Celebrating 50 Years

 

It was 50 years ago when the class of 1974 at Lakewood High School graduated the Cleveland west-side suburb of Lakewood, Ohio. We had over 800 in our class. We attended classes in a factory with a population over 3,000 when you add students and staff for the freshmen, sophomore, junior and senior class. 

The reunion committee pulled out all the stops and contracted with a venue, The Music Box, that allowed for food, drink, conversation and live music on the Cuyahoga River in the Cleveland flats. Alum Christopher Galloway focused his band on a music mix that was ideal for all to dance and sometimes sing along. The Mommas and the Pappas (California Dreaming), Neal Diamond (Sweet Caroline), The Rolling Stones and more. It was perfect for our generation to travel back in time.

 

  

Summer 2024

I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep... Or so says Robert Frost upon Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. It is hard to imaging snowfall in Saint Louis in June and July this year. We've had record high temperatures and humidity that has made some days hard to tolerate. Nevertheless, I've been most fortunate in the use of my of my time off after my first year as Art Teacher at Confluence Academies' Old North Academy campus. 

Just a quick review of my calendar shows a pretty fortunate series of events:

May - UMSL Purina visit (5/1); SLAM Jaune Quick to See Smith (5/4); Education Plus PD (5/6); Laumeier Art Fair (5/9-12); 5/18-20 Janie comes to St. Louis (Laumeier, MO History, Rain at Fox); Hillsboro Cox fun (5/26); U City Brittany Woods Middle meeting re: Art (5/28).

  

June 1 - Lindsey and Lawton (in town to see Andrew Morstein as Count Almaviva in The Barber of Seville). We filled this Saturday with trips to MO History Museum in Forest Park, Central Print in Old North neighborhood, and Pizza place in Maplewood. 

June 4 - Ozark Amphitheater with Dave and Linda Shogren, Al Funk and Tom N. We saw Robert Plant and Allison Kraus show with opening act Tiny Moose (Chris Galloway's band).

June 6 - AMA gathering at Global Brew. Good to see Kathy McGuire and AMA board members preparing for a new administration under incoming President, Webster University's Eric Rhiney. 

June 7 - A special visit inside Andy Goldsworthy's Stone Sea sculpture at the Saint Louis Art Museum.

June 8 - Dave Shogren's OMG band at Jack's Joint upstairs at O'Connells.

June 15-17 - Father's Day trip to NJ. Purple Glaze Donuts, Brooklyn Graffiti, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Grounds for Sculpture visit.

June 27 - visit with Tim Brinks in St.Ann.

June 28 - The AMA "Wes Morgan Classic" golf at CCGC.

July 4 - Music and Fireworks at Chesterfield Valley Athletic Complex.

July 5 - Docent interview at SLAM

July 6 - Early morning double red Blood Donation 

July 8 - Meeting/interview with Principal Twana Moore at Northwest Middle School (Hazelwood School District). 

July 10 - Sarah Lorentz artist phone call re: Old North Art

July 11 - HBE league at CCGC

July 13 - Pageant Show - OK Go, Mirthquake, Winona Forever courtesy Integrity Web Solutions company/Lisa Grimm

July 15 RIP Janet Shaughnessy at Schrader Funeral Home

July 16 RIP Janet Ascension Catholic Church, Mass in Chesterfield

July 18 - Confluence Golf event at Forest Park - shotgun start with Anthony on Redbud #9

July 19 - St Louis Artis Guild Show - Sarah Lorentz

July 20 - ON caucus: Kathy and Marty McCaslin, Kelly Hock, Tammy Slater at MO History Museum

July 21 - Meeting of Old North Restoration Group at Dave's business but led by Linda Shogren because Dave was stuck in Newark due to airline IT global issue. Juan William Chavez, Aimee Dunlap, Stacey Cline, Gloria Bratkowsko, Jessica Payne, Linda Shogren, Wes Morgan, Robin Lovings Brown, Matt Fernandez. 

July 25 - RED at New Jewish Theater

July 26-28 - Cleveland LHS 50th reunion

July 31 to August 5 - NJ - Asbury Park Boardwalk, Sunset Diner (x2), Colonial Terrace (two walks but booked), Elberon Bathing Club (x3) beach and pool.

August 7 UMSL foursome at CCGC

August 8 - Back to School Bash, HBE league night (Thurs)

August 9 - Kidsmart at Ballpark Village

August 10-12 - Tampa Six Flags Roller Coaster

August 19 - School Resumes

 

Interviews and Learning

 

ART STILL HAS TRUTH TAKE REFUGE THERE are the words inscribed in the back entrance of the Saint Louis Art Museum. Since that entrance is adjacent to the sculpture garden, I find myself standing there and appreciating that very thought. The following are some highlights of my interview situations, which I believe to be excellent opportunities to explore self knowledge with regard to my habitual pursuit of art as TRUTH. 

