This Side of Paradise

One of the Most Famous Properties in St. Paul!

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Rowhome. Designed by Clarence Johnston and designated as a National Historic Landmark for its association with F. Scott Fitzgerald...

 Dramatic 3-Story Staircase, Gracious Formal Dining Room, Original Walk-In Pantry, 2-Car Garage, Rich Architectural Details, Private Deck, and 3 Fireplaces! 

Own a piece of History - This is where F. Scott lived and wrote "This Side of Paradise" in 1919! Once in a Lifetime Opportunity $650,000

Go here for a recent St. Paul newspaper article about the history of this house and some spectacular interior photos of it.

Tranquility

Now that we are home, what will I miss on the Island?

Island Sights

There is something for everyone on Washington Island. There are places to go and things to see while visiting whether for a day or an extended period of time. If you are interested in more Island sights, just scroll backwards on this blog for the posts that I published for the last 17 days. It has been a wonderful vacation that we have repeated time and time again over the years.

TPAC

The Trueblood Performing Arts Center is a beautiful and functional building. For a town the size of   Washington Island,  Door County, Wisconsisn it is both an unexpected and pleasant surprise.  Affectionately known as PTAC by the residents, the building is put to good use by offering performances of all kinds.  We spent an entertaining evening there recently listening to frequent visitor Michael Perry, a northern Wisconsin musician, humorist, and published writer.  We will miss the Island's annual two-week musical festival in August but plan to be there next year during that time.

Burbot, a Native Great Lakes Fish

When I first saw this sign many years ago on Washington Island, Wi, I laughed out loud.  Since then I have learned that lawyers are fish, but I still find it funny and am happy to point it out to my lawyer husband who has never been as amused as I. DH does not particularly like this description: Burbot, a native Great Lakes fish species, are slimy, big-mouthed bottom feeders.

“That’s why they call them lawyers,” said Martin Stapanian, a research ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Lake Erie Biological Station.

Incidentally, we have never eaten there.

Linking to Signs, signs

Rural Sights

These hay bales have always intrigued me, and I have often wanted to stop to photograph them but never did. I saw these on Washington Island during our vacation and was able to snap them with relative ease--rural road with absent or slow traffic. There is something about their colour,  size and regularity that pleases me.

Man's Best Friend

This mural is located on the side of the building of Red Cup cafe.  I consider myself a visitor rather than a tourist because of my long history with Washington Island as a favourite summer vacation spot. Despite this, I never really got to know the owner very well, someone who seemed to me to be somewhat remote and perhaps a bit unfriendly,  even though the regulars assured me that he is a soft-hearted, great guy. I never got to chat with him to ask about the mural.  Obviously his dog is helping him paint his building, but I cannot figure out what he is doing with his right hand.  Guess we'll have to go back to see the fall colours or wait 'til next summer to solve the mystery.
Linking to Monday Murals.

Churches on Washington Island

Two very different churches are on Washington Island, Wisconsin. The one on the right reflects part of the Scandinavian heritage of the people on the Island.

In the Middle Ages, it wasn’t uncommon to see "stave churches" made of wooden posts and pillars scattered throughout Scandinavia. Today, there aren’t many of the churches left, but there’s a growing interest in building new churches that resemble the style — a prominent example of which stands on Washington Island in Wisconsin's Door County. The foundation for the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church's stave church (modeled after a church in Borgun, Norway) was built in 1991 and completed three years later. The wooden church is mainly used for ceremonial purposes such as weddings, while the main church building which holds the regular mass is located across the street. The stave church is only open seasonally, but the convincing air of Norwegian history permeates year-round. 

Saint Michael's Chapel has an interesting history: Located on Jackson Harbor Road, in the 1800’s it was constructed as the Washington Harbor School. In 1900’s the building was moved to the present location and became Koyen’s General Merchandise Store. During 1964 it was purchased by the Lehman family and transformed into St. Michael’s Chapel.  In 2004 the building was renovated to serve the next generations of Island Friends. Open to the public.

Tribute to Birdman

Several weeks ago DH and  I had a marvelous meal at La Fresca, a restaurant in Minneapolis new to us.  While dining in the delightful evening weather on their patio, I noticed several charming close-by shops, one of which is an antique shop. Several birdhouses caught my eye and I was reminded of a favorite blogger of many of us, Birdman from Maine.  Because of his untimely and unexpected death, he left us in sorrow, even those of us who had never met him. I dedicate this post to his memory. How we all miss him!!

