Good Times

We had a great time last night when Phoebe & Robert Dowdy entertained us and another couple in their 19th floor apartment. Their hosting is always first class. It was for spaghetti and full moonrise and everything was perfect. We were delighted to meet Don and Nancy Harrison.
Last Tuesday we ushered for the Daniel O'Donnell. show. I enjoyed it more than I expected to. It was a memorable experience, not that it was musically significant but it was a really big (3 hours) and polished production and people loved it.

LOVE IS FOREVER

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Goings On

Last week was a busy one for this retiree.
Sunday we went to the Four Arts for a program on the Hudson River painters. Monday morning we had Neil Berg's 102 Years of Broadway -- always enjoyable, Tuesday evening at the Kravis was Shirley MacLaine -- pretty good, Wednesday evening at Eissey Theater was Copeland Davis -- too loud, Friday (my birthday) I worked all day on income tax, Friday Jane took me to Tabica Grill for birthday dinner. Saturday was Everglades Day and Symphonic Band of the Palm Beaches, Sunday evening was Palm Beach Gardens Concert Band in the afternoon and Dining Out in the evening. Tonight (Monday) we have the always enjoyable Sunshine Pops Orchestra.

Dining Out

Twenty of us enjoyed our monthly outing at Toreros.

Everglades Day

Today we went to the 12th annual Everglades Day. These pictures show Ron Rozar at lecture, "Pythons on the Prowl."

Norton Museum of Art

Today is the 70th birthday of the Norton Museum of Art. There was a big day-long celebration with many musical performances, special tours, lectures, a birthday cake contest, and more. The picture below is of Jane with Palm Beach Historian, Jim Ponce.

                                 

American International Fine Art Fair

 Here are a few snapshots from the show Jane and I went to yesterday afternoon. (Click to enlarge.)
                                            

Palm Beach Centennial

Yesterday, as part of the Palm Beach Centennial, there was an open house at the Palm Beach Hotel, built in 1926. Jane and I enjoyed delicious hors d'oeuvres and music. The celebration was for the hotel's designation as a national historic landmark as well as the town's 100th anniversary of the town’s incorporation. Gertrude Matthews, age 101, played the piano. Brenda Boozer sang and clarinetist, Teddy Abrams played.

Click here for short video of OPEN HOUSE

Last night we attended a meeting of the Art Deco Society of the Palm Beaches where they had an interesting program on a special style known as Miami Modern (MiMo).

Young Frankenstein

Even though I couldn't understand much of the dialog, Young Frankenstein which opened last night at the Kravis, was funny and very enjoyable. It was well sold and seemed well received. If you go, be sure to get an assisted listening device.

Busy Week

We hosted two Evergreen couples this week -- one Sunday night and one on Thursday. Tuesday we took Kelly to the airport and that night, ushered for the orchestra. Wednesday night we ushered for The Capitol Steps and saw Don Rickles, as well. Thursday we went to a dramatic performance by William and Sue Wills on the lives of Bess and Harry Truman. Friday at Pan's Garden we attended a concert by the Princeton Nassoons.

Saturday we usher for The New Gardens Band at Eissey theatre.

Last Night At The Kravis

Last night at the Kravis we heard the wonderful Opole Philharmonic of Poland. It was a terrific program with both Violin and Piano Concerti. I don't think I ever saw a larger orchestra on the Kravis stage. There was an enthusiastic and appreciative audience but, as always, with a sizable rude contingent who walked out early before the encores.

Talent Show, Art Show, Hungryland

Jane's daughter, Kelly, is visiting from California for a few days. Friday night we attended the annual lawyer's talent show at Eissey Theatre. Saturday we went to the convention center to see the art show and Sunday morning we went on Alan's five-mile hike in Hungryland Slough Natural Area.

January City Walk

There were twenty-four great walkers on this great day for walking.

