One day last week, I spent the afternoon at the Dallas Arboretum. Even though it was hot and somewhat sultry, there is always a nice breeze blowing off the lake. It has been a while since this photographer was at the Arboretum. It will be nice when the city gets their parking situation underway (pardon the pun since the walkway will be underneath Garland Avenue). Before going, I checked their web site for any specials,coupons etc. The web site stated that the admission was $15.00 but during August, adults could get in for just $1.00. Parking; $10.00. As I am pulling into the drive, I see both a bus and a sign saying that if you took the shuttle from Gaston Avenue, Parking was only $5.00. Last year it was "free". I went ahead and parked in the regular lot and paid my $10.00 at the gate. I did ask the lady in the booth behind the glass why there wasn't a senior citizen discount on parking. She perks up and said,"oh there is if you purchased it on line". Talk about being a little pissed even as I mentioned to her that I had checked the website beforehand and if it was there, the website had it well hidden. And hidden, it was.And no more conversation came from the ticket lady.
On the whole, I generally enjoy my time there, be it Spring,Summer or Fall. If we ever had a good snowfall in the winter, I'd be beating down the gate to get in. I only wish that there were more winter-like places in Dallas, though I am not complaining at all.
At Wildwood Preserve in Toledo,Ohio,( the estate of R.A. Stranahan, founder of Champion Spark Plugs) the manor house was always decorated for the holidays. The DeGolyer House, here in Dallas at the Arboretum, decorates at Christmas but not to the extent that the Stranahan Manor House holiday decorations displayed. The riding stables and paddock were also great to see when at Wildwood. Along the Maumee River from Lake Erie inland along US 24 to Ft. Wayne, Indiana there are amazing winter ice flows, heavy snows and winter land-type views. It was, after all, a part of the old Erie Canal and some of the original locks do still exist.
It would have been nice if the Hunt's had given Mt. Vernon to the city in connection with the Arboretum. It could have opened the house to the public during the holidays and decorated, charging admission, of course. The rest of the year could have been used for weddings, parties etc.,etc. Garden Clubs, Master Gardner's would have enjoyed meeting there, too.
It reminds me of Bob Stranahan Sr.,Jr. and III when they did the right thing by turning over the Manor House and stables to be shared with the people in the Toledo area and beyond. Just across the creek from the Ritter Mausoleum (previous post about Mary and George. Books of Note and People That I Miss,02/16/2013) in the side of a hill is the Stranahan Mausoleum, in beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery. Somehow, a red rose and a white carnation always ended up in front of those two Mausoleums from time to time. Not all the time, but from time-to-time. Nancy Drew author, Mildred Benson, (original 23 volumns) would ask me from time to time, "I wonder if those blooms came from Ken's or Bartz-Viviano? I'd say to Millie, softly, "Bartz". She would then reply," I wonder how many people know that fact?" My reply was," one too many." She'd laugh with that soft coarseness that her voice had in her later years.
The Dallas Morning News was holding their summer picnic at the Arboretum after it closed to the public when I was there. Seeing the banner reminded me of Millie. I haven't had one of those sly, "the cat just ate the canary" smiles in years. Hank Harvey and John Grigsby. The City Desk and City Editor. Memories sometimes come with that smell of old wooden pews;as rich in smell of quality aged wood as in that moment of reflection that carried it into thought. I've always liked that smell.
On the whole, I generally enjoy my time there, be it Spring,Summer or Fall. If we ever had a good snowfall in the winter, I'd be beating down the gate to get in. I only wish that there were more winter-like places in Dallas, though I am not complaining at all.
At Wildwood Preserve in Toledo,Ohio,( the estate of R.A. Stranahan, founder of Champion Spark Plugs) the manor house was always decorated for the holidays. The DeGolyer House, here in Dallas at the Arboretum, decorates at Christmas but not to the extent that the Stranahan Manor House holiday decorations displayed. The riding stables and paddock were also great to see when at Wildwood. Along the Maumee River from Lake Erie inland along US 24 to Ft. Wayne, Indiana there are amazing winter ice flows, heavy snows and winter land-type views. It was, after all, a part of the old Erie Canal and some of the original locks do still exist.
It would have been nice if the Hunt's had given Mt. Vernon to the city in connection with the Arboretum. It could have opened the house to the public during the holidays and decorated, charging admission, of course. The rest of the year could have been used for weddings, parties etc.,etc. Garden Clubs, Master Gardner's would have enjoyed meeting there, too.
It reminds me of Bob Stranahan Sr.,Jr. and III when they did the right thing by turning over the Manor House and stables to be shared with the people in the Toledo area and beyond. Just across the creek from the Ritter Mausoleum (previous post about Mary and George. Books of Note and People That I Miss,02/16/2013) in the side of a hill is the Stranahan Mausoleum, in beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery. Somehow, a red rose and a white carnation always ended up in front of those two Mausoleums from time to time. Not all the time, but from time-to-time. Nancy Drew author, Mildred Benson, (original 23 volumns) would ask me from time to time, "I wonder if those blooms came from Ken's or Bartz-Viviano? I'd say to Millie, softly, "Bartz". She would then reply," I wonder how many people know that fact?" My reply was," one too many." She'd laugh with that soft coarseness that her voice had in her later years.
The Dallas Morning News was holding their summer picnic at the Arboretum after it closed to the public when I was there. Seeing the banner reminded me of Millie. I haven't had one of those sly, "the cat just ate the canary" smiles in years. Hank Harvey and John Grigsby. The City Desk and City Editor. Memories sometimes come with that smell of old wooden pews;as rich in smell of quality aged wood as in that moment of reflection that carried it into thought. I've always liked that smell.
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| Beautiful Spanish Architecture |
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| The Library. I Love the Library and it's view. |
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| A summer party for employees. Well done! |
