A Little, Hip Canal Town: Peninsula, Ohio
Thursday, July 19, 2012 at 11:32PM Mrs. G. 
When Mrs. G. pulled into Peninsula, Ohio, she was immediately smitten with the charming town. She's not sure what she expected, but Peninsula surpassed all her expectations. It is a quaint, picturesque canal town...think Bedford Falls bursting with artists of all kind. This is Debra, and she and her husband Stephen, both potters, own and operate Elements Gallery.
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It is a cool place with a great, lively vibe.
This is some of Debra's work.
This is some of Stephen's work.
They're both amazingly talented.
This is Kate. She drove in from Michigan and immediately captured Mrs. G's heart.
Mrs. G. really wanted to take this home, but she didn't.
Can you guess which stone Mrs. G. picked out and placed in her pocket?
Debra took Mrs. G. and Kate to a dinner hosted for local artists by the owners of the Seraglio. It was a Mediterranean feast and Mrs. G. enjoyed meeting so many creative, interesting and hospitable people. You can tell that the people in Peninsula take care of each other; they're a solid community. Mrs. G. felt honored to be a part of it, even for just one night.
Debra has a lovely, old farmhouse. Here are she and Kate standing in the stairwell painted by one of Debra's daughters.
A long time ago, the story goes, a circus came through town and two pythons escaped from its menagerie of exotic animals and roamed the streets of Peninsula. One python was found dead but the other (or its ghost) is reportedly still on the loose.
Each year, the town marks this event with a Python Fest, complete with a parade.
There are many commemorative pythons languishing all around town.
This is Debra and Stephen's python and they are having a contest to name it. Any suggestions?
Mwah! Debra, Stephen, Kate and all the friendly people in Peninsula.
II Am A Derfwad/Summer 2012, Ohio
Reader Comments (19)
I don't see 'Johnny' on any of those stones.
I'm probably wrong, but I guess either "relax" or "kindred."
MORE POTTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Interesting: Mrs G is loved by potters and artists of all stripes ;) I would loooooove to visit their gallery too!
Such talented folk on your tour! I love seeing all the artistic creations. I'm going to guess that you picked the "relax" stone... and how about Pandora Python?
I'm guessing relax too.
Such a sweet town. I want to go there.
Mrs. G., you must be almost home. xoxo
OOOOHHH!!! Another potter to explore. Thanks Mrs. G.
Looks like another meeting of a terrific community.....more photos coming?
As for a name, I love alliteration sooooo....Pythagorus Python.
I am just amazed at all the artistic Derfs out there. What a fun peek at a town I would never have heard of otherwise. Now, I may have to put that on the "to be visited" list.
i'm going with relax :-)
A python's name? Hmmm...how about Poppy?
"trust"
Priscilla Python of course!!!
Why not name the python Mrs. G???? :)
Or Johnny, for you-know-who!
friend
I remember some friends named theirs Monty (heh)
What a fabulous place full of creative people! Mrs. G., thank you for introducing us to so many cool places that we would have never known about otherwise. I don't think I could have left without that window full of colorful glass globes, and maybe a python for my son, SnakeMaster. (How he would love to go to the Python Fest!) That beautiful blue python might just be named Penelope...
I'm guessing you picked the Unity stone, although Trust, Kindness, and Friend are pretty wonDERFul, too.
I'm guessing "friends"... and thank you for the frequent postings of your travels with pics of all the lovely women, handsome Gary, and good natured husbands and kids that you met along the way! I love those colorful glass globes, too! Sorry I did not make it to Ithaca this time around.
POTTERS! We are everywhere!!! The 2 vases were collaborative pieces: Steve threw them, I carved and inlaid them, and he glazed them.
If you'd like to be entered into our Name the Python contest, email me from skilled hands AT gmail DOT com
And thank you for your kind words and for a lovely visit.
I'm thinking "Trust" and the python name = Pierre. He would have a lovely silky slinky French accent.
How cool is Peninsula, Ohio? I love virtual travel with Mrs. G!
I'm with sycam...is there any choice for a Python other than Monty?
How amazing is that wee tile house? And the hallway?!!! Sigh. I'm not sure who to envy more, you for having net Debra, or her for having met you....it's a tie!