| This activity
ended in 1996. For information only.
|
HYDE PARK SQUARE
Morning Class
With the beautiful and delicate trees and the plants amidst the old,
historic buildings, Hyde Park Square seems like a wonderland. As in
childhood dreams, the extensive, cherry red fire truck rolls through the
small narrow alley alongside a prominent well-kept building. The cool
breeze gives a slight chill as the massive ruby red truck coasts in front
of the people. In the center of the square, a concrete area nestles a
mammoth, magnificent fountain. Rusting pennies lay in the bottom of the
basin. The petite birds crowd among the brightly colored mums where
a cracked peanut was dropped by an elderly patron, strolling through
the square after eating at "The Echo", located on the northwest corner
of the square. There, a pigeon rests on the curb, pecking at a piece of
bread, which is blown around by the cool, crisp wind. The sidewalks
are lined with brilliant flower bouquets, which the children notice as they
shuffle along with their grandparents.
The aged buildings stand tall, side-to-side, with an occasional alley
to separate them. Each building is impeccable. The structures contain
forgotten memories where pioneers thrived with out-going simplicity.
Looking at them is reminiscent of things past. Through the windows,
today, people busy themselves doing their everyday activities: arranging
products to catch customers' eyes, keeping their shops clean and tidy.
Awnings overhang storefronts, displaying the store's name and usually
its trade. Occasionally, when passing by, the drifting smell of freshly
baked bread beckons visitors to come into the store for a taste of the
delicacy.
In front of the stores, signs with definite authority caution people not
to park here and there. Mostly, these reminders are obeyed; however,
occasionally some hurried people just disregard them. On their cars,
are little yellow slips, which become a thorn in their sides. TOO BAD!!!
Quaint shops surrounded the lengthiest, brick covered building,
standing high and majestic on the horizon. Most of the windows are filled
with a mysterious black. One window, in particular, catches our eye.
Maroons and pinks transform into one hideous, yet beautiful, monstrous
face. It surrounds the perimeter of the window. Embellishing the apex of
the window is a dark hunter green with an iota of maroon trim. At the base
of the casement is the simplest of designs, merely diagonals overlapping
and swirling across one another. Yet, to captivate the work of art into our
minds, we stare at it for what seems like hours.
Attracted by the flaming neon sign of another store that reads
"Bakery", our eyes drift from the building's window. As we stroll through
the threshold of "Great Harvest", we are greeted by the homey waft of
coffee and bread. We allow the scent to flow into our lungs as we take
in the sights. On both sides of the door, there is a table for two with an
excellent view of the street from the large storefront window. One side
has a twine chair with a brownish red cushion, while the other seat is a
ledge extending from the wall. It is decked with a pillow that matches
the tablecloth's beautiful gold, red, and brown pattern. Duplicates line
the left, beige wall until they meet a part of a barrier jutting out from the
wall. Behind that are two vending machines, producing multiple drinks.
Parallel to the vending machines, side-by-side, is a high arched bar,
equipped with stools similar to the chairs. Behind the bar are various
coffee beans and a coffee maker. At a right angle to that scene is a shelf
on wheels and then a counter with loaves and pieces of bread behind it.
Butter, and sometimes honey or jam, rest there for those who yearn for a
free sample. We marvel that even the unique, rustic, antique floors are a
greenish brown color with a homestead tint.
As we continue to move on and exit this establishment onto the
sidewalk, colorful cars zoom by. Suddenly, we notice the huge bright
red flag on top of the fire station, displaying its colors above the
towering pine tree on the horizon. A huge gust of wind seems to almost
tear the flag off the shiny pole. Sometimes, when we get lucky, the
amber siren blows strongly, and in 5 seconds the brilliant fire truck
flashes out in the direction of the fire. When the siren deafens the
silence, the shrill enters one ear and comes out the other. Our minds
shake with fright,trying to figure out what just happened.
In contrast to the loud screeches of the fire station is the
serenity of "Graeter's Ice Cream and Pastry Shop". The fragrances
of the delightful aroma pervade the space and drift into our dainty
nostrils. Radiant colors of ice cream and pastries besiege the room
with elegance. The homely, rotund waitress sidles up and takes our
luscious order. She beckons us to sit down on the wire-backed chairs
next to the sphere-shaped tables. We glance around the shop, and
for a moment, we are filled with a feeling of pure peace. With the speed
of a roadrunner, our ice cream is rushed to our table where we sit
conversing with our friends. We sample a delicate spoonful and
nibble at our cone. We try to savor the taste of our delicious
rose-colored ice cream.
