Monday, February 28, 2011

Hilton Head, South Carolina

Veterans MemorialHilton Head Island, South Carolina is the destination for many summer vacations for families for fun in the sun and on the beaches. It's also the golf destination for many groups with more golf courses then almost anywhere else to pick from. It has though, so much more to offer. On a cool January day hubby and I did some tromping around the Island. This wonderful Veterans Memorial honors Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine Veterans of all wars from Hilton Head. The memorial reads, "From a Grateful Nation". You're looking down towards The Memorial here with a natural amphitheater in the foreground. Low lands grasses, and walkways surround The Memorial.
steps leading to MemorialAs you approach either side there are steps honoring the various services.
Veterans Memorial BricksThe walk way and platform of The Memorial are filled with names in honorary bricks, I assumed these bricks have to be purchased from friends and family. I wasn't able to find anything about the bricks, but in my research found The Park had been dedicated on Memorial Day in 2005. Several of these bricks are particularly intriguing to me. Notice upper left Isaac Calderon a WWII Veteran and recipient of The Purple Heart. Beneath and to the right are JC and TL Hudson. I assume JC and TL to be brothers with the same last name, being listed side by side, and noticing the numbering beneath the bricks of 675 and 676...sequential numbering. I believe the sequential numbering is an indicator of the order the bricks were purchased. I'd like to learn more about these brave men. The two brothers, and The Purple Heart Recipient.
park benchThe Park is quite beautiful and while it wasn't hot and sunny during our visit, it was quite moving; perhaps even more fitting that the sky looked so ominous making the area very serene. Though due to the beauty of the park, it's benches and walkways; would think it an awesome place to come in warm weather and spend some time.

Merchant Marine SealAm posting close up pictures for you of each of the services. Here The Merchant Marine, perhaps the branch one hears the least about?

Coast Guard SealThe Coast Guard
Navy sealThe Navy, it's seal probably very familiar to most.
Marine Corps SealMarine Corps.
Army SealArmy
Air Force SealAnd Air Force

This memorial is located in Beaufort County on Shelter Cove Lane near Mall Blvd. Please take time away from the beach, the sun, the golf, and shopping for souvenirs and visit this awesome memorial. It's the least we all can to remember those who've done so much for us.

The only thing I've been able to learn about the brothers is that they were Radiomen, 3rd class aboard The Escape and The Durable Escape. A friend found this picture of The Durable
Durable

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Other Hilton Head Blog Posts:
Signer of The Declaration
Who's Slacks are These?
Fish Hall and Barkers Field
8 other posts, please use the blog's search this blog box to see all 11 posts related to Hilton Head

Friday, February 25, 2011

Schiller Park Part II (German Village)

Wm. Tell quoteIn Part I of Schiller Park we learned this park is old, has a very long and rich history, was involved in books being burned, involved politically long before being politically correct came into the picture. This park is much more then grass and trees. You expect grass and trees at any and all parks, but this one has much more to offer and learn and enjoy. You can read Part I HERE
Schiller Park named for Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, a man of enlightenment can to this day enlighten all who visit and take time. As you stroll about the park, walk or run about the park, chase children and dogs about the park..........take time. On the paths that surround beautiful flower beds are poetic phrases and quotes to ponder.

When most people think of William Tell, they probably think about Robin Hood and arrows and apples on peoples heads. However here in stone are some of his words to ponder, to contemplate and to share.
William Tell QuoteThere are many quotes in the park. I photographed a few of my favorites. The date on these 2 quotes of William Tell, 1804 I found interesting. You see Ohio became a state in 1803. So, one year later these important words were written. These words are still quite meaningful today, some 207 years after they were spoken.
Mary Stuart quoteNow this quote, "In The Sanctuary of Your Heart with God, the words are not as important as faith." This gave me pause. Perhaps this woman who was executed by her cousin Queen Elizabeth kept her sanity during her imprisonment by having her inner thoughts and faith. Queen of Scots, wrongly accused of poisoning her husband, imprisoned and executed...she had a short a tragic life. Schiller wrote a play, a tragedy about her life.
Joan of Arc quoteJoan of Arc, how can one not be inspired when thinking about her and her words? When a young women she lead France forces in The Hundred Years War, was captured and sold to The English and burned at the stake at the young age of 19. Years later, she was found innocent. She believed she was lead by visions from God and followed those visions knowing she was in harms way.

Schiller Park can be a quiet place of contemplation, it can be loud and rowdy with children playing and dogs barking, it can be entertaining when The very popular summer Shakespeare Series starts. How fitting is a free Shakespeare in the park program given the literary comparisons of Schiller to Shakespeare?

Take a picnic with you, your blanket or lounge chair to enjoy Summer Shakespeare in the park. Next Friday, March 11th will be the final post, part III of Schiller Park. See you then.
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Friday, February 18, 2011

Schiller Park Part I (German Village)

Schiller Park sign side 1
side 2 Schiller Park signFlat Stanley here in Schiller Park, previously known as Washington Park, and City Park. Schiller Park a large old park has more then grass and trees. Bordered by City Park Avenue, East Deshler, Reinhard Avenue, and Jaeger Street it's a well known spot in German Village in Columbus, Ohio.

The site of family picnics, Shakespeare in the park, large beautiful old trees to sit under and watch the kids and the dogs frolic about, or nap while others fish. This park is active, beautiful and very historical. It's been the place to be, the place to avoid, and happily again the place to be.

