Flagler

Artgirl & I went to visit Flagler College this week. It was her first choice college, and the visit confirmed it. See that photo on top? That's the lobby of the girls dorm - can you believe that? It is Ponce de Leon Hall, a national historic landmark. It used to be a hotel, built in 1888 by Henry Flagler, who built the railroad down here and was an oil partner with Rockefeller. Thomas Edison personally helped make it the first building in Florida wired with electricity, and Louis Tiffany did the stained glass, mosaics, and several murals. Gary Cooper and Theodore Roosevelt stayed in the hotel. It's very beautiful. The college is in St. Augustine, the oldest European settlement in the U.S.

It's a small college (about 2500 students), with small classes, and an excellent fine arts program. Let's hope she gets in! It is pretty selective -- only about 25% of applicants are accepted. We might look at a few more schools, but she is pretty set on this one at the moment.

[Typing of this post was interrupted so we could all go outside and see the Space Shuttle launch! It's a very clear night and we had a superb view. Mr. Wonderful's now outside wrestling with the telescope so the kids can look at stars.]