Friday, May 22, 2009

Main Street to Mainframes book party


Last night, Harvey and Mary Flad hosted a party for their brand new book Main Street to Mainframes at their lovely home in the heart of Poughkeepsie. Guests chatted and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres surrounded by the Flads’ eclectic art collection, including Mary Flad’s weavings, quilts, and paintings. Fran Keneston and Laurie Searl from SUNY Press shed the work environment early to drive down to the event. Many of Harvey’s Vassar colleagues came, as did Margaret Crenson, the artist whose 2004 painting, Main Street Facades, adorns the cover of the book. Harvey generously read several passages that included reflections on the civil rights social history of the city as well as the impact the local Woolworths had on the community before it disappeared—which prompted everyone to recall their own Woolworth memories! A good time was had by all on this warm, almost summer, evening.