#my local library only had 1 copy across the city and it was currently checked out (wow!) so im using internet archive 👍

[sadcop]

this made me a little insane ngl

[pittarchives]

The “Swinging City Revolution”: Garner in the Land of the Rolling Stones

This post was written by Deanna Witkowski, pianist-composer, graduate student in Jazz Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, and author of Mary Lou Williams: Music for the Soul (Liturgical Press, August 2021).

In May and June of 1966, Erroll Garner played in London for several weeks with his longtime triomates, bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Kelly Martin. Leslie (Les) Perrin and Associates, publicity firm for the Rolling Stones and other big name pop acts, served as Garner’s publicist for his English tour dates. In many photos from 1966-1970, Perrin is seen with the Stones, Frank Sinatra, and Joni Mitchell. Mitchell’s website includes a feature page on Perrin with this article from a tabloid-looking paper entitled “Weekend— Feb. 25-Mar. 3, 1970.”

On June 12, after Garner had already been in England for over two weeks, Glaser typed a letter to Perrin, chastising him for not contacting her with any press coverage of Garner’s tour dates thus far—or, for that matter, with any news at all. Dispensing with formal niceties, Glaser begins her correspondence using all capital letters: “ABSOLUTELY NOTHING RECEIVED FROM YOU (EXCEPT BRIEF CABLE THIS WEEK) since tour began. Our disappointment beyond expression. We needed reviews for Variety ad. Blew the space reservation since you didn’t send reviews.”

Image from folder “Correspondence from Leslie Perrin (Associated LTD. UK Bookers),”  Erroll Garner Archive, 1942-2010, Box 1, Folder 119,  Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System.

As in my earlier post on his 1959 date at Kleinhans Music Hall in Buffalo, Glaser’s letter shows the interdependence of multiple behind-the-scenes players in shaping Garner’s career. Glaser cannot move forward with future publicity needs until Perrin generates publicity for the current tour and communicates the results of that publicity with her.

Glaser pulls no punches in her critique of Perrin—and is compelled to fight these battles so that Garner can focus on his own labor: creating music. Two-thirds of the way through her letter, she writes, “I can only surmise that with the ‘swinging city revolution’ of London, as we keep reading, your office has become too busy to write us . . . Leslie—I don’t know how or why this tour is different—but your silence and the lack of any written word from [Jack] Higgins or Harold [Davison] leads me to conclude that your operations now have bigger-money projects, and that is that.”

The two other names that Glaser mentions, Jack Higgins and Harold Davison, are additional players in Garner’s British tour production and publicity. Both names appear on the final page of this program from June 11, 1966:

(Above) “Erroll Garner Souvenir Brochure London, November 6, 1966.” PicClick UK. Accessed April 5, 2021. https://picclick.co.uk/1966-Erroll-Garner-Souvenir-Brochure-London-11-06-1966-373506567730.html.

Davison is listed as being the concert presenter, with Higgins handling “promotion direction” and Dougie Tobutt handing “tour direction.”

Enclosed with her letter Glaser includes a marked-up copy of a document titled “Backgrounder to Erroll Garner,” a one-sheet apparently created by Perrin for local press reporters. Claiming to provide “a fact-a-phrase for journalists-in-a-hurry,” the document is a list of twelve bullet-point facts about Garner.

Image from folder “Correspondence from Leslie Perrin (Associated LTD. UK Bookers),”  Erroll Garner Archive, 1942-2010, Box 1, Folder 1119,  Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System.

In response to two of the points, Glaser pens handwritten corrections:

Where the one-sheet reads: “ERROLL was a classmate of Dodo Marmarosa, brilliant contemporary of Charlie Parker at the advent of the bop era.”

Glaser responds:

“Garner had nothing to do with the “bop” scene—“ and “Why do you keep repeating Parker in the Garner bio?’” The truth is that Garner was indeed a childhood friend of bop pianist Marmarosa, who recorded with Parker on numerous occasions. Garner recorded with Parker as well, but was not a bop pianist, while Marmarosa was closely identified with that musical style.

 And where the sheet reads: 

“GARNER was also an early associate of Ellington’s colleague Billy Strayhorn.”

Glaser simply writes: “False info.”

In her letter, she goes into further detail on each point, writing, “I don’t know where this junk about being a contemporary etc of Parker in bog (sic) reveolution (sic) days keeps cropping up from . . .out of context, it is totally misleading.” And to the second point: “Garner and Strayhorn friends—never associates or associated, in any music situation.”

Perrin did respond to Glaser. Although his reply is undated, it likely followed soon after, as he references recent British concert dates and signs off promising “more tomorrow.” Most importantly, he sends ten quotes on Garner’s appearances from press including Melody Maker, the Evening News, and New Musical Express. He only includes this material, however, after making a snide comment: “My dear Martha, It is a warm afternoon, the shadows are creeping across the desk, and I am asking myself, “Do you think that Martha came to the Albert Hall after all? Because the concert was at the Royal Festival Hall?”

Image from folder “Correspondence from Leslie Perrin (Associated LTD. UK Bookers),”  Erroll Garner Archive, 1942-2010, Box 1, Folder 119,  Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System.

Snide comment or not, Perrin produced the results that Glaser was asking for. This snapshot of two documents shows how sharp and direct she had to be in order to acquire the material she needed to continue her own work in moving Garner’s career forward.

————————

For additional listening:

Check out some of the the Garner albums included on the final page of the concert ad shown in the concert program shown above:

CBS ad:                                                                                                                Concert by the Sea 1955                                                https://www.errollgarner.com/listen-new (scroll down)

The Most Happy Piano 1956 

(Above) Audio for “Full Moon and Empty Arms” off The Most Happy Piano by Erroll Garner, originally released in 1957 by Columbia Records. 

EMI ad: A Night at the Movies 1965— original liner notes and audio samples at https://www.errollgarner.com/anightatthemovies-ors

Listen to the all-of-five-seconds “Newsreel Tag (Paramount on Parade)”

(Above) Audio for “Newsreel Tag (Paramount on Parade)” off A Night at the Movies by Erroll Garner, re-relseased by Octave Records in 2019. 

Works Cited:

Erroll Garner Archive, 1942-2010, AIS.2015.09,  Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System.

Erroll Garner - Topic. “Full Moon and Empty Arms.” YouTube Video, 4:19. July 30, 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxlVnUXJApY.

Erroll Garner - Topic.  “Newsreel Tag (Paramount on Parade).” YouTube Video, 0:08. October 17, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0hqVABcPSk

prettyjohn888. “1966 Erroll Garner Souvenir Brochure London 11/06/1966 • £4.00.” PicClick UK. Accessed April 5, 2021. https://picclick.co.uk/1966-Erroll-Garner-Souvenir-Brochure-London-11-06-1966-373506567730.html.

