Book Talk & Art Appreciation

I recently attended a book discussion at the Book Loft in German Village in which Columbus Dispatch columnist, Joe Blundo, and retired Columbus Dispatch sports writer and columnist, Bob Hunter, were promoting their new books: Does That Make Sense, by Joe Blundo and Players, Teams, and Stadium Ghosts by Bob Hunter.

Mr. Blundo immediately leapt in and decided to interview Mr. Hunter, which was nice for us, especially for me, since I know very little (nothing really, other than that he used to write for the paper) about him. Mr. Hunter is from Hamilton and graduated from Ohio University. According to the bio on the back of his book, “Bob Hunter was a sportswriter for the Columbus Dispatch for more than forty years, including the last twenty-four as sports columnist. He is the author of nine books, including Thurberville and A Historical Guidebook to Old Columbus.”

Probably his favorite column, which is on pp 193-198 is entitled, “Hall Would be Nice, but Rose is Hustling Frozen Pizzas Now.” Mr. Hunter said he had heard that Pete Rose would be at a local Kroger store ‘signing Pete Rose Ballpark Café Hit King Pizza cards in front of a three-door cooler of frozen pizzas of the same name.’

He said what was funny was that a guy came in and saw Pete and shouted over to him, “Hey Pete!” like as if they were old pals and it was the most normal thing in the world for former baseball legend, Pete Rose, to be sitting in the frozen foods section autographing pizza cards. Even funnier when Pete yelled back, “Come have some pizza!”

Mr. Blundo, a fellow Kent State alumnus, said he likes being a writer/columnist because he enjoys interviewing people who are passionate about what they do. Among other people he has interviewed, one of the less famous, but still well known in relevant circles is the man tasked with photographing the swine at the Ohio State Fair (though I couldn’t find a column about it in the book). Yes, someone actually has that job and is one of few who are officially in charge of doing that. Apparently he took over when his elder predecessor stepped down, so he saw the opportunity to fill his shoes. This sounds like the kind of story I might have written in my summer intern days back when I was writing for a group of small papers in Ashtabula County.

I asked the pair if their publishers gave them any kind of a limit as to how many columns they could contribute. They said that wasn’t the case, but the publishers did give them a deadline to submit them, of which Mr. Hunter said he kept submitting afterwards until finally the publisher told him enough was enough. Both agreed it was difficult to choose columns since each is like your child and it’s difficult to choose favorites.

Mr. Blundo said he tried to pick columns that weren’t dated, and not weigh it down too heavily with items about our President (which he said could easily fill a book). Mr. Hunter said he tried to provide a good balance between the Browns (of which there are easily more fans here in Columbus) and Bengals and the other state sports teams.

Leaving there, my driver dropped me at the Ohio Craft Museum where I joined my husband and in-laws who were viewing the (now finished) exhibit, “Shared Vision: Passions of the Human Spirit.” The art was all pieces ‘made in Ohio studios serving artists with disabilities. Participating organizations: Goodwill Art Studio, Planet Joy, Open Door Art Studio, Visionaries and Voices, Passion Works, Soaring Arts, Raymond Thunder Sky Gallery and Sunapple.’ (according to exhibit card)

We heard about the exhibit after watching a segment about it on the season opener of “Broad and High,” and as it was the last day for the exhibit, I’m glad we made it before it closed. There were definitely a few pieces I wouldn’t have minded owning, if perhaps I had a bit more space – like this couch -

This quilt was also one of my favorites (had I not just received a very nice one as a Christmas present last year from another art exhibit elsewhere) -

I was particularly fond of the members of Charlottesville who were part of a collection called ‘Welcome to Charlottesville’ (‘an imaginary town inhabited by colorful characters’) created by Columbus artist, Charlotte McGraw. Although the faces were all quirky and interesting, what I liked was what it said on the card each one held up – like one confessing he was a kleptomaniac and another one labeled ‘Grumpy Pants.’

Here’s the artist’s plaque:

I’m glad we have this little museum so close to home. Although parking could be more plentiful (welcome to life in the big city), it’s free if you should find a space. Next up at the Ohio Craft Museum: Christmas themed & other handmade craft items for sale November/December.