This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, April 14, 2009 - We've all heard the expression, "He hung the moon." It's a celestial way to pay someone a compliment.
Well, for a number of years now, lots of people have said that about Joe Edwards, the keeper of the Blueberry Hill saloon and restaurant, the impresario of University City and the prime mover behind the revival of the Delmar Loop.
What you may not know is that Joe did, indeed, hang the moon.
He got the idea to do so in conjunction with the building of his newest venture, The Moonrise Hotel, on Delmar Boulevard just east of Skinker, near The Pageant Theatre.
Moonrise is a boutique hotel with two restaurants and upscale guest rooms. Its location should be prime, given the fact that it is in convenient proximity to Washington University and to Forest Park and its cultural attractions.
To get the full impact of Edwards' new moon, you should walk or bike or drive by at night. Erected on top of the hotel, it's best viewed in darkness, always the best time for moon-viewing of any sort.
This illuminated moon revolves, and -- along with the powerful searchlight atop the University City City Hall -- this lunar landing has become a sensation in University City and central west St. Louis City.
One recent nippy evening my son, John Meyer, and I sat across the street and watched the moon while eating pizza at Pi. The mini review is: Crisp hot custom pizza in the blink of the eye and worth a return visit.
But good as the pizza may be, the fantastic moon is the star of the Delmar show -- and it's free.
And to the man who hung the moon, the irrepressible Joe Edwards, a hearty thank you for brightening the scene again, and for always being ahead of the curve!
Peggy Shepley sells real estate in the city and county and is associated with Dielman Sotheby's Realty. Shepley is a longtime advocate for the preservation of historic architecture, especially mid-century modernist buildings.