[anobjectofdesire]

research proposal

Neo-Babylonian clay barrel cylinder with cuneiform inscription (DUROM.N2271), 599 BC

THE OBJECT

This cylinder bears an inscription recording the restoration of Ebabbar (the main temple of Šamaš, in Sippar) during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II. It was excavated in Sippar (in modern-day Iraq), and came to the Oriental Museum as part of the Northumberland collection. The inscription is made up of three columns. Whilst there are several other copies of both cylinders and bricks recording this building project, only two others are known which have this exact inscription divided into three columns. However, this copy is unique because it can also be read via the rows of text across columns, which flow to produce a prayer to Šamaš.

RATIONALE FOR CHOICE

Going into this module, I knew I wanted to focus on the Near & Middle East, as I am taking modules from a number of departments focusing on the Near & Middle East, including Arabic and Persian. I therefore wanted my studies in this module to complement my other modules. Beyond the obvious regional focus of my programme, I have also been directing much of my IR reading towards discourse analysis and the use of language for political purposes, which this cylinder will allow me to continue exploring in a different context. The potential to research ancient writing piqued my interest, as the written word is powerful (more so to me than the spoken word) and I feel more connected to the cultures I study when I access them through written works. There is something incredibly exciting about reading texts created by someone who lived thousands of years ago.

Another thing which drew me to this cylinder is the fact that it presents an excellent opportunity for me to combine religion (another academic interest of mine) with the study of language, particularly with regards to exploring religion in the pre-Islamic Middle East, as well as the use of art in religion. I say ‘art’ because I would definitely consider this cylinder a piece of art rather than purely a political record: the arrangement of the text to allow for both vertical and horizontal reading represents, for me, an artistic endeavour on the part of the scribe who created this cylinder.

CONTACT WITH THE ORIENTAL MUSEUM & REVIEW OF INFORMATION

I have met with Gillian Ramsey at the Oriental Museum to access the information they have on file. They have a translation of both the political and religious inscriptions. There is also some information on the maker of the original stand. The link to the information held by the British Museum (and the BM Online Catalogue search function) is broken at the time of writing. There is also a German publication titled 'The Neo-Babylonian Royal Inscriptions' (Leipzig 1912), of which I have yet to find a translation of, and so at this stage is of little use. The only physical items in their records are the labels used when the cylinder was on display. The information these provide is basic and essentially outline what I stated in the description of the object.

Because of the limited amount of information from the Oriental Museum, I contacted Gillian Ramsey again to ask for some guidance. I was struggling to get anywhere and spending a lot of time doing ‘detective work’, trying to piece together a sentence or two from books to identify similar cylinders, in the hopes they would shed some light on my object. She pointed me towards the 'Treasures of the Oriental Museum' (Barclay, Grocke, and Armstrong 2010) which has an entry on my object. This provides more guidance on further sources I can use for my research, but at this stage, most of my research has consisted of piecing together sparse pieces of information to try to gain even a rudimentary understanding of my object.

 LITERATURE REVIEW

These texts will form the starting point for my research, providing me with a background to understand the sociopolitical landscape of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (particularly during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, and Sippar itself), the development of cuneiform, and the context of the excavation of this cylinder:

Barclay, C., Grocke, R., and Armstrong, H. (2010). Treasures of the Oriental Museum, Durham University. London: Third Millenium Publishing Limited. Available in the Bill Bryson Library (Level 3 708.2865).

Walker, C. B. F. (1987). Cuneiform. London: British Museum Publications. Available in the Oriental Museum (499.95 WAL).

Scheil, V. (1902). Une saison de fouilles à Sippar. Cairo: Imprimerie de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale. Available in the Bill Bryson Library (Level 3 +932 MEM(1)).

Zawadzki, S. (2003). ‘Nebuchadnezzar and Tyre in the light of new texts from the Ebabbar archives in Sippar’, Eretz-Israel; Archaeological, Historical and Geographical Studies, 27, pp. 276-281. Available online via JSTOR.

Dandamayev, M. A. (1995). ‘The Ebabbar Temple and Iranian Magi’, Altorientalische Forschungen, 22(1), pp. 34-36. Available online via De Gruyter.

de Meyer, L. (1980). Tell ed-Dēr III, Sounding at Abū Habbah (Sippar). Leuven: Peeters. Available in the Bill Bryson Library (Level 1 935 TEL).

Bongenaar, A. C. V. M. (1997). The Neo-Babylonian Ebabbar Temple at Sippar: its administration and its prosopography. Istanbul: Nederlands Historisch-Archeologisch Instituut te Istanbul. Available in the Bill Bryson Library (Level 1 935 BON).

Harris, R. (1975). Ancient Sippar: a demographic study of an old-Babylonian city, (1894-1595 B.C). Istanbul: Nederlands Historisch-Archeologisch Instituut te Istanbul. Available in the Bill Bryson Library (Level 1 935.02 HAR).

Whilst the various libraries in Durham do hold a wealth of information relating to the wider themes of the Neo-Babylonian Empire (as does the internet), I will also visit the SOAS library, which has much more extensive and specific collections which would be of use to me.

 FURTHER SOURCES

In 'Treasures of the Oriental Museum', Johannes Haubold identifies two copies of this cylinder: one in London and one in New York. The British Museum has several barrel cylinders, so I will contact them to ask whether one of them is a copy of the one in the Oriental Museum - there are no photos or transcriptions online of these items, so I cannot check the cylinders myself. The one in New York is held by the Met, and their website provides some further sources. At this stage, I do not have specific enough questions with which to contact the BM or Met curators beyond asking for help with identifying the relevant cylinder, but may do so at a later stage once I have conducted more research.

If my contact with the British Museum does not bear fruit, I plan to contact Johannes Haubold, who wrote the entry on the cylinder for 'Treasures of the Oriental Museum'. He currently works at Princeton, and one of his research interests is Babylon – particularly with regards to the links between Babylon and other contemporary civilisations, which could be helpful if I have questions about the Neo-Babylonian Empire’s context and contact with other contemporary civilisations.

     RESEARCH QUESTIONS

My research can be broadly grouped into three topics: sociopolitical context of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, writing in Mesopotamia, and archaeological and excavation practices in Near & Middle Eastern archaeology.

Looking at the broader Neo-Babylonian sociopolitical context of the object offers the widest range of options to research. Avenues I am exploring include:

·        The city of Sippar and its role in the Neo-Babylonian Empire and beyond

·        Ebabbar, particularly the extensive texts uncovered there

·        Religion in the Neo-Babylonian Empire, particularly the worship of Šamaš

·        The reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, particularly his extensive building programme

·        The use of barrel cylinders (both as foundation markers and other uses)

The topic of writing in Mesopotamia also provides some interesting paths my research could take me, including:

·        The emergence and use of cuneiform in Mesopotamia (potentially branching into the broader emergence and development of scripts in the Middle East)

·        Mesopotamian scribal practices

·        The use of writing in worship and religion in the Babylonian religion

·        The comparative study of the use of writing across civilisations - either contemporary to the Neo-Babylonians or civilisations which preceded or follows the Neo-Babylonian Empire in the region

The final avenue I could explore is the issues arising from archaeological excavations in the Middle East. The relationship between different groups operating in the area (such as archaeologists, locals, and looters) could be interesting lens through which to look at the excavation of Sippar.

