Photos

Throw Back Thursday – Downtown Lunds 2014

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

It is hard to believe but it has been ten years since the downtown St. Paul Lunds store opened. It was indeed a big deal. The population of downtown St. Paul had grown and a grocery store was and is most welcome.

The store has been in the news this week. Starting next week store hours will be shortened by 5 hours. It will open at 10:00 AM and close at 7:00 PM.  The area around the store can seem scary early in the morning. There is always a police officer in the store.

Some folks are claiming the reduced hours create a “food desert”. People who depend on the store will need to adjust and possibly be inconvenienced.  The store is open 7 days a week.

Lunds Grand opening
Musicians – Grand opening May 2014
Lunds store construction
Lunds – late 2013
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July 4th 2024

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

Have a safe and fun July 4th holiday. I think I took the picture in 2013 which was one of the last public fireworks displays on July 4th in St. Paul. We used to have beautiful, accessible and free fireworks displays along the Mississippi River or on the state Capital grounds.

July 4th Fireworks in St. Paul
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Flooding along the Mississippi in St. Paul

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

It is Friday and Fridays are for fun. The good news is that much of the land under water along the Mississippi River is parkland rather than homes and businesses. Shepard Road is closed at Eagle Street and Warner road through downtown is closed.

There will be a lot of flood tourism this weekend and over the holiday. The river is expected to crest sometime over the weekend, stay tuned.

Mississippi River at chestnut plaza
Mississippi River at Chestnut Plaza
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The Colorful Pilney Building

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

Last week I wrote about all black exteriors. This week I want to write about color.

The Pilney historic Art Deco style Pilney building was built in 1913. It was a grocery store until sometime in the 1990s, and it has since been converted into office space.

The building is located on Wesdt 7th at Oceola Avenue and is a local landmark. Recently an artist, Audry Carver painted a Mural on the building. Even without the artwork the building itself is a work of art.

Pileny Building
Pilney Building June 2024
Closeup Pilney building
Artwork by Audry Carver
Pilney building 2015
Pilney Building 2015

I just had to add the picture from 2015 because today is Thursday and this is a throw back.

Memorial Day 2024

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

On Memorial Day we honor the military men and women who died while serving in the US military. The pictures were taken in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Fort Snelling National Cemetery

Not to be confused with Veteran’s Day which is in honor of all Veterans. Memorial Day is also a national holiday. If you ask me we could use some more holidays.

Happy Memorial Day?

Saint Paul is a river city

Posted on by Teresa Boardman

I have always enjoyed living near the river. When some of my suburban friends and family visit they often want to join me for a walk or a ride along the river. The Mississippi River isn’t just for recreation it is also used for shipping. Right now the water is high due to snow melt and spring rains. During droughts the river gets low and that impedes shipping. Barges have been around since ancient times and are low-tech. They don’t have engines they just float and get pushed around by tow boats.

Barges can hold a lot of cargo. A typical barge size is 195 feet by 35 feet and can hold up to 1500 tons of cargo. Newer barges can be up to 209 feet by 50 feet and hold twice as much cargo tonnage as traditional barges. Barges are efficient and cost-effective.

The river is a place to enjoy walking during any season and biking.

Barges
Barges waiting to be unloaded – Mississippi River
downtown St. Paul from the river
Mississippi River as it flows past downtown St. Paul
Robert Street Bridge
Walking paths along the river – Historic Robert Street Bridge