The unique pleasure of living in Bryn Athyn by Katie Kennedy

I have had the unique pleasure of living in Bryn Athyn, in a home that I have dreamed about since I was a little girl, and  where the grounds remind me of the rolling hills of Great Bardfield, in England where we lived when Daddy was stationed at Wethersfield Air Base.

It is lovely here in all seasons, but the gardens I love best are those that appear in the spring. If you have never been to Bryn Athyn, there are two castles, a cathedral, a private school from pre-k thru college, all on and surrounded by the most wonderful spots to tuck n and read a book or watch the sun go down from the huge stone benches cut into the hill behind the sanctuary.

There is fairy magic in the spring however, when every garden begins to fill in with brilliant color and last years mountain pinks awaken and spill over the stone walls, where the white garden glows in the twilight as if it has been switched on by the ground itself. The story of the plants is my favorite, however. Every Easter, in the Asplundh field house a huge service is held to speak about not just the Christian doctrine, but the awakening of earth. Every family brings to the service a potted flower, barely in bloom but colorful enough to rival the children in their pastel frilly frocks, and bonnets and new patent leather shoes. At the end of the service, the wee ones bring the flower to the front and leave them on the make-shilft alter so that the garden keepers can plant them around the cathedral grounds, in front of the castles and around the campus. I love this small offering, it is sweet and sincere and is then placed quietly in a public place for all to enjoy.

Bryn Athyn is in Montgomery County.  The grounds are open to the public most days so I hope that after this Easter season you get a chance to visit our magical garden.

 

by Katie Kennedy

3rd Annual FeelGood 5k

3rd Annual FeelGood 5k Saturday, April 26, 8 am, Jungé Pavilion

Come to this themed event dressed as your favorite super hero!

$5 kids, $10 students, $20 adults and $18 for relay teams (3).  Race starts at 9am.

Tibetan Buddhist Sand Mandala 2014

Wednesday, April 23 through Sunday, April 27, 2014

1:00 - 4:30 PM DAILY

Free Admission April 23-26. Included in Sacred Arts Festival admission on April 27.

Witness the step-by-step creation of a traditional Sand Mandala, an ancient art form of Tibetan Buddhism. Mandalas are drawings in sand of the world in its divine form; they represent a map by which the ordinary human mind is transformed into an enlightened mind. Watch as the Venerable Losang Samten (the first Buddhist given permission by the Dalai Lama to make Mandalas in the West) completes and then ritualistically dismantles an Amitabha Mandala during our Sacred Arts Festival.

Glencairn Museum’s Medieval Summer Camp

Session I (June 16 – 20) Session II (June 23 – 27) Campers  aged 9, 10, and 11 will learn archery and swordplay. They will bake bread and create a cookie “spectacle.” The week will end on Friday morning with a battle staged for the pleasure of the King of Glencairn. Campers will enjoy these activities and many more while learning about the medieval values of virtue and honor.

Spring. Garden. Go!

We all are hoping to get some warmer weather with the start of April. It has been a long, long winter. If you need to get some mulch and for your other gardening needs Tinari Greenhouses located in Huntingdon valley is a good place to start.
They have different varieties of mulch.

SEEING IS BELIEVING MAGIC AND COMEDY SHOW

SEEING IS BELIEVING MAGIC AND COMEDY SHOW
Saturday, April 5 at 7pm

Benefiting Heal the Burn Foundation Featuring: America’s Got Talent Finalist Michael Grasso, Sideshow and Comedy of Doc Swan and others  

Saturday, April 5 at 7pm at The Mitchell Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for kids. They can be purchased at www.healingtheburn.org or at 215-947-7384

Famous people named with Bryn Athyn

Harold Pitcairn
He played a key role in the development of the autogyro and founded the Autogiro Company of America. He patented a number of innovations relating to rotary wing aircraft. 

Swedenborg
Emanuel Swedenborg was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, theologian, revelator, and, in the eyes of some, Christian mystic. He termed himself a "Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ" in True Christian Religion, a work he published himself.

Gyllenhaals
Their First role together was in the Movie Donnie Darko 2001

Oz Family
Mehmet Cengiz Öz, also known as Dr. Oz, is a Turkish-American cardiothoracic surgeon, author, and television personality. Oz first appeared on the The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2004, and later on Larry King Live and other TV programs.

Elizabeth Pitcairn
Red Violin
Elizabeth Pitcairn is an American classical violinist. She has concertized widely as a soloist and is noted for performing on the 1721 Red Mendelssohn Antonio Stradivari violin that is said to have inspired the film The Red Violin.