Realistically, my research will cover some mix of these broader topics, as my degree is interdisciplinary in nature and I enjoy using a variety of lenses to analyse whatever I am studying. I will enjoy anything which allows me to mix the study of writing and religion, as opposed to a purely political/historical topic; the politics and history will naturally feed into the other research areas anyway.

    REFLECTIVE ANALYSIS

One initial problem I have encountered is that some of the relevant texts are not written in English.  I speak French, but I have never had to read academic 19th/20th century French, so getting through the literature will take longer than it would take me in English. I also cannot speak German (which is what most of the non-English texts are written in), which will cut me off from a fair amount of research. I have so far struggled to find translations but will continue searching.

I've also been limited in my research so far purely because Durham does not have copies or online access to several books I need for my initial research. I may contact the authors of more recent publications to ask if they could send me the relevant pages (often only a page or two in each text), or trying to access them via the Document Delivery Service or by going to other libraries in London (i.e. SOAS).

There is also some confusion about what Johannes Haubold, who researched the cylinder for the Oriental Museum, meant when he said that only three copies exist, as I have found contradictory evidence. At this point, my research has led me to believe that there are more than three copies of this text on barrel cylinders and bricks, but most are composed in two columns, and only this copy and the copies in London and New York have three columns. Hopefully this will be cleared up when I contact him.

[erickanobble]

Here’s how dental students are staying well during the COVID-19 pandemic

As dental students across the country continue their self-quarantine during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many dental schools across the United States have switched to an online learning format. A large part of our dental education stems from hands-on experiences, time spent in the simulation labs, treating patients in clinic and other clinical encounters, so without the ability to be at school, it is normal to feel uncertain, stressed or even anxious.

Now more than ever, focusing on our well-being is essential as we adjust to our new routines away from campus. Over the past few weeks, I sought to find out what dental students around the country are doing during their social distancing when they aren’t attending class online.  

Physical wellness 

Malika A. Malik, Michigan ’21, district 6 trustee: “In a time full of uncertainty and negativity, I have found many positives to my ‘isolation vacation’! Not having a schedule has removed the rush of a typical day. I can start the day with breakfast (lately a smoothie) and have more time to cook in the evening.

“My favorite part of the day has been tuning in to my studio’s live workouts! There are a variety of workouts such as barre, kickboxing and HIIT. It’s encouraging to have a group of people around the country encouraging each other to get moving while stuck at home. I even had the opportunity to teach a class from my living room! There’s nothing like keeping yourself accountable (I do this by posting to Instagram) and having 50 minutes dedicated to self-care. Maybe one day I will even share the bloopers of me struggling through most workouts!” 

Malika A. Malik after enjoying one of her home workouts.

Manuel Perea, Puerto Rico ’22: “Maintaining physical wellness at home has not been an easy task because I’m used to staying active in more spacious environments like the gym, the park where I walk my dog or even the 50 meter pool where I used to swim every day. Swimming has been a big part of my life since I was a child, and I have always enjoyed the benefits that the sport has brought to my life. However since starting dental school, swimming has been at the bottom of my to-do list. During this time of quarantine, I have turned that list upside-down and found a way to practice swimming, even in a 4.5-meter pool. This crazy project was possible with some ropes and exercise bands I had laying around the house.

“It is important to realize that social distancing is challenging but also rewarding because we are forced to invest time into ourselves, a goal that is sometimes lost when we are so invested in our studies and professional goals.” 

Manuel Perea gets creative during his swims.

David Alpert, Tufts ’21, ASDA Contributing Editor: “I used to ignore balance, mobility and muscular endurance as part of my workouts. Now, with the multitude of free home workouts online and no weights available, these are the focus of my exercise routines. I used to do a lot of martial arts and gymnastics in college, so I try to add some of those movements in too to keep things interesting. I also normally don’t have much time to cook anything fun, but now I can make new and exciting dishes that are pretty healthy. I hope to come out of the quarantine better than how I started, whether it’s perfecting my gumbo recipe or finally holding that perfect handstand.” 

Brenda Shah, New York ’20: “I have been using this [time] to focus on physical wellness with my mom.

“We go on power walks around the neighborhood every day to get our steps in, get some fresh air and sunlight, and see some friendly neighbors from a distance!”  

Cameron Kocan, Florida ’23: “In the past few weeks, I have noticed that the time I spent driving has been replaced with bike rides and runs with my dog. Being outside is refreshing and helps me refocus. Now that my schedule is more flexible, I schedule a mid-day ‘field trip’ so that I can come back to work with greater mental clarity. This improves the quality of my work as well as my overall well-being.” 

Cameron Kocan pictured with his dog during one of their runs.

Jillian Stacey, Colorado ’21, ASDA Council on Membership chair: “In these uncertain and scary times, dental students may find comfort and balance in the maintenance of a home workout practice. As someone who had been very active throughout my life, I’ve realized that my dental school fitness routine was severely lacking and, at times, non-existent. Despite all of the challenges this current era presents, one thing I am thankful for is having more time and renewed motivation to make physical fitness a staple of my everyday life.

“For the past couple of weeks, free workout routines and programs on YouTube have made a huge difference in my confidence, mood and energy levels in just a short time. It’s never too late to pick up a new exercise routine that you can be consistent with — it took me a whole three years of dental school!” 

Jillian Stacey has been using a daily free yoga fitness program on YouTube.

Jack Lupfer, Stony Brook ’20: “Despite all gyms being closed, I have been making an effort to still workout each day and find new, creative ways to get active and stay in shape, in spite of these social distancing times we’ve been living in. Whether it be going out and running each day, or doing some body and strength exercises in my house, there are still a plethora of ways to stay active and fit, despite being confined within the walls of our homes. Additionally, I’ve been working on being more cognizant of my nutrition and attempting to eat healthy, making smoothies and other things that I normally ‘don’t have the time for’ during regular dental school life.”  

Jack Lupfer reveals how to build the perfect smoothie.

Emotional wellness 

Anabel Alvarez, University of South Florida ’21, Predental Advisory Committee member: “During these moments of uncertainty, any feelings or emotions that arise within us have validity. I like to step into the moment, be mindful and focus on my breathing to calm down my fight-or-flight responses. Deep diaphragmatic breathing, meditation and affirmations are an asset to the mental health field because they reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.

“Because our brains have plasticity, repetition of meditations or affirmations over time will help us reinforce or weaken certain neural pathways and synapses. One of my favorite things to listen to is Affirmation Pod by Josie Ong.”

Aileen Jong, Alabama ’21: “Usually, I love being on my own in my one-bedroom apartment. However, loneliness can start to set in when undergoing self-quarantine without friends or family.

