Saturday, April 28, 2012

Old Booth

This, I believe, is one of the old ticket booths still standing at Fitzpatrick Stadium, formally known as Portland Stadium. It was renamed in 1989 for James J. Fitzpatrick, a most respected name in the annals of city sports. I attended many a Thanksgiving Game within these fences, and I must say, I paid for every entry. I slid my dollar to some old timer, whose face seemed enshrouded in white cigar smoke as he mumbled some semi-intelligent mumbo-jumbo through his smelly smoke and cigar drool. I swear my clothes held the aroma of cigars for days after those episodes. When I complained, Dad always decried, "Oh, don't be so spleeny!" Funny thing, to this day, I kinda enjoy a cigar every so often. Do I trace it back to these Thanksgivings long past? btw Don't pass this info along to Doctor B-, ok?
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12 comments:

  1. LowellApril 28, 2012 at 9:02 AM

    What happens at your place stays at your place! BTW, what's Doc B's phone #? :-)

    I, too, enjoy a cigar on occasion, but there hasn't been an occasion for one in a long time.

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  2. Regina KApril 28, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Fond memories. I am not one for a cigar!

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  3. Sharon CreechApril 28, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    Funny, I was thinking about cigars last night - remembering barreling down the autostrada way too fast in a tiny tin car w/3 other people and a strong-smelling cigar. Did I mention is was 100 degrees and no A/C? p.s. I like the start of your stranger story. . .

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  4. TexWisGirlApril 28, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    spleeny? what a great word!

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  5. Folkways Note BookApril 28, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    That little building belongs in a sports museum -- seriously. -- barbara

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  6. Chrissy BrandApril 28, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    A fascinating post- As an author of a book on a famous UK stadium, I appreciate the derelict state some stadia end up in!

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  7. HalcyonApril 28, 2012 at 3:32 PM

    I'm glad this hasn't been torn down. I like these little reminders of the past.

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  8. KateApril 28, 2012 at 4:14 PM

    How was your anniversary celebration?

    I actually enjoy the smell of a good cigar; reminds me of my father.

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  9. john bainApril 28, 2012 at 7:11 PM

    I hope that little bit of history will be taken good care of. The hut I mean. Not the cigars.

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  10. magiceyeApril 28, 2012 at 9:03 PM

    lovely tale!

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  11. brattcatApril 29, 2012 at 8:27 AM

    i'm not spleeny, bird. your secret's safe with me.

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  12. irinapicturesMay 13, 2012 at 3:02 PM

    Photo is superb: shapes, colors, composition, depth. Story, too, as always.

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