ALICE IN WONDERLAND

I took these photos when we stayed overnight in Carthage, Missouri on our way back to St. Louis from our Route 66 Adventure heading eastbound from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The statue, Alice in Wonderland, stood in the E.L. Dale Memorial Library Gardens at the Carthage Public Library. Artist Bill Snow created this sculpture. These photos come in handy for today's post as the movie "Alice in Wonderland" opens in theatre. Nothing personal, I just never care for Johnny Depp as an actor and I never saw any of his movies from the beginning to ending. The movies were either too weird or just boring. I was never impressed with his acting and thought much of the success in Depp's career was built up by luck and having a good agent. And that is only my humble opinion!

CENTRAL PARK IN CHESTERFIELD, MISSOURI

This post featuring photos of Central Park in Chesterfield, Missouri, will conclude the "Central Park Series". I just learned from another blogger that there is a Central Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We must have missed it when we were there last October. There was a lot of road construction around Tulsa, and we decided not to spend the night there, instead continued on to Oklahoma City.

According to the City of Chesterfield website, "This 38 acre park, which is being developed in stages, consists of the Chesterfield Family Aquatic Center featuring a 25-yard competitive pool; a leisure pool with slides and a children's play structure; splash playground; a lazy river; and two flume slides. A playground containing play components for ages 2-5, another component for children 5-12, swing sets, benches, picnic tables, and funbrellas. The Pavilion is also available for rent. Future Improvements include a 7.5 acre lake, bridges, trails and amphitheater."

CENTRAL PARK IN CARTHAGE, MISSOURI

This is Central Park in Carthage, Missouri. According to the visitor guide, this park, landscaped in 1894, features a 1930s wading pool and bathouse, a Victorian-era fountain, bandstand, playground and plenty of space for picnicking (I just realize that a "k" would be added to the word "picnic" when the word is "picnicking"). There is a memorial honoring the 1,412 of Missouri's fallen Viet Nam veterans created by the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The above statue of Carthage native son and the famous zoologist/television personality Marlin Perkins is placed in Central Park. The sculpture was created by artists Bob Tommey and Bill Snow. The original Central Park was burial site for Battle of Carthage casualties, but in 1871 it was re-developed for a park and the remains were re-buried elsewhere.


Of course, the above photo features the "beautiful" T-bird which I called "my husband's mistress" or "a chunk of metal"!

CENTRAL PARK IN GRAND HAVEN, MICHIGAN

These photos were taken last August when we went back to Grand Haven for the Coast Guard Festival. We got confirmation that Dan Bylsma (head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the 2009 Stanley Cup Championship team) was going to be in the parade, we just packed our bags, drove 8+ hours on Thursday so we could attend the parade on Saturday morning and to say "Hi" to Goober! (Dan Bylsma is a native son of Grand Haven and my husband used to play on the softball team with his family.)
What you see in these photos is all there is of the 4 acres of Central Park in the center of downtown Grand Haven, Michigan, very small compared to the Central Park in New York City. Grand Haven also has a community theatre group named Central Park Players. I was involved with the group for a few years working back-stage, ushering and serving refreshment during intermissions. I even dressed up as a nun when we presented the "Nunsense" production.

NEW YORK IS ON MY MIND - A FEW NICE PHOTOS OF CENTRAL PARK

I called my Mom yesterday afternoon to see how everyone was doing. Mom told me that there was no school for my nephew and my brother was able to work from home. There would be no reason for being outside except to clean up the snow on the sidewalk. I am sure my sister, CH is so glad that she is so far from New York City. CH left on Monday to spend two weeks in the Carribean. I told Mom we have had nice weather here in St. Louis, sunny and the temperature in the 40s.

Here are a few nice photos I took from our trip to NYC in 2007. I never really explored Central Park during the years I was there. I had fond memories of being a volunteer for a few years helping out the runners at the end of the Marathon. The name Central Park seems to be a good name because I know three other parks that also named Central Park. Do you have a Central Park in your town?

VANISHING NEW YORK - TAVERN ON THE GREEN

Thanks to Jeremiah - www.vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com for sharing the article about the Final Party at Tavern on the Green - Ringing in the New Year one last time at Tavern on the Green. [DJ], "It ended, as it all began, in a rush of light. But even the brilliance of its mirrored corridors, twinkling trees and shimmering heirloom chandeliers could not avert the bankruptcy blackout of Tavern on the Green." Reading from the article that people paid $125 to $500 to attend the party, I don't feel too bad paying that overpriced breakfast on New Year Day in 2008 now that this famous landmark in New York City Central Park had vanished. But then again, we would never have the opportunity to enter the Private Dining Room (below photo). As reported, "The name-ownership issue has been a flash point in Tavern’s bankruptcy case since the name — which has been appraised at $19 million — is potentially the restaurant’s most valuable asset.", I feel so special that I ate, even just once, at a place that worth $19 million just for its name!

