Summer Camps for teens flourish in Lousiville

 Planning things to do for and with the kids this summer? Why not try something new, you know how easily bored they are, especially the teen-agers. Load the family in the car and take off for a 4-day theater experience they won’t soon forget.  The Conrad Caldwell House in Old Louisville is hosting a 4-day “Mystery At The Mansion Camp”  for teens this summer.  Make reservations at our inn for beautiful accommodations, including breakfast each day, and enjoy the experience with them.  So much fun for all!

  All-New Mystery for 2014! Heiress Danielle Harcourt has it all: Brains, beauty,and rich parents. But her good fortune comes with a price- namely, murder. During this unique camp you’ll rehearse and perform a classic “whodunit” mystery in an actual mansion. Come solve a murder. www.dramabygeorge.com/register

 Mystery at the Mansion is only one of the exciting summer camps planned for this year by Drama By George, an organization, originated and run bt George Halitzka, a dedicated director, playwright, and teacher. His organization of teachers, actors, work with kids of all ages, specializing and utilizing the following to create the potential for character transformation through our relationships, workshops, and performances.

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New Bridge for Louisville and Indiana over the Ohio River

"The new eastern bridge is getting a new look. With Indiana’s approval, the companies in charge of designing and building the span rejected the style that a committee of elected and community leaders selected more than six years ago.Instead of the needle-like towers originally proposed to support cables carrying the bridge deck, the cables now connect to two bulkier arches above the road.

Indiana finalized its contract last week. Construction on both portions of the project is expected to start later this summer.Building the eastern span and the roads leading to it would cost roughly $763 million, down from what Indiana officials said was an earlier estimate of about $987 million. Indiana’s section would be essentially done by Nov. 1, 2016, about eight months ahead of the required completion date.

Kentucky has selected Walsh Construction to build the downtown span, the roads leading to it on both sides of the river and reconstruct the Spaghetti Junction interchange near downtown.Walsh’s completion date of Dec. 10, 2016, is more than 11/2 years earlier than Kentucky’s requirement of June 30, 2018." (courtesy of the Courier- Journal, Louisville, KY, Jan., 2013)
Read full article.....

  

Comments are welcomed

Is Louisville the next Portland?

Take a look at where I live, own and operate my bed and breakfast in Old  Louisville, Kentucky. 

According to an article sent to me  by Robert Wessels owner and innkeeper at Central Park Bed and Breakfast in Old Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky was named the top U.S. destination for 2013, following travel publisher Lonely Planet's discussions among its group of U.S. editors and authors. Robert Reid from Lonely Planet remarked, "While they tend to debate entries into each year's Top 10 list, everyone agreed on Louisville."

Reid goes on to say  "While many horse lovers descend upon this Southern town the first Saturday in May to witness the Kentucky Derby, also known as the "greatest two minutes in sports, there's more to Louisville than one horse race."

"With its hip bourbon scene (including micro-distilleries), fine dining and emerging East Market District, also known as NuLu, Louisville may just be the new Portland, Oregon." Reid said. "Consider exploring the city via the Urban Bourbon Trail for a powerful introduction to Kentucky's famous spirit."

The rest of Lonely Planet's Top 10 destinations: Fairbanks, Alaska (2); San Juan Islands, Washington (3), Philadelphia (4); American Samoa (5); E astern Sierra, California (6); northern Maine (7); Twin Cities, Minnesota (8); Verde Valley, Arizona (9); and Glacier National Park, Montana (10)





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Film Festival in Louisville, KY

The Flyover Film Festival is the signature event of the Louisville Film Society. This four-day celebration of film in Louisville will be moving around the city, showcasing our amazing network of film-friendly venues as well as our locally grown talent, and begins June 9 . . . that's today!

For films and festival passes, click here.

Wanna go for free? Tell us your favorite movie with a Louisville connection and we’ll give away a pair of passes to this weekend’s festival. Click here to post your comment.

