Morse Museum, Winter Park

The Morse Museum on Park Avenue up in Winter Park is one of those places that yours truly has always thought about visiting but never gotten around to actually doing that.

Well, that was until today when I heard they were having an open house.

Translation, "no admission fee!"

That, as ye socks should well know by now, holds tremendous appeal around this little corner of heaven.

It was well worth the visit.

I was surprised to discover this amazing chapel housed within the museum's walls.

Two thumbs up, and a great way to inspire the Easter spirit!

Carlucci's gets a thumbs-up!

Ye olde to-do list found yours truly stomping around Winter Park this fine Saturday.

The last time I was up this way, I was more than a little disappointed by a certain Mexican restaurant that shall remain nameless.

But, it's never a good idea to go running errands on an empty stomach, especially when you're known for being a big old crank even on a good day.

So, I decided to try some Italian this time around, and was very happy to discover Carlucci's in the shopping center opposite Winter Park Village at 17-92 and Lee Road. They're in the strip between Office Depot and Michael's.

Anyway, great food, atmosphere, and wait staff. If any of ye socks find yourselves starving in this little corner of heaven, give 'em a try!

Avoid this place like the plague

The usual rounds of Saturday errands found yours truly in Winter Park this afternoon, doing more than our fair share of dodging thunderstorms.

Unfortunately, shelter from the storm and mid-day nourishment was sought at the El Potro in Winter Park.

What a disappointment!

Other locations from Apopka to St. Augustine have never failed to satisfy cravings for Mexican comfort foods. But, this franchise was the most poorly-run dining establishment I have had the displeasure of visiting in a very, very long time.

The laundry list of offenses:

1. None of the staff acknowledged our arrival, and even after we seated ourselves in a booth we weren't spoken to for 10 minutes.

2. Drinks listed on the menu were "unavailable at this location."

3. Second choice drink selections weren't delivered without reminder, and then without straws or napkins.

4. The napkins were practically thrown at us.

5. The "manager" carried our hot plates from the kitchen to our table with the nastiest looking oven mits I had ever seen.

6. My order of enchiladas verdes never arrived. Instead, I got the enchiladas supremas. But, at this point, I just wanted to eat and get out of there so I just ate what they gave me.

7. Our drinks were never refilled.

8. In fact, no member of the staff ever came back to our table after the food arrived, not even to drop off our check.

9. Finally, we went to the counter to pay without a check and the "manager" tried to ring us up by memory . . . faulty memory, as it turned out.

Next time I find myself starving in this neck of the woods, I'm going to take my business to one of the several other dining establishments in the area. El Potro in Winter Park is a complete disaster . . . at least is was this afternoon.

Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival

For ye socks privileged enough to reside in this little corner of heaven, a reminder:

The annual Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival kicks off today, and runs thru Sunday.

We're supposed to have some awesome weather this weekend.

So, get out there and enjoy it!

http://www.wpsaf.org

Huck in the Dryer!

In case you missed it, Mike Huckabee was down here in Central Florida yesterday.



That's a photo of him and his wife Janet at the Orlando Executive Jetport at Herndon.



They came down here to attend a breakfast in Winter Park and a fundraiser out in Windermere before heading back to Iowa.



I think the Huckabees and their staffers were a little surprised when they arrived at Herndon to board their jet, because the parking lot was PACKED with supporters.



But, then, how often do we socks in the dryer get an opportunity to see the next President of the United States?!?



Go, Mike, go!

Longwood Estate Sale

Got up early, like a regular "work day" so I could be one of the first people at an estate sale up in Longwood this morning.

And, I was glad I made the extra effort.

The big purchase of the day was a framed commemorative poster from the 1992 Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. (You socks who know my mom are probably familiar with her burgeoning collection of these posters.)

The big suprise came at check-out, when the lady running the sale (Cece) let me have my choice of one bottle out of the liquor cabinet, because everything had to go and she doesn't have a liquor license!

In case you're wondering, I got the creme de menthe. Not because I'm particularly fond of the cordial, but because it was the only unopened bottle!!

Anyway, thanks to Cece for the heads-up on this estate sale. I'm looking forward to the one in College Park next month! (Already wondering what may be in the liquor cabinet in THAT neighborhood . . . probably Dom Perignon or Grand Marnier!

Park Avenue DigiPic Montage

So, there was this lonely digital camera laying around the house.

It was pathetic, hadn't seen the light of day in months.

I couldn't stand it any longer.

So, an expedition to Winter Park was arranged.

And, now all you socks can enjoy a snap sample.

Enjoy.

Carrying on

With everything going on around here lately, I could not host my annual St. Patrick's Day feast. So, this year, the regular feasters came to my mom's house. Everyone enjoyed the traditional corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, and good fellowship. It was not only a welcome diversion, but a way of starting to get back to a degree of normalcy.

Today, I also made Mom keep another tradition by attending the last day of the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival. Those of you who know her are familiar with her collection of festival posters that she proudly displays in almost every room of her house. Well, now she has a new one to add to the collection.

Also ran into Tom Levine at Brandywine Books. He was signing a couple of books he's written. It was nice catching up with him, as I hadn't really had a chance to talk to him since he ran for Mayor of Orlando a few years ago. Still the same old Tom.

Oh, and the Sentinel published Dad's "official" obit in today's paper:

http://www.legacy.com/orlandosentinel/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=86865168

But, it's not as good as the feature article Erin Ailworth had in yesterday's paper.

Thanks again to everyone who's called, emailed, etc., since Dad's passing. Please know the encouragement is greatly appreciated even if I don't respond to every message immediately.