“I first began fostering kittens during my D1 year, but since then have not had the chance or time with the dental school workload becoming heavier. This past week, the local humane society had to close its adoption floor temporarily due to the COVID-19 outbreak and announced that all animals had to evacuate and go into foster homes. I jumped at the opportunity to once again foster a feline friend in order to help the shelter but, perhaps more importantly, to have a companion during these isolated times. Willow is a 1-year-old tabby cat who has been the best emotional support. She loves cuddling, gazing out the window and napping in laps!”  

Willow, the adorable cat Aileen Jong is currently fostering, curls up in her lap while she is doing schoolwork at home.

Katie O’Friel, Louisiana ‘22: “Living in New Orleans, it has been a challenge emotionally to read and hear about the devastation that COVID-19 is causing within the city as well as the rest of the world. I have recognized that one of the best things I can do for my emotional wellness is to allow myself to express my feelings and emotions. We all have different reactions during this extraordinary period of our lives. It is important to reach out to our loved ones, peers and mentors during this time to remind ourselves that we are all fighting the same battle.

“I believe emotional wellness encompasses each of the other four dimensions of wellness promoted by ASDA; thus, by focusing on the environmental, physical, occupational and intellectual pillars of wellness on a daily basis, I am able to be most aware of the state of my emotional wellness. Each day during this quarantine period, I start with a short list of attainable goals for myself to complete so that I avoid falling into a lethargic state of mind and body. This list may include taking a walk in the sunshine, spending time with my cat, watering my new plants, cleaning a part of my house or completing a school assignment.”  

Mariangel Fuchs, LECOM ’23: “The bonds we share with our peers shape our experiences of professional school and helps us feel supported. I practice wellness by using technology such as Zoom and social media to stay motivated, connected and engaged with other students not only at my program, but at other dental schools and students who are predental.

Feeling supported and maintaining community has been a great way to maintain a healthy mind through these last few weeks of the semester, as well as encourage myself and others to stay mentally healthy. 

Intellectual wellness 

Jeannie Binder, Texas-Houston ‘21: “Reading has become a big part of maintaining intellectual wellness in my quarantine life. You may be thinking that reading is an uninspired or obvious choice, but I think it’s the perfect activity for being at home. For one, I’d be willing to bet that most of us already have lots of unread books around the house. And if you don’t, it’s easy to order them online, download them onto your phone or check out electronic copies virtually from your local library through apps like Libby and OverDrive. A close friend of mine in my class started a virtual book club, which is allowing our class to enjoy a great book and stay socially connected at the same time. Apart from our DS3 book club, I’m tackling the Harry Potter books in French. I’m partway through book six, so hopefully I’ll be finished with the series and (moderately) fluent by the time this travel ban is lifted. Anyone up for a post-viral trip to Paris?”  

Neha Kwatra, Midwestern-Arizona ‘23: “There are many ways to practice intellectual wellness when you’re at home. My personal favorites are knitting and working on puzzles. Not only are these fun ways to relax while also using your brain, they help maintain hand skills as well as perceptual ability skills. I have also found it important to keep up with the lectures that my school is sharing online. I like to try to maintain as much normalcy as possible in my day so that I will be able to pick up where I left off with school.”  

Neha Kwatra works on her latest knitting project in the company of her dogs.

Andrew Sadek, Nova Southeastern ‘21: “Remember all the books that you wanted to read during dental school, but did not read because you did not have the time? Remember all the things that you wanted to look into but did not have time? Or how about the new language you wanted to learn but did not have time? In my case, how about the boards exam that you wanted to study for?

“Many of us have tasks that we wished for extra time to start on, continue or finish, so now may be the perfect time for those tasks. By doing so, we keep our minds active, gain more knowledge and continue to grow ourselves. Once done with a task, just think: It’s on to the next one! Please stay safe everyone. This too shall pass!”  

Sarina Shafiyan-Rad, Tufts ‘22: “To keep myself sane during this pandemic, I’ve been exploring a lot of online resources. I’m in my second year, and unfortunately these next four weeks, I’m in a crucial exam block so I’m starting to feel that burnout stage with all of the exams. My old coping mechanisms of hanging out with friends and going out and exploring Boston are not viable options at the moment, so I had to adapt. I’m a huge history buff and I love learning new information about anything. I’ve visited the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science and the Boston Aquarium so many times I’ve lost count. Since those places are now closed, I did some searching online and I found that a lot of major museums in the world have created virtual tours of their exhibits.

“Whenever I need a break from studying, I allow myself to log on and explore one exhibit before going back to work. Let’s just say I’ve taken a lot of well-deserved mental breaks, and I’ve virtually gone through over 30 exhibits in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.” 

Here is what one of the online museum exhibits looks like from Sarina Shafiyan-Rad’s computer.

Rachel Bryant, Midwestern-Arizona ‘21: “Although our daily routines have been interrupted, it is important for all of us to be participating in activities that bring peace, health and happiness. For me, getting back to a daily routine is imperative for my well-being. Even though I am not in clinic treating patients, I am trying to stick to a schedule, or checklist of productive activities, in order to maintain my intellectual wellness.

“Part of my schedule includes catching up on my reading list, all while enjoying some coffee and healthy snacks! The novel I am delving into now is “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. I wish health and happiness to everyone during these unprecedented times.”  

From the library of Rachel Bryant comes her current read and recommendation.

Occupational wellness 

Lauren Cuculino, LECOM ‘21: “I have been reaching out to touch base with those who shaped my journey the most. Over the past few days, I’ve emailed a few of my college professors with whom I’ve shared some wonderful experiences, as these individuals helped me to be the student I am today.

“I also gave a few of my dental mentors a call to ask their opinion on some of the patient cases I’ve had in clinic. These dentists helped shape my practice philosophy, so I always appreciate bouncing ideas off of them. Even though everyone’s personal and professional lives are uncertain at the moment, it’s always a treat to share meaningful conversations with those who will always mean a great deal to us!”  

Marco A. Gargano, Louisiana ‘23: “While no one is immune to the societal effects that COVID-19 is placing on us, we still have the opportunity to make the best of this situation. For those of us in Louisiana, this has included the use of telecommunications for lectures, socializing and breakout sessions. We may not all be together physically, but Zoom and Instagram allow us to interact with one another to share ideas and study together before tests.

“In fact, our morphology professor, Dr. Jonathan Esquivel, frequently hosts lectures live on Instagram. Our current situation may not be the most conventional, but there’s still something special about an unconventional approach that can inspire greatness.”  

Shelby Anderson, LECOM ‘22: “During this time, I am honoring my civic duty of social distancing for the health of myself and others. At home, I am practicing occupational wellness through yoga. I would consider myself at a beginner/intermediate level – no handstands yet!

“Through yoga, I strengthen my core and stretch my muscles. When it is time to return to the operatory, I hope through muscle memory I will resume neutral ergonomic practices.” 

Sometimes Shelby Anderson’s dog likes to join her yoga workouts.

Sonali Lallu, University of Central Florida ‘22, ASDA predental consultant: “I am practicing wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic by drawing and painting. Since my school has transitioned to being fully online, it’s left me with even more free time to focus on my hobbies. A big goal of mine for 2020 was to make more time to focus on my creative endeavors, which isn’t always easy to do when you’re focused on a busy class schedule or keeping up with extracurricular activities. Now, I’ve been able to incorporate drawing and painting into my weekly routine, which is not only a great stress reliever, but a way for me to continue working on my manual dexterity.

