Fitzgerald Hangout

University Club, 420 Summit Avenue

Scott and Zelda were regulars at the well-heeled University Club, where they attended dances and spent evenings in the bar. Together, the Fitzgeralds once published a spoof newspaper poking fun at University Club regulars, which they distributed at a formal ball.  Credit: http://www.fitzgeraldinsaintpaul.org/a-selection-of-saint-paul-sites-of-f-scott-fitzgerald/

"All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD, undated letter to his daughter "Scottie"

The Purple Iris

Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower. 

Hans Christian Andersen

This Side of Paradise

Another Fitzgerald post: F.Ssott Fitzgerald wrote the novel, This Side of Paradise, while living in this brownstone apartment building on 593/599 Summit Avenue. He had met Zelda, his future wife, while serving in the army. Originally she had not wanted to marry Scott because of his uncertain financial future, but after the publication of the novel, she apparently changed her mind. They did not remain long in Minnesota and led a busy, often debt-ridden existence, as international icons of the Jazz Age. 

A year ago the house was up for sale.  Go to this link to see what the interior looked like when it was put on the market.

Nature, June 1, 2017 Theme Day

You cannot get anything more natural than this!

Click here to see more delightful photos for this June 1, 2017 theme.

Seven Days of Information, Education, and Fun: Come Visit!!

At the book launch I attended Wednesday, I picked up this poster which announces a conference which occurs with some regularity in St. Paul. It is anticipated, attended and  appreciated by  educators, academics, students and Fitzgerald aficionados during this 7-day event. Scholars from all over the world will present papers and enjoy the " FitzFest," social activities and tours during this week-long event.

It get more complete information about the conference and activities click here.

Book Launch for a New Fitzgerald Book

The Commodore Hotel that was recently renovated is a St. Paul historical icon where Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda once lived, partied, and waited for the birth of their child, Scottie. For this reason alone it was an appropriate place for the book launch of a new book, "F. Scott Fitzgerald in Minnesota." Approximately 75 people crowded into the ballroom to buy the book and meet both the photographer, Jeff Krueger and the author Dave Page, who is photographed above as he explains his interest in Fitzgerald and research. I had intended to present my posts by chronologically presenting the events of F. Scott's life, but this book launch really illustrates the interest St. Paulites have in one of their favourite sons. I'll return to other aspects of his life shortly. To learn more about the Commodore Bar and Restaurant click here to read some fascinating facts about the era: prohibition, the 19th and 21st Amendments, and some gangsters plus some great black and white photos.

F. Scott's Dancing Lessons

Mrs. Backus’ Boarding School (586 Holly Ave): Built in 1890, this is where F. Scott Fitzgerald took dancing lessons as a boy. (Historic Photo: School in 1922)

Although it doesn't look the same, I have been told that this is the same building.
I am sure that dancing lessons weren't Scott's idea, but that was not an usual activity for the children among his mother's circle of friends. Because his grades were not very good, eventually he was expelled from St Paul Academy and enrolled in an Eastern boarding school at age 15. Until he entered Princeton, he was home only for the holidays.

Fitzgerald's St Paul Academy

If Fitzgerald were alive today, he would not recognise St Paul Academy, the private all-boys school he attended in a small building on 25 Dale Street close to Summit Avenue. The Academy moved elsewhere in 1931 and is now co-educational, larger and  located on Cleveland Avenue. St Paul Academy is the school where I taught middle and upper school students in the English/Humanities department during my own educational career. Some of the short stories he wrote has been included in the middle school English classes.

 I never really cared for this particular statue of F. Scott located on the steps of the Dale Street original Academy building; I  much prefer the one in Rice Park in downtown St. Paul. Whenever I am in the area, I stop to chat with him and tell him how much I enjoyed teaching his short stories and The Great Gatsby in American Literature.

Some Fitzgerald homes

The weather in St Paul for the past week has been relentless rain; I haven't been able to get out to F. Scott's old neighbourhoods to take new photos so I have to rely on old archive photos for a few days.
                                   *************
For five years, Fitzgerald and his family lived in three different houses on this block on Holly Avenue, one of which has been torn down. When his father's financial problems began the family lived in an apartment pictured here as well as Grandmother McQuillan's large house, shown above. Later he used material from these childhood years to write magazine stories.
                                  *********************

I feel very fortunate to restart the series at this time because on Wednesday, the author and photographer of another book  about Fitzgerald will have a launching party  at the Commodore Hotel, a St Paul landmark frequented by F. Scott and his friends. I'll be there! I'll include a photo of that building at a later date.  In the meantime, enjoy this Amazon photo of the new book.  

F. Scott Fitzgerald in Minnesota: the Writer and His Friends at Home.

One of Our Boys!

481 Laurel Avenue, St Paul, Minnesota

is

the birthplace on September 24, 1896 of novelist

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

This residence is designated as a Literary Landmark by

Friends of Libraries, U.S.A.

In 2006 I did a photographic series of some of the landmarks in the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald. I think enough time has passed to repeat it because some of you may not have been part of CDP eleven years ago.

For the next few days, I will show you places where he lived, went to school during his early years, and where he hung out. He was born in this building to Edward and Mollie McQuillan Fitzgerald.

My personal steed!

Who doesn't love a carousel?

Linking to Saturday's Critters and Camera Critters

Skywatch Friday in St. Paul

INTEGRITY. STATURE. CHARACTER.

These are qualities that can’t be invented or imitated—only earned. In the world of commercial property, they’re qualities attached to a select few buildings. Buildings like the First National Bank Building, the quintessential St. Paul address for more than seven decades. Today, after an investment of millions in capital improvements, this St. Paul icon has been revitalized as a hub of speed, comfort and convenience, poised for seven more vibrant decades. Businesses of character are drawn to buildings of good character. And there’s only one First National Bank Building, shining true, a proven gem in the crown of St. Paul’s skyline.

