var switchTo5x=true;

Category Archives: Historical

Our Night at the Museum At The Alabama Music Hall of Fame

 

At the Museum you will find a cornucopia of music history!
At the Museum you will find a cornucopia of music history!

APtravelnews-November 21st, Florence, AL.-Bob and Barb On The Road Again-We spent several days in Florence, and what we saw and enjoyed is available for every traveler to this magnificent part of Alabama. Hard on Pickwick Lake, off Muscle Shoals and the TN. River, lies more fine restaurants, music venues and museums. If you have already read our last week’s post about W.C. Handy, Handy is considered the “Father of the Blues.”  He was born in a simple log cabin in 1873, but with his love and single-mindedness to create music, he made a large impact on American Blues music now played, heard and enjoyed around the world.  The last evening before we left Florence, AL. we were treated to a “Night at the Museum.” The exhibits at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia came to life for us. Barbara and I enjoy live music, this night we had our wish, we are enthralled by the history of all music as we feel it is the best expression of mans highest endeavor, that of creation for sheer joy for them and everyone else to be shared. We did have a magical evening of fun, entertainment and non-stop music as we visited with some of the shining stars in the music industry. We met writers, musicians and performers. We mixed and mingled with great music legends such as Jimmy Johnson, Spooner Oldham, Donnie Fritts, Rick Hall, Secret Sisters, Gary Nichols, Travis Wammack, Jerry Philips, Harvey Thompson, Mickey Buckins, Mark Narmore, Foster Family, Mitch Mann, Roger Clark, Marty Raybon, Jim Seales, Mike McGuire and Walt Aldridge. Go: www.alamhof.org

Oh what a night! Music, music stars and hors douvres!
Oh what a night! Music, music stars and hors douvres!

P1030733

Outdoor Florida Magazine Editor Visited Cedar Lodge Docks! My favorite family picture. Yes, these children are being taught how great it is to go fishing!!
This could be Pickwick Lake too! Is it? Yes, these children are being taught how great it is to go fishing! Ask us where this is in the comment section below.
Broth, perfect and WOW tasty, dipped a bunch of great breads in this taste! Mussels terrific!
Great restaurants offer all manner of tasty dishes. The broth, perfect and WOW tasty. Dipped a bunch of great breads in this taste! Mussels terrific! 
barb and wurlistzer at museum
Songs of the Century can be found on this Wurlitzer!

A Visit to the Wright-Rosenbaum House in Florence,

P1030729APtravelnews-October-28th,-Florence, AL.–As part of our tour of Florence, AL. we were introduced to a few of the Museums of the city of Florence. The first location we visited was The Wright-Rosenbaum House Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Stanley and Mildred Rosenbaum commissioned Frank Lloyd Wright to design the only Wright house in Alabama. The home is one of the earliest Usonian designs, the house has been called one of the purest examples of Wrights unique style. What we saw was a house that was built where design, form and function melded beautifully with its surroundings. One of the features (and there are many unique features for the  times is circulating piped hot water embedded in the concrete floor and heavy use of brick, glass and gorgeous Cypress wood that resists pest infestations. (footnote) I had taken in a course in Architecture in the 1960’s and remember thinking then after seeing a photo in my architecture school book was the Rosenbaum House. I admired it then and now was actually able to visit, some 53-years later.

For learned people, a terrific library is a must! Notice the indirect natural lighting!
For learned people, a terrific library is a must! Notice the indirect natural lighting!

When the house was completed in 1940 there was a view of the TN. River. Today other homes and trees have obscured that view, never-the-less the wonderful landscape today is in perfect sync with the house today. The home was expanded as the Rosenbaum family grew and Wright was asked to design an addition which he flawlessly created to match the original plan. From 1940 to 1999 the Rosenbaum families were the sole occupants. Today it is the property of the City and is a museum accessible to everyone. There is an admission charge. Go: www.wrightinalabama.com  www.florenceal.org  256-718-5050

Stay with us, see the next music oriented museums in our next posts!

One of the Wright designed wood chairs (an extra) sold for 35-thousand at auction. It was sold to pay for some repairs on the home.
One of the Wright designed wood chairs (an extra) sold for 35-thousand at auction. It was sold to pay for some repairs on the home.

P1030730

No ordinary home. The family were ensconced in a piece of modern, functional art!
No ordinary home. The family were ensconced in a piece of modern, functional art!
A side view!
A side view!

Florida’s Fishing Legends and Pioneers Book Will Hook You!

P1030597

APtravelnews.com October 11th, Goose Holler’ Farm, TN.—As an Author, speaker, radio and videographer, Doug Kelly found the niche he was always looking for when he visited and then moved to the Florida keys. Although he no longer lives there, just like me; the Keys stays in your blood forever. This book explores that niche and he has done an admiral job of portraying a broad history of the men and women that found that the keys lived up to its reputation as the fishy paradise that dreams are made of for outdoor adventurer’s.

I feel lucky to have known some of these down to earth legends and at least a couple of pioneers as well. What this 336-page book allows you to do according to Doug:  “turning the pages transports you through remarkable eras and lets you trace the amazing footsteps of important personalities, colorful characters and talented experts who molded the remarkable history of sport fishing in the southernmost part of Sunshine State. Doug says that comments about the book are welcome at www.Floridasfishinglegends.com It’s a wonderful book!