“I enjoy creating super detailed drawings and paintings to continue working on my attention to detail and manual dexterity skills. Overall, while the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of changes to everyone’s lives, it’s important to find the positives in situations like these, and practicing wellness through drawing and painting has definitely helped me do that!”  

Painting is Sonali Lallu’s favorite way to relieve stress and work on her manual dexterity.

Environmental wellness  

Joell Chen, Roseman ‘21: “I’ve been practicing environmental wellness by reorganizing my apartment and closet. I do my best to trade or sell items on Poshmark.com/Depop.com because most donated clothing actually ends up in landfills. Remember that decluttering does not always mean throwing things out, which often creates more waste for other individuals and organizations to address. A great place to start is being mindful of ways to recycle and repurpose what you already have.

“P.S.: Those giant vendor fair totes make the best grocery bags when you’re getting quarantine essentials! I’ve also been reading “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate” by Naomi Klein while my cat keeps me company.” 

Joell Chen takes a break from “Marie Kondo’ing” her living space to read her current favorite book with her cat.

Dr. Aditi Ghadvi, BDS, MPA, international dental student, ASDA Predental Advisory Committee member: “As a part of practicing ASDA wellness, I am choosing to focus much more on environmental wellness. I am, of course, self-isolating and also recycling my vegetable/organic waste into composting and planting new seedlings across my lawn. I have also adjusted the heater and A/C settings to a constant temperature to avoid extra emissions from an auto-adjustable setting, and I’m being more aware of my waste production while at home.” 

Dr. Aditi Ghadvi enjoys staying current with organized dentistry.

Chase Cerbone, Kentucky ‘23: “Growing up in south Florida, I became accustomed to driving everywhere I wanted to go. Upon starting dental school at the University of Kentucky, I decided to purchase a bicycle and starting biking to class. When the realization set in that I would be heading home to wait out this global health incident, I knew I would bring home my bicycle. Now that I spend almost all day inside, I make sure to set aside an hour a day and take a bike ride. Some days making it to the beach and enjoying the sound of the ocean is all it takes to recenter yourself.” 

Chase Cerbone takes a break from riding his bike to take in the view.

Jennifer Lenning, Tennessee ‘21: “Because of this COVID-19 pandemic, I have had a lot of time to practice environmental wellness since I am staying at home. For example, my husband and I are taking this time to clean out our drawers and donate clothes we aren’t wearing anymore. We are also taking the time to fold and organize like Marie Kondo! We are able to clean up our home and declutter areas that we wouldn’t otherwise have the time to organize.”  

What I discovered among dental student life during these times was profound: The resilience, creativity and compassion of dental students around the country echoed boldly in every response I received, and my heart grew warmer with each one that I read. I feel encouraged by my fellow ASDA members and grateful for the community we share within the organization.

I urge you to continue to remember your fellow students and the communities around you. Keep your family, friends and loved ones close. If you find yourself with more time on your hands, perhaps take advantage of it by trying something new, exploring something fun or focusing on your health and wellness. Together, we can stay strong and continue to move forward, navigating these unprecedented times. Stay well.

~Callista Schulenburg, LECOM ’22, ASDA Editor-in-Chief

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/heres-how-dental-students-are-staying-well-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[rickymanguson]

Here’s how dental students are staying well during the COVID-19 pandemic

As dental students across the country continue their self-quarantine during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many dental schools across the United States have switched to an online learning format. A large part of our dental education stems from hands-on experiences, time spent in the simulation labs, treating patients in clinic and other clinical encounters, so without the ability to be at school, it is normal to feel uncertain, stressed or even anxious.

Now more than ever, focusing on our well-being is essential as we adjust to our new routines away from campus. Over the past few weeks, I sought to find out what dental students around the country are doing during their social distancing when they aren’t attending class online.  

Physical wellness 

Malika A. Malik, Michigan ’21, district 6 trustee: “In a time full of uncertainty and negativity, I have found many positives to my ‘isolation vacation’! Not having a schedule has removed the rush of a typical day. I can start the day with breakfast (lately a smoothie) and have more time to cook in the evening.

“My favorite part of the day has been tuning in to my studio’s live workouts! There are a variety of workouts such as barre, kickboxing and HIIT. It’s encouraging to have a group of people around the country encouraging each other to get moving while stuck at home. I even had the opportunity to teach a class from my living room! There’s nothing like keeping yourself accountable (I do this by posting to Instagram) and having 50 minutes dedicated to self-care. Maybe one day I will even share the bloopers of me struggling through most workouts!” 

Malika A. Malik after enjoying one of her home workouts.

Manuel Perea, Puerto Rico ’22: “Maintaining physical wellness at home has not been an easy task because I’m used to staying active in more spacious environments like the gym, the park where I walk my dog or even the 50 meter pool where I used to swim every day. Swimming has been a big part of my life since I was a child, and I have always enjoyed the benefits that the sport has brought to my life. However since starting dental school, swimming has been at the bottom of my to-do list. During this time of quarantine, I have turned that list upside-down and found a way to practice swimming, even in a 4.5-meter pool. This crazy project was possible with some ropes and exercise bands I had laying around the house.

“It is important to realize that social distancing is challenging but also rewarding because we are forced to invest time into ourselves, a goal that is sometimes lost when we are so invested in our studies and professional goals.” 

Manuel Perea gets creative during his swims.

David Alpert, Tufts ’21, ASDA Contributing Editor: “I used to ignore balance, mobility and muscular endurance as part of my workouts. Now, with the multitude of free home workouts online and no weights available, these are the focus of my exercise routines. I used to do a lot of martial arts and gymnastics in college, so I try to add some of those movements in too to keep things interesting. I also normally don’t have much time to cook anything fun, but now I can make new and exciting dishes that are pretty healthy. I hope to come out of the quarantine better than how I started, whether it’s perfecting my gumbo recipe or finally holding that perfect handstand.” 

Brenda Shah, New York ’20: “I have been using this [time] to focus on physical wellness with my mom.

“We go on power walks around the neighborhood every day to get our steps in, get some fresh air and sunlight, and see some friendly neighbors from a distance!”  

Cameron Kocan, Florida ’23: “In the past few weeks, I have noticed that the time I spent driving has been replaced with bike rides and runs with my dog. Being outside is refreshing and helps me refocus. Now that my schedule is more flexible, I schedule a mid-day ‘field trip’ so that I can come back to work with greater mental clarity. This improves the quality of my work as well as my overall well-being.” 

Cameron Kocan pictured with his dog during one of their runs.

Jillian Stacey, Colorado ’21, ASDA Council on Membership chair: “In these uncertain and scary times, dental students may find comfort and balance in the maintenance of a home workout practice. As someone who had been very active throughout my life, I’ve realized that my dental school fitness routine was severely lacking and, at times, non-existent. Despite all of the challenges this current era presents, one thing I am thankful for is having more time and renewed motivation to make physical fitness a staple of my everyday life.

