Whimsical Windows - Ansonia Congregational

For this installment of Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I am heading less that two miles downhill to the First Congregational Church of Ansonia. This stately house of worship was built in its original configuration in 1865, and expanded in 1915. Unlike the austere Puritan churches we see on small town greens all over Ne w England, this church seems to harken back to the large buildings of Europe, made of stone and full of substance.

The history go this congregation is interesting. Industrialist Anson Phelps gave the land and money to start the meetinghouse in 1848. And, the small city of Ansonia was named in honor of its founder, Anson Phelps. This is a beautiful building and has the strength of not just its stone it is clad in, but also its the fervent and true believers...

Whimsical Windows - Barb's Corner Consignment

It has been a hectic month, but as the pace has slackened, I am back to post in the meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors. Today it is an eclectic look at unique windows at Barb's Corner Consignment down the hall from us in in downtown Ansonia.

As we are apt to see in a consignment shop, it is the inventory of items from bric-a-brac up that is unique when compared to any other retailer. And proprietor Phyllis offers the viewers ver unique window designs. Such as Halloween and Christmas items, and a unique event that will occur on October 31.

The event is Mission: Give Back. In cooperation with Operation Gratitude, this local effort will be collecting a variety of items for service members, sending care packages to service personnel stationed overseas. A worthy effort that adds an additional sense of purpose to a fun place of commerce.

Whimsical Windows - West Village Eatery

For Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, we look for portals and such of interest - or maybe even historic. I was not able to attend this fine eatery in Manhattan, but the always lovely Patti did. This was taken at a table by the courtyard of One If By Land, Two If By Sea in the West Village. The history shows this restaurant housed in a carriage house once owned by Aaron Burr (famous for being an early VP of the us, and more infamously his duel with Alexander Hamilton). 

This view is great, history, nature and great food (I am told :). I am unsure if my wheelchair might be accommodated and sure it may be too pricey for me - but this is great seating for dinner!

Whimsical Windows - Traci's on Main

For this week's meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I travel downhill from our Ansonia Uplands home to downtown, and a new pâtisserie, Traci's on Main. Not only a bakery, antiques are on display and for sale as well. This is located on the ground floor of the 1870 Ansonia Opera House, and the weathered windows and brickwork are nicely updated with the bold purple signage and awning to greet the customers. Nice looks with delicious pastry comply us to browse and snack any time we travel downtown...

Whimsical Windows - The Duplex

The weekly meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors compels us to look at unique architectural detailing any place, anywhere. The always lovely Patti captured this gem last week in New York City West Village of Manhattan, and this being The Duplex. A cabaret theatre that calls visually to anyone with this very unique entryway. She captured it with a phone, and the deep blue surrounding the sign showcases this very unique place...

Whimsical Windows - The Long Gone Traymore

Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors returns with not so much whimsy, but a really more dignified look from yesteryear. The gentleman here is my Grandpa, Ralph (I was named for him) standing in front of an old (and long gone) Atlantic City Boardwalk icon, the Traymore Hotel. Taken I believe in October 1956, this is a dignity personified, dressed in an understated yet stylish tweed jacket, well formed English driving cap and wearing a camera,  he knows how to relax alongside the Atlantic. I chose the original B&W and sepia edit to show the 1915 hotel in its massive beauty before the glass and glitz of the modern casinos. A classy look at the past...

Whimsical Windows - E Street Gallery

As a member of the local small Valley Arts Council, I like being part of this artist's group - not an artist (actually the organization's Treasurer), but an admirer of art. The gallery just moved one storefront to the left, so for the weekly meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I thought that the unpretentious portals and panes were a perfect subject this week. The new sign shows the name change to E Street, and should you be in the neighborhood of 35 Elizabeth Street in Derby CT, stop in an see the little arts council that holds its own with the fine work of local artisans...

Whimsical Windows - Shorefront Abode

Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors returns and my subject today represents a style of living that appeals to me (if I had the $ to do so, that is :)

This was taken on a 'Duck Boat' tour of Hyannis Harbor on picturesque Cape Cod. This sits on a fairly secluded piece of land that is away from the big marina on the harbor - near, but just far enough away. And with no dock, uninvited nautical visitors cannot arrive unannounced either...

Nothing extraordinary about the design apart from the lighthouse. But this setting, away from the ubiquitous Nantucket/Vineyard ferries and assorted yachts, is to me waterfront living should be, quiet and almost away from the oft usual frenetic pace of life!

Whimsical Windows - Surveying the aftermath from the 24th floor

This week's meme post for Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors is a throwback to the time when tragedy was averted in the roof collapse of the Hartford Civic Center about 4:00 am January 18, 1978. Only a few hours after 4,800 spectators had watched a UConn college basketball game had left, so no injuries. An engineering error led to the weight of the snow pack on the roof to take it down...

This picture, in its faded original print and black-and-white edit, is interesting. The persons are my father and his mother looking at the ruins from his 24th floor office in Hartford's 'Gold Building' - the tangled and twisted structural steel is easier to see up there - and the reflections of the people and the windows of the next door (and long defunct) Hartford National Bank add an eerie feel to the scene. I believe these were taken in mid-late March 1978. An unique view of an urban disaster.

