Serendipitous visit with Middle Eastern Cuisine owners Fifi and Mamdo
Today I had a little extra time before lunch and decided to walk along East Markham and make a quick stroll through the River Market hall. Both Markham St and the River Market hold memories and significance in my life … one because our family had an Office Furniture dealership on Markham at Laharpe for many years and the other because I was Mayor when we developed the River Market for food vendors, farmers market and an outdoor entertainment amphitheater.
I’ve not been to the Market Hall in sometime so I was anxious to see what food vendors are there now … more importantly, to see if Middle Eastern Cuisine was still there. Well, it’s there … and the friendly faces pictured, above still greeted me with smiles and a small plate of the best baklava I’ve ever eaten.
Three of my friends took the first three beautiful photos. I’m happy to share these and some of mine.
Work of art by Leesa Renshaw.Perfect timing by Nancy Rousseau Campsite by Renie BressinckLittle Rock Skyline Arkansas State Capitol A Little Rock Christmas Ethereal sunset White Sands New MexicoSt. Louis Gateway Arch. Lake Ouachita JC…RIP
This is my first time to publicly show part of my sunset/sunrise library. I was moved to do so by friends who shared their art with me.
Jim, JC, Bryan were camped in the Richland Creek Arkansas Wilderness years ago when JC pulled out three glow sticks. His wife, Gwen told him “you’ll find something to do with these”. We did … a scraggly Cedar Tree and, at that moment, Charlie Brown Christmas Campout was born.
LAST MONDAY, THREE GUYS RETURNED TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND FRIENDSHIP OF OUR DEAR FRIEND, JOHN CARL (JC).
Bryan jim RenieGlow sticks … original tree Original campsite, fire ring and tree.
It was a perfect March day to backpack into the first campsite … a crisp evening in the 40’s and a meaningful place to feel the spirit of our friend, who had shared this spot with us over so many years.
Richland Creek
This is one of the most beautiful untouched wilderness areas in Arkansas … turquoise water, waterfalls, caves, flowering trees and naturally chiseled rock and bluff outcroppings. Even a friendly visitor below.
Inquisitive River Otter.
Family and friends.
Over the years, I’ve covered our annual Charlie Brown Christmas outings. Photos below show a few.
This was Charlie Tree number two. it was only 5 feet tall when we camped by this one. Charlie tree number two. Same one as the big one in picture above. We always have glow sticks but got a bit more creative JC … tree number two DJ, Daryl and John joined the fun. Jeff Napoleon Eileen Spencer joined
If you are interested, more about this tradition can be seen at my WordPress Blog page… Jim Dailey at WordPress. Last pair of boots.
I’ll close with a few more photos from the most recent RETURN TO WHERE CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS WAS BORN.
Renie’s Gourmet Breakfast Richland Creek … words unnecessary What a photo settingNow, that’s a real backpack To my friend JCRedbuds popping out all over. Our only delay while driving to the trailhead. A sharp rock cut the sidewall. Arkansas the Natural State
These two hotels are important to me because they were fixtures in my life for more than forty years ... part in my youth, part in my early business years and part … the 60’s and 70’s … when my own community and political engagement was aborning.
I recently discovered these old 35mm photos taken by me on a very cold day, standing on the Main Street Bridge with my family to witness the first significant implosion of large buildings in Arkansas.
Simply finding the old photos was serendipitous enough. Upon further research, this blog became even more personal. Marion Kahn, a dear friend of Patti and me, is the great- granddaughter of The Hotel Marioncreator/developer/owner, Herman Kahn. To add even more interest, Herman was married to MARION COHN KAHN … ergo, THE “MARION” HOTEL. Our friend, Marion, in a phone call, confirmed the connection and elaborated even more about Herman, a 17 year old German immigrant who contributed so much to the Arkansas business, banking and Tourism industries.
Manning and Marion moments before demolition. Note the colorful artwork on the Manning. This “design” element was an attempt mid century to cover up the past and modernize buildings. Unfortunately, too many buildings were lost during this period of “Urban renewal. Fortunately, the colorful exterior decor was later removed exposing the beautiful original historic structures.A unique family outing in downtown Little Rock. Laura, Donna, Jeff, DJ and a friend.Thousands came to witness the first major building implosion in Arkansas.It started with a puff of smoke and a loud explosion at the Manning. Hotel Marion stands in waiting.Split and crumble of the Manning.Manning going down … Hotel Marion begins to collapse Manning down … Marion faltering.Just a cloud of smoke, dust and building rubble. A palette of land awaits the new Convention Center and Convention HotelButler Center for Arkansas Studies.
It is almost impossible to believe one could ever get a multi course gourmet Thanksgiving meal in a fine hotel for $2,00 … Check it out.