According to the article, "And the restaurant’s vast, glitzy assemblage of candelabras, samovars, weathervanes, sculptures, murals, prints, lighting fixtures, topiaries and other eccentric assets are all to go on the auction block in a three-day sale in Tavern by Guernsey’s Auction House, scheduled to begin Jan. 13. ". With all the problems we are having with travelling, I don't think I will make the trip to NYC for that auction! Besides I was supposed to strive towards being clutter-free and let go of meaningless earthly possession. I think the credit card receipt is good enough as a souvenir from a place once was known as Tavern on the Green at Central Park!

MARLIN PERKINS AT CENTRAL PARK - CARTHAGE, MISSOURI

I know some of my adoring fans might expect to see more public sculptures in the regular feature of St. Louis Friday Series. Just to be a little different this week, I am posting photos of statue of Marlin Perkins in Central Park in Carthage, Missouri. The sculpture was created by Bob Tommey & Bill Snow honoring the most famous Carthaginian who was a well-known zoologist and television personality.
Here is Perkins' bio as listed in the Wild Kingdom website, "Perkins began his zoo career in 1926, literally working from the ground up with the St. Louis Zoological Gardens. He was put to work on the Zoo's laborer crew, where he helped maintain the Zoo grounds. Perkins quickly rose through the Zoo's ranks, becoming curator of reptiles in 1928. In 1944, following seven years as curator of the New York Zoo in Buffalo, N.Y., Perkins was appointed director of the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. Under Perkins' direction, the Zoo became internationally known, in part from the Zoo Parade television series, which ran on NBC from 1949-1957.
Perkins' career came full circle in 1962, when he returned to the St. Louis Zoo as its director. He became director emeritus of the Zoo in 1970. It was during Perkins' tenure with the St. Louis Zoo that he, along with producer Don Meier, began work on an idea for a new television program. Mutual of Omaha's "Wild Kingdom" debuted on January 6, 1963, and was in original production for 27 years."
What an interesting life Mr. Perkins had - I sure will think of him whenever I visit St. Louis Zoo.

BODY PARTS (THE AWAKENING)

For this week St. Louis Friday Series, I am posting photos of The Awakening, a five-part (thus giving the title to this post - Body Parts) sculpture by American sculptor J. Seward Johnson. The sculpture was unveiled on Saturday, October 10th and will be on display permanently at Central Park in Chesterfield, Missouri. "The Awakening" is a 4,700-pound cast aluminum giant, 70 feet in length and 17 feet tall, that appears to be emerging from the ground.

In this photo, Benjamin tried to shake hand with the Giant but he gave up and decided to just "high-five" instead! (As I watch the kids happily scrambled over the face, climbing and sitting in the huge hand and the right foot, I sure missed my nephew and thought JL would have a good time playing around the Giant as well as taking part in make-and-take art activities.)

SOCIETA DI LICODIA EUBEA - EST. 1929

Last April, during one of my walks around the neighborhood of Bensonhurst (or Bath Beach or Gravesend, whatever it was), I was pleasantly surprised to see the sign, "Societa di Licodia Eubea - Established 1929 - Donated by Chieto Family" on the building (above) tucked between a Chinese Super Box Buffet and Nails 86, probably a Vietnamese or Korean owned business. With "always in my bag" camera, I took a few photos because I did not wish to take a chance that the next time I visit this neighborhood again whether this "Licodiesi Brotherhood Society" would be around, or most likely would be taken over by another Asian or non-Italian business.

I understand that neighborhoods, particularly in New York or any big cities, are in constant changing as new immigrants are moving into the area. Walking along 86th Street, you will see various cultures such as Russian, Hispanic and most prominently Asians by looking at the storefronts, listening to the languages being spoken by the shoppers, you witness the living history of Bensonhurst being written, just like the Italians and the Jewish people when they settled in this community in early 1900s.

