The Belgian Chocolate Box by Beatrix

Ok,we arrived in St. Maarten on a Friday afternoon and the last post talked a little about that afternoon. On Sat. we had alot of time til our flight left the island. Our bags were able to stay on the boat until we were ready to transfer to the airport, but we had to leave the boat so the staff could prepare the boat for the next week's arrivals. While killing time in Phillipsburg I went for a walk toward the inland a few blocks through the markets and venders selling trinkets, jewelry, and clothing. As I proceeded back toward the courtyard where I had been waiting earlier, I turned up an alley with shops on both sides. To my surprise, at the other end of the alley I saw the yellow antique car I had photographed the day before on Old Street.


Some of the shops were closed but passing the Belgian Chocolate Box, I found that it was open.










Being curious about another type of chocolate other than that which I had grown up on, Hershey's, I went in and met the owner, Beatrix.



She is a pleasant attractive woman who I remembered seeing, walking along the bay front the day before. I mentioned that to her and she told me she was taking care of some errands and as I later found out has a sister store at the Port of St. Maarten Harbour Village. When I mentioned Hershey's Chocolate, she was unimpressed and stated that Hershey's has to many additives. She took the time to gather some samples for me to try. The samples consisted of three different kinds of chocolate, a dark, a lite and one somewhere in between. She briefly explained some of the differences and shared with me the percentages of chocolate in each. I purchased some to take home.



Beatrix graciously allowed me to get a few shots of her and the inside of the her shop. We exchanged cards and I continued on my merry way. You can visit her web site at http://www.thebelgianchocolatebox.com/ to learn more about the chocolates, her and her shop. If you are ever in St. Maartin, stop by The Chocolate Box at either location to meet Beatrix and tell her Bob sent you!

Old Street, Sint Maarten

After arriving in port at the end of the week at Bobby's Marina on the island of St. Maartin, we took some time to walk around the town and become re-aquainted with it. The last time we were there was 2006 when we did a similar trip only then, the weather conditions for diving were much better.













While making our way up and down the streets and past the jewelry and electronics shops, we wondered down an alley called "Old Street". We walked all the way to the end of the street, turned around and walked back. Some of the store clerks were sitting outside the shops enjoying the beautiful day. Something unique about Old Street is that in the middle of the street and between the lamp posts is a yellow antique car as a decorative fixture. I began questioning the women about the car and then enlisted them to pose with the car for a picture.

Greater Dover Dance Academy Spring Concert

Back in May, I attended Greater Dover Dance Academy's Spring Concert. This image
has been processed for some time. I was hoping to have more images processed
before posting, but its just not getting done. So, I decided to post it as a stand alone image.
It is one of my favorites. I still hope to get more posted.

Sunset Dance at Heinz Field

Last weekend while strolling down the waterfront across from Heinz Field in Pittsburg, PA, we came upon a group of girls that were enjoying the evening and taking a break from the ballet camp they were attending. Initially, just one of the girls was practicing some of her dance steps at the waters edge. With the sun setting in the background, I immediately recognized the opportunity for some sillohette shots. I approached the young girl and she was very willing to model for me. I had to make some adjustments to my position by moving onto the steps to place the young lady's image against the water so she wouldn't get lost in the sillohette of the stadium. After collecting a few images, I showed them to her and her friends. Making the suggestion that they all go to the waters edge and work as a group. They seemed to enjoy the time as well as I. I gave them my card to give them the chance to view some of the images. If you double click on the images, you will be able to view them in a larger size. Girls, if you are reading this, please take time to say Hi.

Holly Nelson - Violinist con't

Here are five more images of the violinist, Holly Nelson at the Arts Fest held on Front St. along the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, PA over the Memorial Day weekend. I captured other performing bands while attending the Fest on Memorial Day which I hope to soon post.

Holly Nelson - Harrisburg, PA "Arts Fest"

Harrisburg's "Arts Fest" was held on Memorial Day Weekend. It was a scorcher! I divided up the weekend at a few different venues finishing at the Arts Fest on Monday. Right after arriving and entering the show from Forrester St., there was a cute young girl playing classical pieces on the violin. I'm still a little vague on the connection between her, and a guy at their booth selling CD's representing a musician by the name, Lenny K. I requested a clarification from Holly but haven't received a response. I will update the post if Ihear from her. She did provide me a card with her e-mail and promoting herself as a performer and educator. I'm confused on whether she is local or from NY or New England. The following are some of the many shots I took while while she played.

More Christmas Candy Lane - Hershey, PA

Besides the light show, select rides that were operating, and the Christmas play in the Music Box Theatre, visitors to park had the opportunity to see live reindeer. Some of them are comical like the one in this first picture attempting to get in the grain bucket located on the outside of the railing. With the size of their horns, it makes it very interesting.
We also attended a sled dog demonstration but because we there at night, it was to dark for no flash pictures and my flash head sensors couldn't read the running dogs fast enough for a useable shot. This will conclude the Candy Lane pictures for 2010.

Sunset at the park.

What is that emerging from the pines atop the tracks of the Comet?