There is much more to this story than I cover here. So much more about these business pioneers, so much more about Little Rock at that time, more about the part these buildings played in the social, and political fabric of LR, the Gar Hole Bar, the world leaders such as President Truman and General MacArthur who stayed here … on and on and on. Plus, where I fit into Little Rock leadership … Chairman of the A&P Commission, City Board Member, LR Mayor …. This period and these buildings are fundamental foundations of my place in our history. Thank to those who came before and those with which I have partnered to build a better Little Rock and Arkansas.
Patti and I are saddened by the death of our friend, Susan Morrison last week.
For more than thirty years, we have visited, laughed and enjoyed the personal spirit and indelible mark Susan has made on our lives. More than that she has left a lasting legacy of unsurpassed nature and wildlife art to Arkansas and beyond. Her amazing works capture the subtlety. majesty and beauty of our Natural State plus the character, mystery and elegance of America’s wildlife. Patti and I are blessed to have several of her works … we just refer to them as “That’s a Susan Morrison”.
She will be missed!
With Susan in her Studio … full size Mustang head, a work in progress.
This one of the wolves is one of my favorite … especially since we did not see the wolves while in Montana in June. Just look at the detail, the eyes … strong stern look of the dominant male and the almost friendly inquisitive look of the female. Wow! Oh, Susan did not paint a moon in the scene … this was a reflection I positioned to look like a moon. Photographer’s liberty.
Mystique: a fascinating aura of mystery, awe and power surrounding someone or something!
A juxtaposition of Nature, Engineering, art and yours truly, the quixotic photographer
For a number of years, we have discussed spending time in Montana.Finally we did.
Having just re-read “Undaunted Courage” by Stephen Ambrose about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, we were set to explore history. Little did we realize or expect that our trip would lead us down paths of cultural, religious and … early American history. It would bring us to new friends with unexpected connections to Arkansas. In the photos below, including the captions, it’s fairly self explanatory but I will expand on a couple. In addition to recommending Stephen Ambrose’s book, I highly recommend another with meaningful connection to Montana … Timothy Eagan’s book, “The Immortal Irishman“. This weighty tome is about the Irish Revolutionary, Thomas Meagher, who became an American Hero and served as the Territorial Governor of Montana. So significant was he, his monument stands prominently in front of the Montana State Capitol. Patti and I were even able to stay in the early Thomas Meagher Cabin in Virginia City, the first Montana State Capitol. I referred to it as “staying in the Governor’s Mansion.”
Sacajawea is a familiar name to most of us … even if it took a coin to make it so. That said, we were fortunate to book a room in The Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks, Mt … named because it lies near the point where the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers converge to form the Missouri River.
Sacajawea … Shoshone Indian interpreter/guide to the Lewis and Clark Expedition … circa. 1805. Hotel in the background. Sacajawea Hotel Front PorchSacajawea Cottage … across the street from the hotel. Very nice.Pompey’s Grill Sacajawea Hotel Three Forks, Mt … Lighted menus no less.Sacajawea Hotel Reception area. Three Forks, Mt. 1890 Saint Ignatius Catholic Mission Church … St. Ignatius, Mt.One of scores of murals in St. Ignatius Catholic Mission Church. Painted by Joseph Carignano S.J. The Mission Cook. Altar scene … Last Supper … St. Ignatius Catholic Church, St. Ignatius, Mt.Main Sanctuary St. IgnatiusUnique Tent TabernacleThe Native American Madonna … St. Ignatius ChurchNative American Jesus Chief figure St. Ignatius ChurchYum Chenmo, Wisdom Mother … Garden of One Thousand Buddhas ,,, Flathead Indian Reservation, Arlee, Mt.Temple of the Central Figure, Yum Chenmo, The Great Mother of WisdomThe Garden is the vision of Gochen Tulku Sang-ngag RinpocheEight significant Stupas … Garden of One Thousand BuddhasThe Cathedral of Saint Helena modeled by architect A. O. Von Herbulis after the Votivkirche in Vienna, Austria … high on a hill in Helena, Mt … first Mass November 1914Cathedral of Saint Helena, Helena, MontanaWood from The Cross of JesusWood from the cross on which Christ died.Statue of Territorial Governor Thomas Meagher …. a hero for right and justice. Montana State Capitol, Helena, Montana. Montana State Capitol Entry RotundaWomen’s Commemorative Mural … downtown Helena, MontanaBullwacker pops the whip over the oxen during the Gold Rush days.Taegan, our delightful Montana host. Thank you.New friends Stephanie and JohnHistoric Fire TowerSleeping Giant Mountain Helena, Mt.St. Helena CathedralHistoric Trolley … downtown Helena“Read all about it.” My dad sold papers on the corner in Downtown Little RockHistoric Virginia City, Mt.The home of Territorial Governor’ Thomas Meagher. We stayed two nights in “THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION” lolMeagher Cabin Living RoomAmazing year round Glacier seen from our cabin in Silvergate, Mt.Silvergate owner, adventurer and former Little Rock resident, Henry with Patti and JimNot a Grizzly but a big bear.Royal Wulff founders, Andrea and Chris from England and Slovakia
Three of our Arkansas connections happened at Silvergate Lodging. Henry was from Little Rock. What an interesting adventurer, risk taker and off the grid businessman. Silvergate is less than one mile from the NE Yellowstone entrance. We enjoyed two nights in a small cabin and made the early morning trek into Lamar Valley where we saw moose, bear and bison. Missed out on the wolves … oh well, next time. In the evenings, we enjoyed another Arkansas Connection with Andrea and Chris. Not only did we enjoy the food and Prosecco in the Royal Wulff Lodge but a warm fire, an amazing tour of Chris’ Hemingway museum and conversation about Pauline Pfeiffer and Piggott, Arkansas. Chris successfully hosted the 2022 International Hemingway Conference in Silvergate and Cooke City, Mt. He and Andrea have even camped at Lake Ouachita State Park. Andrea deserves the red star for properly pronouncing “Ouachita”.
