Thursday, December 31, 2009


Predicted sleety rain surprised everyone by being snow instead . . . David Hoffman braved the weather to deliver some more autographed copies of his book. We were all but sold out . . . The Bare Wall will be closed until Monday so there may not be any posts here before then. Depends on how bored I get just sitting around and working on the store ledger . . . On the big day I watch football in the family room while Bob stays in the kitchen with the Philly Mummers' Parade. Between divisions he suddenly appears with some wonderful treats he has concocted; what is a kitchen for but to whip up something delicious? . . . Didn't think anyone would be interested in seeing what my new dishwasher looks like, so I am substituting a snapshot of the Earl Blust painting that Bob got for Christmas . . . Please, everyone, be happy but safe and come back to visit in 2010. HAPPY NEW YEAR . . .

Wednesday, December 30, 2009


The Bare Wall will close around 3 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) and will not reopen until Monday at 10 a.m. The weather is to be iffy through this period, so please travel safely . . . We begin our inventory processing next week. This is the very best time of the year for bargains at The Bare Wall. There are always several items we do not want to carry over and we make these available at exceptional discounts. And if you don't like the price, make a reasonable offer. You might be surprised . . . The few remaining boxes of mints are reduced to $12. Many ornaments are available at half price. In fact, you can talk us into reductions on almost anything until it is counted . . . And that darn heavy brass floor candlestick is still here !!!!! . . .

Tuesday, December 29, 2009


Still catching up . . . Ty Cowell and his guitar performed professionally earlier this month at a club in St. Augustine called Rendezvous (I think). Wife Pam reports that the crowd was very supportive and there was a nice turnout for Ty's effort . . . I had introduced you to Syd Summerhill's sculptures some weeks back, but I didn't know that he was an artist as well. Bob received a 'thank you' note for a tea and crumpets get-together he had recently and we were pleasantly surprised to see that the card was adorned with one of Syd's paintings. Thought you would like to see it as well . . . I really like this week between Christmas and New Year's Day because it allows us to play a favorite CD of ours. Bob discovered it some years ago. It is a recording of a broadcast to our troops in WWII wishing them a Happy 1945. We hear a lot of big bands and singers doing the pop songs of the day. I wish we could play it more, but Bob rightly insists that it go back on the rack once the New Year is celebrated. It has become a Bare Wall tradition of sorts . . . Do any of you remember Milkman, Keep Those Bottles Quiet? . . .

Monday, December 28, 2009



Hope you all had a wonderful holiday. I’ve been relaxing myself, so we have some catching up to do. Santa Bob visited JJ and Cecilia Christmas Eve with a bountiful bag. JJ couldn’t believe it and summoned his parents. “These are all for me!” he exclaimed. Santa and he went through a pile of trucks, magic markers, a train (Santa forgot the batteries!) and a toy computer which was especially welcomed. (But the kid is a whiz on a real one, so don’t know how long the fascination will last) . . . We spent Christmas day quietly, lamenting the fact that TV generally ignored the holiday; even the shopping channels were hard at work pushing their goods. We reminisced about the Bing Crosby-Perry Como-Andy Williams et al Christmas specials which were so much a part of the season celebration years ago. Finally watched some of the (taped) Harrisburg holiday parade and remembered that its original purpose was to attract people to the big stores downtown (yes, there were such things). Santa would dismount at Pomeroy’s and their animated windows would be revealed. The burg actually felt like a city back then . . . Oh, yeah: Bob got an Earl Blust painting and Santa Bob got me a dishwasher . . . Lazed Saturday while Bob prepared for Sunday’s family “do” and then we joined the neighbors at Elizabeth and Mickey’s open house. What a lovely event. The women will be moving to the suburbs soon, but they surely will miss their historic Briggs Street building; what a beauty. If you are looking for a place in our neighborhood, be sure you eyeball this one . . . Sixteen members of the Deibler clan descended on Bob’s house on Sunday. Lots and lots and lots of eats: food, football and fellowship in roughly that order (go Steelers!) . . . and we have a holiday tradition of our own—tonight Janet Reed and Angela Lawson will join us to pick through the leftovers; the girls will be happy: there’s a lot of their favorite cold stuffing to enjoy . . . More to come, but want to remind you that there are still a few bayberry candles available for your New Year’s Eve celebration . . .

