossroads Art Guild.

To view more photos of the Village, and for reservation information, click on the Hermann Hill Village page.

Stephenie and Larry install one of their custom-made stained glass windows
 

En plein air artists return to Hermann

The 3rd Annual "Along the Missouri" En Plein Air Paint-out is scheduled in Hermann Sept. 28 through Oct. 1.

This event is open to all. Invitations have been sent to artists statewide and any artist of any age working in any style may attend. The only criterion is that they paint out-of-doors, which is what "en plein air" means. There is no charge to participate. Local artists Catherine Mahoney and Joey Los started this event in Hermann after Catherine participated in the Forest Park Paint-out, the Katy Trail Paint-out and the Paint Missouri Paint-out for a number of years. These paint-outs got her thinking about hosting such an event in Hermann. She said, "I loved everything about these adventures."

She continued, "Two years ago, Joey and I conspired to set this particular paint-out, "Along the Missouri", in motion. We had helpful information from Billy O'Donnell, en plein air artist from the St. Louis/St. Charles area. He had instigated statewide "en plein air" events since the late 90s and had brought together many excited artist/participants nationwide over the years."

Again this year, the plan is to have a live model in costume pose for a "quick-paint" afternoon where all of the participating artists gather to paint the model at one time. Catherine explained that even with everyone painting the same subject at the same time, each artist's creation is different in style and view.

The planners hope to have a show and a sale of the artists' works during the four-day event. But, many artists are willing to sell their work 'on the spot' to passersby. "We encourage interaction between artists and the public," said Catherine.

En plein air events are happening all across the country. According to Catherine, "Artists happily participate, take time, come together and create together in an entirely different manner than their traditional studio painting provides. Our German community has the perfect reception for artists of all types in the make up of the community. We have musicians and artisans in residence here, so the out-growth of this en plein air event was a natural development."

En plein air artist Catherine Mahoney

For more information about the "Along the Missouri Paint-out", contact Catherine at camahoney@ktis.net.
 

More about Catherine Mahoney

Catherine is well known among Hermann artists and artists throughout Missouri. Her works can be found from the USA to South Africa in both private and corporate collections.

Her most recent endeavor, however, is illustrating a book for children that was written by another Hermann local, Kathy Meyer. Catherine describes the soon-to-be completed "Daisy & Digger" as a character building book. She's been working for two years on more than 30 illustrations that will appear in the book, which likely will be published before the end of the year.

One character in the book, Tommy, actually is Catherine's six-year-old grandson. And the two dogs, Daisy and Digger, once belonged to her friend Dea Ludlow. Neither dog is living now, but Catherine has used poses from photos that Dea had taken of her pets. Other details in the drawings are made up by Catherine and influenced by things that are familiar to her: her daughter's barn, a friend's front porch, a stand of trees.

"I haven't done much else for two years," she admitted, but when the project is complete she plans to start on some ideas that have been "mingling in her head", and working on commissioned projects.

Some of Catherine's paintings currently are on display in the St. Louis area. Some of her work will be featured during the grand opening of Framations, a new art gallery in St. Charles, on Sept. 9, and will remain on display throughout the month. Additionally, an en plein air oil painting, "Dough Boy Home on the Santa Fe" is currently showing at the St. Louis Artist Guild in the national slide-juried "Trains: Past, Present and Future" exhibition that runs through Oct. 14.

You can read more about Catherine on our web site. Her Colorful Brushes Gallery* is located on E. Fourth St. in downtown Hermann.

Summer concerts at the amphitheater nearing an end

With the arrival of fall, the first season of performances at the Clara Eitmann Messmer Amphitheater is coming to an end. This popular new outdoor venue in downtown Hermann has allowed hundreds of people to enjoy a variety of free musical performances nearly every weekend since it was dedicated on Memorial Day. Performances will continue through the end of September.

Returning to the amphitheater on Sept. 10 is the Loehnig German Band. This family band plays traditional German music and performs throughout the Midwest. Fresh Picked, playing an acoustical mix of bluegrass, folk, swing and jazz, is scheduled for Sept. 22. And John Berkemeyer and several musicians from his big band will provide the entertainment at the Hermann Im Herbst Poster Contest reception on Sept. 16.