********************

The building is probably most known for the large neon red "1st" sign atop the building. The sign has three sides and rises four stories to a height of fifty feet.^[In 1973 the sign was turned off in response to the energy crisis. The sign was relighted ten years later after a major renovation. The original "vermillion vitreous porcelain edged [sign] with a double row of red neon tubes" was replaced with solely red tubes. Around four thousand feet of neon tubing was used in the renovation. The sign can be seen from almost 75 miles away from the air at night and 20 miles away on a clear day.

After renovation in 2016 due to wind damage, the sign was relit, with a color changing LED sign. For the Winter Carnival in 2017, the sign changed color from neon red to icy blue.^[12] In 2017, the signed was changed to purple, during the first anniversary of musician Prince's death.( Credit: Wiki)

In the evenings, the building is a beacon of light with its brightly colored sign and blinking lights visible from afar.

Linking to Skywatch Friday.

Practicing for "Nature" Theme Day-Herpetologist Olivia

Throwback Thursday: This is a repost from August 19, 2009, a Door County, Wi., vacation photo with my fearless grandaughter, Olivia. CDP's June theme day is coming soon, and since several people in the past have lamented that they have forgotten the day, here's a head's up!!

Sage Advice-The Nook

This is the fist sign one sees upon entering The Nook, bar and restaurant, located near the corner of Hamline and Randolph Avenues.

Linking to Signs, signs and ABC Wednesday

Celebrating!

We decided during our Friday Field trip to celebrate Mother's Day!
Meritage is our favourite restaurant, next to Broder's Pasta Bar.

Today our entire family is going on a picnic at Como Park to celebrate in our traditional way. Who doesn't love picnics with salad niçoise, small  turkey, cheddar cheese, and roast beef sandwiches with lots of fruit and wine?!

Therapy Dog!

Wild Wendy is a graduate! She successfully finished her class, passed her evaluation, and is formally registered as a Therapy Dog, giving emotional, friendly, and loving support to those who need it. She and I are visiting people at both ends of the age spectrum on a weekly basis:  adolescents in a hospital setting and older folks in a care unit. We are so proud of our frisky "little lamb!"
Linking to Camera Critters and Saturday's Critters

Just a Memory

Although I am going on a Friday Field Trip at the Ordway Theatre to listen to the St Paul Chamber Orchestra today,  I think that I would prefer a real trip, on a real airplane instead.  The plane I photographed over my house in 2007 will not be seen again. . . it's only a memory now!

Ironic

While cleaning up my computer files and organizing my photos, I came across this picture taken in 2007. I noticed the sign posted on the porch behind the statue of Lady Liberty. Such irony!!

Fruits of Choice

Both of these signs were part of the decoration in Mon Petit Chérie, a small cafe I recently visited and enjoyed.  The pie reminds me of the outstanding pies made with small tart cherries in Door County, Wisconsin. and the apples are reminiscent (other than the price) of the wonderful apples available close to the Twin Cities in Minnesota.
Linking to Signs, Signs

Lou's visit

It was only two weeks ago that Lou, Wild Wendy's neighbourhood friend, had part of his hip socket removed because of  genetic deterioration. He was one sick puppy when I saw him after surgery, but yesterday he came over to show WW that his stitches had been removed.  If you look closely you can detect the hair growing back on the left hip area that had been shaved before Lou's surgery (the sun did not cooperate and shone rather brightly on the area nor did either dog consent to pose quietly for me).  In an interesting coincidence, before we adopted WW she had been hit by a car with a fractured pelvis and a broken leg, and  she, too, had surgery that removed part of her hip. Looks like these dogs will not be permanently slowed down by their surgeries.

My fantasy!

I really, really, really want one of these at my disposal so I can tool around the neighbourhood. I came close to buying one about ten years ago but my family discouraged me with horror stores about what might happen to me if I had an accident.  Why did I listen to them? :(

Wanted: New tenant

Happy Sunday, everyone.  Looks like this house is just waiting to be claimed.  Such a beautiful surroundings for a deserving tenant!

He Set a Record!!

For a number of months I have driven by this Little Library and was a bit amused at the plug for Delta Airlines.  I recently stopped my car to take some photos and was surprised at the memorial to Bob Reardon. We met him when we moved into our first residence in a small apartment after our marriage in 1962. We eventually bought our home several blocks away, but Bob Reardon stayed in the apartment building where he lived during the 60 years he was a flight attendant and purser for Northwest Orient/Delta Airlines.! Bob retired at age 90!! The residents who live in this house and who use their Little Library obviously knew and respected Bob Reardon during his life. Click on this link and read about this amazing man.

More spring flowers!

I just can't seem to get enough of these springtime images! Wild Wendy and I are enjoying our early morning walks again, even in the rain!!

Spring Flowers

My neighbour's green thumb always produces blossoms to admire.

The same flowers during yesterday's early morning rainfall (and light snow!).

Eat! May 1, 2017 Theme Day - The Quartet

Broder's Pasta Bar is our destination of choice at least twice a month. Last Saturday we had a medley of dishes that were not only delicious but visually attractive and unexpectedly color coordinated.

Perhaps you would like to know what they are?

1. Linguine con Capesaute: Squid ink pasta with bay scallops

2 Orecchiette con Salsiccia e Rapini: spicy sausage with pesto

3. Special of the night: pork, fennel and tomato sauce.

4. Linguine con Vongole: button clams, pancetta, and chilies

My favourite: you guess!!

Today is CDP's May 1st Theme Day, which is "Let's Eat.  Click here if you want to see what other bloggers post as their contribution to this theme!