Thursday, December 24, 2009

. . . and to all a good night !
MERRY CHRISTMAS
(we will be back in a day or two)

Wednesday, December 23, 2009


The Fates are conspiring to scuttle my boat. First a snowstorm on what should have been The Bare Wall's biggest day of the year and now a major gas leak in the next block that has closed our street . . . Hello, retirement! . . . Happy to report that Eric's beloved glove has come home again . . . Angela Lawson has all the kids giddy with excitement. She has given them a packet of glitter mixed with oatmeal. All they need to do tomorrow night is to scatter it on the lawn or sidewalk and Santa's reindeer are sure to flock to it. Bob's neighbors Felix and Sabrina can hardly wait for the moment to sprinkle their bait . . . JJ looked like a proper English gentleman for his trip to The Residence; the Governor even had a present for him . . . we have received a lot of hokey Christmas e-mails over the past several weeks, but none is as much fun as this one from Lee Spitalny: http://www.sundog.net/carolofthechins/flash/card.swf . . . just type in a song title and the kids will sing it to you--maybe. It is even fun when they don't know the tune . . . My favorite is The Twelve Days of Christmas . . .

Tuesday, December 22, 2009


'Tis the season for goodies . . . Judy Robinson delivered yesterday; oh, those sugared pecans! . . . Michelle Freed sent her dad Ed with a beautiful array of cookies; her "coconut sandies" are a big hit this season. but JJ prefers the ones with a Hershey kiss in the middle . . . Mary Ann Furedi slipped some tasty-looking baked treats to Bob late this afternoon; I haven't had a look-see there yet . . . Yvonne Brown came by with two boxes of candies so Bob and I don't fight over who gets what; she and Bob have exchanged chocolates and fresh pears so often that it is practically a tradition. Yvonne's husband Wes celebrated his 90th birthday on Saturday. The five children are scattered and were prevented by the weather from travelling so daughter Claire in Ohio arranged a conference call. It was a heart-warming event Yvonne says . . . Angela Lawson and granddaughter Addison are baking cookies too, the slice-and-bake kind. "Good grandmother and no mess," Angela says . . . I am helping out Eric and Joanne by eating some of the wedding cake left-overs. Eric has lost one of his beloved blue Penn State gloves somewhere in the neighborhood. If found, please drop off at The Bare Wall . . . JJ is attending the Christmas party at The Residence tonight; he was barred from last year's celebration for some now-forgotten reason . . . The picture is a seasonal postcard from Dan Beard and Jon Hulka's home in Fulton County; they obviously got a better taste of Saturday's storm than we did . . .

Monday, December 21, 2009

The Bare Wall will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 26, so that Bob can prepare for the annual Deibler holiday party on Sunday. Ronn will pretend to help but will be concentrating mostly on whatever football game might be in progress at the moment. We will reopen Monday with bargains for those still in the holiday mood . . . We are hoping to see a horde of people in the next three days to salvage the season interrupted by the storm. Every other retailer is hoping for the same thing. But you late starters, don't panic. Remember we gift wrap everything for free . . .

Sunday, December 20, 2009


Very nice reception for the newlyweds at Joanne and Eric's house today; we were also celebrating Joanne's birthday . . . My thanks to Bryan, Craig and anyone else who helped out the old man by clearing his sidewalk these last two days . . . This was to have been JJ's big sightseeing weekend in Washington, D. C. Rockets and dinosaurs and everything in between was on the menu. JJ was game despite the weather, but the dumb adults closed everything down. He and sister Cecilia had to make do playing in the hotel a la Eloise at the Plaza . . .

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Disastrous snow storm just days before Christmas will certainly bury several small businesses. I just hope we aren't one of them, but the forecast for the next couple of days is not helpful . . . Opened for just a few hours, saw no one and spent the rest of the day watching football and taking cat naps . . .

Friday, December 18, 2009

It is OFFICIAL: Joanne and Eric were married today. Congratulations!!!!! . . . Angels seem to be orphans this year; Santas and snowmen are selling well, but angels are languishing . . . I guess every retailer on the East Coast is deeply worried about the predicted snow storm that is to begin later tonight. A white weekend just days before Christmas can turn black days into red ones . . . Hope our creditors will be understanding . . . But we will be here if you can safely get to our door. Please be careful . . .

