Jazz Age Series

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A year or so ago, I was having lunch at Gaido’s with a girlfriend and, after a terrific meal there and before leaving the property, we walked into the restaurant’s ever-popular gift shop. On more than a few occasions, I’ve gone in to browse the shelves and left with an unplanned purchase in my hand.

On this particular day, a paperback book by Ellen Monsoor Collier caught my eye. It was entitled, Bathing Beauties, Booze and Bullets. I picked it up and scanned the first few pages. Soon, I realized the book was a mystery novel, set in Galveston, during the Prohibition era of the 1920s. Of course, I was highly interested and, on impulse, I bought the book.

That night, I started reading and quickly became enamored by the main characters: Jazz Cross, a young society (and wanna-be crime) reporter for the island’s daily newspaper, and her handsome beau, James Burton, a Prohibition agent. Before long, I was hooked on the story and fascinated by the bits of Galveston history, local places and legendary residents inserted throughout.

By the time I finished the book, I realized it was Book Two (of four) of the author’s Jazz Age Series. Ah…so much the better!

I found the other three books on Amazon and ordered them immediately. Within days, I was well into Book One…and even more attached to Jazz and James and all of the other reappearing characters!

Ellen Monsoor Collier

Ellen Monsoor Collier

Then, yesterday, while attending ARToberFEST on Postoffice Street, a table displaying books caught my eye, much like Book Two of the series had so many months ago. Immediately, I realized the person autographing the books was the author, Ellen Monsoor Collier. Delighted, I walked over to meet her and let her know I’d read all of her books and how much I enjoyed them.

Ellen’s smile grew as I went on and on about my affection for her books, the setting in Galveston in the 1920s and the endearing characters. I also encouraged her to write a Book Five and continue the story. I explained I wanted to read more about Jazz and James and find out what the next chapters of their lives might hold.

Sadly, she indicated she was not planning to add to the series. But, I was not deterred. With sincere enthusiasm and encouragement, I urged her to re-think that plan.

Who knows? Perhaps she will.

ARToberFEST

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ARToberFEST is Galveston’s premier juried fine arts festival. This weekend, it was the biggest attraction on the island. Literally, thousands of full- and part-time residents, as well as visitors from Houston and. beyond, made their way downtown to check out the art and associated festivities. All, like me, wanted to meet the featured artists and see their incredible works of art

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Held on Postoffice Street, in the heart of the Galveston Cultural Arts District, the event featured art, food and fun in a beautiful historic setting. Additionally, live music performances and a variety of products from the island’s local Farmers Market were located throughout the festival site.

ARToberFEST, now in its 22nd year, is sponsored annually by the Grand 1894 Opera House.

My visit to ARToberFEST this afternoon was somewhat like a maiden voyage. I knew the destination, but I wasn’t quite sure how well the journey would go. Would the event live up to my expectations? I was eager to find out!

Robin Renee Hix

Robin Renee Hix

This is one of the prints by Robin Renee Hix that currently hangs in The Bungalow. It’s bright and colorful like the rest of the decor in the house, and it’s one of my favorites.

This is one of the prints by Robin Renee Hix that currently hangs in The Bungalow. It’s bright and colorful like the rest of the decor in the house, and it’s one of my favorites.

As it turned out, I was somewhat surprised by the variety of media and the quality of the art I found. There were painters specializing in acrylic, oil and watercolor, jewelry designers, metal artists, photographers, printmakers, sculptors and wood carvers. And, all were creators of fine works of art. I was truly delighted!

There were more than 120 artists participating in the festival this afternoon, each showcased their creations inside sun-protected white tents., It was fun going in and out of those tents, meeting and chatting with some of the artists and spending extra time with the art I was drawn to.

I was especially happy to go into the tent of artist Robin Renee Hix of Wimberley, Texas.

This iRobin Renee Hix print is another favorite of mine. I hope to purchase a copy of it soon. Unfortunately, she did not have one with her today!

This iRobin Renee Hix print is another favorite of mine. I hope to purchase a copy of it soon. Unfortunately, she did not have one with her today!

Robin’s signature style combines two of her loves: photography and painting. Her works are well known for stunning color and dynamic mood. These works offer up a modern twist to the nearly lost art of the hand-colored photograph, a skill which flourished long before color film was invented.

Robin is the artist who created some of the framed art hanging on the walls of The Bungalow. I love the pieces, and II had hoped to meet Robin (someday), so running into her here was a nice surprise! As it turned out, she was very familiar with The Bungalow; she had actually been inside the house several years ago. Coincidentally, she is a good friend of one of the previous owners!
(While I was there, she took a photo of the two of us to send to him!)






















Stingeree

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Yesterday, my son and I took the ferry over to the Bolivar Peninsula to enjoy a late lunch on Crystal Beach. Our destination was Stingeree, a popular seafood restaurant and marina and, most important to me, a place Matt had not yet been to.

As always, I enjoy introducing him and other family members to places I’ve discovered since buying The Bungalow and living part-time on Galveston Island.

Stingeree is a great restaurant - for lunch or dinner. It’s known for many good things: its friendly and attentive wait staff, its delicious fresh seafood and its incredible view of the intercostal waterway, where it’s always fun to watch the boats go by!

And, at night, there is often live music featured outside on the lower deck.

Stingeree’s menu is extensive, and the servings are large. Here, it is advisable to consider sharing a main entree. you both will still walk away full and satisfied.

Matt and I began our meal at Stingeree by ordering two margaritas, the restaurant’s highly acclaimed seafood platter (to share) and an extra plate of boiled shrimp (again, to share).

