Little Red Shed

Little Red Shed

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Cave Point, Wisconsin

I've never been to Cave Point in Door County Wisconsin, but my coworker, Mary, has.  So when Mary was moved from a small cube in the middle of the School of Education to a swanky office with four walls and a door (and in a corner), she requested I help fill a bare wall with some art.  She requested Cave Point.

So, as seen hanging in Mary's office, Cave Point,  Door County,Wisconsin, in glass.


Monday, October 1, 2012

The Spot Bar

The neighborhood "below the hill," the West 7th neighborhood in St. Paul, has, to me, always seemed straight out of Charlie Brown.  Small, charming, older homes, stacked close together with little parks.  And lots of neighborhood bars (also small, charming, and older).  And considering Charles Schultz is from St. Paul, perhaps this is not coincidence?

Anyway, when traveling down the hill on Randolph Avenue, a few blocks beyond 35E on the northeast corner of Victoria Street, you have arrived at The Spot.  And on this spot, since 1885, has stood a bar.  In the beginning called Wittmer's Saloon and Tobacco Shop, now, The Spot.

About 20 years ago, I knew an older retired man who hung out at The Spot.  He drank scotch and worked the New York Times Crossword puzzle at that bar with great regularity.  Probably still does. He once told me that one day while there, and having finished off a few rounds, he put money on the bar to pay his tab.  Only to be informed that his money was not necessary, "drinks are free this week," because the owner had won $5000 in the lottery.  That's The Spot.  One night while I was there with friends the bartender disappeared for about 10 minutes, then returning with a bucket of fried chicken from Roosters up the street.  He sent the bucket around the room allowing patrons to take what we wanted, it was complimentary.  That too is The Spot.  And as of the last time I was there, it's been a couple of years, it was not possible to order a drink that cost more than $3.00. That's just how it is down there.  And I Promise you this, if Charlie Brown had been allowed to age into adulthood, he too would drink at a place called The Spot.

Now complete, next in the Dive Bar Series, and the first trip into St. Paul.   It's The Spot, in glass, 32x19 inch.