In September 2024 my script BLOODLETTING IN THESE HILLS won the Appalachian Playwriting Festival at the Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, North Carolina. Part of that prize included a production in their 2025 summer season. It is scheduled to be mounted on August 1-3 and 8-10. I've had the pleasure to speaking with the director Elizabeth … Continue reading Bloodletting In these Hills has started rehearsals
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And the winner of the Appalachian Playwriting Festival is … ME!
Pictured from left to right: Bottom row: Director Erika Tyner, Playwright Walter Thinnes; Top row: Addison Amos (stage directions), Tom Harrison (Quinn), Austin Dakota Whitehead (Joshua), Lily Bartleson (Anna), Olivia Woodford (Lillian), Alan Steele (Caleb) The Parkway Playhouse in Burnsville, North Carolina has announced that the winner of their Appalachian Playwriting Festival, based on the … Continue reading And the winner of the Appalachian Playwriting Festival is … ME!
Burnsville Bound
In just two short weeks I will find myself among the good people of Burnsville, North Carolina. In this charming mountain town the Parkway Playhouse is presenting the Appalachian Playwriting Festival. My full-length play BLOODLETTING IN THESE HILLS was selected as one of three scripts to get a reading in the festival. I'm looking forward … Continue reading Burnsville Bound
Happy Adoption Day to Josephine
Today is the adoption date of a very special friend of mine. I took my 2014 Can-Am Spyder RT home on this day, July 11, 2015. She and I have been very close ever since. The Bombardier Recreational Products company named her paint company "Cognac." My favorite Cognac is Courvoisier and it features an image … Continue reading Happy Adoption Day to Josephine
Have you been to a Buc-Ee’s?
The first I heard of Buc-Ee's was in a New York Times article which introduced me to this Texas institution. It noted that it was soon planning to expand beyond its home state. Soon enough, two were added to I-95 in Florida (one in Daytona Beach, another near Jacksonville). You'll only find them on an Interstate Highway because … Continue reading Have you been to a Buc-Ee’s?
Happy 71st Birthday to “The Mousetrap”
Agatha Christie's classic mystery play "The Mousetrap" was first performed in London on October 6, 1952. It has become a staple of family friendly theatre ever since. I performed in it during a 1980 summer stock performance back in 1980, at the Highlands Playhouse some 52 years ago. I played Giles Ralston, the husband of … Continue reading Happy 71st Birthday to “The Mousetrap”
First ever International Snowmobile Ride Day
Yep, they keep adding new Days to Celebrate and Nope, I have never ridden on a snowmobile. And I am unlikely to anytime soon since I have moved to Florida. But I am still excited. This day was established by BRP - Bombardier Recreational Products. Back in 1937 Joseph-Armand Bombardier invented and patented the snowmobile … Continue reading First ever International Snowmobile Ride Day
Ocala Spyder Ryders Cruise to the Yalaha Bakery
What a beautiful day for a ryde. What a great destination (I've recently posted about the great German Bakery here in Central Florida). What a nice group of people. There were a dozen Can-Am Spyders, from RT's to F3s. And, of course, there sits my Josephine in the far right of the group. And of … Continue reading Ocala Spyder Ryders Cruise to the Yalaha Bakery
I found a new location to celebrate National Croissant Day
When I moved from New York City about 18 months ago I seriously missed the many ethnic food shops that Central Florida simply does not have in abundance. Sure, after a few months here I came across an authentic French Bakery that I adored. However they soon closed after the landlord booted them out to … Continue reading I found a new location to celebrate National Croissant Day
A Tour of the “Ma” Barker House
Tucked away in a clearing of the forest at the Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area is a local Marion County gem that is hard to find and not very well known. It is known as the Bradford-Barker House and was the center of the longest shootout in FBI history. Want to know more? So … Continue reading A Tour of the “Ma” Barker House
A Motorcycle Group Ryde to Visit the Wizard of Oz
Last weekend I took a ride over to Cape Canaveral with the Ocala chapter of Spyder Ryders (Can-Am Spyder owners like myself call our trips Rydes!). We met up with a group of Spyder Ryders from Clearwater (who had a much longer ryde than we did). We had lunch at the Preachers Bar in Cape … Continue reading A Motorcycle Group Ryde to Visit the Wizard of Oz
International Mountain Day
International Mountain Day was established to highlight the important part that mountains play in our ecosystem and world. For me it is more personal. Some people prefer the beach, I love being in the mountains. Particularly the Appalachian chain in the eastern US . I've been to several regions in the Rocky Mountains and it … Continue reading International Mountain Day
Personal Memories on the 20th Anniversary of the Attacks of September 11, 2001