Historically it was a place for concerts, for festivals including German Songfests, holidays like The 4th of July. It's even been the spot for The State of Ohio Fair in 1864 and 1865, the Civil War Years. In 1871 it was the place to celebrate the end of The Franco-Prussian War with a Peace Celebration.

A busy, productive and active German-American Community thrived here. Originally the area was called Stewarts Grove. Land purchased here by the city in 1867 was named City Park. Later, on July 4th, 1891 a 25 foot statue of Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller arrived from Munich and was dedicated, and thus the park was renamed to Schiller Park.
Schiller StatueSchiller was a renowned poet among other things. Many feel his contributions are only surpassed by Shakespeare.

Anti German sentiment was at a fever pitch after WWI, and the parks name was changed once again to Washington Park. The sentiment against Germany, and German people was high. Lusitania was sunk with women and children on it by The Germans. Innocent women and children were killed/murdered and this point was hammered home. German language classed could no longer be taught. Once popular German singing societies suffered. Street names in the area with German names were changed. Books written in German were burned and banned. Books were burned here in Schiller Park at the base of this beautiful statue, as well on Broad Street in downtown Columbus in 1918. According to some accounts I read German Shepherds, and Dachsunds were taken from their owners and destroyed. Nothing German was to be honored or liked. However, one of this countries biggest hero's came from this very German-American Community, flying ace Eddie Richenbacher; who like many German-Americans at the time changed his name to be less German looking and sounding. Eddie Richenbacher became Eddie Rickenbacher.

It wasn't until 1930, the park's name once again returned to Schiller Park.

**Stay tuned for a follow up article on Schiller Park, as this area has a very rich history**
The next time you're in a park, look to see if there's a history, you might be fascinated at what you learn.

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Monday, February 14, 2011

Signer of The Declaration

historical marker for Thomas Heyward, Jr.Coming into Hilton Head on Day 1 of a recent trip, we spotted this sign on the right side of route 278. We spotted the sign as we pasted and so turned around at the next wide spot to see what it was. I don't recall seeing this on our first trip to Hilton Head, last year. However, if you're clipping along it's easy to zip right past. We hadn't yet even checked into our condo so stopped only briefly to get a photo and read the sign. Signer of The Declaration, that's impressive.

country laneAt the time this tree covered little land with a gate appeared to be private property, and was right next to a small house or house trailer as I recall. We didn't follow the inviting country lane. Though we should have. Apparently the remains of White Hall Plantation and a family cemetery where Thomas Heyward, Jr. is buried is here. This is on the list of things to explore further on our next trip. Yes...we already have a 3rd trip planned to Hilton Head. There is so much to see and do two trips weren't enough.

Signer of The Declaration, POW, slave owner, Captain of a militia. There is much to read about this man. Here's a nice biography and photo/etching of him. CLICK HERE.
And more information along with his burial site is HERE

I didn't follow my own advice here, to check things out and not be in a hurry; but we were in a hurry to get to the condo, check in and unpack; as we had dinner reservations and time wasn't on our side. And normally I would have taken time to look this up while there on the island. Somehow I forgot. Moral, slow down and don't try to put too much in one day. Getting there, checking in, unpacking, grocery shopping, and dinner reservations........too much.



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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Who's Slacks are these? Drycleaning and Packing

The Traveling Suitcase just got back from an interesting and fun trip to Hilton Head. Let me share this story and subsequent packing tip as a result.

We had reservations at a nice restaurant and so I was changing to prepare to go "out" for dinner. Had a lovely hand made jacket purchased at a art fare, dressy slacks, jewelry all laid out and ready. As I slipped the slacks on I was puzzled. They were hiphuggers. I NEVER wear hip huggers, hate them...even know their stylish. I think everyone looks nicer in something that actually comes to your waste; and for me something that actually comes to your waste is far more comfortable too. I looked again at the slacks, groaned, and thought were these slacks hubby had purchased for me somewhere along the line that I had forgotten were hiphuggers? Ok, well...guess I just wear my top out. No one will see they don't look as nice, I guess; I'll just be uncomfortable. ...sigh... WAIT, that's not possible! These slacks aren't mine. Zipped they don't fit, in fact as I then look at the label (not a brand I buy), they are several sizes too big! They still have the dry cleaner tag on them. I remember now taking them off the hanger, out of the nice plastic dry-cleaner bag before packing. Great, I have a nice pair of slacks I can't wear with me.

Luckily, I had a nice pair of dressy blue jeans and that's what I wore. Though it really irritated me. I don't like wearing jeans to go out. I know it's stylish and many consider it cool, dark jeans dressy etc. I really don't and it makes me feel like I'm not dressed appropriately. I've been told these jeans are nice and dressy and I'm trying to adopt that, just not quite there yet. lol

Moral of the story, and thus a new packing tip If you take something out of a dry cleaning bag to pack check it out FIRST!! It's been quite awhile since I've picked up anything from the cleaners so no clue how long ago it was, or even which of the several cleaners it was. Question still remains, does someone have my slacks, or are the ones I thought I packed still at home?

Several days later, hubby and I made a shopping venture so I could purchase another pair of black slacks for our last night of vacation. We always make that our "special" night out and jeans were most definitely not appropriate for this restaurant.

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