“For the past couple of weeks, free workout routines and programs on YouTube have made a huge difference in my confidence, mood and energy levels in just a short time. It’s never too late to pick up a new exercise routine that you can be consistent with — it took me a whole three years of dental school!” 

Jillian Stacey has been using a daily free yoga fitness program on YouTube.

Jack Lupfer, Stony Brook ’20: “Despite all gyms being closed, I have been making an effort to still workout each day and find new, creative ways to get active and stay in shape, in spite of these social distancing times we’ve been living in. Whether it be going out and running each day, or doing some body and strength exercises in my house, there are still a plethora of ways to stay active and fit, despite being confined within the walls of our homes. Additionally, I’ve been working on being more cognizant of my nutrition and attempting to eat healthy, making smoothies and other things that I normally ‘don’t have the time for’ during regular dental school life.”  

Jack Lupfer reveals how to build the perfect smoothie.

Emotional wellness 

Anabel Alvarez, University of South Florida ’21, Predental Advisory Committee member: “During these moments of uncertainty, any feelings or emotions that arise within us have validity. I like to step into the moment, be mindful and focus on my breathing to calm down my fight-or-flight responses. Deep diaphragmatic breathing, meditation and affirmations are an asset to the mental health field because they reduce feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.

“Because our brains have plasticity, repetition of meditations or affirmations over time will help us reinforce or weaken certain neural pathways and synapses. One of my favorite things to listen to is Affirmation Pod by Josie Ong.”

Aileen Jong, Alabama ’21: “Usually, I love being on my own in my one-bedroom apartment. However, loneliness can start to set in when undergoing self-quarantine without friends or family.

“I first began fostering kittens during my D1 year, but since then have not had the chance or time with the dental school workload becoming heavier. This past week, the local humane society had to close its adoption floor temporarily due to the COVID-19 outbreak and announced that all animals had to evacuate and go into foster homes. I jumped at the opportunity to once again foster a feline friend in order to help the shelter but, perhaps more importantly, to have a companion during these isolated times. Willow is a 1-year-old tabby cat who has been the best emotional support. She loves cuddling, gazing out the window and napping in laps!”  

Willow, the adorable cat Aileen Jong is currently fostering, curls up in her lap while she is doing schoolwork at home.

Katie O’Friel, Louisiana ‘22: “Living in New Orleans, it has been a challenge emotionally to read and hear about the devastation that COVID-19 is causing within the city as well as the rest of the world. I have recognized that one of the best things I can do for my emotional wellness is to allow myself to express my feelings and emotions. We all have different reactions during this extraordinary period of our lives. It is important to reach out to our loved ones, peers and mentors during this time to remind ourselves that we are all fighting the same battle.

“I believe emotional wellness encompasses each of the other four dimensions of wellness promoted by ASDA; thus, by focusing on the environmental, physical, occupational and intellectual pillars of wellness on a daily basis, I am able to be most aware of the state of my emotional wellness. Each day during this quarantine period, I start with a short list of attainable goals for myself to complete so that I avoid falling into a lethargic state of mind and body. This list may include taking a walk in the sunshine, spending time with my cat, watering my new plants, cleaning a part of my house or completing a school assignment.”  

Mariangel Fuchs, LECOM ’23: “The bonds we share with our peers shape our experiences of professional school and helps us feel supported. I practice wellness by using technology such as Zoom and social media to stay motivated, connected and engaged with other students not only at my program, but at other dental schools and students who are predental.

Feeling supported and maintaining community has been a great way to maintain a healthy mind through these last few weeks of the semester, as well as encourage myself and others to stay mentally healthy. 

Intellectual wellness 

Jeannie Binder, Texas-Houston ‘21: “Reading has become a big part of maintaining intellectual wellness in my quarantine life. You may be thinking that reading is an uninspired or obvious choice, but I think it’s the perfect activity for being at home. For one, I’d be willing to bet that most of us already have lots of unread books around the house. And if you don’t, it’s easy to order them online, download them onto your phone or check out electronic copies virtually from your local library through apps like Libby and OverDrive. A close friend of mine in my class started a virtual book club, which is allowing our class to enjoy a great book and stay socially connected at the same time. Apart from our DS3 book club, I’m tackling the Harry Potter books in French. I’m partway through book six, so hopefully I’ll be finished with the series and (moderately) fluent by the time this travel ban is lifted. Anyone up for a post-viral trip to Paris?”  

Neha Kwatra, Midwestern-Arizona ‘23: “There are many ways to practice intellectual wellness when you’re at home. My personal favorites are knitting and working on puzzles. Not only are these fun ways to relax while also using your brain, they help maintain hand skills as well as perceptual ability skills. I have also found it important to keep up with the lectures that my school is sharing online. I like to try to maintain as much normalcy as possible in my day so that I will be able to pick up where I left off with school.”  

Neha Kwatra works on her latest knitting project in the company of her dogs.

Andrew Sadek, Nova Southeastern ‘21: “Remember all the books that you wanted to read during dental school, but did not read because you did not have the time? Remember all the things that you wanted to look into but did not have time? Or how about the new language you wanted to learn but did not have time? In my case, how about the boards exam that you wanted to study for?

“Many of us have tasks that we wished for extra time to start on, continue or finish, so now may be the perfect time for those tasks. By doing so, we keep our minds active, gain more knowledge and continue to grow ourselves. Once done with a task, just think: It’s on to the next one! Please stay safe everyone. This too shall pass!”  

Sarina Shafiyan-Rad, Tufts ‘22: “To keep myself sane during this pandemic, I’ve been exploring a lot of online resources. I’m in my second year, and unfortunately these next four weeks, I’m in a crucial exam block so I’m starting to feel that burnout stage with all of the exams. My old coping mechanisms of hanging out with friends and going out and exploring Boston are not viable options at the moment, so I had to adapt. I’m a huge history buff and I love learning new information about anything. I’ve visited the Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Science and the Boston Aquarium so many times I’ve lost count. Since those places are now closed, I did some searching online and I found that a lot of major museums in the world have created virtual tours of their exhibits.

“Whenever I need a break from studying, I allow myself to log on and explore one exhibit before going back to work. Let’s just say I’ve taken a lot of well-deserved mental breaks, and I’ve virtually gone through over 30 exhibits in the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.” 

Here is what one of the online museum exhibits looks like from Sarina Shafiyan-Rad’s computer.

Rachel Bryant, Midwestern-Arizona ‘21: “Although our daily routines have been interrupted, it is important for all of us to be participating in activities that bring peace, health and happiness. For me, getting back to a daily routine is imperative for my well-being. Even though I am not in clinic treating patients, I am trying to stick to a schedule, or checklist of productive activities, in order to maintain my intellectual wellness.

“Part of my schedule includes catching up on my reading list, all while enjoying some coffee and healthy snacks! The novel I am delving into now is “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn. I wish health and happiness to everyone during these unprecedented times.”  