Moose sightingYellowstone … where “the buffalo roam”Roosevelt Entry Gate to YellowstoneOur humble cabin in Silvergate, MontanaPatti … Forever young!
I’ve covered a lot but barely scratched the surface on this “greater than expected” Montana adventure. We saw so much history and so much beauty that it is difficult to say one day or one visit was better. Road trips are tiring but this one was energizing. Being with Patti was a special treat, especially when there was no internet, no cell service and no TV. There were other parts of our road trip that are not included because my focus was Montana. Maybe i’ll cover Pueblo, Co (on the Arkansas river) and Laramie, Wy (with a very cool cupcake shop) and Cody, Wy and Deadwood, SD in another blog … for now my brain is fried so I’m calling it quits for the day.
However, I do want to thank Taegan Walker. Patti and I loved our time with you and truly appreciate your help, your introductions and your precious smile, Big hug from both of us. See you soon in Arkansas! BTW, we love your Helena, Montana.
For over forty years a group of male friends has had lunch together once a week and taken a trip together once a year. I’ve written about this unique friendship several times before and the trips we have taken to first class places like Park City, Utah; Breckenridge, Colorado and Scottsdale, Arizona. Not that Branson is less than first class … in fact we stayed in a beautiful 7 bedroom, 7 bath home overlooking Table Rock Lake. So why “did” “we choose Branson? Mainly because it’s close to Little Rock, has a lot going on and more of our guys could make the trip. Good Move … Until the Major Cold, Ice and snow event threatened to disrupt our plans. The weather. as predicted, was bad … even the owner of the house we rented recommended we reschedule. No way for this group! There was a little drama and uncertainty before, during and along the way … but, We made itand SST 2023 (number 44) is now in the record books.
Typical scene along our route to Branson
Mr. G’s Downtown Branson, Missouri
We have several good cooks and most meals were prepared in our well equipped rental home. Below is a photo sampling of food, fun and fellowship.
In spite of our penchant for the fun facet of our time together, we always find time for something a bit more culturally enriching. This trip, we visited Bass Pro founder, Johnny Morris’s Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at Ridgedale, Mo. There are over 75,000 artifacts representing about one third of Mr. Morris’s Collection.This place is truly a “must visit” in the Branson Area. Plus, this is only a small portion of attractions under the Top of the Rock/Big Cedar umbrella. Below are a few photos. Of particular interest to me was the Edward S. Curtis Gallery. I just recently read an amazing historical biography … Short Nights of the Shadow Catcher by Timothy Egan. This book portrays the lifelong passion of one man in the early 1900’s as he captures in photographs the pictures and stories of disappearing Native American Indian Tribes. This gallery alone is worth a visit to Ozarks Natural History Museum.
Once again it was illuminating, energizing and reassuring to know there are friendships that can last a lifetime. I have seen old guys (ROMEOS … Retired old men eating out) in small town restaurants across America. We are they! However, I bet there is not another like ours that has for over four decades had the consistent commitment to keeping a friendship bond right at the top of the calendar and priority list as we have. Thank you Fellow SST members.
For more than a decade, a few of my family and friends have taken to the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas in search of Charlie Brown’s Christmas spirit. The first five years, we backpacked into remote wilderness areas, set up our tents, gathered firewood donned Santa Hats, selected a small lonely cedar tree and with much pomp and ceremony, decorated it with a few items from home plus edibles for birds and animals. This has become a tradition as seen in the above December 2022 photo. The only difference from earlier years is we now go to one of the beautiful camp grounds along the Buffalo National River near Jasper, Arkansas. Incidentally, the free flowing Buffalo was the first river to be declared a “National River” by Congress.