Linking to Saturday Critters and Camera Critters

Art and Science Center

This centre displays both local and visiting artists' work .  There is a lot of talent among the locals and the out-of-town artists who regularly use the Center to sell their paintings and crafts.  Souvenirs and books are also sold here. In addition, there is a large room with science displays and activities, which is especially interesting to children.

Schoolhouse Beach

Schoolhouse Beach is on a cove that is a sheltered harbor with a smooth stone beach. Instead of sand, millions of smooth white stones are created by its unique position with waves constantly washing over them. This beach is very difficult to walk on if you don't have some type of foot covering. In the past locals would bring home stones from the beach by truckloads for landscaping their property so now there is a fine for anyone removing stones from the beach Amazing how many of those beautiful smooth stones found their way in my pockets, residing beautifully on my kitchen window sills.

Bill Staines at the Red Barn

Singing mostly his own songs, Bill Staines has become one of the most popular and durable singers on the folk music scene, performing nearly 200 concerts a year and driving 65,000 miles annually. Bill's music is a slice of Americana. DH and I were part of the crowd at Staines' performance at the Red Barn, a popular and rustic building, which  hosts many musical performances for residents and visitors on Washington Island, Wi.

Pilots Register Here

Pilots from several states flew their aircraft to Washington Island, Wi to enjoy the Lions Club Fly-In Fish Boil on a perfect sunny day.  Check my post yesterday for more coverage of this annual event.

Lions Club Fly-In Fish Boil

The Lions Club Fly-In Fish Boil on Washington Island, Wi was successful last Saturday, which was held on  a bright, sunny day.--perfect flying day! The five cauldrons were busy cooking to serve the food from 11 a.m to 1 pm.  Long lines of people came by plane, car, truck, motorcycle, and bicycle to enjoy the traditional Door County food.  Each plate of food contained very generous portions of white fish, onions, potatoes, coleslaw and rye bread. Tomorrow I will show you one of the airplanes and pilot that flew to the Island to enjoy the food and to support the Lions Club.

The volunteers worked hard before, during and after the event to make it successful.  Many planning-volunteer hours made this annual event a possibility.

Lavender Fields Forever!

Washington Island now boasts two lavender farms!  The first one, Lavender Island Company, was established four years ago and the second, Fragrant Isle Lavender Farm,  was started three years ago. Since they are so spectacular at eye level, I would love to see an aerial view of them both.  To see a video on lavender products and how the plants are grown and harvested, go here.

Raffle Quilt

Whenever I see a handmade quilt as a raffle, I always buy tickets.  Whenever I vacation on the Island, I visit the Art and Science museum to buy several tickets for their annual quilt.  Proceeds help to fund some of their programs. This year the patches depict different scenes on Washington Island. One of the walls in my home is waiting for me to hang this one.

Shadow and sunshine

Wherever I go on vacation, I always am able to find a good cafe.  For years I have been going to the Red Cup when we are on Washington Island and have found their expansion in the back of the cafe a true delight. . . a new deck with morning sunshine. I particularly liked the shadow of the leaves on the corrugated steel wall. 

Island Hospitality!

No Explanation Needed!

Linking to Signs, Signs

Arrival sunset

Perhaps the sunsets will become commonplace by the time we leave, but I loved this one on our first night back in Door County!

My personal heaven

Here's where DH, WW, and I  will be hanging out for the next week or so-- our favorite spot on Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin. We will be on the west, sunset-side along Green Bay waters rather than the east, sunrise-side on Lake Michigan. Our cottage has a clear view of the water at the edge of the green lawn with a small sandy area and boat launch.  The Island is about 6 miles long and 5 miles across with approximately 660 year-round residents, but lots more in the summer. Many, but not all, of the permanent residents are Icelandic and Scandinavian descendants. The peninsula has become so popular that we prefer the Island.  Although there are lots of tourists there, too, during the summer months, it resembles what the Peninsula used to be like when I was a kid. Anywhere on Door County, fondly known as the "Cape Cod of the Midwest," is a wonderful place to vacation.  I'll add more photos as soon as I can establish an internet connection.  

Linking to Our World Tuesday

Food Coop

I saw this mural on the side of a building at a Food Coop.  I have no information on the artist.

Linking to Monday Mural

Young Protestor

Last Friday I posted photos of the protestors in front of the Governor's Mansion on Summit Avenue in  St. Paul and noted that people representative of the community were there: blacks, whites, Asians, Hispanics and any number of ethnic groups.  I am not sure what group this young man represented but his traditional dress was colourful!