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September 2001 |
See Past News
Hello fans:
Once again, thank you for visiting with us. First, we would like wish all the families and of the September, 11th, attack our condolences and God bless everyone involved.
Over the past few months, Franks health has been stable and is looking forward to vacationing in Florida sometime around the new year. As the fall season approaches, the Poconos are among
the most visited areas in the northeast for their beautiful foliage. The spectacular reds, yellows and orange colors fill the surrounding hills of the Frazetta estate. Fall is by far Franks favorite time of year, with no bugs or humidity, just put on a sweater, take a camera out of the cabinet and walk down to the lake and photograph the grand kids fishing and playing in the sand. Frank has been relaxing in the studio and occasionally will take out the drawing pad and do some sketches for Ellie or just to kill some time. He admits to being lazy and unmotivated, but when all said and done the masterful talent he possesses is still apparent in his work. Even though he now draws with his left hand, he can still do a beautiful rendering of a panther or girl in 45 minutes or less. Another reason he enjoys the fall is the baseball playoffs have begun. He like many others picked the Yankees to win the world series and as much as he enjoys watching them through the season, he does not think its fair to other teams because the Yankees have always had the money to buy the best players available. I told him this is no difference than the Yankees from the 30,s, 40's and 50's, they also paid for the best players of there generation as history shows with all their pennants. As I sat down with my father watching the playoffs, it is not uncommon for the grandchildren to walk in and ask if they can have some candy from his goodie jar. He always keeps a large supply of candy readily available at arms length. He gladly opens the jar for the kids and in an instant each one pulls out a handful of candy. He soon realizes in about ten minutes the children will be bouncing off the wall from the sugar, so he politely asks them to put some of the sweets back in the jar. As they reluctantly put a few pieces back, grandpa cannot resist a pieces of candy. He puts in his hand and pulls out one of his favorites, a gummy bear. As he turns and smiles to the children and says, " Grandpa can have some candy too you know."
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Frank has made a new friend this summer, a pot belly piglet who is owned by one of the grandchildren. "It really is an amazing little creature, it will follow you around like a dog, eat out of your hand and is a joy to look at", states Frank. The piglets current weight is approximately 6 lbs, and we presume it will get fat in the months to come as it eats everything insight. It also does a wonderful job of trimming the weeds around the house for little or no rewards. He walks gingerly around the yard without a care in the world, occasionally letting out a snort to make you aware of his presence, but when startled, will scoot off like a sprinter in a race. Around dusk, you can be assured the pig will be standing by the front door waiting for someone to let him inside for the evening. "We were never aware that a pig could be litter box trained, but sure enough, when nature calls, he climbs into the box", states Ellie.
The Death Dealer steins have gone into production and hopefully will be available for Christmas.
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Right is a rough mock of the stein that has been revised since this photo was taken. The stein is over 12" high and 6 " wide at the base with a bronze hinge to raise the lid for your drinking pleasure. Other items soon available will be a ladies clothing line and assorted rings. We are still anxiously awaiting copies of the Testament book and will have limited quantities of the leather bound for sale with the hard cover volume soon to follow.
Frank had a welcome visit from Ralph Bakshi just the other day and he always brings along some Italian pastries along to enjoy with drinking numerous cups of coffee. They both enjoy each others company and this rejuvenates Franks spirits with laughs as they reminisce their past experiences from the making of Fire and Ice along with growing up in Brooklyn. Ralph still thinks he could beat Frank in a game of stickball, but we had to refresh his memory that back in 1981, he got whipped by Frank and his sons. Regardless of that squabble and numerous excuses they get along like two kids in a school yard.
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Every fall, the annual hot air balloon festival takes place at the Shawnee resort just 10 minutes down the road from the Frazetta estate. Normally we all pack our bags for the afternoon and drive over to the resort to watch these beautifully balloons launch up in the sky with the kids. Although extremely safe, none of us has ever had the courage to take a ride in one of these huge balloons. Unless the pilot gives me a parachute, I prefer watching from below. Anyway, just before we gathered our belongings to drive over to the resort, I noticed a few balloons hovering just over the hillside by the museum. At that moment, I thought one of the pilots was having trouble with his aircraft because he was descending rapidly towards the lake. I ran across the field towards this huge balloon with many of the grandchildren following closely behind. We stayed out of harms way to assure our safety, and yelled out to the pilot if everything was ok and he replied to our surprise, yes! He asked politely if he could land his aircraft in the field next to the museum?, surely!, we all replied. The kids began to yell and scream with joy as the huge balloon landed in the field shortly there after. Within 5 minutes, four other balloons landed about the Frazetta estate, one across from the lake, 2 others in the main field where the grand opening took place and one in Frank JR's front yard. One balloon was the Pepsi Cola balloon shaped like a Pepsi can.
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It was a fascinating experience to witness and photograph for about an hour. We spoke with each pilot for a short while and were presented with a bottle of Champaign for our patronage and use of our landing area. They all deflated their balloons and called on walkie talkies for their vans to pick them up. Each balloon folded up into a 4ft by 5ft case and was put into the back of a cargo van. Both Frank
Jr. and Frank Sr. were taking photos and videos for almost 10 minutes. We told the pilots they were all welcome to land here next year if they so desire and each of them seemed thrilled for the opportunity if the wind dictates their course to our property again. With all the surrounding hills and trees, this was probably one of their last chances to land safely in the vicinity of the resort. As they parted, we no longer had the urge to visit the balloon festival, this was by far the most exciting balloon festival we have ever experienced with no
admission fee.
As always, thank you for visiting.
Frazetta Art Gallery
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