Monday, January 28, 2013

A Forgotten Past Time

I traveled to visit friends in Portland a couple weeks ago. Route 17A parallels the Connecticut River. There are remnants of farms on it. There is still an apple orchard. Every time I travel this way I notice an old sign covered by thickets. It was a drive in theater. I am unsure when they were started and became popular. It had to do with the increased mobility of people and automobiles.It was a summer evening activity. Families and couples would drive through booths to pay their admission. I don't remember if it the admission was the number of passengers or one admission price.
Movies were shown on a large screen and there were rows of poles with speakers attached to them. The speaker had a clasp that could be secured on the car window. There was a knob for volume.  
Two movies were always shown which allowed for an intermission. Every drive in theater had a concession stand. There was always a line formed to order refreshments. The wise customers would leave their cars before the first movie ended so they wouldn't have to wait in line.

I'm unsure what caused the demise of the drive in theater. There are only a few remaining. There is usually no trace of a drive in theater when the property is sold and developed. This one remains.

There is a video in the next blog entry.

Drive-In Movie Ads : Drive in Intermission 1960's

Monday, January 21, 2013

Good Bye Multiply

I closed my Multiply account today. I imported all of my blog entries from that social media site. So you will see older posts and photos.
I am pleased to be using this site now and I'm beginning to become acquainted with other members.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Moving Forward into the New Year

   The day after New Year's Day seemed anti-climatic to me. We usually returned to school on January second with the exception of the holiday falling on Sunday. Monday would be the honored holiday. Our home would be stripped of the tree with its lights and ornaments. All of the Christmas greeting cards were removed around the door frames.
   January seemed to be a cold and banal month. It was colder and there wasn't anything to anticipate. The feast of the Epiphany or Three Kings Day wasn't commemorated with any celebration. It was now known as Little Christmas. We knew that some people held on to that tradition when we saw their homes still decorated. My family's Italian heritage had been completely assimilated with the American culture. I would later learn about Belfana, the Witch. All there was to wish for was school cancellations due to snowstorms.
   Yesterday we put our Christmas decorations in storage. We do it now with more of a feeling of relief then regret. I am grateful for our Christmas celebration but I realize that it's only a part of the year. We have to move forward through the year and face all of the uncertainties. There are some things that can't be stored until the following December and they are our memories. Our good times with family are the treasures.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

A Favorite Summer Spot

I awakened this morning to read the outdoor temperature at 10 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 degrees Celsius). I considered going out to photograph some of the landscape but decided to remain in the warm house where the thermostat is set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit ( 20 degrees Celsius).
So with warm thoughts I want to share my photos of our visit to Newport, Rhode Island. It's a quaint New England town, famous for the summer mansions built by the wealthy industrialist of the late 19th and early 20th century. It's on an island in the middle of Narragansett Bay.
The mansions are preserved by the Newport Historical Preservation Society and they are opened to tours.
We selected to visit Chateau Sur Mer this past summer. Indoor photography is prohibited.
The Breakers has to be the jewel of these mansions. It was built by the Vanderbilts, owners of The New York Central Railroad.
There are shops and restaurants on America's Cup Avenue and Thames Street.
Our favorite place to eat is The Red Parrot.
http://www.redparrotrestaurant.com/

Chateau Sur Mer

East view of The Breakers

Side view of The Breakers

Restaurant window on Thames Street

Chateau Sur Mer

The Cliff Walk 

Flower Garden at Chateau Sur Mer

Children's Cottage at The Breakers

Dedication to the US Marines

Monarch Butterfly

Newport Harbor

Narrow Street 

Store Window on America's Cup Avenue

Surfers at Easton Beach
I hope you enjoy viewing these photos and think about a warmer season.