Or so they say. I suppose it depends on who is taking the picture and what the subject matter is, but with my arm in a sling (and a song in my heart), I ventured out into the world last week to see what I could see, the idea being that if I could capture photos illustrating where I was, then fewer words (you’re welcome) would be called for.

Researching where the expression began, I found that thoughts vary, but one man—Fred Barnard (of Printers’ Ink) is believed to have popularized the idiom in 1927, first claiming that it was originally “ten thousand words” (that seems excessive) and of Japanese origin. The story has changed (also called a Chinese proverb) over time, but it would take a thousand words to delve further, so I’ll refrain.

Hitching a few rides over the weekend (steering with one arm is challenging), I got as far as Parksville, NY and Cabernet Frank’s, where “Captain Magic” (Paul Alden, Joe Giamo, Nick Sherman and Simon Efrein) played a few sets. Then co-owner Wade St. Germain took the mic to explain the story behind the “passing of the hat,” which occurs each time a band is performing at the eatery. “It’s a tribute to our friend Thelma Lee Ballard,” Wade shared with the crowd, “who lived to party. She loved passing the hat for bands and was the first to do so here at Cabernet Frank’s, wearing the sombrero. Now that she’s at a ‘gig in the sky,’ we continue the tradition in her honor.”

The next day, I stayed closer to home and met up with a friend at the Woodstock Oasis on 17B to grab some grub and get in a ‘60s groove before stashing the sling and heading out to Bethel Woods and the museum’s 10th anniversary celebration. Promising tours, music, morning yoga (no, I did not) local vendors and lawn games, the big draw (IMHO) was the debut of a new outdoor art exhibit called “Doors to Originality.” The installation features 12 “established artists from the Catskills/Hudson Valley region, who have created original artwork that draws inspiration from the graphic vocabulary of Peter Max,” whose work is the subject of the exhibit housed in the lower level gallery at the museum.

Cursing myself for purposely leaving the shoulder sling in my friend’s truck, I quickly tired of people slapping me on the back and wanting to shake hands (it hurts, mommy!). So with map in hand, I walked the property, checking out the wildly inventive, beautifully interpreted doors, some of which hinted at Peter Max, but all of which were most definitely original. Since one picture is (allegedly) worth a thousand words, I’ll stop typing with my one good hand and allow these photos to tell the rest of the story. For more photos of the anniversary celebration, visit www.Facebook.com/theriverreporter. Having an event? Send info to events@riverreporter.com but prepare yourselves… I might show up.