Whenever we reach a round number anniversary of a notable event the media pulls out all the stops in their coverage and special editions. I have written previously of my experiences on that date in New York City and will, briefly, here again today. But even before I moved to the Big Apple I often … Continue reading Personal Memories on the 20th Anniversary of the Attacks of September 11, 2001
Throwback Thursday – Recent and long past rides in the Great Smoky Mountains
On this date in 1940 President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of my favorite places to be. I recently took another motorcycle trip through my happy place, for the first time with a riding partner. Acie Lee Williams and I had a great time. I was thrilled to introduce him … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – Recent and long past rides in the Great Smoky Mountains
A Ramble on avoiding disasters and dancing with Hurricanes
Having arrived in Florida in the midst of Hurricane Season, I am keeping a close eye on the tropics, as they say here. Getting here was a bit of a hurricane dance as well. I had precious little control of dates and process after I signed the contract to sell the apartment in New York. … Continue reading A Ramble on avoiding disasters and dancing with Hurricanes
Throwback Thursday – White Water Rafting in the Smoky Mountains
With the wonderful ride I just completed in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, my memories went back to the vacation I took there in 1990. There were lots of wonderful activities but one of my favorites was a white water rafting trip that was both exciting and frustrating. Here is a photo the rafting … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – White Water Rafting in the Smoky Mountains
A Fitting Finale to an Epic Adventure
Sorry that you've been inundated with pictures from the motorcycle trip I have been taking with Acie through the Skyline Drive and the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. There are lots of photos and videos that I must sort through and process later. I will revisit this adventure with new images in the future but two … Continue reading A Fitting Finale to an Epic Adventure
Blue Ridge Parkway Thunder Storm
The first day for Acie and I to ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway was generally wonderful. We went from mile 1 heading south to about mile 200. There was a 24 mile detour through Roanoke due to roadwork on the Parkway. Though we had a nice lunch at a place named Macados, we agree … Continue reading Blue Ridge Parkway Thunder Storm
My epic mountain ryde starts this morning
I have been looking forward to this morning for a very long time. Today Acie Lee Williams (aka Ace Montana) and I head out on a trip through the Eastern mountain pathways. We start this morning with the Skyline Drive in Northern Virginia, spend several days on the Blue Ridge Parkway and cap it off … Continue reading My epic mountain ryde starts this morning
Throwback Thursday – Motorcycle Ride
As mentioned earlier I am taking a special motorcycle ride this summer. It is scheduled to start next week and I hope to post some videos and pictures during the ride. It is scheduled to start at the Skyline Drive in Virginia, include the entire Blue Ridge Parkway and capped with a ride on the … Continue reading Throwback Thursday – Motorcycle Ride
Dual Citizenship, here I come Florida, ready or not
You may or may not have heard but I am pulling up roots and moving to the state of Florida. I have lived in New York City for more than 23 glorious years and first fell in love with it when I visited when I was just 17 years old. As I was originally born … Continue reading Dual Citizenship, here I come Florida, ready or not
National Road Trip Day
Summer in the USA is the classic time for a road trip and so the Friday before Memorial Day is dedicated to reminding you to make your plans. Sometime this summer I plan to take my motorcycle to my happy place - The Blue Ridge Parkway (and throw in the Skyline Drive in Virginia just … Continue reading National Road Trip Day
On This Date: Fort Tryon Park Dedication Ceremony!
On October 14, 1935, a dedication ceremony was held for the brand new Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan. It turns 85 years young today and looks amazing for its age! Nestled on a ridge between Inwood and Hudson Heights it has stunning views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge. It is home … Continue reading On This Date: Fort Tryon Park Dedication Ceremony!
National Motorcycle Ride Day
Autumn motorcycle riding is exhilarating. For various reasons I have not been able to ride my bike lately. That is unfortunate but I hope to address it soon. Meanwhile, I have some terrific memories of rides past. Riding Sylvia the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, here at its highest point. Riding Josephine alongside … Continue reading National Motorcycle Ride Day
National Farmer’s Market Week
The first full week of August is National Farmer's Market Week. If you have one in your area it is a good idea to shop there. The produce is locally produced, fresh, often organic and pesticide free. You are helping to support your local economy instead of big agribusiness and you reduce your carbon footprint … Continue reading National Farmer’s Market Week
Walter Thinnes 
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