We decide to carry our ice cream cones outside to the concrete
benches in the middle of the square. The crisp autumn breeze sprinkles
rust colored leaves around our feet. We notice the radiant sunshine
yellow mums which are nestled with maroon flowers among the golden
leaves. Gray trees loom overhead. Their stature partially prevents small
green and coral colored bushes from being noticed. As we walk to
observe the intricate ivy which creeps up the lifeless trees, tinted leaves
crunch beneath our feet, and we begin to be captured by the sweet smell
of "Graeters", once again. The constant blaring of car alarms, screeching
of brakes and shrills of sirens somewhat interrupts the peacefulness of
this tiny grassy area located in the middle of the square.
As the children jaunt around this space and past the thick, luscious
wintergreen pine trees on the periphery of the square, the air is filled
with laughter. In the center of this area rests a stone gray fountain.
While the siblings play, their parents discuss the Gothic carvings of this
masterpiece. There are layers upon layers. The delicately chiseled
dents are etched into the old rough material, displaying the intricate
details of someones artwork. As we saunter by the fountain, we realize
that Hyde Park Square is a loud yet tranquil place.
Looking eastward, we notice a massive pine tree that guards that
side of the park. It has a whitish-green color that seems to beckon us
toward it; however, its pastels are deceiving, so beware! The barbs
are sharp and knife-like. The birds don't seem to complain, though,
as they weave in and out of its numerous branches while chirping a tune,
unaware of the dark and jeopardizing sky above. That very pine tree
seems to chant a tribute to the heavens, raising its branches high and
higher still, reaching endlessly. The placid, perfumed flowers encircle
the tree like innocent children around a Maypole. The bouquets seem
out of place in this chilling atmosphere and sway as a frigid gust of
wind whips around the square.
With the beautiful and delicate trees and plants amidst the old,
historic buildings, Hyde Park Square seems like a daydream. As the
class tries to observe and record every last detail of this picturesque
community, we snap back into reality with the clanging of Mrs.
Buehler's keys as she comes nearer. She approaches us with the
news that it is time to leave. Laughing, sharing our experience with
each other, we realize that it is enlightening envisioning Hyde Park
Square through each others eyes.
By: Mrs. Buehlers Morning Undercroft Writing Station Class
St. Mary School
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
HYDE PARK SQUARE
Afternoon Class
The perimeter of Hyde Park Square is lined with shops. Each
establishment on the square is very unique. Some of them have
transparent windows, while others have tinted black windows which
makes them difficult to see through. Some of the buildings have radiant
oranges, greens, and blues; others have plain, dull colors, like tan
and gray. Some of the frames have intricate and precise architecture.
Others have traditional brick outsides. Many of the buildings have
mammoth fire escapes extending downward on the outside walls.
Numerous structures have strong, sturdy balconies which can be used
for gazing below at all the cars, trees, shops, and people moving about
the square. Some boutiques have appealing displays in the windows,
while others have only a view of what is inside the shop. Many of the
buildings have colorful awnings overhanging the windows. Some of the
buildings with four or five stories tower over the square while others
are little one-level shops. Despite the true uniqueness of the stores,
all the buildings have a historical and colonial aura to them. Perfectly
flat surfaces cover each and every rooftop. On the corner of the square,
it is very convenient to have a fire station. It has giant, brown doors
which can open in an instant when the firemen need to hustle to the call
of the alarm. The Square is a fun place to visit, so envision it through
our eyes.
At the far most end of the courtyard, facing west, in the center of
the square, one of the most dominant features is a towering flag pole
with its shiny silver color. On the top of the pole is a rectangular flag,
with a smaller navy blue rectangle in the upper left-hand corner.
Perched on it are fifty white stars, each representing a state in our fine
country, the United States of America. On the outer atmosphere of the
navy rectangle are thirteen stripes, some red and some white, each
representing one of the original 13 colonies. The colors in the flag
represent the bloodshed, the innocence, and the freedom for which
our proud forefathers fought. At the foot of the pole is a rough grayish,
dark colored rock, with a slightly tattered dedication plate that states
"In honor of the former governor of Ohio in 1929-1931." The plaque is
dark copper with a shiny border and tarnished letters. Surrounding the
foot of this furling magnificence is a horseshoe shaped pillow of
sunny flowers with short hunter green stems. The small brilliant heads of
the flowers sway in the quiet, cool, fresh Fall breeze. Above the flag,
among the clouds, there is a small opening in the sky. The bare
branches reach toward heaven trying to grasp its beauty and peacefulness.
