Best birthday party ever!

Letter: Best birthday party ever!
Posted: September 8, 2015 - 9:18pm
By Patricia Reilly
St. Augustine Record
Editor: Congratulations, St. Augustine on a great party. It was such a pleasure to walk around town and see so many friends and neighbors enjoying themselves with free entertainment, during the 450th celebration.
Loran Lueders should be congratulated for all of the detail and organization necessary to pull this off operationally. Ryan Murphy gets big kudos for all of the entertainment. He pulled together an outstanding roster without a lot of time.
I was amazed at how clean the streets were each day after seeing so much litter each evening. Someone put in some cleaning time.
I saw our city officials while I was out walking. Todd Neville was with former Mayor Boles at the VIP tent. Leanna Freeman and Nancy Sikes Kline were there as well, taking advantage of cocktails and nice food. City Manager John Regan and Mayor Nancy Shaver were all over town. I was one of many who enjoyed the wonderful Obelisk exhibit at the Crisp Ellert Museum. The exhibit is available until the Sept. 18, so if you haven’t seen it you should.
We have wonderful artists in town and some very talented elementary school children who decorated the wooden replicas of the Spanish Monument. It is a feast for the eyes,
There really was something for everyone over the weekend. The running of the bulls, the local galleries and restaurants, the music, seeing friends and neighbors in a relaxing environment: This is what our city is all about. A charming environment, good people and wonderful artists/galleries and shops/restaurants.
I splurged on some earrings by Goldsmith Joel Bengal, walked across the bridge and had dinner at Black Fly and bought a gift at Amiro Gallery. I saw a lot of people doing the same sorts of things while enjoying the music.