With the help of a second round of margaritas, we were able to spread out our dining time and eat it all - as well as a generous serving of Stingeree’s ever-popular Key Lime Pie.

Admittedly, Matt ate most of the extra boiled shrimp; I ate most of the yummy dessert. And, as I said, we both walked away full and satisfied.



Pumpkin Time

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Buying pumpkins and displaying them in and around one’s home in early October is common in the U.S., and Galveston is no exception.

In recent years, shopping for pumpkins at the Moody Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch has become a fun tradition for me - as well as for many others here on the island. Always, the selection is terrific. I find pumpkins of all sizes and in a variety of colors (white, bluish-green and, of course, orange).

And, the profits made from the pumpkin sales fund a number of worthwhile service projects. I like that - a lot!

This weekend, my son, Matt, is visiting from Houston, so he accompanied me on my search for the perfect pumpkins. I told him, upfront, I would really appreciate the company and an extra set of eyes. But, after we made selections, I realized I really needed him (and his muscles) to be here. The largest of the pumpkins we chose was too heavy for me to lift into the wagon provided to get our bounty to the car and, afterwards, to unload them back at The Bungalow.

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As my family knows, I have long been a fan of pumpkins; they remind me that autumn has arrived - despite the still-warm temps outdoors.

Long ago, I started studying up on pumpkins. The more I learned, the more I became a devoted fan of this versatile plant. I love, among other things, that the flowers, seeds and flesh of the pumpkin are all edible and rich in vitamins.

In October, I use pumpkins to make soups, desserts and breads and, yes, even pancakes. Admittedly, I’m not very good at baking pies, so I purchase a lot of pumpkin pies in the fall - before and for Thanksgiving!

I also purchase a lot of pumpkin-scented or pumpkin-flavored things - like candles and coffee!

In my research on pumpkins, I discovered the popular tradition of carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns originated hundreds of years ago in Ireland. Back then, however, jack-o’-lanterns were made out of turnips or potatoes; it wasn’t until Irish immigrants arrived in America and discovered the pumpkin that a new Halloween ritual was born. (Being half-Irish, I love this too!)

Pumpkin Trivia
I’ve always wanted to play Pumpkin Trivia with my family or friends at Thanksgiving. Our gatherings, however, haven’t yet provided the extra relax time to do so. But, I still hope to introduce this game to my grandkids next time we all get together. In the meantime, here’s some fun facts to remember:

• Pumpkins are a member of the gourd family (like cucumbers, honeydew melons, cantaloupe, watermelons and zucchini). They are native to Central America and Mexico. However, they now grow on six continents.
• Pumpkins have been grown in North America for 5,000 years.
• In 1584, after French explorer Jacques Cartier explored the St. Lawrence region of North America, he reported finding “gros melons.” The name was translated into English as “pompions,” which has since evolved into the modern “pumpkin.”
• Pumpkins are low in calories, fat and sodium and high in fiber. They are good sources of Vitamin A, Vitamin B, potassium, protein and iron.
• Pumpkin seeds should be planted between the last week of May and the middle of June. They take between 90 and 120 days to grow and are picked in October when they are bright orange in color. Their seeds can be saved to grow new pumpkins the next year.

Sea Turtles

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In recent days, I’ve noticed a number of painted turtle statues on display alongside the Galveston streets I frequent most often. Perhaps, they have been there for awhile; I don’t really know. But, today, I am seeing them everywhere I go. So, of course, I had to ask about them. And, I’m happy to report I learned a lot!

First, I found out that Galveston is home to five of seven species of endangered sea turtles.

Secondly, Turtles About Town, is a community art project showcasing the island city and the conservation efforts of the Turtle Island Restoration Network to protect endangered sea turtles on the upper Texas coast, specially the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle.

And, now, thanks to the network’s combined efforts, turtle lovers - of all ages - have the opportunity to see 19 colorful Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle statues all around the island city.

The first sea turtle statue I spotted was located in front of Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream, 2120 Postoffice Street. “Sundae,” as it is called, was created by artist Shay McAnally and sponsored by Mikey’s. It’s adorable, of course!

Nearby, in front of the Galveston Art League, 2117 Postoffice Street, I saw “Sargasso Susan,” a sea turtle statue created by artist Leroy LeFlore. The color of the statue represents the Sargasso Sea and the Flower Gardens Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico.

Walking to the next block, I ran into “Mermaid + Turtle = Mertle,” located at Clay Cup Studios, 2219 Postoffice Street. It is the creation of artist Tracy Van Horn Reed. It was sponsored by Tom’s Galveston Real Estate. Of course, I love anything that gives a friendly nod to the mermaid.

I found out there is another sea turtle statue, called “Alice,” at Kempner Park, so I drove over to 2704 Ave. O to see it. “Alice” was created by artist Derek Anderson.

At the Bryan Museum, I saw “Dorado,” depicting sun reflections and a breath of air. It was created by artist Ray Cosgrove.

Still another statue I saw today is called “Dr. Tommie Tortuga,” located at 712 Texas Ave. at UTMB. “Dr. Tommie Tortuga” was created by artist Sabrina Stachowski. It is a colorful reminder not only of its mission to improve health but also that the Gulf Coast region UTMB Health calls home.

After looking at all these sea turtle statues today, It dawned on me taking “selfies” by any one of them (or all of them) would have been a good idea. Unfortunately, I thought of it after the fact. Oh well, next time!

About Kemp’s Ridley
The Kemp’s Ridley, the Texas State sea turtle, is the smallest and most critically endangered sea turtle species. This turtle nests on the beaches along the Texas and Mexico shoreline and can be found in Gulf of Mexico waters off the Galveston coastline.