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Every holiday season we have one day on which business screeches to a stop; hopefully that day was today. We had but one customer between one and four this afternoon. We assure ourselves that all is not lost by creating excuses: this was Office Party day; there was a carol sing at Strawberry Square; it was tree-lighting time somewhere. And we feel a little better . . . only 15 packs of bayberry tapers left; don't miss out . . . Bob gets angry with me when I shift the merchandise at this time of year. He can never locate anything once I have redone some of the displays. I like to keep things looking fresh so that the next customer will feel he is the very first to step inside the door . . . I guess that all began years and years ago when The Bare Wall was very new and not so well stocked. Paul Wambach was helping out that Christmas, and one morning a week before the holiday we both agreed that the store was looking shabby and “picked over” so we went to work on it. A display table was sacrificed and carted to the basement, a few wall shelves were removed and our wares were redistributed; some empty lower shelves were filled with what appeared to be wrapped gifts awaiting pick-up. When we were finished the store looked attractive and inviting and we were very self-satisfied with our effort . . . a short time later a relative of Paul’s who was “above” patronizing our meager enterprise stopped in. “My, my,” she said, casting a disapproving eye about, “you guys are loaded. So sad! I was just at such-and-such a store and they are all but sold out. Shelves and tables empty, empty, empty. I feel so sorry for you” . . . Paul and I could not contain ourselves. We fell into each other’s arms laughing like two crazed hyenas. Our “customer” stomped out in a huff . . . “her” store should have taken a lesson from us. It was out-of-business a year or so later . . .

Wednesday, December 16, 2009


Some sunshine at last, though it is turning colder . . . After about fifteen years on Briggs Street Joe Turley has moved uptown a bit. But he wants his old neighbors to know that he is still available for their occasional chores. Just call the Bare Wall and we will put you in touch with him . . . The new windows at Bob's house have been installed and he says he can already feel a difference. We will see if the first heating bill confirms that . . . Have complained herein about cars not being moved for street cleaning and the fact that the fine is too low; well, the rumor is that all parking infraction fees will be going up after the new year . . . There must be a train lover out there who would really appreciate these heavy metal bookends. The two pieces are attractive ornaments even if they aren't supporting your favorite books . . . (click to enlarge)

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

These gray overcast days are suitable to the season I guess, but what I really need is a bit of sunshine . . . It was one of those days in which I did a lot and yet have nothing to show for it. Cannot think of a single encouraging word tonight except "keep on shoppin'" . . .

Monday, December 14, 2009

Spent the day repairing the delightful damage to the tables and shelves after the press of people at yesterday's tour. Place is looking good again; you wouldn't know that anything is missing . . . Am fighting the sniffles; think I stood too close to that aromatherapy candle for too long yesterday. Not suffering a cold . . . It has been pointed out that I have promoted Odin's new recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons several times now without mentioning the price. It is $16 . . .

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Nasty weather did not discourage visitors on the house tour. We were busy most of the afternoon and everyone was obviously having a very good time. They destroyed our supply of cranberry soap. Must admit that I am weary and planning to retire early . . . Lucille has sent ten new silks in bright colors--reds, rusts and orange . . . Fred Imhoff's new glass jewelry also is here. Beautiful selection of colors. Alert for husbands/boyfriends: Fred has provided four superior necklace and earring sets that any special woman would covet . . .

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Busy day. Lots of fun. Almost everyone asked about JJ . . . Neighborhood looking nifty. Even houses not on the official candlelight tour are decorated. Jaime and Bryan have done up their entry; North Street is aglow with lights. Have sold 93 tickets thus far, the last to a delightful couple from Waynesboro who read about the event on the net and decided to attend. So sorry the weather isn't cooperating . . . It is fun to be a retailer when things are going well, but I am so busy I haven't had the time to enjoy my foreign radio and TV broadcasts. I am sure I am missing a lot of holiday programming that I would enjoy . . .

Friday, December 11, 2009


Bitter cold today but the garland is up around the door. Several hardy shoppers . . . thus far we have sold more than 70 tickets for Sunday's house tour. Bob and I got a free preview of Dr. Bob Coldren and Jack Barnett's home this evening; truly lovely (with all those Bare Wall candles). Lots of paintings of area scenery by local artists . . . if you missed Odin's "release party" for his new CD tonight do not despair. We will have copies for sale here come Monday . . .