Performing at the amphitheater for the first time this season is the Badlands Band. On Sept. 29, Badlands Band is bringing their high-energy rock and country sounds to the outdoor stage.

The current band has been together since February of 2004, when LeRoy Schwartze, the newest, and youngest, member joined the group.  Hailing from Hermann, LeRoy plays drums with the band and is no stranger to the Hermann music and theater scenes. He is a member of the Hermann Municipal Band and has performed in plays at the Showboat Community Theatre in Hermann since high school.

Badland's Band
(l-r) LeRoy Schwartze, Rick Hollandsworth,
Bridgette and Scott Green

Scott and Bridgette Green reside in Washington, Mo., and have family ties with Hermann. Scott, guitar and vocals, has been with the band since 2001. Bridgette has sung with the band since 2003. The only original member of the band, which was formed in 1992, is Rick Hollandsworth of Gerald, Mo. He plays bass.

The Badlands Band's music in some ways reflects their ages, which span several decades. They are a cover band that plays everything from the oldies to current tunes, and their play list includes music from Gretchen Wilson, to Elvis, to John Mellencamp, to Johnny Cash, and everything in between.

Badlands performs locally at wineries, fairs, resorts, and restaurants. They often can be heard at Hermann's OakGlenn Winery and El Ranchito Restaurant. The band will play all four Oktoberfest weekends at these locations and other local venues.

Joining the band for the Sept. 29 concert is Bart Engemann on keyboard. In addition to being an accomplished musician, Bart writes his own music, when he's not flying airplanes. He is a good friend to and faithful follower of the band.

The concerts on Sept. 10, 22, and 29 are free and open to the public. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Picnics are welcome on the amphitheater grounds.
 

Hermann im Herbst winning poster unveiling

The winning poster of the Hermann Im Herbst poster contest will be unveiled at the Clara Eitmann Messmer Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 16, during an evening reception.

"The winner will remain a top secret until the unveiling," explained Connie LaBoube, member of the Hermann Arts Council. "But I will say that we have a great winning piece this year. I'm very excited about the piece, and it's going to be a wonderful surprise."

This is the third annual poster contest sponsored by the Hermann Arts Council. Connie said the posters from past competitions have become very collectable and can be found all over the world. They have been sent to Hermann's sister city, Bad Arolsen, in Germany and to international journalists.

The winning artwork will be available as posters, signed, limited-edition prints, limited-edition giclees, and T-shirts. They will be available to purchase at the unveiling reception, local wineries and shops, and the Hermann Welcome Center. Proceeds from the sales of these items go to the Hermann Arts Council to help further community projects and performances.

For those who are interested in collecting a series of posters, the works by former contest winners also will be available at the unveiling reception. Past winners include Margaret Schneider (2004) of Chesterfield, Mo., and Bryan Haynes (2005) of St. Albans, Mo.

Providing entertainment at the unveiling reception will be the Kent Strings and John Berkemeyer and several of his band members. The event will include wine and food tastings.

The event is open to the public and RSVPs are requested by contacting Connie LaBoube at constancelaboube@mac.com. Visit the Hermann Arts Council web site for more information about upcoming events sponsored by the organization.
 

Keeping an eye on the Hermann bridge construction

Work on the new Christopher S. Bond Bridge is progressing nicely thanks to the favorable weather we experienced in August. Photo images of the bridge construction are taken every 15 minutes from three camera locations. To view photos, click here. Visit the MoDot web site for additional information about the bridge project.

Hermann Hill featured in USA TODAY

Hermann Hill Vineyard and Inn was featured in the Destinations and Diversions section of the September 1 issue of USA TODAY as one of "10 great places to settle into for fall viewing". The review was by Sandy Soule, editor of Bedandbreakfast.com, who visits more than 100 B&Bs annually. To read more, click. . .

 

Hermann Hill Vineyard and Inn
711 Wein Street - P.O. Box 555  |  Hermann, Missouri (MO) 65041
Phone: (573) 486-HILL (573-486-4455)  |  Fax: (573) 486-5373
Email: info@hermannhill.com  |   Website: www.hermannhill.com