Timothy M. Posted November 8, 2015 Posted November 8, 2015 This story topic is for AC Benus' historical Christmas Holiday Novella about Saint Louis' most prominent department store Famous-Barr. The first story is being posted: Katie's Sketchbook - Christmas at Famous-Barr 1976 and you can learn more about Famous-Barr and enjoy pictures in AC's blog and gallery. I would never have thought reading about the history of a department store could be so interesting. As one of the comments said: "Now You are being a Living Encyclopedia." But I guess it's not the first time AC has awed his readers by the depth of his research and attention to historical facts and details. If you're ready to get into a holiday mood or want to follow one of AC's amazing love stories, check out Katie's Sketchbook. I promise you won't be disappointed. And join us here to discuss themes and topics of the Novella. 4
Former Member Posted November 8, 2015 Posted November 8, 2015 Thank you, Tim, for an amazing set-up and pitch. I grew up with the store, and still remember shopping the basement of the downtown store in '76 with my mom. Lol, a long time ago now... 3
Mikiesboy Posted November 8, 2015 Posted November 8, 2015 Okay.. I loved Katie's Sketchbook so far. And well I had to try the recipe for the cake AC mentioned.. worked great. My in-laws loved it as well. Here is the link to a picture of it: https://www.gayauthors.org/forums/gallery/image/12324-ooey-gooey-butter-cake/ Thanks AC.. nothing like living what you read! 3
Timothy M. Posted November 8, 2015 Author Posted November 8, 2015 (edited) The first chapter introduced us to the main character of Sloan. It took me a little while to have any warm feelings about him, but perhaps that's because he keeps his emotions in check and his heart under wraps. However, the second chapter showed that Sloan is a good guy, who deserves love and HEA. We understand this from seeing his interaction with his visitors from Ohio, and with Katie's father, whom Sloan is 'sort of seeing.' But the best part is that Sloan's cousin and his boyfriend from Ohio are two beloved characters from another story here on GA: ColumbusGuy's Jay & Miles. AC and CG have collaborated on this chapter, and let me tell you, it's AMAZING and I'm all at watching my two friends arguing about getting the credit for that, each of them pointing to each other. Check out CG's story topic if you don't believe me. Edited November 8, 2015 by Timothy M. 4
Former Member Posted November 8, 2015 Posted November 8, 2015 AC and CG have collaborated on this chapter, and let me tell you, it's AMAZING and I'm all at watching my two friends arguing about getting the credit for that, each of them pointing to each other. Check out CG's story topic if you don't believe me. ...You're too funny, Tim... Jay and Miles will continue to appear in Katie's Sketchbook, although the next installment is all about Sloan and Katie's morning together 4
Former Member Posted November 8, 2015 Posted November 8, 2015 Okay.. I loved Katie's Sketchbook so far. And well I had to try the recipe for the cake AC mentioned.. worked great. My in-laws loved it as well. Here is the link to a picture of it: https://www.gayauthors.org/forums/gallery/image/12324-ooey-gooey-butter-cake/ Thanks AC.. nothing like living what you read! I think it's great that you saw the recipe and just had to make it - you and your mother-in-law both! It's a very nostalgic cake for me, as my mom usually stopped by the local bakery to have one handy for the weekend. Beware though, it is uber rich, so small slices are called for, and large cups of coffee (or petite glasses of sherry) are good to have standing by. It's a real holiday treat! 2
Mikiesboy Posted November 8, 2015 Posted November 8, 2015 ...You're too funny, Tim... Jay and Miles will continue to appear in Katie's Sketchbook, although the next installment is all about Sloan and Katie's morning together Personally think it's a cool thing to do.. link stories and characters. It supports two great stories as well. 3
Former Member Posted November 9, 2015 Posted November 9, 2015 Some of you are wondering who this Julia Child person may be, so without further ado, here she is circa 1976. In the video, you can see how genuine a person she was - the opposite of 'slick' - she accepts her missteps and moves on (just like the rest of us) Bon Appétit! 3
Timothy M. Posted November 9, 2015 Author Posted November 9, 2015 Some of you are wondering who this Julia Child person may be, so without further ado, here she is circa 1976. funny, from your description of her, I imagined her younger and slimmer. 3
Former Member Posted November 9, 2015 Posted November 9, 2015 (edited) funny, from your description of her, I imagined her younger and slimmer. lol, so you were picturing someone like Twiggy? A 6'-2" youngster...hmmmmm And Ms. Child was pretty slim, I'd say Especially considering how in love with food she was! Edited November 9, 2015 by AC Benus 2
Aditus Posted November 9, 2015 Posted November 9, 2015 Some of you are wondering who this Julia Child person may be, so without further ado, here she is circa 1976. In the video, you can see how genuine a person she was - the opposite of 'slick' - she accepts her missteps and moves on (just like the rest of us) Bon Appétit! 1976 ---> Orange 2
Timothy M. Posted November 9, 2015 Author Posted November 9, 2015 lol, so you were picturing someone like Twiggy? A 6'-2" youngster...hmmmmm And Ms. Child in was pretty slim, I'd say Especially considering how in love with food she was! No, but perhaps not so matronly, lol. 3