Another Louisville?
In the independent film Another Earth, which stars Louisville native William Mapother, another earth is discovered in outer space . . . and it’s populated with duplicates of us. Which means, of course, there’s another 20,000 Friends of Lou out there. On the night of the discovery, an ambitious young student and an accomplished composer cross paths in a tragic accident. If you wonder how cool the other Louisville might be, here’s a link to the movie trailer.

Watch Out, Hollywood and Bollywood, Here Comes . . . Louiswood?
Ok, maybe not yet. But how cool is it that there are some stars in town for a film shoot? Tan Lines is a movie about Owen "Game Set" Match. He’s one of the top tennis pros in town, employed by the prestigious Fountain Club, with gimp knees and tan lines that make women swoon. Sounds like Happy Gilmore with a tennis racquet.

Click here to see a summary of the movie on set in Louisville from producer Gill Holland.

What’s a movie without its stars? Here are some people you might recognize who are in town this month for the film:

• Josh Hopkins of Cougar Town.
• Cameron Monaghan of Showtime’s Shameless.
• Alexie Gilmore of Surfer Dude.
• Billy Magnussen and Dash Mihok of The Day After Tomorrow.
• Kevin Sussman of The Big Bang Theory and Ugly Betty.
• Guillermo Diaz of Weeds and Mercy.
• Sam McMurray of Raising Arizona and The Tracey Ullman Show.

It’s a Wrap
Although being a Friend of Lou makes you a star in our books, what about hanging out with some?

Ten lucky Friends of Lou will get:

• A signed Festival poster by William Mapother.
• A CD from a sonaBLAST! Records artist.
• To be an extra in the film Tan Line. Filming will be in Louisville on the afternoon / evening of June 20.

To enter, sign up 10 Friends of Lou. Tell your Facebook friends. Tweet to your peeps. Make sure you tell them to enter your name in the field “Name of person who sent you.” The 10 winners will be contacted next week with the details. Here’s the link to send these soon-to-be FOLs: http://www.friendoflou.com/become-a-friend.

And may the best Friend of Lou win.

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Time to plan your summer vacation

Aleksander House BandB

Louisville, Kentucky is a great place to stop by on your summer vacation. Or you can just use it as a destination, stay in a beautiful bed and breakfast and travel through the state from there. We have so many different things to do here in the summer, from wonderful outdoor festivals to Bourbon and wine trails to gorgeous state parks to charming little towns and interesting history. For information on what there is to do, you can go to  Louisville Visitor's Center or the Old Louisville Visititor's Center.

Take a tour through streets lined with seven major kinds of architecture and more stained glass than in any other city in the United States. Enjoy our fantastic local restaurants, sample our Bourbon, Derby pie, and Hot Brown sandwiches. Check out Churchill Downs where they hold the Kentucky Derby and take a short trip to Mammoth Cave. There is so much more to do. Come and see for yourself.

Here, at our bed and breakfast, we have several suites which will accommodate families. If you'ld like to get away by yourselves, out guestrooms are spacious and comfortable. Check out our website.



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The Kentucky Derby is coming up soon

Louisville has a lot to offer visitors. We have exceptional restaurants, wonderful museums, and beautiful scenery. Within an hour away from the city. are charming little towns, B&Bs and lots of history. There are events going on all year round, but some of the best are in the spring and summer. We have lots of outdoor festivals, garden walks, and Victorian house tours; Shakepeare, blues, jazz and country music festivals. The list goes on and on, but I think that most would agree that the highlight of the year is the Kentucky Derby.

The Kentucky Derby is a stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses, staged yearly on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race currently covers one and one-quarter miles (2.012 km) at Churchill Downs; colts and geldingsfillies 121 pounds (55 kg) who can  carry 126 pounds (57 kg),  The race, known as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" for its approximate time length, is the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing in the United States. It typically draws around 155,000 fans.

Are you good enough to pick the Derby or Oaks winner now? Place a Kentucky Derby Future Wager or Kentucky Oaks Future Wager and get early odds that could be much more attractive than race day odds. Bet on your favorite now, cash in when the race is run!