From the library of Rachel Bryant comes her current read and recommendation.

Occupational wellness 

Lauren Cuculino, LECOM ‘21: “I have been reaching out to touch base with those who shaped my journey the most. Over the past few days, I’ve emailed a few of my college professors with whom I’ve shared some wonderful experiences, as these individuals helped me to be the student I am today.

“I also gave a few of my dental mentors a call to ask their opinion on some of the patient cases I’ve had in clinic. These dentists helped shape my practice philosophy, so I always appreciate bouncing ideas off of them. Even though everyone’s personal and professional lives are uncertain at the moment, it’s always a treat to share meaningful conversations with those who will always mean a great deal to us!”  

Marco A. Gargano, Louisiana ‘23: “While no one is immune to the societal effects that COVID-19 is placing on us, we still have the opportunity to make the best of this situation. For those of us in Louisiana, this has included the use of telecommunications for lectures, socializing and breakout sessions. We may not all be together physically, but Zoom and Instagram allow us to interact with one another to share ideas and study together before tests.

“In fact, our morphology professor, Dr. Jonathan Esquivel, frequently hosts lectures live on Instagram. Our current situation may not be the most conventional, but there’s still something special about an unconventional approach that can inspire greatness.”  

Shelby Anderson, LECOM ‘22: “During this time, I am honoring my civic duty of social distancing for the health of myself and others. At home, I am practicing occupational wellness through yoga. I would consider myself at a beginner/intermediate level – no handstands yet!

“Through yoga, I strengthen my core and stretch my muscles. When it is time to return to the operatory, I hope through muscle memory I will resume neutral ergonomic practices.” 

Sometimes Shelby Anderson’s dog likes to join her yoga workouts.

Sonali Lallu, University of Central Florida ‘22, ASDA predental consultant: “I am practicing wellness during the COVID-19 pandemic by drawing and painting. Since my school has transitioned to being fully online, it’s left me with even more free time to focus on my hobbies. A big goal of mine for 2020 was to make more time to focus on my creative endeavors, which isn’t always easy to do when you’re focused on a busy class schedule or keeping up with extracurricular activities. Now, I’ve been able to incorporate drawing and painting into my weekly routine, which is not only a great stress reliever, but a way for me to continue working on my manual dexterity.

“I enjoy creating super detailed drawings and paintings to continue working on my attention to detail and manual dexterity skills. Overall, while the COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of changes to everyone’s lives, it’s important to find the positives in situations like these, and practicing wellness through drawing and painting has definitely helped me do that!”  

Painting is Sonali Lallu’s favorite way to relieve stress and work on her manual dexterity.

Environmental wellness  

Joell Chen, Roseman ‘21: “I’ve been practicing environmental wellness by reorganizing my apartment and closet. I do my best to trade or sell items on Poshmark.com/Depop.com because most donated clothing actually ends up in landfills. Remember that decluttering does not always mean throwing things out, which often creates more waste for other individuals and organizations to address. A great place to start is being mindful of ways to recycle and repurpose what you already have.

“P.S.: Those giant vendor fair totes make the best grocery bags when you’re getting quarantine essentials! I’ve also been reading “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. The Climate” by Naomi Klein while my cat keeps me company.” 

Joell Chen takes a break from “Marie Kondo’ing” her living space to read her current favorite book with her cat.

Dr. Aditi Ghadvi, BDS, MPA, international dental student, ASDA Predental Advisory Committee member: “As a part of practicing ASDA wellness, I am choosing to focus much more on environmental wellness. I am, of course, self-isolating and also recycling my vegetable/organic waste into composting and planting new seedlings across my lawn. I have also adjusted the heater and A/C settings to a constant temperature to avoid extra emissions from an auto-adjustable setting, and I’m being more aware of my waste production while at home.” 

Dr. Aditi Ghadvi enjoys staying current with organized dentistry.

Chase Cerbone, Kentucky ‘23: “Growing up in south Florida, I became accustomed to driving everywhere I wanted to go. Upon starting dental school at the University of Kentucky, I decided to purchase a bicycle and starting biking to class. When the realization set in that I would be heading home to wait out this global health incident, I knew I would bring home my bicycle. Now that I spend almost all day inside, I make sure to set aside an hour a day and take a bike ride. Some days making it to the beach and enjoying the sound of the ocean is all it takes to recenter yourself.” 

Chase Cerbone takes a break from riding his bike to take in the view.

Jennifer Lenning, Tennessee ‘21: “Because of this COVID-19 pandemic, I have had a lot of time to practice environmental wellness since I am staying at home. For example, my husband and I are taking this time to clean out our drawers and donate clothes we aren’t wearing anymore. We are also taking the time to fold and organize like Marie Kondo! We are able to clean up our home and declutter areas that we wouldn’t otherwise have the time to organize.”  

What I discovered among dental student life during these times was profound: The resilience, creativity and compassion of dental students around the country echoed boldly in every response I received, and my heart grew warmer with each one that I read. I feel encouraged by my fellow ASDA members and grateful for the community we share within the organization.

I urge you to continue to remember your fellow students and the communities around you. Keep your family, friends and loved ones close. If you find yourself with more time on your hands, perhaps take advantage of it by trying something new, exploring something fun or focusing on your health and wellness. Together, we can stay strong and continue to move forward, navigating these unprecedented times. Stay well.

~Callista Schulenburg, LECOM ’22, ASDA Editor-in-Chief

from Dental Tips https://www.asdablog.com/heres-how-dental-students-are-staying-well-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

[dtjoyce]

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Roman Catholic Church in Forest Hills, Queens, was completed in 1939 and modeled on Durham Cathedral in England.

The nave looking east toward the narthex.

The narthex, or foyer. Note the Guastavino tiles in the vaulted ceiling. These tiles are also found in the aisles on either side of the nave as well as in a large expanse in the vault over the transept crossing. I found their use here both beautiful — I’m a big fan of Guastavino tiles — and surprising, since by the time of this church’s construction in the late 1930s these tiles were past their heyday. There is a small chapel in a wing that extends north of the church at the far end of the narthex.

I was struck by this gate in front of one of the altars. At the center is a depiction of a basket with five loaves of bread and two fish below — a reference to the only miracle performed by Jesus that is described in all four of the New Testament gospels.

Location 110-06 Queens Boulevard Forest Hills, Queens

Faith Christian (Catholic)

Founded 1912

Current building Ground broken: 18 May 1938 Completed: 5 November 1939 Architects: Maginnis & Walsh

This week’s visit began with a bit of a false start. My original intention was to visit the Hindu Temple Society of North America and its complex in Flushing, Queens. But this project has taught me that I know far less about others’ faith and beliefs, even those I think I know something about in the Judeo-Christian tradition, than I realized. My experiences have also been richer at those houses of worship where I’ve been able to speak with someone, whether a tour guide or a lay member. When I got to the Hindu temple I knew I wasn’t quite ready to explore the house of worship of a major religion I know so little about. There were also signs reminding visitors that the temple is a house of worship and that clothing such as ripped jeans are inappropriate, and the jeans I was wearing that day are a bit worn in the knees. The last thing I want to do is be disrespectful to others’ beliefs or house of worship, so I decided to come back on a different day. (The Hindu temple is still on my list!)

