Tourists

Hello,

For some time, Leroy and I have wanted to see the Grant Wood stained glass as well as the city hall murals. This was a difficult task because they are only open during the week and some holidays that we never seemed to know about or were doing something else. Today Leroy came home early enough that we had time to go. I thought Leroy knew where they were, but his ignorance was covered by the internet. Isn’t that great? Back in the old days we might have depended on a human being to supply the answers, even perhaps, the library.

It was a beautiful sunny day so we headed off downtown on our bikes because Leroy did not want to fool with the parking meters. I know not all are pleased with the bike lanes downtown, but it was quite fine for us today. Because Leroy goes there more often he also knows some of the best places to be when riding.

First we saw the stained glass which was actually made in Germany in 1929. It was quite fine to see it. It was larger than I thought it would, but also not as brilliantly colored as I had expected. In the same building there was a small exhibit of the Vietnam War and the US involvement. Not that I read every sign, but it was quite interesting. I wonder if it was an exhibit that changes from time to time.

From there we headed off to city hall. The murals were quite extensive. They had been painted in 1936 by four New Deal artists. Apparently some criticism and a judge caused them to be painted over. In 2011 they were restored. We also saw the old post office boxes.

I found a flyer for public art in CR. We had planned to go to Greene square and now it had a little more meaning. The booklet referred to a statue called Mouse Eared Bone in Huston Park. We both declared that we did not know where that park having never heard of it. On the trip home I happened to glance across the street at a small park and there was that Bone. I cannot tell you how many times we have gone past that and never noticed it. Information does increase awareness.

Paula