Another Busy Day

Wow! We had a busy Saturday. Our local historical society and other organizations sponsored a Civil War re-enactment event downtown today. Re-enactors from several towns in our state, dressed in period costumes, demonstrated square dancing, blacksmithing, spinning, butter churning, outdoor cooking, and laundering for the soldiers.



Soldier re-enactors, in authentic costumes, demonstrated firing rifles and a cannon, and displayed a variety of artillery. There was even a medical corp re-enactment of a doctor "amputating" the gangrene leg of a soldier. Two ladies, decked out in hooped skirt finery, greeted visitors from the porch of one of the historic homes downtown, and related a historic incident of the area. Another lady, a local Master Gardener, talked about herbs, while a gentleman played a dulcimer nearby.

One of the organizers of the event asked me to take pictures, so I was busy going from spot to spot around town snapping photos. I got some pretty good ones, some of which I'll submit to our state newspaper for publication



Later, at the museum, a Civil War historian talked about encampments in our town, which at one time numbered 5,000 soldiers. Years ago, this gentleman wrote a play about the Civil War, which he produced for our local community theatre. The cast of the play included only one woman, the mother of a soldier about to be hanged...I portrayed that hysterical woman.



Before the re-enactment events began at 10 a.m., there was a community yard sale downtown. Various businesses and individuals participated. Other than a small plastic drawer organizer, and a small ornamental iron bicycle, we didn't find much of interest. Mother plans to use the little bicycle in one of her flower beds, and we'll use the drawer organizer to contain scrapbook paraphernalia.



Saturday night, we went to see the community theatre perform two fairy tales..."Little Red Riding Hood," and "Jack and the Bean Stalk." These were aimed at children, naturally, but we went just to support the organization. From "Little Red Riding Hood," the wolf decided that fruits and vegetables are a better diet than "grandmas;" Grandma decided to take up jogging for exercise after running away from the wolf; and Little Red Riding Hood learned she should obey her mother, that it's dangerous to stray off the path, and that she shouldn't talk to strangers.

From "Jack and the Beanstalk," the characters learned, among other things, that stealing is wrong (Jack couldn't take the golden egg without permission); that it is good to be charitable (the giant gave Jack and his mother the egg, and did other things to make their lives better); and that you shouldn't betray a friend (Jack selling his beloved cow for a handful of beans).

The adapted plays were cute, and the actors, mostly children and young people, did a good job. The simple sets were effective, too.