If you see Bill tell him I said hi.

Yes, I do know William Benson. I took a figure drawing course with him at the CSMA over a decade ago (when I was still in high school). He was tough and opinionated, which was scary at the time, but probably good in retrospect.

I’ve seen him around intermittently in the last year or so (since my return). He gave a talk for the Constance Saltonstall Foundation (which gives grants to New York State artists), which I unfortunately missed.

Do you know if he is related to the well-known American Impressionist painter Frank Benson? Frank did a portrait of my great-great-grandfather (on my father’s side). I keep meaning to ask Bill.

Everybody,

Those of you still following this thing might be interested in the comments on my own blog under the heading “everything you wanted to know…”.

The Rongovian Embassy is a bar and music venue up in Trumansburg that I discovered years ago, driving along the lake one night in a snowstorm. I seem to remember it’s about 20 miles north of Ithaca. Pretty cool place. I did a Google search, and apparently they’re still in business.

PS - Do you know if my friend Bill Benson is still around. I’ve been out of touch. He’s a good painter, and a bass player too!