by Peggy Robin
We're coming down to the finish line of the 2023 Cleveland Park Listies Awards Show. Tonight, the final two categories of nominations -- and perhaps the most prestigious of the bunch! Photo of the Year is our Listserv equivalent to Best Picture at the Oscars, and Post of the Year is analogous to Best Director and Best Screenwriter rolled into one.
It was a phenomenal year for photos on the Listserv, so let's get right to it. The nominees are:
Uprooted Tree by Bill M.
Message #203754 on July 30 has the link to "Storm Damage Album" -- and the photo that nabs the nod for the Listy is Uprooted Tree: https://bit.ly/3rQjbmv
Giverny in Cleveland Park by Kathy R. and Henry D.
You can see the nominated photo in a letter addressed to VP Kamala Harris, posted on Oct 20 by Henry D., using Kathy R.;s photo to illustrate the lush blooming of the lovely, Monet-inspired garden he planted in Cleveland Park (Message #206656 ). In an earlier message (Message #204312 on August 15), Henry gave us the picture in words only: "Sunflowers & Cosmos & Morning Glories —Oh My! We’re now at an over 50% bloom rate on the hillside just above the Hearst soccer field. This translates to thousands of flowers on the hill near the Hearst Pool. In what could reasonably be interpreted as a grandiose delusion, the piece is titled 'Giverney Gone Wild!'" The photo, taken by Kathy R. was originally posted a couple of days later, on August 17, but unfortunately, due to the idiosyncrasies of the Groups.io photo display process, it evaporated from the archived message at Message #204356 , Fortunately, I was able to recapture it and reproduce it in a format that would stick around, and you can view it at Message #204361 . If this photo should capture the Listy, the award will be shared by both the garden designer/planter Henry and the photographer Kathy .
Pileated Woodpecker on Rodman St by Tom H.
This wonderful winter snapshot was taken by Rodman St resident Tom H. on Feb 4 and was originally posted on SoMeForKnaATwit (my acronym for the "Social Media Formerly Known As Twitter" - as I will NEVER give in to the Musk-Rat and call it "X") See the photo in its original form at https://twitter.com/TomHentoff/status/1622001700167884801. On Feb 5 I copied and reposted it on the Listserv - see Message #197671 ,
Rainbow Seen from a Window in Cleveland Park by Carole B.
The soft pastel colors of the spectrum shine through the raindrops on a Cleveland Park window - photo posted August 27 -- Message #204639
Magnificent Wingspan by Greg G.
In the discussion about ospreys, Greg G. posted a photo he took of an osprey in flight above Ocean City Md -- see message #197425 on January 28. I'm reproducing it here in a version cropped to showcase that magnificent wingspan:
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And now for the most anticipated group of nominees -- contenders for POST OF THE YEAR!
Poppy Day by Eleanor O.
First up, an entry by the winner of last year's special award, "Poster of the Year 2022," Eleanor O, writing about the traditions of Armistice Day (now renamed Veterans Day): "On November 11th everyone wore the poppy they bought from the veteran on their nearby street corner, their place of work, or their school. I remember the Poppy Poster Contest sponsored by some veterans' group. The art teacher in my elementary school saw to it that there was a fierce competition among all of us 4th, 5th & 6th graders to produce posters to submit to the competition. We could only use three colors: two of them had to be Poppy Red and Leaf Green and none of the three could be black.... My poster was sent along with all the others every year for the city-wide school children's contest. The winner got a savings bond, and his/her poster, modified by a commercial artist, was printed up by the hundreds, maybe thousands, and placed in the front windows of shops all over the city. On the appointed day—Poppy Day—November 11th, veterans would be all over town selling paper poppies to be worn in buttonholes, lapels and hat bands, to raise money for projects benefitting disabled vets. I’m sure it was more a recognition for their sacrifice, than a great fundraiser because 25¢ was considered a generous donation in 1946, when I first entered those poster contests in 4th grade." Full message at Message #207232 (which includes the full text of the poem, "In Flanders Field."
Praise for Cleveland Park P.O. Clerk Tammy by Dale K.
After posting thousands upon thousands of complaints about USPS on the Listserv (24 YEARS of this stuff, year in, year out!), I am so pleased to nominate this simple appreciation from Dale K., posted on the Listserv on December 18, Message #208682 . Here it is in its entirety: "Our Cleveland Park Post Office star: Tammy! Behind the desk … Always a smile, always helpful … Tammy even looks out for us. Once I dropped my newly purchased stamps and she saved them for me." Needless to say, if this candidate wins the Listy, we will award a little plastic golden statuette to both Dale K. and Tammy!
Random Acts of Kindness by Leslie P. and Sal S.
I'm sure you know Sal S., who regularly posts announcements and other messages on behalf of Northwest Neighbors Village, serving seniors in a cluster of neighborhoods from Van Ness up to Barnaby Woods over to AU Park. Perhaps you also know Leslie P, the communications director of the organization? She's the one who posted this lovely story on July 21 - excerpt below - see full message at Message #203491 : "On Wednesday, July 12th, a group of 11 Northwest Neighbors Village members were having a lively lunch at Steak ‘n Egg Diner on Wisconsin Avenue, when we had the most amazing surprise! Our waiter came in to say that the young couple who had been sitting at the table next to us had paid our entire bill of over $250! We were absolutely floored by their kindness and generosity. They did peek in after we were told, so we were able to thank them in person, but we were so surprised that we didn’t think to get their contact details. We all hope they know how much it meant to our group, and we all left the lunch with smiles on our faces. Thank you for this random act of kindness and we will be “paying it forward!"
Good Neighbors - Thanks! by Sandy M
To understand the true impact of this story, I'd like to send you back to our nominee for Photo of the Year - see https://bit.ly/3rQjbmv by Bill M. on July 30. Don't stop there - now look at Kathy's R.'s storm damage album at Message #203771 , same date. Now you are in the proper frame of mind to appreciate this nominated message by Sandy M., posted on July 30, Message #203741: "Many thanks to the young couple with a chain saw who started cutting branches and moving limbs on Cortland right after the storm passed and several hours later was still at it all the way down Devonshire. I don’t know their names but they are a true example of good neighbors!!! Thank you very much. You are an inspiration!"
Tribute to Judy Heumann by Carol G.
There were a number of moving remembrances posted about the world-renowned disability rights activist and DC resident Judy Heumann, who passed away on March 4: Rosa, Karen, Nancy, Marjorie, and Linda all remembered her with admiration and affection, but the nomination goes to Carol G., who touched on the significance of her work for the disabled around the world, and the impact she had upon those who knew her and worked with her right here in DC. See Message #198759 on March 6.
Who will take home the Listy for Photo of the Year and Post of the Year -- and who will win in the other five categories covered in our columns last Saturday and the Saturday before? Come back next Saturday, December 30, 2023 and find out!
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Still Life with Robin is published on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.
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