The "Norman Rockwell's Saturday Evening Post Classic War Covers Celebrate Veteran's Day" Story

Preface:  Today I take a break from my St. Martin stories to post a story honoring all the veteran's who have served their country in the past, no matter what country they may call home.  A special "Thank You" goes out to my brother, Steve and my father Paul who both served in the armed forces.  And a special "Thank You" to all my friends who served in just about every branch of the armed services.  I certainly appreciate the commitment you gave to me, my family and your country.

It was an ordinary day.  Veteran's Day in the United States, November 11, 2018, and LDub would like to thank all those who fought, and in many cases lost their lives, to protect our country and preserve freedom for all who call the United States home.  I thought it would be fitting to view a number of Norman Rockwell's most famous paintings that saluted our nation's troops during wartime.  

Norman Rockwell, Feb. 3, 1894 - Nov. 8, 1978

Norman was born in New York City and at the age of 14 enrolled in art classes at The New York School of Art.  Two years later he left high school to study art at The National Academy of Design.  Shortly after he transferred to The Art Students League where he studied with Thomas Fogarty and George Bridgman.  Fogarty's instruction in illustration prepared Rockwell for his first commercial commissions while Bridgman taught Norman the technical skills on which he relied throughout his long career.  On his sixteenth birthday he painted his first commission of four Christmas cards.  While still a teen he was named art director of Boy's Life which is the Boy Scouts of America's official publication.  At the age of 22 he painted his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post which to Rockwell was "the greatest show window in America."  In 1943 Rockwell was so inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt's address to Congress that he painted the Four Freedoms paintings which were reproduced on four consecutive issues of The Saturday Evening Post.  Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear were so popular that they toured the United States and raised more than $130 million for the WWII effort.

Freedom from Fear

Freedom from Want

Freedom of Speech

Freedom to Worship

  The following are some of his favorite military covers (click on them to enlarge them):

"War Stories", October 13, 1945.  A war hero, holding a Japanese flag, tells tales of war,  The news article on the wall shows that the soldier is a local hero.  The Marine was Duane Parks from Dorset, Vermont.

"The Armchair General", April 29, 1944.  Tracing each advance and retreat is more than an interesting pastime with this gentleman.  The three-star service flag in the background shows he has a number of sons serving in the military.  The Blue star indicates each son is still alive, while if it were Gold, his son would have died in the line of duty.  Small photos of his three boys are displayed by the flag.  

"The Clubhouse Examination" is from June 16, 1917.  This cover shows a different kind of "recruitment center."  Even on tiptoes, the would-be soldier doesn't measure up to the necessary height.  

"Fisk WWI Soldier-Youth's Companion" is from July 26, 1917.  This is actually from a publication called The Youth's Companion and was a children's magazine published in Boston.  This was an ad drawn by Rockwell for something called "Fisk Boys Club".  It was a time that young boys could be part of the war effort by participating in bicycle patrols.

"Home at Last" is from September, 1945.  A restful snooze in a hammock on a quiet afternoon made family members who had soldiers fighting in the war wish they would return home.  Rockwell "borrowed" the sailor who had to return to active duty shortly after and had to borrow a sailor's uniform from another sailor.  Even the hammock and home were borrowed to allow him to do this painting.  The dog did belong to his son, Tommy, while the shoes belonged to Rockwell.

There have been many other paintings that reflected the war years, but these are some of Norman's favorites.  I have added a video that you may also find interesting.  And, once more, a big "Thank You" to all served the United States" to protect me and my family.  It was certainly appreciated.  it was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The "SXM: The Death Of The Culinary Capital Of The Caribbean?? I Hope Not!!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sun was high in the sky and tempera- tures were in the high 80s.  Perfect day on the French side of the Caribbean Island known as St. Martin/Sint Maarten.  That was until I turned down the Boulevard de Grand Case which runs parallel to the water.  Grand Case is home to some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean and Carol and I have had the honor of visiting quite a few of them.  The title of "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean" is well-earned.  But today that all disappeared...at least in my eyes.  

Immediately after the storm!

It was in September of 2017 that Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 Hurricane with winds topping 150 MPH struck the island of St. Martin/Sint Maarten.  It was the first Category 5 Hurricane on record to ever strike the Leeward Islands.  And to top that, two weeks later Hurricane Marie gave a second punch to the island.  Hurricane Irma spawned tornadoes within herself which caused unimaginable horror to the residents and those visiting the island at the time.  And...today, over a year later, I got to witness that devastation firsthand.  The quiet, little town of Grand Case looks as if it had been bombed with concrete buildings leveled and almost every structure in the town decimated.  

"Mary Star of the Sea" Catholic Church shows the damage

The beautiful little stone church known as "Mary Star of the Sea" Catholic church wasn't spared the vengeance of Irma.  Our favorite restaurant, Il Netuno, was almost destroyed, but is one of just a few that is now open once again, but has now been renamed Barranco.  

