Author Archive for Shannon Howard
Think Pink: a FloTown landmark now for sale
You know you've seen it - the old pink farmhouse with a big ol' barn, just steps from North New Florissant Road. Here's the story on this unique local landmark...
In the early 1970s, Frank and Sandy Tricamo went looking for adventure. The parents of five children, they wanted to do something that involved the entire family, so they purchased a condemned house on New Florissant Road and proceeded to launch a major renovation.
Built around 1844 by Sidney Harris and later occupied by Joseph Stroer, one of Florissant’s early mayors, the home was originally just one room measuring 18 square feet. But over the years, it had grown to a seven-room, two-story structure, much of which was in very poor condition by the time the Tricamos got involved.
Frank and his sons replaced the rotting lumber, shored up the stone foundation and removed the old mud and straw insulation from behind the walls, but their plan was not to remodel. It was to restore the home’s historical integrity and capture a glimpse of life in early Florissant.
They used wood to heat the house and pumped water into large pots in the kitchen. They also installed a Charter Oak cast-iron stove, which runs on wood and natural gas, and has no temperature gauges. It took a while, but Sandy eventually learned to cook by sight, touch and instinct.
The Tricamos still love their rustic kitchen, adorned with numerous antiques.
Elsewhere in the house, Frank used materials salvaged from other buildings to complete the renovation – tin ceilings, wide-plank floors, colorful stained glass windows. At one point, he even installed an inground pool and laid huge stone slabs to create a tranquil patio space.
With most of the major work completed, the Tricamos continued to collect antique furniture and other items, sometimes hauling treasures home on their Harleys. Over time, that resulted in the incredible masterpiece you see today – a truly unique, artistic home that feels like a place lost in history.
Frank and Sandy have lived there nearly 40 years now, so it should come as no surprise that these brave pioneers are finally ready for a new adventure. They put their house on the market last week, and they’re hoping to find a new owner who loves it as much as they do.
Here’s a peek at their gorgeous yard and a pic of the house in its early days. Follow this link to see dozens of additional photos showing inside and out….
1089 North New Florissant is currently listed by Jane Quartuccio of Circa Properties for $286,500. It has 3 bedrooms & 2 baths in 2,050 square feet.
Local student earns full scholarship to Princeton
I am continually amazed at the exceptional students coming out of North County’s supposedly terrible public schools. Here’s yet another local graduate with a very bright future ahead. Nez Savala has the full story….
Last fall, at the start of her senior year in high school, Brittney Watkins applied to 13 colleges. She applied to Princeton University, Yale, Harvard, University of Chicago, University of Pennsylvania, Duke University and Georgetown University.
A few weeks ago, she accepted a full scholarship to Princeton, her top choice. She will major in politics and work toward certification in Latin American studies.
“I want to be a lawyer, and then become a senator,” said Watkins.
Watkins, who attends Hazelwood West High School, is senior class vice president, a member of National Honor Society and Tri M, and is the Soprano II Choir section leader. She is involved in her church and the Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA). She was selected as one of 48 “outstanding” students in St. Louis City and County to serve on the Missouri 1st District Congressional Youth Cabinet (CYC), led by U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay. The cabinet advises Clay and his staff on key national and local issues that impact young people.
“The scholarship means a lot. One of the reasons I applied is because of their large endowment. They want to make sure students can attend, no matter their socio-economic background,” she said.
Her family is “very excited” about her scholarship. “It takes away worry about how to pay for my education because everything is covered.”
Besides Princeton, Watkins received scholarship offers from Pennsylvania, Georgetown, Richmond, Northwestern, and American Universities. She received more than a half-million dollars in offers – $554,547.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Watkins said of her upcoming graduation. “My dream is coming to fruition. Another chapter of my life is beginning, but I can only celebrate for a little while because I have a scholarship interview.” She is interviewing for a scholarship from a local organization.
This summer, Watkins will “take a break and rejuvenate so that when I go off to school, I can be fully ready.” On Saturday, May 19, she will graduate with the class of 2012.
Shop for bargains at the BTC Garage Sale
This ornate 1920s dining room set is one of many treasures you'll find at the Blessed Teresa garage sale this weekend.
For weeks now, hundreds of families in Ferguson’s Blessed Teresa of Calcutta parish have been gathering items for the annual BTC garage sale. I’ve attended this event many times, and I can tell you one thing: there’s always something interesting to buy.
According to my neighbor & fellow junk hound Elaine Marsden, the list of goodies is pretty extensive this year, perhaps because Ferguson moved its citywide yard sale to the fall. Among the items available…
restaurant equipment, Pepsi machines, glass front cooler, restored cast iron wood burning stove, furniture, rugs, crystal, glassware, bar ware, china, jewelry, sportswear, patio and garden, plastic pond liner, sportswear, hardware, linens, fabric, toys, children’s clothing, baby accessories, kitchenware, Christmas & other holiday, cool vintage metal lockers, office equipment, televisions, electronics heaters, fans, automotive, lighting, pet supplies, books, church pews, and more!
The sale opens at 7am both Friday & Saturday, May 18 & 19, and runs all day. The location is the BTC Parish Center, 1050 Smith Avenue, 63135. Hope to see you there!
My new favorite place: Grand Slam Flea Market
The former Kmart store at Chambers & 367 has been recycled into the Grand Slam Flea Market Mall, and I absolutely LOVE it!
For the first time in weeks, I had a free Saturday morning today, so I decided to do something that makes me happy: treasure hunting at thrift stores & yard sales. I happened to be wandering through Bellefontaine Neighbors when I noticed the Grand Slam Flea Market (for about the 100th time) and I thought, what the heck. I’m going in.
I AM SO GLAD I DID!!
This place is a bargain hunter’s paradise, with 100+ vendors selling everything from furniture and jewelry to organic cosmetics and vintage stereo equipment. It’s basically a storage facility with a bunch of individual units forming an indoor mall, and from the moment I stepped inside, the atmosphere could not have been more friendly and electric.
Nearly every shop owner greeted me and told me good morning. There was music playing and yummy smells wafting in the from the food court. And the eye candy, oh my! So much to look at!
Colorful clothing, ornate hats, bicycles, cell phones, artwork, CDs, vinyl records, incense, piles of junk…..you name it, it’s probably here. It’s like the old Frison Flea Market on the Rock Road, but much cleaner and way more welcoming.
Of course, many of the products are geared toward black shoppers, but many are not. Who doesn’t like freshly baked cake??
Besides all the goodies to taste, buy and look at, one vendor told me that a jazz musician from New York sometimes performs at Grand Slam. And guess what just opened up in the parking lot? A go-kart track!
I don’t know about you, but for me, that’s the recipe for a super fun Saturday morning! And best of all, when you shop at the flea market, you’re supporting dozens of local entrepreneurs who put money right back into our community.
So what are you waiting for? After you’ve bought veggies at the Ferguson Farmers Market or grabbed a burger at White Barn just up the street, check out this one-of-a-kind North County gem!
The Grand Slam Flea Market & Speed Racer Go-Kart Track are open Wednesday through Friday 11-7, Saturday 10-7, and Sunday 10-6. The address is 2505 Chambers Road, 63136.
Tickets for the go-carts are $6, except on Wednesday & Thursday from noon-3, when they’re $4.95. Admission to the flea market is free.
Are you getting ready for the big day? NOCO is a proud sponsor of the 3rd annual Live Well Ferguson 5K