Lunch and learning with Gaston Longchamp
Baron Pesci contacted me after reading my column about Gaston Longchamp, an accomplished artist from Paris who lived in seclusion in Upper Bucks for more than 40 years (published Feb. 22). Gaston became skilled at impressionistic art as understudy to Monet, Renoir, Picasso, Mattise, Chagall, Signac and other famed Parisian artists in the early 20th century.
Pesci, a former special education teacher in the Neshaminy School District and resident of Langhorne, formed an enduring friendship with the artist.
“My father and I hunted on Gaston’s property for pheasants and deer during the late 1960s to the late 1970s. We had many lunches with him at his farm house in Kintnersville that included tours of the house with lengthy explanations of the art works. My dad was a World War II sailor who was on the USS Nevada battleship. Gaston enjoyed many conversations with my dad about the invasions, battles and travels he had over his four y
The idea of moving the Luzerne County visitors bureau to White Haven, floated this week by state Rep. Gerald Mullery, is not as far-fetched as it might seem to Wilkes-Barre-centric county officials.
Mullery makes a good point that White Haven sits near three major roadways â Interstates 80 and 81 and the Northeastern Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike â that are the main gateways to the region and three state parks that draw thousands of people per day in season, Lehigh Gorge, Nescopeck and Hickory Run.
Those outdoor enthusiasts spend millions on food and lodging, equipment purchases and recreation each year, according to the state.