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Sunday, November 24, 2013

BEAUTIFUL BUILDING IN SCRANTON, PA

I love beautiful old buildings, and spend lots of time taking pictures of them.  Scranton has some gorgeous architecture, and it is old.  The day I went to sight see was cold, and I cut the tour pretty short.  What a wimp! 
One of the best places was CafĂ© Beignet.  The coffee was excellent, and the beignet was tasty.  The young man who was taking care of the business says the beignet flour comes all the way from Louisiana, and the place is all decked out in a Marde Gras theme.
 How fun!  This young man is from Scranton, lived here all his life.  He was able to tell me some sights to photograph.  Thanks for being interesting and helpful, and cooking me a beignet right before you closed the doors.
The churches in Scranton are huge, old, with fantastic architectural features.  Here is St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church, a Greek Orthodox church.
St. Mary's is just one example of fine workmanship here in Scranton.
The detail is so stunning.
St. Peter's Cathedral.

St. Peter's has the domes on it, and is located down town on Wyoming Ave.; it is registered in the National Register of Historic Places.
St. Peter's was built in 1867, and has been remodeled and fancied up since then.  The beautiful stained glass windows were one of the later changes.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church is on Wyoming Avenue,  not far from St. Peter's.  It was completed in 1871.
 One of the doors of St. Luke's.  Magnificent stone work that cannot be done today.
Covenant Presbyterian Church is beautiful and old. 
Leaves are still on the trees, making the walk to the Presbyterian Church more pleasant than ever.
This is on the side of the church;  it is so tall that I would have to back up a long way off to get the entire church in the photo, and then we couldn't see the detail.
Looking on the front entrance side of the church.
The front door entry.
1848 to 1903--I cannot find any history on this  building, but this is the date next to the front door.

In case any person wants to attend worship services, here is the address.
Red Cross is right near the Presbyterian Church, and they have a nice looking place.
 This is the other side of the Red Cross.  All the vines are torn down so it looks kind of shabby, but isn't this bay window elegant?  I would like to have tea in that window, and look out on the street activity.

This is the only Jewish house of worship that I saw.  The stone on the outside is colorful and very unusual.  Temple Israel.
Temple Israel is the only conservative Jewish congregation in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
It also has its own cemetery.
Smurfit Art Center, part of the University of Scranton, is under some sort of construction.  The center was named after Michael W.J. Smurfit (from Ireland).  Smurfit either bought the building or contributed toward buying the church for $125,000.  His sons, Anthony and Michael attended the University of Scranton.
Smurfit Art Center was formerly the John Raymond Memorial Church, and is now class rooms for the University of Scranton.  The U of Scranton was founded in 1888, and is a Catholic and Jesuit university.
 
The Scranton Preparatory School  is impressive.  The school is for both boys and girls and its main focus is preparing student for a Catholic and Jesuit college.  The beautiful front door has intricate carving and lights.
Scranton Preparatory School carved into the stone above the front door.
Gargoyles are fascinating--not many of them in Jayton, Texas!
This is a better view of the gargoyle.
The Saint Francis Xavier Student Center.
The Dominic and Elizabeth Summa Art and Science Center.
Fancy turret on a building downtown. 
This sign is on the side of the building right over a stairwell.

View of the back of the Prep School.  There are over 800 students who attend classes here.
It looks like a castle to me.  I can't imagine what it would cost to build it today.
St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
It seems that most of the Orthodox churches have gold domes.  St. Nicholas is an example.
Nativity of Our Lord Church is a Catholic Church

 The ground breaking for  Nativity of Our Lord was in 1904 and the dedication for the lower church was in 1905; the dedication for the upper church was in 1914.  The structure cost $75,000.
Close up of an entrance to Nativity of Our Lord Church.
This ornate house has been well preserved, and is in the college area.
Painting this lady is a work of art.  Spray guns can't be used for everything here.
More houses in the college area of town.
 This one appears to be apartments, probably for college kids.

This is the end of the Scranton visit.  This beautiful fence is just one of many old iron fences you can see in this old area of the city.  Isn't it neat how it is all hearts that alternate right side up and upside down?
  

Saturday, November 16, 2013

RED, WHITE, AND GREEN--THE COLORS AT LA FESTA ITALIANA IN SCRANTON, PA.

Bobby and I didn't have to work today (Labor Day) so we went to La Festa, the Italian festival, in Scranton (we went last year and I did a blog).  The main thing that you do at La Festa is eat!
Lemonade is what Bobby always starts the tour with, and it is good.
I like this festival because there are plenty of places to sit down and eat.
If you like pizza, this is the place to be.  Bobby and I shared a piece that was the best we have ever eaten.
More pizza....and it was good!
 
Then there is cannoli...

 
Anyone for dessert?


 
 
Many vendors were from New York.
More New Yorkers.
 
I have never had these.  Are they worth the calories?
All kinds of pasta....

There are many different meat dishes for all the meat lovers.
Chicken!
Shoppers!
After you eat everything, you find a chair to sit in and enjoy the Italian music


It was more fun watching the old timers enjoy the music.


 Scranton is a very historical city.  This is a war memorial on the square.
This is one reason why Scranton is called "The Electric City."
.
This is the John Mitchel Monument honoring the labor union leader.  It was erected in 1924.
Other things to buy are sweatshirts, balloons,

and jewelry.  My honey, Bobby, bought me this ring. 
If you like Italian food, and who doesn't, this is the place to spend the afternoon to people watch, and eat.