A home along the Boulevard de Grand Case

As I drove slowly down the one-lane street I saw very few signs of work being done on the many restaurants that drew visitors from all over the world.  I did find an adult game of soccer being played in the grassy field behind the town's parking lot.  As I wandered by foot I did get to greet a few of those who have homes along the Boulevard de Grand Case.  

One of many restaurants along Restaurant Row, Blue Martini

I walked as far as the Catholic Church which I visited last year and posted a story about the little church by the sea.  It sets vacant with a sign telling members where they can attend church until the little stone church by the sea is open once again.  My wife and I had every intention of eating a few meals in Grand Case, but more than one person told us it wasn't safe to walk the dark streets at night.  As I looked skyward I could see through most of the large restaurants along the Boulevard.  When will this beautiful town be brought back to life?  Here's hoping this isn't the death of the culinary capital of the Caribbean.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Total destruction

Not sure what this might have been

Roofless property

Housing units

Calmos Cafe, which had work being done to it and was to open in the near future.

No idea if this was a restaurant or housing unit.

Menu board for the L'Auberge Gourmande 

L'Auberge Gourmande Restaurant with no signs of being open.

Another housing unit or restaurant.

Damage along the waterline.

Momma Mia Restaurant

Home at 155 Boulevard de Grand Case

  

The "SXM: Grocery Shopping On A Caribbean Island" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Arrived in St. Martin a few days ago and needed to make a visit to the grocery store to stock the refrigerator and kitchen shelves with snacks and a few meals for the three weeks we will be on the island.  With the recent loss of quite a few of the large grocery stores on the island due to Hurricane Irma, we had to give a few new stores a try. 

Shopping carts are available, but you must
pay $.25 cents for the cart.  When you
return it you will get your $.25 cents back.

One such store was Leader-Price on the French side of the island which is only a mile from our rental villa.  Carol and I had seen photos of the store online an thought it would handle all our needs.  Parked near the front of the store, grabbed all our reusable bags we brought with us and headed into the store.  Very stark interior with all information on the shelves in French and Euros.  In the past we would always shop on the Dutch side of the island that would have information in a few different languages with costs in Euros, US Dollars and Guilders, the Dutch monetary system.  The store was well-lit, clean and easy to maneuver the aisles with a shopping cart that I had to pay 25 cents to use.  (When you return it you get your 25 cents back). 

Fresh fruits and vegetables were limited in the store.

The selection wasn’t the best with products and manufac- turers we had never heard of before, but that’s our problem since we chose to visit another country.  About 10% of the store was devoted to bottles of wine and liquor.  We did not find any cigarettes which in the past were always on the shelves of stores we visited on the island. 

Large, new and clean frozen food section in the store.
Yes, the store was almost empty when we arrived.

We found that quite a few items were frozen and in large quantities that we are used to purchasing in smaller quantities and in cans or bottles.  Items such as tissues, toilet paper, wraps, etc. were offered in limited sizes and with only a few choices of manufacturers.  The store was immaculate, but the frozen food counter we found lacked in items we wanted to buy such as ice cream products.  They had one or two products, but no containers of ice cream.  Soda was limited to a very few varieties while things such as light bulbs, cleaners and household supplies were almost non-existent. 

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw they sold bread
without the crust.  Had to buy a loaf for lunch-time sandwiches.

Bakery items were limited, but one item I had never seen before in any store in the USA, and which I would buy weekly, was loaves of bread without a crust on it.  My wife always has to comment when she sees me take a knife and cut off the crust on the bread when I make a sandwich.  When we checked out I found it very unusual that the clerks were seated. 

New and clean check-out booths.  The clerk
slid your groceries across the scanner and down
a chute for you to bag it.  You needed to supply
your own bags or take your groceries to your car
in the shopping cart and then remove them.  The
clerk sat the entire time she worked.

I worked at a grocery chain store in Lancaster, PA for 6 years while I was in high school and college and never sat while checking out the items.  Would have loved to be able to sit, and really didn’t notice our clerk having any problems, so why not sit!  We left the store with perhaps about 50% of what we wanted and trying to figure where we could go for the other items.  With the lack of more stores due to the hurricane, we found we would have to do without.  We did manage to find items not available at Leader-Price at other smaller stores, but did have to pay more for the items than had we bought them at a larger retailer.  Hey, we're only there for a short time and will survive.  Especially if those who live on the island can make due with their choices.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

We were able to buy a bottle of MaDouDou for our son at the store.

The "SXM: The New Bikini Beach" Story

Orient Beach as it appeared long before anything was ever built
on it.  Today it looks fairly similar after Hurricane Irma struck.

