Pencilled on the back of this 5×7 photo is the date-1937. No other details or notes but that clue means this photograph of my father standing by a chalkboard, was taken in Champaign-Urbana, at the University of Illinois. Looks like his handwriting. I transcribed the handwriting as best I could, from a closeup crop. See below. I see most of the women are wearing hats.
How about the lamp? I counted at least seven hats
What I can decipher.
Why are we in college?
1. Prepare to make money
2. “Get” an education
3. Sent by parents
4. Find a Life mate
5.
6.
What place will religion ____?____
in our college life ____________?
My father graduated in 1939 and went on to Yale Divinity School to become a minister in 1942.
My friend Joanne’s flight was delayed so she was getting a bite to eat and then walking around Terminal A-East in the Philadelphia Airport, waiting for her flight to be called. Although she was eager to get to her destination, the delay gave her time to photograph all these colorful artworks. Creating a guest blog today was not her plan, it just happened. There was a lot of yarn!
“This exhibition features work by Philadelphia area artists(listed below) who were invited to create unique architectural interventions within the Airport terminal. Using yarn, fabric, felt, found objects, tape, paint, wheat paste, and wood, the artists applied their work to the ceiling tiles, columns, rockers, walls, walkway, and windows. They have visually transformed this location into an immersive and experiential art-filled passageway.”
Rocking Chair Close-up Yarny Crochet flowers close up
We returned to Lawrenceville where we started our library adventure. It was the branch where we’d gotten our CLP Passports and our first stamp. Librarian Steve gave us the forms to fill out. He offered to stamp our passports but we already had the stamp. He stamped our notes pages with the extra large stamper though! A bonus stamp. He also emailed us the pdf brochures about each library branch we visited. Thank you.
One more selfie – In front of Lawrenceville Branch CLP, the first branch library (1898) after the Main LibraryAn example of the brochures
What a fun time Jen and I had driving all over the city, collecting the stamps at the nineteen branches within the city limits. It was her idea to participate and I’m so glad she invited me along.
We started at the Homewood Branch where we were welcomed by Ray. After he stamped our passports he showed us an historic photo of the library and told us how the windows were uncovered during the renovation and the daylight was pouring in. We inquired about the caretaker’s apartment which we’d heard about. He called us back to the Customer Service Desk and introduced us to the Library manager, Morgan, who was able to take us upstairs and downstairs to the auditorium on a tour. And Ray was exactly right about seeing those ornate windows from above. Morgan showed us how they were used to regulate air flow. As we left the library we saw the hundreds of names on a WWI Memorial Plaque honoring the Homewood residents who gave their lives.
Our next stop was Squirrel Hill which was all glass and modern as we entered via the glass elevator. We learned there are “900 Holds” at the library making it one of the busiest and absolutely no squirrels in residence. Our passport stamper was “Customer Service Associate Number Two” who directed us to a display of historic documents at the front of the library. The view outside is the Forbes Avenue Squirrel Hill Business District
How about the breakout window boxes where you can crawl in and read?
The Hazelwood Branch was next and Customer Engagement Associate Theressa offered us a choice of the regular or extra large stamp! Asher (Adult Services) told us that the downstairs held The Family Center. We saw the colorful metal artwork of Homestead artist David Lewis inviting us to the Children’s Section.
Theressa (Yes, two ss) stamped our passports with the extralarge stamp
We had a brief stop at Page’s Ice Cream where Jen bought me a sticker.
We had just crossed the Monongahela and we’re going right by the well know ice cream spot.
It was truly on the way to the Knoxville Branch. Kyler stamped our passports and showed us the location of historic information, touting Brutalist Architecture which is the style of the building.
Knoxville Branch on Brownsville Road
TheCarrick Branchsheltered us from a quick downpour of rain. Laura, Caren and Ben each shared information about the renovation and again we chose the extra large stamp. The rug squares look like stones with grass growing in between the blocks. Every branch has a dedicated Teen Space and Children’s Section. “CLP – Carrick is the first public library in North America built completely using Passive House architectural techniques.”
Next stop was theBrookline Branch. You might notice the photos are fewer as time was ticking away Friday afternoon and all the branches would close by 5PM. Tallulah stamped our passports and told us how the library was in a church basement and this was its third location. It is also a LEED building “ Following the renovation, CLP – Brookline was named “Library Building of the Year” by the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association. The location has also been LEED-certified by the Green Building Alliance.”
Brookline Branch on Brookline Boulevard Isn’t this a colorful space in the front of the library?
(Right down the block from the Brookline branch was PitaLand where we got spinach pies for supper)
The Beechview Branch is “the only branch with active trolley tracks running in front”, said Ann the traveling librarian who was stamping our passports.
Photo taken by Jen Beechview Branch Note the trolley tracks
Two more stops to go. Could we make it by five? My phone ran out of charge. Jen was expertly driving down some pretty steep streets and I closed my eyes for one of her maneuvers. We were determined to get to the final library branch snd get our passports completed and fill out the form so we could get our CLP T-Shirts with all the stamps on the front. We heard they were about out of shirts. Ooops.
Photo taken by Jen On top of the world. Mt. Washington photo by Jen
Welcomed by Chelsey and Diana at our next to last stop. What a cool location looking out at the city. CLP Mt. Washington Branch was a lovely spot with a spectacular view. We could see an outdoor patio with tables and umbrellas which looked so inviting. For another day, when we weren’t on a mission. Nine libraries in an afternoon. What were we thinking?
Just the Downtown Branch on Smithfield Street. At traffic time. Friday afternoon. Crossing over the Liberty Bridge we knew we were going to make it in time. Jen stayed in the car at the curb in front of the Downtown Branch and I ran in with our passports. Jacob stamped them and when I asked said he had a plan to visit all the branches via bicycle. Oh my! Downtown is noted for their Business section. “CLP – Downtown supports the thousands of people who live, work, study, shop and visit Downtown Pittsburgh” Alas no photos you’ll have to click the link. No power left in my phone and Jen had to stay with the car so we didn’t get a ticket or tow. Almost 5pm so no time to make it back to home library in Lawrenceville to fill out the form. They didn’t have the forms downtown.
Saturday! One more stop what a fun adventure. You can click the branch names for more information about each location.
My first cousins Paul in front and John B Van Sickle with their mother Mary Kathryn Babcock Van Sickle (1905-2005) in the middle on the left is her Aunt Mina Marida Reynolds(no dates found) and Mary Lillian Reynolds Babcock (1869-1965) is on the right so my cousins’ maternal Grandmother and Aunt Mina’s sister
(My Aunt Kathryn was married to my mother Marian’s brother John Rowley Van Sickle)
I texted my cousin Andrew to ask permission to post and he sent to me to his Uncle John B who has the original photo. Two memories cousin John has is that “Auntie lived with them and breathed her last at Christmas.” “I remember a ride from Freeport to Durand with her last surviving hen with us in the back seat.”A
nd Grandma lived “long snd lordly in North Rockford convalescent hospital for 12 years with her Bible disbound through leafing”