Whimsical Windows - Passenger Seat Perspective

When I am driving my Grand Caravan, I do not use my phone, let alone take pictures on a road trip. However, the always lovely Patti does. So for Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I offer a panorama of downtown Hartford Connecticut on Interstate 91 North - from the passenger seat on an early Spring day. Nothing special, just a blue sky and equally blue Connecticut River alongside. It is a prosaic panorama that appears to have jumped into the frame...with lots of windows!

Whimsical Windows - Memorial Day in Ansonia

For the architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, there is today instead of whimsy a bit of reflection - the lovely Patti captured he Ansonia (CT) city hall yesterday, prior to our annual Memorial Day Parade. Simple and eloquent, the reviewing stand is awaiting the veterans who will soon review the parade participants. We all need to honor those who had fought on behalf of our nation - and us too...

Whimsical Windows - Sanctuary Stained Glass

For this week's meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I look again to our house of worship, the First Congregational Church of Derby (CT). In an early 20th Century room addition to the original 1842 sanctuary, there are cool stained glass windows that are odd in this style of church as the original Puritans strove to never adorn their plain churches, which may have been the style in the 1700s - but not in 1901. A style with spiritual overtones...

Whimsical Windows - Pigeon Style Parking

For this week's architectural themed meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I am posting a subject that has been seen before that is quite unique. I like the image so much, and the now retro 1950s autos, it is the desktop picture on my computer :)

This is a picture taken by my grandfather in 1955 in the steeltown of Steubenville Ohio. This car-park apparatus referred to as Pigeon Hole Parking, where a lift device moves horizontally and vertically to place your car in a discreet spot and could be easily retrieved when your shopping or errands were complete.

In the background is the now shuttered Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel mill. When I was in college in the city on the 1970s, this mill was busy place and lots of parking available. Not as busy these days, sixty years removed from 1955...

Whimsical Windows - St Margaret Mary

Welcome to the meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, where we look at portals of interest. I revert a week back to showcase St. Margaret Mary Church in South Windsor Connecticut, opened in 1963. It evokes the past with its many beautiful stained glass windows, these offering a view of Christ bearing the burden of the cross and his Crucifixion - leading to his resurrection on Easter.

We attended a first Communion of a great nephew and loved the look of the church, and with my wheelchair seemingly in mind, great egress into the building - and the lovely seating for disabled users up front in the sanctuary. It was a great day of worship, beauty and celebration...looking forward to your links

Whimsical Windows - Sunnyside and Shadyside

For the architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors, I am featuring the Maritime Center office building on the harbor in New Haven Connecticut. I took these on the land side and this structure is a fairly modern, attractively styled, the blue mirrored windows the key styling detail. The views are on the sunny and shady sides, the bright side being more brilliant, the darker side a bit more somber. The windows are like aqua zebra stripes that reflect the blue sky that envelops the building...I look forward to seeing your links!

Whimsical Windows - Ringside Rays

It's time again for the preponderance of portals in the meme Whimsical Windows-Delirious Doors. For me, I revert to last Saturday and the Triano-Rossi Youth Boxing Tournament, developed and promoted by the Mayor, Dave Cassetti (with a 4-6  amateur boxing record in the early 1980s), of our small city of Ansonia CT. The development, determination, discipline and dedicated work of all the kids participating is rewarding to see. What of the venue? It is the Naugatuck (CT) YMCA, opened in 1924. These views are ringside at wheelchair height, and the charm of building such as steam radiators and old windows is easily seen, the late afternoon sun filtering in. Retro venue, determined kids - it was a good time!

Whimsical Windows - Lake Shore Smiles

This week's edition of architectural meme Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors takes us to a familiar subject, that of my Grandpa, Ralph I. Villers (1902-1981) of Steubenville, Ohio. He liked to take a lot of pictures wherever he traveled, perhaps to show others just where he had been. Here is the Summer of 1964 in the Windy City of Chicago, at the Lake Tower Motel. Long gone by a high rise condominium on the pricey lakefront on Lake Shore Drive, it shows a cool 1960s charm, with newer buildings way more glitzy but devoid of charm. Grandpa's smile in these B&W prints adds a element of his happiness in chronicling his travels...

Whimsical Windows - Divinely dwarfed

At a time of year where faith is showcased, I present for Whimsical Windows/Delirious Doors a divine setting. The year is 1982, I was walking back then, in the (then West) German city of Köln standing in front of the impressive and imposing Cologne Cathedral. Completed in 1880, the twin spires soar toward the heavens reaching a height of 157 M /516 feet. I was absolutely dwarfed by this huge house of worship...I hope to see your windows and doors links!

Whimsical Windows - Lighthouse Point

For this week's Whimsical Windows/Delirious Door, I am traveling 13 miles east from home to the entrance of New Haven (CT) Harbor at Lighthouse Point Park. I'm showcasing two items of interest, the lighthouse Five Mile Point Light, opened in 1847 and the close by Lighthouse Point Park Carousel building, opened in 1916. The lighthouse was constructed in brownstone, the working carousel is available for events such as weddings (we attended one two years ago, the reception flanking the carousel horses were wonderful). History and style with many windows and doors to enjoy this fabulous urban park! Please link your stylish windows, doors and more...