The Kentucky Derby is one of the crown jewels of the elusive Triple Crown which includes the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes.For over 125 years the Kentucky Derby has been everyone's race - from the dapper men and beautiful women, all in hats and sipping on frosty mint juleps, to the laid-back infield crowd who picnic on fried chicken and toss around Frisbees. They're all there to witness the world's premier horse-racing event. "Riders up" booms the paddock judge. The trainers give a leg up to the riders and send them out through the tunnel and onto the world's most famous track as the University of Louisville band strikes up Stephen Foster's "My Old Kentucky Home". 
 
In addition to the race itself, a number of traditions have played a large role in the Derby atmosphere. The Mint Julep, an iced drink consisting of bourbon, mint and sugar, is the traditional beverage of the race. Burgoo, typically a thick stew of lamb and vegetables is served from iron pots sometimes 10 feet in diameter. Legal gambling on the race is done through parimutuel betting at the track. The Infield, a spectator area inside the track, offers low general admission prices but little chance of seeing much of the race. Instead, revelers show up in the infield to party. 

By contrast, "Millionaire's Row" refers to the expensive box seats that attract the rich and famous. Elegant women appear in long dresses, big hats, and carrying fancy umbrellas. As the horses are paraded before the grandstands, "My Old Kentucky Home" is played by the University of Louisville marching band while the crowd stands and sings along.
The Derby is frequently referred to as "The Run for the Roses," because a garland of red roses is awarded to the Kentucky Derby winner each year. The tradition is as a result of New York socialite E. Berry Wall presenting roses to ladies at a post-Derby party in 1883 that was attended by Churchill Downs president, Col. M. Lewis Clark. This gesture is believed to have eventually led Clark to the idea of making the rose the race's official flower. However, it was not until 1896 that any recorded account referred to roses being draped on the Derby winner. The governor of Kentucky awards the garland and the trophy.
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It's snowing again

I cannot believe how much snow we are getting this year. It's more than any of the sixteen years that I've been here. Of course, being from Chicago and before that Detroit, I'm used to a lot of snow, but I never thought Kentucky would get that much. ..maybe a little because Louiville is situated in the northern part of the state, but certainly not this much.

I must say it's beautiful. I'm sitting in the suite on the second floor and looking out of the window. All of the magnolia trees are laden with the white, fluffy stuff and the streets, walkways and cars are barely peeking from underneathe it. It's quite cold too. Around 19 degrees and evfen colder, with the wind chill.

Fortunately, the snow hasn't kept visitors from coming to the bed and breakfast. I have three business people from London, England here who checked in last night. They flew into Chicago and what should take around a five hour drive took them ten hours. It seems they googled for directions and ended up in Detroit. They called from the road, got the right directions from Robyn and made it by ten o clock last night.

If any of you have been contemplating coming to Louisville, please don't be put off by the snow. It's beautiful and you'll love it. The city has been on alert and the streets and highways have been cleaned off. It isn't icy, just white and powdery. All the shops and restaurants are open and our bed and breakfast is ready for you, with comfy beds and wonderful gourmet breakfasts. Y'all come.

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610 Magnolia, Louisville KY: unusual restaurant, amazing food, creative chef

Located in the heart of historic Old Louisville on an out of the way side street is 610 Magnolia, from the outside, a small, unpretentious building with no indication that it is, indeed, one of the finest restaurants, and maybe the finest restaurant in Louisville. If you were to walk by during the day, you would never guess that on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, an extraordinary chef was creating extraordinary cuisine.

Offering his guests a combination of southern hospitality and urban sophistication, he has created an interior which is a simple statement in elegance with the original wooden beams along the ceiling, mullioned windows, and French doors leading to alovely garden patio. Inside the restaurant are highly polished mahogany tables, Frette linens and Riedel crystal that add up, along with the unsurpassed wine list, to a truly unique dining experience.

Chef Edward Lee has been cooking professionally for 10 years in America and Europe, training under Chef Frank Crispo in New York. At 25, he opened Clay, a successful Asian-inspired restaurant in the NoLiTa section of Manhattan. "I was the chef, the manager, the dishwasher and the host there. After five years, I was looking to rise to the next level."

