By Caryl Huffaker

Winterthur has achieved a real coup. They will open an extraordinary and timely exhibition of paintings from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on July 25 called Faces of a New Nation with portraits of the early American elite by both the good and the great artists from the Colonial Era to the Civil War. People of achievement, as well as those who wanted a painted record of their success ordered these portraits wearing their best clothes, sometimes embellished by the artist. It is not unusual for the Met to lend paintings. In this particular case the Met was closing its American wing for renovation. What more perfect place to display the American portraits than Winterthur with its display of the best in American furniture and decoration. Henry Francis du Pont, who built Winterthur, has been quoted as saying in 1929 when he was creating the museum, “I shall be interested in hearing of any American portraits of…people who are important historically.” There have been many close ties between the Met and Winterthur through the years so it is a natural fit.

This is a unique opportunity to see these historic paintings painlessly. In conjunction with the exhibit, Winterthur will offer related activities in the Fall, including portrait painting and a lunch time lecture series.

Upside Down Tree at Winterthur

Winterthur will introduce the Upside Down Tree in the Enchanted Woods at their Wednesday Garden Walk at 11:30 a.m. on July 22.The curious tale of how this enormous piece of a tree came to be will be explained by John Salata, who discovered the tree and Randy Fisher, who fashioned it into its present form. Included with admission tickets.

Tip-A-Canoe and Barbeque , Too!

That annual fun canoe trip down the Brandywine led by the Young Friends of the Brandywine Conservancy will be held July 18. The trip, followed by a barbeque by Brandywine Prime and live music by The Cameltones is definitely family friendly. For information go to www.youngfriends.org or call 610-388-8315.Tickets for non-conservancy members are $85 for the canoe and barbecue $50 Barbecue only. Children 2-12 free.

Iris Rhizome Sale

The fifty two year old Delaware Valley Iris Society will hold its annual sale of iris rhizomes at the Jenkin Arboretum, 631 Berwyn-Baptist Road, Devon, on Saturday, July 18 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Thw sale will feature bearded iris varieties as well as Siberian, Louisianna, Japanese and Species Iris. For directions visit www.Jenkins Arboretum,org or call 610-647-8870.

Live Music at Chaddsford Winery

The Friday Night Concert Series from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at the Chadds Ford Winery will spotlight City Rhythm Orchestra, the Big Band with the up beat sound on July 17 and GoodFoot, with Oldies, Motown and Disco on July 24. Tickets are $22.Reservations recommended at 610-388-6221.

“Camelot” by Brandywiners at Longwood

The Brandywiners’ production of” Camelot” will be on stage at Longwood Gardens July 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and August 1 with performances at 8:30 pm. This classic award winning show about the glorious world ofKing Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table will be followed by a fountain display set to the music of “Camelot”. Tickets, which include all day admission to Longwood Gargens, are only $25. For tickets call 800 388-6965 or 302-478-3355 or mail to The Brandywiners, Ltd. P.O. Box 248, Montchanin, DE 19710.

A Night in Tuscany at Ministry of Caring

For a special night out consider “A Night in Tuscany” to benefit Emmanuel Dining Room in Wilmington on July 26. It should be an early sell out with Chef Dan Butler, owner of Toscana Kitchen & Grill, Deep Blur Bar and Grill and Brandywine Prime Seafood and Chops at the helm. Tickets are $25 each at the Francis X. Norton Center, 917 N. Madison Street, or better yet, call 302-652-3228.

Carillon Concert at Longwood

Longwood Gardens will feature a carillon concert by Janno den Engelsman from The Netherlands on Sunday, July 19. If you have never sat still for a carillon concert and let the waves of sound wash over you, you might want to try this. Longwood will also have concerts on August 16 and August 30.

Evening Moon Garden at Longwood

Most of us think about visiting Longwood Gardens during the sunlit hours, and we should, for such specialties as the Rose and Topiary Garden, the Flower Garden Walk and the Idea Garden.. However, Longwood has a less visited area, the Moon Garden of white blossoms that is even more spectacular at night. The centerpiece of the garden is a hand crafted tree sculpture covered with moonflower, a climbing vine that produces fragrant white trumpet blossoms that only open at night. If you are at Longwood at night, also check out the water lilies, as some of them are night blooming.

Celtic Music at Longwood

Celtic music maker Cathie Ryan will perform at Longwood on Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 pm. The concert is free with admission for this singer the Los Angeles Times describes as “ One of the leading voices in Celtic Music.”

Music at Myrick

The free concerts at Myrick Conservation Center on Thursday, July 16 will be by Souled Out, an outstanding jazz group composed of high school musicians from several Chester County schools. Do bring something tosit on for the 7:30 p.m. concert.

“Outsourced” at Back Alley Theatre

Here’s a film to which we can all relate. “Outsourced” will be presented at the Back Alley Theatre on July 15 at 7:30 p.m. and on July 19 at 2:00 pm. This comedy of cross cultural conflict has a manager in the U.S. whose job has not only been outsourced to India, he must go train his new replacement. Admission is $5.

Films at Theatre N

“Girlfriend Experience” –Critic’s Prize winner about five days in the life of a call girl just before the 2008 presidential election. July 17 at 2:00pm. July 18 at8:00 pm and July 19 at 5:30 pm.

“Afghan Star”- Award winning film about an American Idol-style television competition in Afghanistan after years of Taliban rule, and how revolutionary this is. –July17 at 8:00 pm, July 18 at 2:00 pm and 5:00 pm. And July 19 at 12:00 noon.

“400 Blows” – Francois Truffaut film about his own difficult boyhood. July 19 at 2:30 p.m.

Medical Update

Had a little set back this week, with Cellulitis, which has delayed my leaving the care at Kendal. When your doctor, the nurses and the insurance company all recommend that you not go home, no matter how badly you want to be sprung, maybe they know more than you do. It looks as though they have got this unexpected problem under control, so I have high hopes of coming out of my cave and rejoining the world.