February 7, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Local Life

Area writer, 82, bases Civil War novel on own family
by Richard Lee
and Mary Price Lee

Mary Hennessy, charming interviewee and new author, continues to read extensively on the Civil War. (Photo by Richard S. Lee)

Mary Hennessy of Fort Washington has a life story every bit as fascinating as the adventures of her not-totally-fictitious Civil War hero, Henry Washington Sawyer. Sawyer, born in Pennsylvania in 1829, is connected to Hennessy through her daughter’s marriage — and as we’ll see, this real-life Civil War cavalry officer had a latter-day Chestnut Hill connection.            

Let’s take it from the top. The delightful 82-year-old Hennessy has just published her first (and, she claims, last!) novel, His Hour Upon the Stage, The Story of a Civil War Horse Soldier and the Woman Who Fought to Save His Life (Vantage Press, 332 pages, $13.95). According to Mary Hennessy, “It’s an embroidered true story” using family documents and Civil War research from 54 sources to weave an absorbing tale.

“The true parts are letters that the real Henry Washington Sawyer wrote from the battlefield, plus his 30-page diary. My son-in-law, Jonathan Sawyer, has these documents; he is Henry Washington Sawyer’s great-grandson, and they just fell into my lap. When they did, I knew I had to write a story around Henry.”

Miracle dog helped owner overcome tragedy
by JIM HARRIS

Not too far away from Chestnut Hill lies the “only full-time, independent wine school in the country,” according to Keith Wallace, founder and president of the Wine School of Philadelphia. Located at 2006 Fairmount Ave., across from the historic Eastern State Penitentiary, the school has grown steadily in size and reputation since beginning in 2001. Last year, 200 students enrolled in the academic programs, and over 2,000 attended individual classes.

‘Makin’ Music’ for young kids returning to Chestnut Hill area
by SALLY COHEN

Musician and songwriter Mickey Leone, of Wyndmoor, is bringing back Makin’ Music to Chestnut Hill after a three-year absence.

Beginning this spring, St Paul’s Church on Chestnut Hill Avenue will host Makin’ Music, an interactive music program for pre-schoolers and their caregivers. There will be a free open house on Monday Feb 25, 10 a.m. All are welcome. Director Mickey Leone ran the program for years at the Watertower Rec Center but discontinued it in 2005. The program was then continued in Oreland and Wyndmoor but returns to Chestnut Hill this spring.

According to Leone, “Many Chestnut Hill Families were disappointed to see the program leave the neighborhood. They kept asking when I was coming back, so I staring looking for a location. St Paul’s is perfect. It is conveniently located and has a great space for us on the first floor.”

If you wander into a Makin’ Music class on any given morning, you are likely to see kids jumping like frogs, singing like birds and dancing and drumming with their parents. “Everyone loves music” says Leone, “and pre-schoolers really benefit from seeing their parents model the joy of music participation with them. Our classes are not a performance but a very interactive experience with everybody joining in.”

Director Leone is a Flourtown native and graduate of Springfield High. He is a musician and teacher with over 30 years of experience and two children of his own. 

Advice for single men: how to find your Valentine
by JIM HARRIS

When it comes to bandying, no word is more bandied about than “love,” and love’s big day is, of course, Valentine’s Day. A little history is in order. Saint Valentine may or may not have been a martyr of ancient Rome. His birth date and birthplace are unknown, and nothing is known about his life. He was de-sainted in 1969. So much for the origins of the holiday.