He discovered 610 Magnolia eight years ago, while researching the best American restaurants. A regular customer in New York who was also a Louisville native, told him about the restaurant and its eccentric chef, Ed Garber. When Lee visited Garber during Kentucky Derby week 2001, they began a mentor-apprentice relationship that resulted in the passing of the torch from one Ed to another. Garber closed 610 Magnolia in July. Lee, in partnership with businessman Brook Smith, reopened 610 Magnolia on September 11, 2003.

610 Magnolia has reopened, in 2003, under the leadership of Edward Lee, a former innovative New York City chef who has studied under Ed Garber, the former chef and proprietor. The restaurant is now open to the public three nights a week. The restaurant focusses on New American cuisine, blending the eclectic with classical European techniques to produce a contemporary and exciting approach to dining that has always been the benchmark of 610 Magnolia. Chef Lee brings to the diners of Louisville a top tier dining experience comparable to the finest restaurants in this country.

Chef Lee believes that a true dining experience requires an entire evening. So there is only one seating nightly. "Your reserved table is yours for the whole evening,” he said. “That's what it takes to make a dinner memorable." The menu changes week-to-week depending on the seasons. The restaurant is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Tables will not turn. Reservations are required. A full bar serving a small a la carte menu opens at 5:30 p.m. 610 Magnolia is also available for private events.

Photos: courtesy Dan Dry
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Humana Festival still in full swing until April 26th

The Humana Festival, of new American plays, is still amazing and entertaining audiences in Louisville. The festival, which runs every year for six weeks, will be here until April 11. Seven plays and several 10-minute plays are still running. One of the favorites will be extended until April 26th at the Pamela Brown Auditorium and is reviewed below:

WILD BLESSINGS: A CELEBRATION OF

WENDELL BERRY
adapted for the stage by Marc Masterson and Adrien-Alice Hansel
from the writing of Wendell Berry
directed by Marc Masterson

Mar 26 - Apr 26, 2009
in the Pamela Brown Auditorium

See the Complete Humana Festival Performance Schedule

Wild Blessings is An exploration of the earth, its citizens and the impact of each on the other. This world premiere brings the works of nationally acclaimed poet, novelist and ecological visionary Wendell Berry to the stage in a celebration of words, music and a life well lived.

WENDELL BERRY was born in Henry County, Ky. He has taught at Georgetown College, Stanford University, New York University and University of Kentucky, his alma mater. The author of over forty books of poetry, essays and fiction, Mr. Berry has received numerous fellowships and awards. He lives and works with his wife, Tanya Berry, on their farm in Port Royal, Ky.

Wild Blessings: A Celebration of Wendell Berry, is a theater piece of Berry's poetry written by Marc Masterson and Adrien- Alice Hansel, after extensive reading and research on Berry's volumes of stories, essays and poetry. The play is not a biographical look at the poet and no actor plays Berry. It is composed of 36 poems, beginning with "Manifesto: The mad Farmer's Liberation Front" and concludes with "The Contrariness of the Mad Farmer" and "The Rising."



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Kentucky and the art of equestrian sport..........Dressage Competitions

Dressage competitions are held regularly in Louisville, three of four times a year. Many of the spectators have stayed with me here at the Inn, which is very close to where the competitions are held. Dressage is the highest expression of horse training, and is considered to be the art of equestrian sport. It is used as the groundwork for all the other disciplines. Its beginnings can be traced back to the 17th century courts of Renaissance Europe and today, interest in dressage continues to grow throughout the world as a sport and a pastime. Dressage is also one of the three disciplines in competition at the Olympic Games, the other two being Jumping and Eventing.

In modern competitions, horse and rider are expected to perform from memory a series of predetermined movements, known as figures (volte, serpentine, figure of eight). The completely flat arena, measuring 60 x 20 m., is skirted by a low rail along which 12 lettered markers are placed symmetrically indicating where movements are to start, where changes of pace or lead are to occur and where the movements are to end.

