Berks County Bar Association The Berks Barrister Summer 2021 - 18

w w w . B E R K SB A R .o r g
Book Review
Pennsylvania Powwow:
Rising Sun Above
the Devil's Door
By MARIAN FRANCES WOLBERS
Reviewed by Scott G. Hoh
J
une marked the second meeting of the Bar Association's
Wellness Committee Book Club and featured a discussion
of Pennsylvania Powwow - Rising Sun Above the Devil's Door
by local author and Alvernia University faculty member Marian
Frances Wolbers.
This book is published by Pretzel City Press and, like the
author's background, is split between Berks County, PA and the
fictional town of Noah, NH. I am interested in local history and
wanted to take a deep dive into Pennsylvania Dutch culture to
learn more about the " Powwow " healing arts.
This is the story of three siblings, brother Paul Ardmore,
and sisters Salome Riccobono and Leora Schumacher. The
novel is set in 1985 as Paul lies dying of AIDS as a result of a
blood transfusion following a tragic DUI accident, and he must
decide to which sister to bequeath the family's historic 111
farmstead in New Hampshire. The prejudice and lack of medical
understanding during the early days of the AIDS epidemic
is eerily similar to the early medical missteps and panic of
COVID-19.
As an Elder Law attorney, it is interesting and familiar to read
about how families function (or dysfunction) and how the lack of
an estate plan and clear communication can lead to upheaval and
chaos.
While the story has darker undercurrents (divorce, alcoholism,
child custody, caring for sick and elderly people), I found the book
to be compelling and an interesting page-turner. Leora is the
heroine of the story as she flees from an unfaithful husband to
return to Berks County where she was raised. As she reconnects
with the land in Pennsylvania, she is able to connect with her
ancestors and is able to bring healing and comfort to local folks
who are otherwise impervious to modern medicine. Locals will
enjoy references to Hawk Mountain, the Hamburg Diner, the
Fire Tower atop Mount Penn, and King Frost Parade. There is an
interesting metaphysical literary mash-up, which weaves together
Pennsylvania Dutch folklore and healing arts, Lenni Lenape
culture, Sun Tzu's The Art of War, Robert Frost, and George
Washington. As we follow the story of the three siblings, all of
these references are blended together in a tale of the restorative
18 | Berks Barrister
powers of returning to the land and the healing powers of nature.
Like any good story, I found my imagination running forward
wanting to know what happened next and how each family fared
in the next chapter of their lives.
The book very well could pique your interest in exploring
Berks County's rich heritage of mysticism, faith-healing, and
unique superstitions. The Berks History Center and Kutztown
University's Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center
are great resources for learning more about Pennsylvania Dutch
folk healers knows as " Braucherei " or " Powwow. " Perhaps it
is easy to view folk traditions from countries far away with
the detached, scientific (and sometimes dismissive) view of a
cultural anthropologist, but when it is in your own backyard, the
mysticism of local cultural beliefs and traditions are not as easily
tossed aside as silly, quaint or imaginary. Charlie Adams' ghost
stories and tours talk about removing warts by rubbing a potato
on the afflicted area under the light of a waxing moon, or nailing
three nails in a threshold door or window sill to ward off evil
spirits (the nails represent the Trinity concept of the Father, Son
and Holy Ghost). Our barns have hex signs and certain paint
colors for door and window framing to help protect both people
and livestock. Do you eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year's Day,
and does this bring you good luck?
The Wellness Committee's Book Club is a fun outlet and is
the perfect remedy as we emerge from the social and emotional
cocoon that has been COVID-19. My favorite part of being
involved in our Bar is the camaraderie with other attorneys. There
is a good cross-section of books and topics, and it is a welcome
break to focus on non-law matters. Consider joining the fun and
taking a welcome escape.
The next Book Club meeting will be September 21 when we'll
discuss " My Own Words " by late Supreme Court Justice Ruth
Bader Ginsburg.
Mr. Hoh is the principal of the Law Offices of
Scott G. Hoh in Reading's Centre Park Historic
District.
http://www.berksbar.org
Berks County Bar Association The Berks Barrister Summer 2021

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