Rattle on the Stovepipe...

Yesterday was New Brunswick Day, and dear daughter and I decided to spend it at one of our most favourite places - Kings Landing. Kings Landing Historical Settlement is a "living history museum", depicting day to day life in rural New Brunswick in the 1800's. This past weekend was a "Special Event" weekend at KL- a new theme called "Rattle on the Stovepipe" Music Festival. Now how could we go wrong, with music, singalongs, dancing, workshops and concerts to celebrate our history and heritage? Since Laura and I both love music, we didn't want to miss all the fun!

It turned out to be a beautiful day- sunny and by afternoon, quite hot. We had great fun, just strolling along and taking lots of photos. We enjoyed chatting with all the KL folk- human and animal. There aren't many things more entertaining than watching two kittens play and "rough-house" - these two in the Joslin barn were no exception. Everyone at KL is friendly, and willing to pose for photos.... :)

The photos that you see with this post, I will call "the Faces of Kings Landing". Friendly welcoming faces, every one!! Laura is very much "at home" at KL; I think she feels it is her second home. This is her seventh summer there - four years with the Visiting Cousins and Family Kin programmes, one summer as a volunteer, and now is working her second summer as fulltime staff. The staff have become another "family" to her. She has made many wonderful friends and they have lots of fun together, at work and "at play".... Her high school friend Angela is on staff this summer for the first time - what a cutie! Angela is part of the Music and Theatre troupe.

We did our best to see every scheduled "performance". We even took part in a workshop to learn about the Bodhran drum. This is an Irish frame drum, made by stretching a goatskin over a round wooden frame. The other side is open, for one hand to be placed against the inside of the drum head to control the pitch. The "drum stick" is called a tipper. We learned the basic skills, and actually could drum to a fairly good beat by the time we were finished. I must say, Scott was an excellent teacher! Thanks Scott!

KL is lucky to have so many musically-talented people on staff, and they are all so willing to entertain, and make sure that visitors are having a good time. Michelle, Tom and Paul did a great "show" on the Jones dock, singing, playing various instruments and making us all laugh at their antics. This was followed by a "wrap-up" concert in the garden at the King's Head Inn. Despite the sun beating down... and it WAS hot... the music was excellent. It was difficult to tell who was having more fun, the visitors or the staff/entertainers. The day ended with a Barn Dance in the Ingraham Barn. As I expected, Laura was the first to jump up when they asked for "volunteers" from the audience to participate...

As I've said before, I could visit KL daily for a week and still find more photos to take. It is a beautiful spot along the picturesque Saint John River. If you haven't been there lately, why not go for a day and see what's happening at the Landing? I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Piece,

Linda

"Life recorded is twice precious- first the experience itself, and then the memory of it full and sweet when we read about it later." ~ Elaine Cannon