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On Location: Artist Homes – Jackson Pollock’s East Hampton Home
It fascinates me to see the environment in which famous artists lived and work. This wood shingled house in East Hampton, New York was home to the Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock and his artist/wife Lee Krasner. They moved from New York City to this home in 1945 and continued to be quite prolific painters with Pollock’s studio upstairs for a bit (then in the adjacent barn) and Krasner’s studio in the bedroom. Even with Pollock’s challenges with alcoholism and depression, he was able to paint some of his most famous masterpieces in this house. The home is now the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center of Stony Brook University. It is…
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Culture: History – A Trip to Ellis Island, New York
It should be required that every American take a trip to Ellis Island. It is a historic site that truly embodies the spirit of this country. It is a place that gave hope to 12 million immigrants who passed through its walls between 1892-1954. Regardless of whether you or your ancestors came through here or the Port of Philadelphia, Port of Baltimore, Port of New Orleans, Angel Island or any number of other ports or entry points in America, the museum at Ellis Island captures the essence of how this country has been built. It illustrates how the hopes and dreams of generations of immigrants felt when they first laid eyes on the Statue of…
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On Location: 9/11 Reflections
We all know where we were when the planes struck. Some of us were across the country, some across the world, and some right next door. We all know someone who was deeply affected- a loved one killed, a friend who died, a coworker who didn’t make it home, a friend who mourned a loss, a hero who helped saved lives. There will never be a September 11th that passes where we don’t take pause, take time to reflect. On a recent visit to New York City, I toured the 9/11 Memorial site. I was not quite sure what to expect. Could a memorial evoke the intense emotions and feelings…
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Culture: Chowda – The Best Soup in New England
After a red-eye flight from the West Coast, we arrived in Nantucket on a foggy May morning. The weather felt like very late Winter for us Californians, although to someone from New England, it must of been rather pleasant. My luggage had not arrived with me… we were tired, weary and in desperate need of some good comfort food. What we needed was a nice big bowl of chowda! New England Clam Chowder is one of those dishes you must order when in any of the Northeastern states. It’s a tradition. When my steamy, creamy, thick bowl of soup arrived– I could see why. This was not just any soup……