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Frantic activity on our block as the owners of four homes rush to be ready for the Candlelight House Tour on Sunday. And who is the laggard? Me, of course. Bob begged me to hang our garland while the weather was nice and I didn't. Guess I will brave the elements tomorrow . . . A reminder that tickets are $12 through Saturday. Late-comers Sunday will pay $15 . . . Had a very busy day with a lot of good-natured people in the holiday spirit. Had intended at the outset of the season to mention them all by name but now realize how impossible that would be. A simple "thanks for your support" seems inadequate but it is the best I can do just now . . . Mary tells me the Lingus fig tree is now "under wraps" for the winter. Its survival is always iffy, and it certainly will be tested when the temperature goes down to 15 tonight . . . Brr . . . I'm having a bowl of Bob's chili and he and some hearty friends are bundled up and caroling tonight. Bet they cannot wait to finish the last fa-la-la so they can get inside to the mulled cider . . . Last year their big night was beset by an icy blast that made walking impossible, so they sat around the punch bowl and telephoned their carols to people in the neighborhood . . . Ingenuity par excellence!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Ugly a.m., snow and rain . . . Was impressed with the speedy efficiency of the staff at Harrisburg Hospital. Everyone very personable. Jeremy did my scan, Steve took the x-rays. No prognosis yet, of course. I was hoping they would find a sponge marked "Property of Hbg. Hospital" left over from my gall bladder operation 20 years ago. No such luck, apparently . . . Shared the elevator with two ladies who had braved the elements so they could enjoy the "snowscape" from Seven Bridges Restaurant on the top floor; they were disappointed to find the place closed--the hospital staff holiday party was today . . . Sold several of Lucille's scarves after last week's posting; Lucille is sending more to help pep up her display . . . Fred Imhoff has promised that more glass earrings are on the way. His selection is dangerously thin at the moment. Women tell me the earrings are especially comfortable to wear . . . If you are coming for House Tour tickets, please be advised that they are available by cash or check only; no credit cards accepted . . .

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Quiet news day. Pleasant times with shoppers. JJ came, raided the cookie jar and went off to grandma's for noodles. "But I'm not hungry now," he told his mom, having had a cookie, a gummy worm, some Lucky Charms dry cereal and several chocolate-covered dried cherries . . . tomorrow is my morning at the hospital for tests, so we may be a tad late in opening; give us an extra half hour just in case. More concerned with the icy weather than the sonogram thingy . . .

Monday, December 7, 2009

Damp and chilly day . . . Amy and Doug Hill are back from Paris and working frantically to get their house ready for Sunday's house tour . . . Wife Kimberly has informed me that violinist Odin Rathnam will have a "release party" for his new CD at Barnes and Noble in Camp Hill on Friday from 7 - 9 p.m. . . . Bob helped me set up the new Comcast TV boxes this evening. We had a "mechanical malfunction" that made the project arduous. (I don't dare say that Bob stuck the plug in the wrong hole.) Now I have to figure out a new remote. Have a basket full of those gadgets and can't remember which operates what . . . With telephone, computer, TV, DVD/tape player, radio, several table lamps, etc., my house has so much wire that it looks more like it is under construction than a cozy nest. And I have run out of outlets . . .

Sunday, December 6, 2009


Relaxing Saturday evening with friends Dan and Jon from Fulton County. Bob made a regal meal with his "Millersburg Chicken" as the entree; topped it off with pineapple upside down cake, the one dessert Bob can do really well . . . don't wait too long to pick up your bayberry tapers for New Year's Eve; our 2-pack is $7.25 and we usually sell out early . . . Susan Henking, a college professor from the Finger Lakes region, is in the Harrisburg area for a bit and came shopping yesterday. Her interests include cooking and cozy mysteries, particularly those dealing with food. She invites readers to visit her blog: http://www.cookingwithideas.typepad.com/. Scroll down to the entry for November 11th to see her "take" on the Broad Street Market . . . some lucky gent is going to get this large metal British touring car for his office or den. Bob thinks it needs a couple of small Christmas packages in the back seat to really dress it up. Only one, $38 . . .

Saturday, December 5, 2009

First flurries of the season has infused all of us with the holiday spirit. Nicely busy day with all in a good mood. Have some things to share with you in the next few days but am posting late tonight since we are hosting out-of-town guests. Sorry to be brief, but here is a wish that you can enjoy for the rest of the month . . . copy and paste this into your bar above:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUD-J_6l160&feature=related

Friday, December 4, 2009

Pleasant day. Renewed acquaintances with some old customers thanks to the article in TheBurg. Breathing easier since the urgent order for the coffee collection was answered today . . . Pre-wrapped more bluebirds ($9.50) . . . we are burning one of Root's tangerine-lemongrass candles; what a pleasant aroma . . .