Life springs before people's eyes as the scarlet blossoms are
perched around the perimeter of the park, located in the center of Hyde
Park Square. The flowers stand tall and proud like soldiers ready for the
attack of Jack Frost. The young ruby gems cower like helpless children,
aware that soon Jack Frost will assault them. A boundary of florescence
embraces and insures the vulnerable buds that they are secure for now.
Green grass creeps among the crimson mums. Yellow leaves drift from
the trees like confetti. They scatter throughout the battleground like
wounded warriors. Roaring cars whisk by and knock the placid plants
off balance.
As people stroll around the park to escape from the cars and the
fast pace of life, they develop a thirst. They scan the park for a drinking
fountain. Located close to the center, their eyes feast upon the aged and
rustic water fountain with a metallic bowl. In the brass bowl are orange
petals from the trees. There's a tarnished spout in the middle. As they step
onto the pedal, a geyser of cool refreshing water emerges. As they freshen
their parched palate by the sparkling water, the leaves are swallowed in
the swirling movement of the water. As the water flows down the drain, the
soggy golden sprinkles are plastered to the bowl.
As they extinguish their thirst with the chilled water, their eyes
travel forward, and they notice a huge rock with a bronze structure in the
middle of it. Their gaze fixes upon the out-stretched, strong, sturdy
bronze bald eagle, looking up in pride. It is no wonder the United States
chose such a symbol to represent the country. The men and women of
Hyde Park are also proud and strong because they, too, are represented
by the bald eagle. The carving mentions World War II, but there are many
other wars, too, that helped achieve the peace that people enjoy so much
today. People must have been so relieved when the war was ended, and
they could go back to their families, the families of Hyde Park.
Unfortunately, not all relatives were so lucky. Some families were alone
and sad when they were told their dad or husband died fighting to end
the hell that they went through to insure the peace of the future, the
peacefulness of Hyde Park Square. This memorial reminds onlookers
of those times.
Beside the rock is a special, natural landmark that arouses the
senses. It is an unusually large bush jutting out like a three leaf clover
from the concrete barrier wall that supports the park. It is unique as it
sits in the middle of the square, surrounded by streets and shops.
Little birds glide in and out of the bush to seek refuge from the city life
surrounding the square. The observer's attention is captured by the
activity of the bush that is overpopulated with leaves, which will become
only a memory as "Old Man Winter" takes its toll on the park.
On the other side of the bush, a titanic fountain with gothic
fixtures peers over the street-surrounded island. It is silent. No
water erupts from the mouth of the enraged lion's face, enclosed
with furious, spiked teeth. No water remains in the immense barren
fountain for children to observe. The fountain and the park seem so
desolate because it is getting colder. People don't gather like they
do in the summertime since the attraction of the water is no longer
the focal point. No one even glances toward the fountain as they
charge through the island. The woman perched on the topmost
layer of the fountain appears frigid and forlorn like the long, cold
days of January and February in Cincinnati. The antique lanterns
near the lions are not illuminated as the residents prepare for the
brisk weather.
Throughout the winter months, however, the pine tree, located at
the eastern edge of the island will remain ever green and full of life.
The dark green pine needles and the sharp brown pine cones capture
the eyes with their ornate beauty. The top of the tree appears miles
away. The pine tree is gigantic compared to the simple flowers close
to the earth. It is like a cat ready to pounce down on a mouse. Squirrels
and wrens and sparrows dodge in and out of the tree, busy with their winter
preparations. The squirrels stockpile acorns, and the birds gather leaves,
string, and hay in their beaks to make their nests. They disappear into the
overwhelming branches that swallow them up. One wonders if the pine
tree has a power over them and makes them slave to its will. People
approach the pine tree with caution, and peer inside the dark lair that lies
within its branches. Glaring, eyes adjust to the dusky, disorderly tangle of
branches and the untidy pine needle carpet that prickles bare feet as
humanity approaches the awesome creation. Everything is still and
quiet for a moment. It is as if the community has no right at all to be
intruding on Mother Nature and its glory and perfection. People see
nothing, and yet they see everything. They retreat, leaving the tree to
its rightful inhabitants. Scanning the square once again, noticing the
fountains, the bushes, the trees, the flowers, the symbols of peace and
the community, one respects Hyde Park Square for its true beauty and
majesty and the memories it holds for this tranquil, historic, picturesque
community that is witnessed daily through our eyes.
By: Mrs. Buehler's Afternoon Seventh Grade Writing Class
St. Mary School
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
stmary@tso.cin.ix.net
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