In all competitions, the horse has to show three paces: walk, trot and canter as well as smooth transitions within and between these paces. Many people have seen Olympic or Grand Prix dressage on television. The horse appears to do intricate maneuvers as the ride sits almost motionless. But, dressage isn't just fancy moves with hard to pronounce names. The horses are trained to carry the rider with increasingly more ease and respond to subtle aids.aids. The horse is being taught to be supple, balanced and responsive.

A kur is a dressage test ridden to music. You are given a set of required elements and create your own test to instrumental music you choose. Some tests can be ridden in pairs or teams.The horse appears to be dancing, as with the Fresians in the video.The goal of dressage training is to develop a horse's flexibility, responsiveness to aids and balance. This makes the horse stronger and more pleasurable to ride.

If you compete you will always be competing against yourself, as well as others taking the test. The goal in competition is to always improve on your own score. The goal of dressage training is to develop a horse's flexibility, responsiveness to aids and balance. This makes the horse stronger and more pleasurable to ride. If you compete you will always be competing against yourself, as well as others taking the test. The goal in competition is to always improve on your own score.

A perfect day in Louisville

Everyone needs a break now and then. We think it's about time you did a little something for yourself...... like relaxing in a tub of luxurious bubbles, or sipping a glass of wine in front of a beautiful art deco fireplace. How about falling asleep in a huge, 4-poster, Victorian bed, snuggled under crisp, white luxury sheets and down comforter? Then, waking in the morning to the aroma of fresh baked muffins or bread, with the anticipation of a perfect day.

Now that you're rested, come on downstairs and relax in our beautiful French Toile dining room, while we pamper you with steaming cups of fresh brewed, gourmet coffee. Maybe try one of our Belgium waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, or a delicious Spinach-herb Quiche. Don't get up!! Just sit and relax and imagine all the fun things we've got planned for you today, on your perfect day in Lousiville, Kentucky.

If you come, be sure to come in the springtime, when everything is in bloom, and the weather is warm and pleasant. Today, as you leave the Aleksander House, you will hop into the cab that's waiting out front. Heading toward downtown Louisville, your cabby will first take you to the Louisville Glassworks Studio, where you'll watch some of the finest glass in Louisville being blown. From there, you'll take a little tour down Market Street which is lined on either side with beautiful, 17th century buildings, restored and standing as proud reminders of Louisville's past history.

Next stop is Joe Ley's Antiques, a curious 3 story building containing fine and unusual antiques . Even if you aren't a collector, you must see this authentically, restored, 1890 schoolhouse. Filled with a vast array of antique lights, lamps, doors, mantels, fences, and gates, as well as antique toys, carousel animals, wooden clowns and handsome antique furniture, it's absolutely incredible.

Now for an incredible place for lunch! We've selected Lynn's Paradise Cafe, a quirky, independent restaurant with great food, serving everything from walnut-encrusted chicken to Mom's meatloaf, as well as a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches. Lynn's has received extensive local and national media attention, including features on television programs such as the Oprah Winfrey Show. Amazing food, and amazing decor and gifts.

Next, your cabby will take you on a scenic ride down past the Ohio river front, where our historic river boats are docked, and up through Old Louisville, the third largest preservation area in the country, with row upon row of 17th and 18th century Victorian houses. You are on your way to beautiful Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Once there, you will step inside the world of horse racing. Stay as long as you want. Place a $2.00 bet and cheer for your horse, as he comes galloping down the track.

Time to head back to the Inn, only 14 blocks away, and take a little rest before dinner. You have reservations at Jack Frys; an amazing, intimate and romantic, american restaurant. Order the Pistachio-encrusted salmon, it's fabulous! A little wine, a scrumptious dessert, and some pleasant conversation and you're ready to head back to that 4-poster bed and collapse beneath the glistening white linens and comforter. See you in the morning!

Cherry Scones and Lemon Curd

Cherry Scones

(32 scones)

Ingredients

1 package Victorian House Scone mix
3 sticks butter
2 cups buttermilk
1-2 cups dried cherries
Instructions
Pour contents of bag into mixing bowl. Cut in 2 sticks of chilled butter, until mixture is fine and crumbly. Stir in 2 cups of buttermilk. Dough will form a soft ballTurn dough out onto floured board or pastry cloth and knead gently 3-4 times.