House Tour Addendum

Yesterday's post stirred a lot of memories; thanks for the e-mails. This year's tour on Dec. 13 has 22 official stops. Other places like The Bare Wall have become "unofficial but desirable" that people return to year after year. So how does that compare with the first tour in 1973? Well, there were only nine sites back then and for the record, here they are:
M/M Terry Summers, 711 South Front Street
Ronald Shepler, 631 South Front Street
Mary Rinehardt, 547 South Front Street
M/M Robert Young, 329 South Front Street
Cathedral House. St. Stephen's, 215 North Front Street
Office and apartment, 114 South Street
The Bare Wall, 712 Green Street
Harry Courtright, 218 Herr Street
Glenn residence, 224 Verbeke Street

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Slowish day so had time to chat with Lonnie Kerr, Bonnie Wallace and Ken Frew . . . Searched the closets and found some more angels we had forgotten about . . . pre-wrapped more coffee collections and boxed some pottery to speed things up when busy . . . A nice e-mail from Lucille in response to our post about her silk scarves yesterday. She has just shipped a large assortment to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Very excited, as she should be. We are very happy for her. We still have a nice selection, but don't wait too long . . .

Candlelight House Tour c. 1973


The Historic Harrisburg Association annual Candlelight House Tour was the brain-child of Frank Pines. When he first proposed the tour to fellow board members we were not enthusiastic--but we were quick to share the accolades when the December 9, 1973, event turned out to be a rousing success. (Cost per ticket:$3.) . . . The blueprint for the early tours called for one renovation in progress, one Jewish home, an example of alternate use (The Bare Wall on that first tour), an apartment on occasion, several established homes and a church to host the public reception. Because people then didn’t decorate as early as they do now, each participant received a large poinsettia for the entry hall and the Jewish family got a blue, white and silver Hanukkah bouquet . . . (Interesting sidelight: The Shipoke home of Bob and Eileen Young was on the first tour; this year they are showing their Herr Street residence.) . . . The first several years of the tour were quite fashionable: men in suits and ties, the women in their Easter morning finery (plus furs). The Great Ladies of Harrisburg in long gowns and family pearls presided at table and poured tea or coffee for the touring public at a formal reception. St. Stephen’s was the host church that first tour and those of us on that first committee were deeply indebted to the late Betty Murray who showed us how to throw a fabulous reception and get most of the munchies for free! We did “the Murray thing” for the next several years . . . Amenities were soon added: a jitney to circle the tour area, strolling carolers, a full-sized program with advertising. At the peak of success (and having no ‘house tour’ competition) up to 1800 tickets were sold . . . the day ended with a dinner and get-together at the church for all home owners and volunteers . . . future committees would add to and subtract from the original plan that Frank had laid out and today’s event has been greatly expanded and changed; but for us old folks it is not the intimate event it once was. However people still bundle up and brave 20-degree weather to enjoy this Harrisburg tradition . . . This is HHA’s 36th house tour, and some wiseacre is going to figure out that there is a year missing somewhere; well, there is: One HHA board decided to discontinue the event. Members were dismayed and in rebellion. The “Old Guard” leaped into action and that year produced the “Snowflake” holiday tour. (If anyone remembers the date, please let me know; my living room was the site of this Les Miz uprising.) The general public didn’t know the difference and the next HHA board was quick to reinstate the celebration. And to show there were no hard feelings (well, that is putting it mildly) the profits from the Snowflake tour eventually went to HHA . . . (click the program to enlarge)

Wednesday, December 2, 2009


Today's rainy afternoon didn't deter shoppers. They had everything on their lists: cards, soaps, candles, wooden utensils, ornaments; kept Bob and me hopping to wrap the goods and refill the shelves . . . It is fun to be busy though we don't always get to chat as much as we would like . . . If early ticket sales are an indication this will be a very successful Candlelight House Tour . . . Our cute polar bear figures ($12) want to introduce you to Lucille's hand-marbleized silk scarves ($36). You saw them here first, but Lucille's work has now been accepted by the gift shop at the Boston Museum of Fine Art. The package also comes with a guide on the art of scarf tying . . .

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Sunny day and people are getting serious about the holidays. Made an urgent call to our supplier for twenty-four more coffee collections ($17.50). These are selling faster than expected . . . Nothing alarming in my doctor visit but more tests are required . . . For those of you out of town with no access to a print copy of our story in TheBurg here is the link: www.theburgnews.com. You can read the entire paper by clicking DOWNLOAD on the right. You will see the Governor's Residence on the cover; scroll down to Page 8 and there we are. There is a magnifier at the top of the page that will allow you to read it easily . . . Thanks to Bob and Jack's NetFlix connection I got to see Grey Gardens this evening. The story of Jackie Kennedy Onassis' aunt and cousin who fell into poverty. Good production with Jessica Lange and Drew Barrymore. I recommend it . . .