I have completed service as Art Teacher for Confluence Academies Old North Campus this past 2023-2024 School Year. Now, in light of maximizing my Summer hiatus I've take the liberty to participate in a couple of art teacher interviews (University City Brittany Woods Middle School 5/28, and Hazelwood's Northwest Middle School on July 8, 2024). Both meetings were taken as I feel compelled to get some other reference points on teaching art in a Middle School. Both meetings were in response to the schools contacting me after noting my certification/qualifications on the MOREAP website. 

I am a frequent visitor to the Saint Louis Art Museum. Bill Sitzer is a respected veteran of their docent corps. He encouraged me to throw my hat in the ring at they gear up for the first new crop of docents since 2014. So I arranged to meet Karla Aguilar, the director of customer engagement and two others (Monica the docent coordinator and her co chair) on July 5th. (I was able to again visit the Andy Goldsworthy Stone Sea up close and personal that very afternoon).

Next week I will be meeting a collection of colleagues from Old North at the Missouri History Museum. The meeting is social but includes staffers who will or will NOT be returning to Old North. 

The following is a collection of some of my learning from three art related meetings:

It's a small world - I bumped into a former colleague form Westview Middle School (a 6th grade teacher) at Brittany Woods. The meeting was with a 6th grade principal and the Arts coordinator. 

Planning might work with some coordination - Hindsight is 20/20. I wish I had been more questioning about how that coordination of curriculum happens. I have no idea how buttoned up the Arts program will be at Brittany Woods.

Principal is your PAL - I truly enjoyed the pleasant meeting with the brand new principal, Ms. Twana Moore. She admits to learning a new set of state expectations - coming from Nashville, TN and Fort Worth, TX. She's looking for TWO art teachers. The school has over 800 students (6th, 7th, 8th graders). She was kind enough to show me two art classrooms and advise me that they also have access to a kiln foe ceramics (somewhere in the building). 

Art is part of an academic puzzle - I shared with Principal Moore that Old North had 5 different art teachers the year before I arrived. She's faced with filling two such positions. 

The Saint Louis Art Museum is an amazing place - they are taking steps to be relevant and attract members of the community. It remains to be seen how they will marshal this new band of docents. Clearly the exhibitions have been tailored for education and engagement. 

     

   

Rats and Roses

 

Dishes on the table, crumbs on the floor;

Oliver impromptu scene triggered - someone wanted more!

Hamburger Helper, Tuna Casserole, Sloppy Joes,

Running through a sprinkler or drinking from a hose.

 

Dutch Cleanser on all the table tops;

Frosted Flakes, cinnamon toast, Sugar Pops.

Cockroaches, those big bugs - eww they disgust;

Birthday Cake, May through August. In God We Trust.

 

Beauty in the blooms, but every rose has its thorn;

This is the Camelot into which we were born.

Rats will find their way into the side yard trash;

Murphy will give chase, but they’re gone in a flash.

 

In spite of dead fish washing up onto the beach,

Make way for our water rafts, we beseech.

Leprechaun jacket will keep us dry and warm;

On the flying bridge, the chicken of the sea watches out for the storm.

 

Flies around dog manure and potato salad;

Picnic lunches and s’mores not so bad.

Viet Nam body count on the nightly news.

Parochial or Public School - Do we get to choose?

 

With a disposable razor, don’t cut yourself shaving;

Gone are the newspaper clippings you were saving;

Gemini orbit and man on the moon;

It will happen, maybe not now, but soon.

 

Dad keeps replacing screws in the kitchen table chairs.

The squall line we see coming in from our picture-window upstairs.

Plain Dealer money in the front hall.

Rotary dial and just one more call.

 

Where is the party tonight? What are we gonna do?

Funny, that’s exactly what I was about to ask you.

Keep it on the down low. Be as quiet as a mouse.

The party tonight, dude? Tonight it’s at your house.

 

6-22

 

6-22, It’s all about you.

As a matter of fact, dear brother, you are like no other.

You show up, with boys in tow at at a time that could have been an all-time low

A twin headache, make no mistake, you show up and step up. You are no flake.

Rocking Chair becomes clean fill. On to the next place - to just chill.

Safety Patrolman, Alter Boy, in the Choir and Crusader at St. Luke.

Your good eye (in High School) caught an instant moment of puke.

Mahoney Hall overhang takes the collision of your bus.

“Valdosta incident” proved that you belong at the wheel, when it’s the two of us.

Have a cup of coffee with the Cosmic Wheel;

You will quickly feel, the little things, that are so very real

Another spectacular catch on an imagined highlight reel is just fine;

Underhand free throw wins with the confident intramural on the line.

Abieshire Circle, the ice at Lakewood Park, or grade school recess;

You believe you can and take command at best.