So I took a walk. A long walk. A very long walk, in fact. My walk, plus a quick ride on a bus and the subway, eventually led me to Forest Hills, Queens. Forest Hills, together with Forest Hills Gardens, is one of my favorite parts of New York City, though my primary reason for heading that way was to pick up a book at the local branch of the Queens public library, whose online catalog assured me that I could find a copy of the book there. (I did.)

On my way to the library from the subway I looked east down Queens Boulevard and noticed a church, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs. I had seen the church on prior visits to Forest Hills, where I had noted its beauty — it stands out even in this particularly beautiful neighborhood — and that the church and its school took up an entire city block. After a quick check on my phone of the church’s website, to make sure I would have time to explore the church before the Saturday evening vigil Mass, I decided to peek inside.

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs has the sort of thoughtful neo-Gothic architecture that belies its actual age. This is a neighborhood parish church, not a cathedral or basilica, and its small scale gives it an intimacy and warmth that can sometimes be hard to find at larger houses of worship. But it also has an attention to detail that makes it worth a visit:

The stained glass is particularly brilliant, with vibrant hues of blue that make the windows come alive.

The vault over the nave consists of richly stained wooden beams that add to the sanctuary’s warmth.

A small, very intimate chapel — there are a total of six seats! — occupies a small wing that projects from the north end of the narthex.

Detailed stonework punctuates the short wall that separates the apse and altar from the rest of the sanctuary.

Perhaps my favorite detail was the Guastavino tile in the vaults over the narthex and aisles as well as over the transept crossing at the very heart of the church — one of the largest expanses of Guastavino tile I’ve ever seen.

Our Lady Queen of Martyrs was completed in a remarkable 536 days — 1 year, 5 months, and 18 days — from its groundbreaking on 18 May 1938 to its opening on 5 November 1939. Its design by prolific church architectural firm Maginnis & Walsh is based on Durham Cathedral in England, though as a church publication (PDF) notes, it “is not an exact copy of the Durham cathedral — it is much smaller, and certain architectural elements were simplified or eliminated in order to keep costs at a manageable level.”

This church may be smaller than its prototype, but its presence in this busy corner of Forest Hills is big. The adjacent Queens Boulevard is a whopping 11 lanes across at this point — 13 if you count parking and fire lanes — and the surrounding neighborhood is vibrant with shops, restaurants, and cafés. Passenger trains whiz by on the Long Island Rail Road’s Main Line just two blocks south every few minutes all day every day of the week. But Our Lady Queen of Martyrs is a spot of beauty, warmth, and quiet — respite from the outside world.

Want to visit?

The church’s website lists worship services every day of the week. The website also has a considerable amount of information on the church’s history and architecture, including several PDF publications with a wealth of information and photos.

Week 11: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church Location 110-06 Queens Boulevard Forest Hills, Queens Faith Christian (Catholic) Founded 1912 Current building Ground broken: 18 May 1938…

[ricktoportland-blog]

RTP #115/Days 1-3 - are you the guy getting a massage from my wife?

am in the public library in Willamina (willa-MY-na) OR on this 3rd day of the ride and super-friendly Sarah the librarian just gave me the code to use the free computer. asked her to make 5 color copies of my RTP map, since I'm currently locked out of my room at the 6-room Wildwood Hotel. they don't open the reservation check-in desk till 5pm so I had a late breakfast at Coyote Joe's (with homemade German sausage) where a very friendly woman recognized me from being on TV last Friday night on KGW8 in Portland. she had a huge smile and wanted a picture of me taken with her and she bought my breakfast. (I may have gotten some of the names wrong cause I met Rollie, Linda and bunch of locals having their breakfast after they recognized me from TV) turns out that my Coyote Joe's waitress, the very friendly Wendy, is also a cyclist along with her husband (he owns his own truck and he hauls lumber for the local mill) and they have done a cool organized ride across all of Portland's bridges w/ thousands of people on the same day. saw a poster on the hotel window for a woman named Jenna Lee Marrant who gives massages but she said she's not normally in this town on Mondays. when I explained what I'm doing over the phone at 10:30am, she said, "ok, that's cool, I can meet you at 6:30". also spent some time in a classic local hardware store to juice up my phone (Skybergs...side note...also rode through RickReall yesterday...lots of Berg/Rick references around here). had a few beers at Dillons, the pub across the Wildwood (again, with only 6 rooms but mine is decorated on the walls in vintage vinyl records) and met Joe who is a craps dealer at the local casino where he's worked for the past 22 years. he and his buddies were having Coors & Coors Light and I was having the wheat beer on tap (it wasn't #LaughingSkullBeer, my very cool sponsor, but it was OK). he was a cool guy who moved up here from San Jose to escape the rat race and be near his dad and now he makes a decent living at the casino. due to my hi-vis clothing, he thought I was a 'flagger' at the local timber yards. this town has the largest timber plant in the Northwest. needed to make some extra copies of my RTP map since I keep giving them away and asked the bartender where to go - luckily the library is right across the street, down a small alley, with two bright red doors. I told my RTP story to Sarah-the-librarian and then the only other guy using a computer named Nick looked up and said, "so you are going on a big bike ride? are you the guy getting a massage from my wife tonight?" and that, ladies and gentlemen, is the definition of a small town. and that's what I'm enjoying the most from this trip over the past few days. met Gio (from Spain) & Laura (from Mozambique) as they walked their dog in a park and I had stopped to massage my foot. I shared the ride story and they got a copy of my map. as we parted, I said, "it was nice to meet you"...and she replied..."no, it was a joy to meet". got to meet up with Amazing Claire in Portland last Wednesday after spending a few days with Marc Ackerman in Seattle. she helped me with last minute prep and one day we got to walk the city and go to Powell's Books (largest book store) and on Friday were joined by Ashley & David Vanderpoel (the other 2/3 of my Mission Control) and we did a 3+hour culinary walking tour. super good food, good guide who also taught us about Portland and then we stayed up till midnight as Claire Celeste Carnes helped me with the packing list as Claire loaded all my blogs into a RickToPortland Tumblr account while David brought beer and then checked my spare tubes to weed out two flats. have had limited cell phone reception and plan to change from AT&T to Verizon to get better coverage on the ride. hope to send a random thoughts update tomorrow...have learned so much in just the three days. by the weekend, also hope to have a big batch of pictures loaded up on Tumblr (RickToPortland) so it you don't have a Tumblr account yet, please set one up for the visuals that will start up way more frequently. and lastly, thank you - thank you - thank you to all of you for the amazing words of encouragement, 'stay safe' notes, advice on what to pack or what to see and for sharing the journey's you plan to take as well. Portland-Newberg-Dallas-Willamina rick