Above is one of the beautiful limestone bluff lines at Kyle’s Landing where we set up camp.
Krista and BryanDon and Jim AKA, Charlie Brown
Just in case you are wondering who would wear a jacket like the black and white one above, it is I. It’s truly perfect for camping in cold weather … down lined with a hood and it didn’t cost much at all. I found it in a discount store in Colorado and immediately declared it my camping jacket. Retail $300 … on sale $32. Enough said?? Also, how about the guy in the first photo with the Goldilocks Santa Hat?
The guys … Bryan, John, Daryl, CB, Renie. Showing up later … DJ and Don.
Above is a typical afternoon routine … tents erected, fire started, a little relaxation… happy hour not too far behind. Below, one can see what “roughing it” means to us … Renie preparing our main dish for the evening … pork tenderloin over an open charcoal and wood fire. WOW!! I can attest, his secret marinade made this meal as good or better than any 5 star restaurant!! BTW … Renie and his wife just returned from 9 months in France. Thus, “laissez les bon temps rouler”… “let the good times roll”
RenieDinner time
It was another unique and special weekend with friends and family. The older I get, the more I appreciate the freedoms and the blessings of living in the United States. In particular, I appreciate how so many before us have seen the value in preserving National Parks, National Monuments and State Parks, especially those here in Arkansas, The Natural State. We are truly blessed!!
Because Charlie Brown Christmas Campout has become a tradition, I am including a few photo memories from Christmases Past !!
JD/CB
UNTIL NEXT YEAR … MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR !!! ALSO, SAY A PRAYER FOR OUR LEADERS REGARDLESS OF YOUR PREFERENCE … AND… PRAY FOR UKRAINE !!!
Aaron and the author at Panera Bread in Little Rock, Arkansas
It’s been awhile since I’ve written one of my LOCAL HERO BLOGS… this one is very special!
If you are like me, you enjoy Panera Bread. You enjoy it for the good food, especially for the fresh baked bagels, mouth watering sugary iced cinnamon rolls and in-house brewed coffee. Generally speaking, that covers breakfast for me … moving on to lunch, I love the soups, the sandwiches and the occasional Margherita pizza. But, that’s not all … I love the ambiance, the refreshing art, the open seating and the interior architecture. But, most of all, I keep coming back to the Panera Bread on University Avenue in Little Rock because of the friendly staff … they make this place “feel like home” with their smiles and helpful attitudes. In a way, they are all my local heroes.
That said, there is one employee who always and I mean “always” has the biggest smile, the most spirited helpfulness and the most gracious manner. He is pictured above … his name is AARON. I don’t know his last name and that’s okay because, for all I know and based on the way he represents this store, his last name could be “Panera.” He treats his job and his customers as if he owns the company. Aaron completes that proverbial “customer experience” … Good food, good place and great service.
AARON, MR. AARON, MR AARON PANERA …. I am so honored to know you and to declare that you are truly one of the best of the best and … MY LOCAL HERO !!!
Yes, for over four decades a group of guys has shared lunch together once a week and an annual trip … the first three decades we went to ski country … now we go to Scottsdale, Arizona. The pictures are almost self explanatory … however I will add brief comments.
Most all flew from Little Rock but JC and I drove so we could hike in route.
These next few photos are from the Acoma Pueblo area, then a few from Window Rock and then from Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Northeastern Arizona. The canyon is beautiful and our hike to the bottom was awesome.
Below are photos from Scottsdale. We have stayed in this beautiful home for several years where we enjoy cooking in as well as eating out and where we explore the museums, golf courses and other many assets of Scottsdale.
First … our group … matching shirts of course.
Tim, Loyd, John, Renie, Bart, Bill, Jim, JC
One of the most important parts of a full healthy long life is the power and bond of friendship. We are blessed to have this shared life story. We are unique individually and we are unique collectively. As we age I even say ” we are every bit as smart collectively as we once were individually” … LOL … We are a beautiful mosaic of different opinions, political persuasions and upbringings. Truly, we are a special tale for the ages.
I doubt there is another group like ours … SST … 41 years and Counting. Thank each of you for holding this family of friends together. May God allow us a few more!
Jim Dailey is just an ordinary guy who has travelled many trails, met a bunch of heroes along the way and finally decided to write TRAILS, TRIBUTES AND THOUGHTS before his LAST PAIR OF BOOTS bite the dust.
Jim grew up in Little Rock, AR., owned a furniture store, has a wife of 50 plus years, four grown children, six grandkids, is VP of Government Relations with Kelley Commercial Partners, served as Mayor of Little Rock for 14 years and Director of Tourism for the state of Arkansas
Jim Dailey 