According to Wikimapia, "Bensonhurst (also known as "Brooklyn's Little Italy") is a neighborhood located in the south-central part of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Bensonhurst runs from about 14th Avenue to 25th Avenue and from Gravesend Bay to 53rd Street, encompassing Bath Beach, New Utrecht, and part of Dyker Heights and bordered by the Bath Beach, Bay Ridge, Gravesend, and Borough Park sections. For many generations of Jewish and Italian residents, Bensonhurst's geographic boundaries have been defined by the streets where the ethnic mix of Bensonhurst begins to fray. Interestingly, since about 1993, the rapid expansion of the population of Orthodox Jews in neighboring Borough Park, has encroached deeply into Bensonhurst, such that the ethnic geographic boundaries now begin from about 18th Avenue to 25th Avenue and from Gravesend Bay to 60th Street. This 1.4 square mile change represents an expansion of Borough Park and a shrinkage of Bensonhurst, as defined by traditional ethnic boundaries. It represents a historical parallel to the shrinkage of Manhattan's Little Italy as a result of the expansion and encroachment of neighboring Chinatown."

The first time we attended St. Mary, we realized that 9:30 a.m. Mass was entirely in Italian. Just like when we attended Mass at Our Lady of Paris - Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris (Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris) and last year at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, we loved the structure of the Roman Catholics Rite of Mass. No matter where we are and what language is being spoken, the universal sense of belonging, of being connected in our faith, we always know what to expect of the celebration. The traditional Mass begins with Introductory Rites, then Liturgy of the Word, next is Liturgy of the Eucharist, Holy Communion Rite and ending with Concluding Rite. The only time we might feel out of place would be if the presiding priest told something funny during his Homily and we would be the only people who did not even crack a smile or looking around wondering why other people are laughing! Also, we would be reciting The Lord's Prayer in English instead of French or Italian!

According to Wikipedia, "Today, the Italian American community numbers over 50,000, or more than one-third of the population. Despite increasing diversity, Bensonhurst is heavily Italian-American, as its Italian-speaking community remains over 20,000 strong, according to the census of 2000. However, the Italian-speaking community is becoming "increasingly elderly and isolated, with the small, tight-knit enclaves they built around the city slowly disappearing as they give way to demographic changes." [3]".

PUBLIC ARTS - CITY OF CHESTERFIELD

Below - God Bless America - J. Seward Johnson, Jr. on displayed in front of Chesterfield Arts office.

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 10th, I am planning to go to Central Park in Chesterfield, Missouri (not Central Park in New York City, I wish) to see the unveiling of The Awakening, a monumental, five-part sculpture by American sculptor J. Seward Johnson, Jr. The event is a community celebration scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. with the unveiling at 11:00 a.m., and all sorts of art activities including T-shirt painting, sand sculpting, hands-on family art projects, dancing performances and food from area restaurants.
Since early summer, twenty life size bronze sculptures crafted by Johnson have been placed throughout the City of Chesterfield as a preview to the arrival of this 70 feet in length, 17 feet tall, 4,700 lbs cast aluminum, monumental piece called "The Awakening". This week, I am posting a few of my favorite sculptures. I like all of the pieces and promise to post work by other artists that are on displayed at public parks, office complexes, street corners, in future St. Louis Friday series. It was a lot of fun to look for public arts, just like my own treasure hunt and cost only a few dollars of gas.

Above - Coming Home, on displayed at Chesterfield Mall.

Visit www.chesterfieldarts.org for more information and for placements of these sculptures and other outdoor arts.
Below - Out of Sight, on displayed at Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex, North Outer 40 Road.

Above - My World - inside Sachs Library. (Note - Benjamin looks as if he was part of the sculpture being next to the young lady - haa haa)
Below - Midstream - in front of Chesterfield City Hall on Chesterfield Parkway West.

TAVERN ON THE GREEN - NEW YORK CITY

"God is my witness I will never be hungry again." Scarlett O'Hara, Gone With The Wind.

Last year my husband had a cold for a few days after Christmas while we were visiting my family in New York. After he got better, we decided to take the subway from Brooklyn to Central Park to take a few photos. When we passed by the restaurant Tavern on the Green, I told my husband that I used to help serving pasta dinners to the runners before the Marathon. When we debated whether to continue looking for a place for breakfast or going into Tavern knowing how much it would cost, "We are on vacation" was what CP always said when we had to make decision to spend money on something foolish.