You give me props and praise my way;

The information dirt road and so many laughs along the way.

Here’s to the memories. May there be many more coming your way.

I remember things and so will you. Lord knows, more than a few. 

Count Almaviva Andrew comes to Saint Louis

 

Andrew Morstein is a phenomenal talent. In part, because of my remarkable daughter Lindsey. I've known him since he was a youth group congregant at Shaare Emeth in Saint Louis maybe 20 years ago. Lindsey was an advisor and early fan of Andrew. They enjoy a bond of friendship that endures. 

I won't do Andrew's resume justice but I've enjoyed his performances at the Pageant when he was part of an acapella group. I saw him at a University of Indiana production of Candide and now he is performing as Almaviva in The Barber of Seville. (I saw him last night, 5/25/24, at the Loretta Hilton Performing Arts theater in Webster Groves. Lindsey has kept me posted on his international performances and marriage (which was originally planned for Chicago but life happens and circumstances change). 

Lindsey and her nearly 8 year old will be in Saint Louis next week. Having seen The Barber of Seville on opening night in Saint Louis, I'm thrilled at the prospect of seeing it again with my daughter and through the eyes of her amazing 8 year old boy, Lawton.

P.S. And oh yeah, the rest of the cast, orchestra and crew have produced a wonderful and entertaining comic opera. Figaro! Figaro! Figaro! 

 

 

Give Peace a Chance

Janie was able to clear her schedule of babysitting, nursing shifts, and various other chores at home to make a return trip to Saint Louis. (Janie part 8)

She arrives via Southwest Airlines from Cleveland on Friday afternoon with just enough time to catch John Salozzo along with a showing of his work at I Need That Art! at 7735 Clayton Road. A very pleasant and artful stop before going to Laumeier Sculpture Park.

Laumeier Sculpture Park, on an incredibly beautiful day standing in front of the newly renovated Way (sculpture by Alexander Liberman b. 1912- d. 1999) was a spectacular moment in time. The brilliant red of that newly renovated piece wonderfully offsets the green landscape and the blue sky.

We lingered at The Country Club bar and grill until dusk. We talked and hung out in the parking too. We could have been anywhere, but it was so fun just being together.

Gracious accomodations at LaDue Estates in Chesterfield for the first night Saturday. We laughed at the hourly alarm chimes of the Grandfather Clock.  

Sunday's itinerary started with a mass at the incredible Cathedral Basilica on Pentacost Sunday. 

We visited the Saint Louis Art Museum to further enjoy the sights in Forest Park. I am compelled to point out some highlights of some of my favorite works (Mother 1901 by Picasso, Monet Water Lillies, Max Beckmann paintings, William Merritt Chase - 10th Street Studio, Norman Rockwell, Thomas Hart Benton and more.) 

We made our way to the other side of Forest Park to glance at the amazing Aircraft replica of the Spirit of Saint Louis and the newly installed exhibit of the 1904 World's Fair. We enjoyed a bite to eat with a view of the park and enjoyed the early afternoon before returning to Creve Coeur for a break.

On to the Fabulous Fox for the 7:00 p.m. showtime - RAIN, a Beatles tribute. We were among the enthusiastic fans thrilled to travel back in time to Yesterday,  All we are saying is give peace a chance... Hey Jude... 

Thanks to Confluence Academies teacher retention efforts I won a the tickets to the Fabulous Fox to see RAIN on Sunday Night May 19, 2024. I Won the tickets in April and that was enough time to plant the seed of a return visit to Saint Louis. She was able to clear the decks of babysitting, working nursing shifts and various chores.

    

Hey Jude, don't make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.

Hey Jude, don't be afraid.
You were made to go out and get her.
The minute you let her under your skin,
Then you begin to make it better.

And anytime you feel the pain, hey Jude, refrain,
Don't carry the world upon your shoulders.
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool
By making his world a little colder.

Hey Jude, don't let me down.
You have found her, now go and get her.
Remember to let her into your heart,
Then you can start to make it better.

So let it out and let it in, hey Jude, begin,
You're waiting for someone to perform with.
And don't you know that it's just you, hey Jude, you'll do,
The movement you need is on your shoulder.

Hey Jude, don't make it bad.
Take a sad song and make it better.
Remember to let her under your skin,
Then you'll begin to make it
Better better better better better better, oh.

And he heard, he heard, hey Jude…
(repeat X number of times, fade)

Source: LyricFind

Text Me 5/24: As I reflect on your trip to Saint Louis. I remember. 1. That lingering time at the Country Club Bar & Grill along with the lingering in the parking lot 2. The chimes that rang all night from Perry's grandfather clock downstairs 3. The final two Beatles tunes Give Peace a Chance and Hey Jude. I really did enjoy every moment with you...

Text Janie: It was a great weekend. It is easy to be with you. And the concert was good.