Divide dough into quarters and shape each quarter into a flattened circle 6-7 inches in diameter, aproximately 3/4 inch thick. Knead in the dried cherries.

Using a biscuit cutter, cut out scones. *Dough may be frozen at this point, to use later. Place scones on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Brush with crean and'or sprunkle with sugar. Bake in preheated oven at 425 degrees for 13-18 minutes, depending on size of scones. Tops should be very light golden brown when done.

Serve warm with butter, preserves, lemon curd and/or clotted cream.
To order scone mix, go to: http://victorianhousescones.com/.

Lemon Curd

Ingredients

1 stick butter

1 cup sugar

juice of 4 med-lg lemons

2 tablespoons lemon zest

5 egg yolks

Instructions

Melt butter in sauce pan. Add sugar, lemon juice and zest. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add egg yolks. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly. May be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Clotted Cream

Ingredients

1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sour cream
1 Tbsp. confectioners' sugar

Instructions

Using a whisk attachment on the mixer, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Remove from mixer, and hand whisk in the sour cream and confectioners' sugar until just combined. Store in refrigerator

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A wonderful little Italian restaurant only 3 blocks from my Inn

The Amici' Cafe opened July of 2006 in a historic building, within walking distance of the Aleksander House, in Old Louisville. Serving Northern Italian cuisine, it has developed into a popular neighborhood restaurant, frequented by locals and enjoyed by many out of town visitors.

After visiting the restaurant several times myself and finding the food authentic, delicious and superbly prepared, and the ambience romantic and inviting, I began sending my guests there for lunch and dinner. They all loved it! Hurrah! another very fine restaurant in Louisville,.....and we have so many!

I'm from Chicago, where there are so many very fine restaurants. When I came to Louisville 15 years ago, I experienced one of the surprises of my life. Louisville is truly loaded with some of the best restaurants around. And Amici is certainly included in this prestigious group!

"You will think you are in a Tuscan courtyard when you step into our dining room with cherry red and white checkered tablecloths, large windows, beautiful artwork, and the aroma of ragu pomodoro sauce simmering in the kitchen; all inviting you to sit down and enjoy a flavorful and relaxing meal" (the owners).

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Tea anyone?...............the creation of a Victorian Tea Party

Tea is so popular right now, even the men are drinking it. Prior to the 20th century, the drinking of tea was associated with "ladies" attending afternoon tea parties or meeting each other in tea rooms for a slice of cake and a little pleasant conversation. But it seems it is more popular now than ever and has become more or less a household staple, drunk throughout the day by some and in stead of coffee by others. So has the Victorian afternoon tea died out completely? Not according to some. I have a Victorian bed and breakfast. Although we have very modern amenities, we have retained Victorian decor and the feeling of the 1800s, when my house was built. Visitors love it. It makes them feel as though they have been taken back in time . So what has this got do with Victorian teas?

Well, it seems as though being taken back in time is not enough, some visitors want a hands on, more authentic experience. What was the food actually like? What did the dishes, and the cups and the tea service actually look like. What did it feel like to participate is such a ritualistic, elegant event? How fun would it be to have that experience? And so, after getting numerous calls asking if we do Victorian teas, we've decided to give the people what they're asking for. First thing we did was dig into the history a bit.

According to legend, tea drinking started accidentally in 2737 BC, when Chinese emperor Shen Nong was served water into which dried tea leaves had fallen. He thought it had an "interesting" flavor and eventually drinking tea spread though out his empire. It later became so well liked that it was cultivated and served during ritual tea ceremonies both in China and Japan. The art of the tea ceremony became so popular that tea houses sprang up all though out the orient.

By the late 1600s, tea drinking had made its way to Europe. And, by the 1700s, France and Holland led Europe in using tea, with England running a close third. And it was here, in England, that the European tea service format was created by Anna, the dutchess of Bedford. She would frequently invite her friends to an afternoon of conversation, serving small cakes, sandwiches, assorted sweets and, of course, tea.

