The year after Ann Higbie died, the removal of all local participants by the new managers of The St. James Court Art Show was almost complete.
During Oscar Stremmel’s last years, I was among the volunteers who had helped him stake out the court for the festival. The new show manager remarked to me as she joined me in mapping out the area, “You are the only one left who knows how to line out the booth spaces.” She made notes on her clipboard as we moved around the ovals and court areas.
Local artists and craftsmen had built the Show and my opinion of their ousting was well known. I knew my days were numbered because of that opinion so fortunately, I had the foresight to move my booth to the Fourth Street Association before my name would be dropped from the list.
Restroom Portacans for the Court booth operators were located in Central Park and at various alley spots.
Bill Walker was still included in the Court area of the Show when I moved to Fourth Street. As luck would have it, the first year I was there, one of the Fourth Street Association’s members had a few months previous, discovered the Cadillac of Restroom facilities. It was a palatial semi-trailer outfitted with separate entrances for ladies and gentlemen. Private stalls, heat, lights, music, and an elaborate sink with warm running water completed the astounding complex.
The Facility was parked in an alley during the weekend and was designated for use by only the Fourth Street exhibitors and of course, WORD quickly spread about the gracious quarters.
Bill Walker was the first to approach me with a congratulatory although envious comment about the Fourth Street Porta Can Palace. Since I had been so rough on Bill over the years with my accusing pointing finger, I lent him my pass. It was the least I could do!