Beaufort, South Carolina

Strange how things fall into place sometimes when you're traveling. Hubby and I NEVER eat at chains when traveling. We like to see, feel, and taste local color when we can. Walking down the water front area in historic Beaufort, South Carolina we came upon Luther's. It looked most inviting. Our table faced the water front, so even though it was a bit cool (Jan-Feb) when we were there we could still see the water. They have a nice outside area that is probably very popular once the weather warms up. We had great Bloody Mary's as it was brunch time, and we like doing that on vacation. Hubby had some good sea food, I had a wonderful hamburger. Nothing ordinary about it, truly it was good. Near our table was the above picture over the old mantel. I love history, love old buildings which this most definitely is and wondered who the couple was. As I got close enough I realized it was Mr. and Mrs. Luther. Presumably the original owners of the establishment. What a nice looking couple they were. After lunch, we preceded with our walking tour of the fabulous area.
At days end we toured St. Helena's Episcopal Church and Graveyard. I didn't walk by every grave; but...oddly enough I happened to come across Mr. and Mrs. Luther's grave. Charles and Julie buried in this very historic churchyard, the couple who's establishment I had been to earlier in the day. You can see by the flag, Charles was a Veteran. He served in The Spanish American War. I was intrigued to learn a bit more about this couple who had crossed my path twice in one day.

Checking on line at Ancestry.com I learned the following. Charles's middle name is Gillespie, he was born in New York Oct 27th, 1876 and his nick name Doc in parenthesis had real meaning. You see, he was a druggist according to the 1920 and 1930 census. His wife Julie (listed Julius on the census) Jernigan was born in South Carolina July 22nd, 1888. The couple had 3 children listed on the 1930 census:
DeAngie who was 21, therefore born 1909
Charless who was 11, therefore born in 1919
Charles G. who was 10, therefore born in 1920.

The 1920 census indicated Charles Gillespie owned his own home on Worth Street and worked at 124 Bay Street at the time. Luther's is currently located at 910 Bay Street, it's open to the water side (where we entered) and open to Bay Street where to this day you see the original store front of a pharmacy. Luther's Drugs established 1909 reads the sign. Here's a link to their facebook page where you can see the 2 very distinctive entrances. We would not have gone there for lunch had we seen Bay Street entrance first, thinking it was a drug store. But, it is on our list of places to return to as it has lots of character, good food and drinks. Click here for facebook page.

Additionally, I've created a memorial page to this fine couple, please feel free to visit, and or leave virtual flowers.
Charles, click Here, while on his page there's a link to Julie's memorial.

Schiller Park Part III(German Village)

Here's Flat Stanley again enjoy all that German Village's Schiller Park has to offer. Look at this wonderful water fall and Umbrella Girl Statue. Who doesn't enjoy a nice water fall and art in combination? Once again I'll say Schiller Park is far more then grass and trees. There's history, art, entertainment and recreation. Lots of information about history and entertainment in Schiller Park Park I HERE, and yet more HERE in Schiller Park Part II.

Flat Stanley wanted you to see a close up of this wonderful statue.

Flat Stanley loves flowers, here he is in the middle of one of the many beautiful gardens here at Schiller Park. The flower beds change throughout the year and so can be enjoyed month after month. Many flowers have markers where you can learn the names of the flowers which I really enjoy. You can see the red brick walk ways surrounding the flower beds. So inviting.
Maybe you want to sit in one of many park benches and just take it all in. Grab a book and sit and read. It's really an enjoyable place to spend some time.
A close up of some very pretty flowers that seem to attract lots of birds, bees, and butterflies.
A beautiful butterfly enjoying the nectar of the flowers. We don't see many of these beauties anymore; but when I do see them it makes me smile.

There's a pond for those that might want to fish here in the park. The rec. center holds classes for adults and children alike all year long.

German Village has a traditional Haus and Garten Tour on Sunday, June 28th from 9 am to 6 pm. This years tour marks the 50th anniversary of this enjoyable and well attended event. You could enjoy sitting in the park to rest during your tour. Mark your calendars now.

See you next Friday, March 25th for another adventure with Flat Stanley

**Things to do when you visit a park to make it special and educational for the kids
Learn about a flower that's growing
Draw a picture of the park
Draw a picture of flowers
What animals are in the park, draw them
Is there a plaque? Learn about the Park. How did it get it's name?

Hilton Head, South Carolina

Hilton 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.
As you approach either side there are steps honoring the various services.
The 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.
The 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.

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

The Coast Guard
The Navy, it's seal probably very familiar to most.
Marine Corps.
Army
And 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

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

Schiller Park Part II (German Village)

In 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.
There 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.
Now 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, 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.