It was an ordinary day.  Talking with Castro at the new Bikini Beach Bar on Baie Oriental, or what to most is known as Orient Beach in St. Martin.  Bikini Beach Bar is located on the 1.32 mile long beach which runs north to south.  The original Bikini Beach was one of "The Five Stars Of Orient Beach" along with Waikiki Beach Bar, Kakao Beach Bar, Coco Beach Bar and Kontiki Beach Bar.  In 2013 the owner of Bikini, Elise, was evicted from her property.  

Original Bikini Beach Bar on Orient Beach.

Seems Mr. Norbert Luftman, the owner of Sindextour and alleged owner of Orient Beach, evicted Elise and Kon Tiki operator Phillipe since they had stopped paying him for he use of the land.  But, Elise and Phillipe had found out that in 2011 Luftman lost the right to Orient Beach, but told no one and continued to collect rent on the land.  Elise and Phillipe  refused to pay him anymore and began to pay the French Government instead.  

Castro who runs the new Bikini Beach Bar.

Well, eventually Luftman was awarded the land and set up a new Bikini Beach Bar right next to the original Bikini.  Nice guy!  Well, last year when Hurricane Irma hit the island, the dispute was still going on.  Didn't matter since both places were blown off the beach as well as the other beach bars.  Who owns the property rights and land now I have no idea, but Castro seems to be in charge today.  What interested me was the neat t-shirt he was wearing.  Black shirt with a new logo printed in lime fluorescence ink.  We talked about his beautiful new beach bar and all of a sudden he looked at me and had me turn around.  

The back of the t-shirt.

Asked when I got the shirt I was wearing.  Then it struck me.  I had on my Bikini Beach Bar shirt I had purchased in the early 2000s.  He liked it, but it wasn't for sale.  Then I asked him where I could buy one of his shirts.  Not for sale, either!  Maybe someday, on another trip to the island, I will buy myself a new Bikini Beach Bar shirt.  Like I need another t-shirt.  Must have close to 50 from islands all over the world.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

The rear of my t-shirt.

The new Bikini Beach ready for cruise ship passengers to arrive 

Seating area of the new Bikini Beach.

The "SXM: A Visit With Barbara & Dee" Story

Barbara offering a treat to Anna, her rescued cockatoo.

It was an ordinary day.  Sunny day with white puffy clouds in the sky.  Perfect day to visit Barbara and Diederick whom we met years ago while visiting Sint Maarten.  We actually had met them online through the Traveltalkonline website.  Wasn't long before I found she had grown up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania which is maybe two hours from my home in Lancaster.  She invited Carol and me to visit with her and her husband Dee on our next trip to Sint Maarten.  They live on the Dutch side of the island and Dee owns and operates a retail store in Philipsburg, the capital of the Dutch side of the island.  Barbara has been busy recently with a law suit she and a few others have brought against the government concerning the safety of the local landfill.  

Barbara and Dee's beautiful pool.

Seems it has been burning and spewing smoke and fumes into the air for several years now and no one in government will do anything about it.  Today I read on a website that a recent visitor to the island posted online that she and her family will not be returning until they get rid of the dump.  Said she had to put up with the toxic fumes her entire vacation and will not have that happen again.  For Barbara and Dee, it is a daily medical problem since the dump is visible from their home.  

Ana showing us her pretty belly.
Oh yeah, she's telling us about it also.

Dee and Carol bonded as soon as we met them a few years ago when she found out Dee had a large garden to the rear of their home high up on the hills above Philipsburg.  Carol has brought, and mailed, seedlings to Dee and he in turn still has some of those plants growing in his garden.  Today we entered through their front gate and were met with the shrill call of their newest rescued pet, Anna, who is a large white cockatoo who thinks she runs the place.  Also greeting us were Charlotte and Amber, their two rescued dogs.  Today, much to the chagrin of both dogs, Anna was the star of the visit with her constant talking and head bobbing.  Beautiful white bird with a yellow underbelly.  The four adults sat on Barbara and Dee's patio for drinks and croissants before our tour of Dee's garden.  

We can see the dump on our way to the garden.

Carol and I had talked several times about not expecting too much since the island suffered a tremendous hurricane about a year ago and we assumed the foliage had not returned to it's former majestic growth.  Wrong!  Dee's garden displayed a verdant and lush green as well as bright colored flowers.  Take a trip with us through photos as we walk through Dee's garden.  After our tour we thanked them once again for their hospitality and wished Barbara the best in her quest to bring clean air to the Dutch side of the island.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Coral plant or firecracker flower

Plumeria

Mexican Petunia or Mexicana Bluebell

Fern with small spores on the underbelly of the ferm.

Palm leaf

Throughout Dee's garden are small pieces of glass that beautify the pathway.

Banana plant

Leaves of an Hibiscus

Carol and Dee examine one of his many trees and ferns.

Large bamboo stalks

Ginger plant

Ti plant