Mercer Museum in PA - 2009

     Tuesday, May 19, 2009: This was the first time I ever took the R5 SEPTA train from Philadelphia to Doylestown, PA. However, this was not the first time I've ever visited the Mercer Museum, 84 South Pine St. (215-345-0210). I first visited here in the 1980s, and similar to the last time, I saw the permanent collection of 55 exhibit rooms and alcoves displaying the tools of many trades that people practiced in the 18th and 19th centuries. I also noticed the finished products from those trades. In addition, the central court showed boats, wagons, and stagecoaches as well as bicycles, baskets, and other items from everyday life. I looked at all of these things that the museum workman suspended on cables through five levels. Nevertheless, a newer exhibit area covered the history of the Native Americans, especially the Lenni-Lenapes, via texts, pictures, and objects. Meanwhile, when I was there, the temporary exhibit area focused on old-time musical instruments. Believe me, it took me about three hours to cover most of this museum. After my visit, I became more grateful for modern, mass-produced products, especially after seeing how people in the past bought and made their material goods.

Dorney Park 2009

     Sunday, May 10, 2009: On this date, I finally visited a park whose ads I've seen on TV all my life: Dorney Park and Wild Water Kingdom, 3830 Dorney Park Road, Allentown, PA (610-395-3724 or 800-551-5656). Although I'm not a fan of wild rides, I usually enjoy myself in most amusement parks by riding the tamer rides, watching entertainment, and in some parks, watching craftspeople at work. Because I chose to go in early May, the adjoining Water Park was closed until late June--that's understandable. However, there was also no entertainment going on, and the park officials didn't open some of the retail shops and eating places. Meanwhile, the few craftspeople around only practiced their crafts if you bought something from them to embellish--a picture or a name on the item that you bought. Nobody made anything from scratch. Despite these drawbacks, there were some advantages to coming to Dorney Park this time of year: The weather felt nicer, and the lines for the rides were shorter than in summer. Thus, if you love thrill rides or even tamer rides, like me, you had a chance to try out more rides in a day. This park did have its share of tamer rides: two carrousels--one of them an antique merry-go-round, a train ride, a car ride/drive, a Ferris wheel, and a few other tame rides. Therefore, between the rides, eating lunch, and just looking at the other rides, the buildings, and the landscaping, I spent about three hours here. This was a worthwhile park for people who don't like wild rides to see once; for those who like wild rides, more than one visit may be necessary.

DDC #7

DDC #7

1. Lunacon
2. Washington D.C.

Theaters and Plays 5-2-09 to 8-7-09

MMT 2009 

1. Society Hill Playhouse
2. AMC Empire 25
3. Landmark Sunshine Cinema
4. United Artists 64th and 2nd