As I sat in the dining room with festive Christmas decoration, fanciful table cloth, the fine china, the flashy overwhelmed wall paper, the flowery carpet and the formalities each server lavishing on the guests, I thought of what Scarlett said to Bhett Butler when he told her to go ahead and spend as much money as needed to make Tara what it once was, the wealthiest and extravagantly ornated plantation. "I want all the people who's been mean to me to be pea green with envy", O'Hara said. Ms. MK who told me that I could never find another job because I did not speak any English, the person who told me "Let's see how long you will last" when I told him that I would be working full time and attending college at night and the person who saw my face and told me that the job was offered to someone else when I arrived at the scheduled interview (the day before he told me I was perfect for the job and asked how soon I could start), I want all these people to be pea green with envy that I did what they told me I could not. I did not have to lie, steal, cheat or kill. I did all the hardwork, the American ways, working and paying taxes, financing my own college education, purchasing my own home and God is my witness, I will never be hungry and that I have achieved my American Dream.

The Tavern with one of the many glittering fancy chandeliers and soaring vaulted ceilings. The restaurant is a maze of dining rooms, each decorated with different fantasy theme and the garden area which is enclosed under a beautiful canopy of lighted trees.

According to an information sheet, when originally built in 1870, the rural Victorian Gothic structure now known as Tavern on the Green was designed by Jacob Wrey Mould as a sheepfold. The first incarnation of the restaurant was launched on October 20, 1934. In 1976, the Tavern reincarnated and dazzled New Yorkers with the additional glass enclosed Crystal and Terrace Rooms, lavish use of stained glass, etched mirrors, erratic antique prints and excessive adorned chandeliers.

$105 for breakfast for two that included two tiny cups of coffee, two glasses of orange juice, a cheese omelet, a scrambled egg with ham and harsh brown, English muffins with butter and jam, no white or rye toast, was it worth it? The server told us that "traditionally" no toast being served at New Year breakfast. What tradition and who decided that it was a tradition? Were we supposed to know the tradition? Since we asked for toast, that proved that we did not belong at the Tavern. We were just two "wannabe" poor country mouse in a place where we don't belong. A meal at the Tavern is not about the food or service, it's about being there and about being seen of being there!

The sign reads, Private Dining Room, where celebrities and distinguished New Yorkers, enjoy their meals away from the masses. Photo below showed the decorative whimsy in the waiting area, right outside the Garden Bar.

PS: This January 10th marks the 29th Anniversary of my family arriving in New York City, beginning a new life and becoming Americans. God Bless America.

HAPPY 2008

I chose the above photo from Rockefeller Center because with the trumpet, the statue looked as if he/she announced the new year has arrived. Here are best wishes to all my adoring fans for a healthy and peaceful year that will be filled with love, happiness and prosperity.

We took the subway from Brooklyn and got off at Grand Central Station, then walked to the United Nations. There were performances called Light Shows during the holidays. I thought it was appropriate to show the famous clocks that most of the people would recognize as the trademarks of GCS. There were also art & craft booths as part of the holidays fair. We purchased two ornaments and was given a third one at no charge.

Below are a few photos from Times Square. We were in the area prior to going to the Rangers game. It was on Sunday, January 30th and it was already crowded with people (perhaps it was the normal crowd for Times Square). We moved slowly in the sea of bodies, taking in the bright lights, watching the large screen showing various poses of the M&M characters.

For a few years, 1982-1985, I was a member of Metro-International, a program providing orientation to international university students on living in New York City and learning about American cultures. I became a non-paid volunteer yet had all the authority as a staff person conducting meetings and helping the executive director with office matters. During a trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country (Lanscater County ), we visited Hershey Park and had a great time there. Each student stayed with an American host family. Mr. & Mrs. GE, who were the Mennonites, was my host family. I went back and visited them a couple of times on my own. We still keep in touch and exchanged Christmas greetings, birthdays and anniversaries cards, to this day. (Compared to the Amish, the Mennonites are less conservative, have relaxed dress codes, are permitted to drive automobiles and the use of electricity. The GE family did not have television, only a small radio.)

If my husband had his wish, we would be among the million people standing around for more than 8 hours waiting for the countdown and lowering of the crystal ball as the New Year arrived. We tried getting a hotel room but could not afford the rate of $459 a night. I told my husband that I would not physically be able to stand around or even if sitting on a portable chair, to withhold my needs to use the restroom for more than a few hours.

The photo above show Times Square and the crowd. Then we went up to the second floor in the M&M Store where I found a great corner to take photos of Times Square from up high, as shown below, with the traffic and again the bright lights.