A Girl Called Maria . . .

Visited Georgetown's library again today, sparkling after its multi-million dollar renovation. One of the main features is the Helson Gallery, named after a local philanthropist who gave the town $700,000 of art, which is hanging on the walls of an old Methodist church that became the town's library 100 years ago, and is now neatly integrated into the new building. The gallery is dominated by this magnificent stained glass window, dedicated in 1876 to Maria Barber, wife of the town's founder.

History lesson over, back to the present. It's turmoil time: local artists feel excluded because the gallery is devoted to the Helson collection, although there's enough wall space in the building to hang 100 of their finest pieces. And them as well.

Maria, I'm sure, would not be amused . . .