I just returned from Jamestown, New York. I went with 2 friends, T and C, and our Grace. Uh huh, 4 wild (Okay, sheesh. So we were all in bed by 10 and the only wild thing we did was drink chocolate milkshakes but hey!) girls let loose on the road! Yup, THAT Jamestown. The birthplace of Lucille Ball AND Lucy Ricardo. We had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the Lucille Ball Birthday Festivities in Jamestown and the lovely small towns, old houses and natural scenery in the Allegheny area.
Welcome to Jamestown Girls!
On Friday we all attended a special afternoon luncheon in the beautiful recreation of Ricky Ricardo’s Tropicana nightclub. Lunch was followed by a special tribute to Lucy’s costume designer, Elois Jenssen, by film producer and author, Alan Glaser.
The author of The Official “I Love Lucy” Paper Dolls, Alan shared original costume sketches approved by Lucy herself that Elois created for some very memorable "I Love Lucy" episodes. We enjoyed a slide show of rarely seen photos from Allan's personal collection, and listened to Lucille Ball pay tribute to Elois on a rare audio tape that was recorded weeks before Lucy passed away. And as a special treat, Universal Studios’ Lucy Ricardo impressionist Diane Vincent offered a mini fashion show of some Elois-inspired costumes. Now THAT was fun!
The menu for the luncheon was inspired by the popular “L.A. At Last” episode featuring William Holden in the Brown Derby!
On Saturday afternoon, we took one of the Lucytown Tours!
Jamestown native Lucy Studd served as the tour guide, pointing out more than two dozen locations in Jamestown and neighboring Celoron that were significant in the early life Lucille Ball. From the home in which she was born, to the quiet place where she now rests, we got a wonderful glimpse into the area that shaped Lucy's life.
~The home in which Lucille Ball was born~
~The home in which she spent many happy years~
We also enjoyed the Lucy/Desi Museums in Jamestown. Family treasures, videos, personal mementos and artifacts from their careers, it was all so interesting.
There were even detailed re-creations of the Ricardo's brownstone apartment living room, their kitchen and even the Beverly Palms hotel room where the Ricardos resided while in Hollywood.
Grace even had the chance to chance to step on the “Vitameatavegamin” set and perform her own version of that famous TV commercial!
I will be back tomorrow to share some photos I took of some of the great homes we saw in the area...beautiful old houses. We stayed in the little town of Warren, Pennsylvania and it was such a sweet spot. On the Allegheny River, nestled in the mountains and the Allegheny National Forest, it was just wonderful.I also have some photos to share from last week and of tonight's Ritter's Dog Nite!
I will be trying to visit you all this week as I have so missed each one of you. I hope all is well in your lives and please know how often I think of you all. To those who have only recently introduced themselves to me, WELCOME to Rabbit Run! I am so happy you stopped by!
I hope we will get to know one another well.
To ALL of you, stay well, enjoy your week and be kind to yourselves. You are VERY special.
Love and Hugs,
Susie Q
19 comments:
This sounds like a fun trip. I always liked watching Lucy.
I have enjoyed visiting your blog and will be back. But, I must apologize beforehand for my Roscoe. He apparently made lunch of some baby bunnies last week before we even knew there was a nest. I hope your rabbits won't be offended. He was just doing what Jack Russell Terriers like to do.
What a fun trip! I can't wait to see the rest of your photos.
Thanks for taking us with you. I know this was a lot of fun!
Thank you so much for telling me about this place! When I was at Universal in FL a few years ago, they had a huge display about Lucy with lots of her costumes on mannequins, it was fascinating! And I was shocked to see how tiny she was! Now I would like to go and see her home. What a cool trip! And chocolate milkshakes are about as much excitement as I need, too.
I will read the post and show the kids the pics from Ritters, William Wallace has been asking...
Bobbi
That's not too far from here. Maybe it would make a fun day trip for us, hu?
Glad you're home safe and sound!
I loved Lucy and that was my favorite show in the 50s. I never missed it. She was a genuine and true comedienne and so "clean", sweetpea, and you can hardly find those kind any more.
Smoochies,
Connie
Wow!!! This looks like such a FUN, FUN trip. Can't wait to see even more pics!!
Susie, what fun! I would had loved to tag along, I was born in Cuba like Desi. I came to this great country in the sixties when I was very young. But people still can detect a little accent just like Desi. I loved the I love Lucy show.And thank for your visit to my Blog.
Oh, what a fabulous trip you must have had. Hey, there's nuttin' better than a good ole chocolate milkshake!! I'm all geared up to see more. I just love 'Lucy'!
Oh, just send me a bathroom pic any time. I'll continueally add them to my blog. It's great to be a Diva!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
I enjoyed so many Lucy reruns, growing up. What a comedienne. I loved her and Ethel to pieces. Everyone needs a best friend like the Mertzes.
Glad to see you're back. Lovely pics as always. xxxooogrretchen
Hi Sue...sounds like a great trip! I have the Vitameatavegamen Christmas ornament from Hallmark. Always makes me smile.
Sounds like you had a fabulous time and it was a fun place to visit!?!?! A nice cold chocolate milk shake doesn't sound too bad right about now either :o)
~Des
Hi Susie,
Sounds like a wonderful trip. I love Lucy too!!
That is so interesting to see her home, and all of the other great places. I ate in the Brown Derby as a child. Love that episode.
Grace sure looked like she was having a lot of fun too!!
Glad you are back,
Rosemary
OOOOO, what a fabulous trip. I, like everyone else, LOVE LUCY so I would have enjoyed every minute of this trip, too. Really loooking forward to more pics....
I am so glad to hear from you..I've missed you!!
love, bj
You are just too cute. I bet you would be a blast to hang out with doing the Lucy thing!! Can't wait for more pictures. Annie can't wait for the Ritter's post!!
Suzie Q,
It was so nice of you to stop over to visit and comment. Did you see the new magazine cover? You inspired me.
The trip sounds fabulous and the pics are the best! I love coming here and seeing what you've been up to. xxoo
Oh how I wish I could have been there with you...I've always loved Lucy:-) It must have been such a thrill to be a part of the festivities and to see the homes that she lived in. Loved seeing all the photos and looking forward to even more!! Love ya! xoxo
Oh what fun, SusieQ! Just thinking about the old Lucy shows brings a smile to my face. Warren, Pa isn't far from me. Hope you enjoyed your stay in PA.
So glad you had such a fun trip!!! I have a feeling Grace will someday cherish all the memories you ladies are making out on the town :o)
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