No Pig Racing Or Alligator Wrestling

Jane and I went to the opening of the South Florida Fair today and had good time. We enjoyed the Nerveless Nock's Extreme Aerial & Motorcycle Stunt Show, the Extreme Canines Stunt Dog Show, and the ever popular hypnotist but the best was the Bella Luna Cirque Show. We highly recommend it.

"Games, Games, Games, That's all you ever think about."

After the gossip and reviews of the news, Scattergories and Oh Hell (aka Oh Pashaw) were the games of choice this Saturday evening.

Last Tuesday at the Kravis, Beauty and the Beast seemed well received and I found it one of the most enjoyable shows I've recently seen but The Palm Beach Post gave it a poor review.
REMINDER: The South Florida Fair opens Friday and admission is free at noon.

I Remember -- Do You?

Does anyone else remember when that body of water separating Palm Beach from the mainland was called by its proper name - Lake Worth?
Sonny Boys Fruit Stand on the SE corner of Dixie and Belvedere?
Rogers Camp on Georgia Ave? Butler Brothers Lumber Company on Roseland Drive?
The Cream Top Root Beer stand at Georgia & Belvedere?
Would you believe a Boxing Arena on the north side of Clematis Street at the railroad?
Advancing years are turning me into a historian.
Movie theaters: Park, Surf, Palace, Arcade, Carefree, Rialto, Palms, Florida, Capri, Paramount?
WJNO radio tower on the north side of Okeechobee Rd. (now Old Okeechobee)
Ferries crossing Lake Worth charging 5 cents departing the dock near Hotel George Washington. The Whitehall Hotel razed in 1963. The Saltair Hotel on Datura?
Frohlich's Southboro Market on the East side of Dixie between Kenilworth Blvd. and Central Dr. and also in that block a Drugstore, barbershop, and post office. Across the street was a lot where well drilling equipment was stored. I played on the machinery while my mother shopped.
Before the bridge on Forest Hill Blvd. was built, crossing the Palm Beach Canal, on the other side was Selby Road, later renamed Forest Hill Blvd.
From the bus traveling along Parker Rd. looking west, one could see a romantic and exciting view of sand pits which as a child I found greatly similar to the landscapes of western movies.
Piggly Wiggly grocery on S. Dixie in the same block with Henry's Drug and liquor store, (old location) and a Delicatessen, and Bakery.
I remember the grand opening of Dairy Queen on S. Dixie at Ave. Alegra when unlimited cones were free.
The big alligator in the Howard Park lake.
The Frat House on S. Dixie near where Rich's Ice Cream is now.
I remember when Okeechobee Road went only as far west as Military Trail and Military Trail went no further north than Okeechobee Rd. and Congress Avenue ended at Lantana Rd. The only road to Jupiter (that I was aware of) was the ocean road -- old US-1. Does anyone remember that southbound Flagler Drive ended at Okeechobee Rd. only to resume at Barcelona Rd. then finally end at Southern Blvd.? I'm not that old but I can easily remember when the Blue Heron and Southern Boulevard bridges were both wooden.
Please share your memories with me. See more of mine at: Early Memories

Selections from my photo album:

1  2  3  4  5


A few selected videos:

Our Apartment

Summer in Duluth I

Summer in Duluth II

Summer in Duluth III

Aerobics I

Aerobics II


Dinner Dance


Vista Cruise


Tall Ships I


Tall Ships II


Hike


Hike


Hike

Twenty-five and Counting

Wedding anniversary #25. With much thanks to Jane and a lot of good luck, I've had twenty-five blissful years. Who said you must work at it? I've made a few regrettable decisions but for me, the marriage decision was my best ever. Let's make the next twenty-five as happy. We're still counting our blessings and enjoying life.

    We wish health and prosperity for you all.

Fascism

Worth Avenue Stroll

We were quite surprised so many braved this cold and windy night to stroll the avenue. There was a total of fourteen of us but not all are pictured together.