Two types of tea services emerged, high tea and low tea. Low tea was served in the homes of the wealthy and consisted of gourmet tidbits, rather than a regular meal, with the emphasis on presentation and conversation. High tea was the main afternoon meal of the middle and lower classes and featured meats and vegetables, as well as sweets and tea.

Eventually tea was imported into and readily available in America around 1690. Most distribution companies were based in New York, Boston or Philadelphia. In the 1880s tea rooms began to spring up all over, in both Europe and America. Hotels like the Ritz, in Philadelphia and the Plaza, in New York became noted for their daily afternoon tea service.

So, we, at the Aleksander House, are planning on presenting Victorian Teas, in all their splender, to maybe 10-12 persons from 2-4 pm, by appointment. We will be doing this on a customized basis and are already emersed in the planning of one such event for the first week in April. In later posts, I'll let you know about the service, the food, and so on. Keep posted!

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And so the Saga of the Rembrandt Giveaway Continues at the Inn

In my last post I began a story told to me by one of my guests who stayed with me here at the B&B. He had been a collector of famous etchings by Rembrandt, Whistler, and other masters. Steven Block's collection was comprised of nearly 120 pieces, all etchings and lithographs, which he had started in the late'60s. Collecting is not his primary endeavor or work though, he is actually a philanthropist, a sociologist, and a community planner. The collecting, as it turns out, happened accidentally, but continued for many years. It all ended, however, when he returned to Louisville, his home town, in 2004 and made the decision to give away or partially sell every single piece in the collection!

And why would he do such a thing? For money? No, although he did get a small partial payment for some of them. For philanthropy? Well, partly, but that was not the motivating factor. For fear of having them stolen? Maybe, a little. But mostly, he was growing old and wanted to find a safe place for them, one where they would be well taken care of. And what better places than the JB Speed Art Museum and the University of Louisville?

The University of Louisville got the Rembrandt and a few other pieces, including a Picasso drawing, and The JB Speed Art Museum got the entire Whistler collection, the Grant Wood collection and the Currier and Ives pieces. To read more about the Rembrandt, go to: http://tinyurl.com/brl8vz.

As for Whistler, Steven discovered some of the artist's neglected creations in Washington DC in the late '70s. This interest in Whistler turned into the finest private collection of his lithographs in the world. It included over half the known works and most important ones (88 in all). They have been exhibited at the Speed Museum and have traveled around the world with the Smithsonian. The lithographs, done between 1878 and 1903, were eventually given with partial sale to the Speed by Mr Block in 2004. Also included was a lithograph of Whistler himself, by printer Thomas Way. The acquisition has made the Speed a major center for the study of this important American artist.

Mr Block attended the University of Louisville, majoring in sociology, before going off to Harvard grad school to study community planning. After working on a city planning project in Italy for two years, he ended up in Washington DC. He stayed in Washington 40 years designing and implementing a national, community service program by the name of Vista, now known as America CorpsVista. He returned to Louisville in 2004, when he was 70 years old, and bought a house in Old Louisville, 3 blocks from my bed and breakfast.

He gave it all away...............

One of the perks of running a B&B is the opportunity to meet so many interesting people from all over the world. I am constantly amazed by the diversity of experiences, backgrounds, talents, and skills my many and varied guests possess. This week I discovered one of the most interesting of all right in my own backyard.

He checked in a few days ago, during the severe ice and snow storms, which silently stole the power of 177,000 local residents in Louisville. He introduced himself as Steven Block and said he would be staying until his house was repaired and his power was on. The heavy ice, that engulfed nearly every tree in Louisville, had caused the demise of a large tree which fell against his house damaging it severely. He had to leave his icy home, which had no electricity or water, and move to a temporary residence. I’m happy to say he chose my bed and breakfast.

Little did I know, when Steven checked in, that he had had a major collection of etchings by Picasso, Grant Wood, Currier & Ives, and James Whistler. In addition, his collection included a rare Rembrandt etching entitled “Christ Before Pilate” (pictured here). I say he had this collection because, wonder of all wonders, he gave it all away!

(to be continued...............)