J.HunterDunn Posted November 9, 2015 Posted November 9, 2015 Very refreshing to see Ms. Child. It looks like it is done "live" and shows that she has pleasure in teaching people to cook properly, without frills. Her British equivalent, Delia Smith, also on tele for decennia, explained in an interview in The Telegraph in 2013 why she wouldn't be on tele anymore: "When I started, there was further education in the BBC; now you have to entertain. You have someone telling me I haven’t got time to show this, or I haven’t got time to show that.” Loved to see Ms. Child use butter. Delia used margarine a lot 3
Former Member Posted November 9, 2015 Posted November 9, 2015 1976 ---> Orange Haha, I guess nowadays when they say 'orange is the new black,' in '76 they were saying 'black is the new orange' LOL 2
Former Member Posted November 9, 2015 Posted November 9, 2015 No, but perhaps not so matronly, lol. I will go back and look at the description again...it would be a bit unfair for Sloan to think of her as 'a six-foot-two middle-aged woman,' but maybe he should... I do appreciate the feedback if you were getting a different vibe from her, but the real Julia was a vivacious person, so maybe you thought she was younger by the way she acts. 3
ColumbusGuy Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 Ah, that was the Julia Child I liked--sure, it was French food a lot, but she never put on airs...and that voice would always make me smile with her subtle delivery. Great memories--but does anyone besides me remember Graham Kerr, The Galloping Gournet? 4
Site Moderator Reader1810 Posted November 10, 2015 Site Moderator Posted November 10, 2015 (edited) Ah, that was the Julia Child I liked--sure, it was French food a lot, but she never put on airs...and that voice would always make me smile with her subtle delivery. Great memories--but does anyone besides me remember Graham Kerr, The Galloping Gourmet? I do. I do. Though, at the time, a big part of the entrancement for me was his kitchen set and I had wished my family kitchen was just like it. Edited November 10, 2015 by Reader1810 2
Former Member Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 I do. I do. Though, at the time, a big part of the entrancement for me was his kitchen set (I thought it was his real kitchen ) and I had wished my family kitchen was just like it. I believe his show was filmed in Ottawa. He sometimes had shots of the city. One cable cooking channel here played his entire series of shows for a while. I loved the design too, especially the 'French door' refrigerator. That must have been so cool to have back in the early 70s. 2
Site Moderator Reader1810 Posted November 10, 2015 Site Moderator Posted November 10, 2015 (edited) I believe his show was filmed in Ottawa. He sometimes had shots of the city. One cable cooking channel here played his entire series of shows for a while. I loved the design too, especially the 'French door' refrigerator. That must have been so cool to have back in the early 70s. For me it was the brick and stonework and his prep area. The fridge was pretty cool though considering my family still had the one-door model. Edited November 10, 2015 by Reader1810 1
dughlas Posted November 10, 2015 Posted November 10, 2015 Ah, that was the Julia Child I liked--sure, it was French food a lot, but she never put on airs...and that voice would always make me smile with her subtle delivery. Great memories--but does anyone besides me remember Graham Kerr, The Galloping Gournet? I used to watch him with my mum on days off from school. He was on at mid-day and she came home for lunch. 3
Site Moderator Reader1810 Posted November 11, 2015 Site Moderator Posted November 11, 2015 Yeah, I guess Graham was a little before your time...
Mikiesboy Posted November 11, 2015 Posted November 11, 2015 Yeah, I guess Graham was a little before your time... just a young pup me 2
J.HunterDunn Posted November 11, 2015 Posted November 11, 2015 I was intrigued by a remark made by Sloan in the latest episode: "I couldn't believe a department store existed without a backdoor" I wonder how an enormous building like this was suppied without a backdoor. For supplying must have been a logistic nightmare. Was there an underground way of delivering ? 1
Popular Post Former Member Posted November 11, 2015 Popular Post Posted November 11, 2015 (edited) I was intrigued by a remark made by Sloan in the latest episode: "I couldn't believe a department store existed without a backdoor" I wonder how an enormous building like this was suppied without a backdoor. For supplying must have been a logistic nightmare. Was there an underground way of delivering ? Yes, Peter. There was massive building (10 stories or more...?) on Saint Charles and 7th Streets where all of Famous-Barr's 'support' facilities were located. These included the electrical power plant, the steam boilers for heat, warehouse storage, shipping/receiving, the deliveries department (with garages and a fleet of trucks and vans to drop off packages to peoples' homes), the mail order department, bakery, candy kitchen, employee cafe, gym and so forth. There was a massive tunnel running under the entire block separating the two buildings, and all of the store's merchandise arrived out of sight from the patrons. Even this was not sufficient, and in 1937, they opened the Spring Avenue Warehouse to handle their branch stores. This facility was doubled in size in 1947, and I remember shopping here in the 90s when part of it was converted to a Famous-Barr outlet store. I have an illustration of the downtown store and the Saint Charles Street Warehouse in the 1913 employee's 'welcome to our new home' booklet. I will see if I can take a nice picture of it. It's a fascinating drawing showing the two buildings and the tunnel in cross-section. Edited November 11, 2015 by AC Benus 6
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