The Free Press, Mankato, MN

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October 20, 2012

Your View: Martini glass an improvement to our skyline

Harold Motter, Mankatoon, St. Peter

Your recent picture of the martini glass lighting up what seemed to be a welcoming sight to the community at large was dashed by the article that followed.

I was beginning to think that maybe this sleepy little town was becoming more of a metropolitan arena than all our parking ramps and stellar civic center would lead one to believe.

But I learned it will not be staying there, improving that old part of town with a little color and a little art.

I hear those voices who call this advertising, but there needs to be a distinction between advertising, which generally is in poor taste with the flashing neon signs calling out “Eat at Joe’s,” and a subtle structure that is a piece of art, requiring a lot of imagination, a lot of effort — and it is pretty, and an improvement to our skyline.

It is an iconic symbol and it is ours. The image chosen makes it a stretch to call the Wine Cafe’s interest here merely advertising. For that they would have built a bunch of grapes to interest people in their spot. It looks more like an invitation from “Old Town” to tourists and citizens alike to stop and visit this unique part of town, to shop, perhaps have a glass of wine and a chance to have some conversation without being drowned out by some bar’s loud music.

Who knows where it might have gone as a landmark for our town. It is rare to find something artistic and fun in the advertising sector, and to dismiss this as merely advertising dooms Old Town, and this town to its place among the cities in the state.

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