Progress?

I think not.

When I was in college one of my professors own a house outside of town.  I house sat one summer and truly loved being there.  I was paid but would gladly have stayed free.  With what is occurring I wish I’d taken pictures of every tiny corner although I know pictures wouldn’t have captured the intangible feeling within the walls.

The oldest, original section of it was at one time a stage coach stop.  Lounging in that area, you could literally feel the history swirling around you.

The rest of the house, the newer portion was huge.  And absolutely gorgeous!  There was an entry hall.  You know, like you see in movies complete with the multi-tiered staircase.  There was a kitchen big enough for the entire first floor of my current home to fit within.  One wall was pointed stone, the outside wall of the original structure.  And there was a four foot square butcher block in the middle of the floor, top curved from use before the then owners claimed it.

There was a music room with hardwood floors where they had a baby grand piano that made even my shabby talents sound amazing.  A dining room with a table that could seat twelve and a family room that faced the highway but with walls so thick you could hear none of the traffic noise.

Upstairs there were five bedrooms plus and office.  The guest room, my room was at the back of the house next to a shade tree.  Even in the heat of the summer that rivaled this year’s it remained cool enough to sleep.  The third floor had been made into a game room.  Real games as in a full-sized ping pong table that took up only one tiny corner of it.

The back had pretty gardens and a lovely stone porch, perfect for relaxing with the kittens born in their garage the summer I stayed there, two of which ended up following me home when the residents returned.

The current owner, a contractor has won the fight to demolish it in order to erect yet another convenience store/gas station.  His reasoning for being permitted to do so – The other three corners are developed so why not that one as well?  It saddens me that the zoning board approved the change.  History, the stage coach stop, and the addition, just shy of 200 years old, built by original settlers to the area is being destroyed in the name of progress.  I call it greed and I’m extremely disappointed that this is being permitted.

Kutztown Folk Festival

Bright and early this morning, Howie and I zipped off to Kutztown. I thought I’d go early before it got too hot. Howie, being Howie, got us a space right at the entrance. Gotta love that little car!

Since we got there not long after it opened, everything was still fairly empty. Which means I got to chat with people as I wandered. I met this great woman who made garden pottery. While I was there, she was setting up molds for garden doors, the idea being that latter on kids would come by and paint them. Yep, I was tempted to ask if I could do one too but decided to be an adult and leave them for the real kids.

Next, I took in a glass blowing demonstration. Amazing how in five minutes a molten glob became a pocket flask. He made it look so easy. I can’t imagine the time and effort it takes to make it seem so effortless.

Then I went and found the chair caning display, the main reason for my going to this festival. It was being demonstrated by the cutest little old man and his grandson. I expressed my interest and was instantly given a five-minute lesson. Again, a true craftsman making something look incredibly easy. He followed up by going over a how to pamphlet with me and then let me ask questions. In the end, he told me to give it a try. If I run into trouble I have an open invitation to stop by his workshop. How cool is that!

Of course I couldn’t leave without walking through the quilt house. Absolutely gorgeous. All sizes and colors. All for sale. Um, yeah. Maybe someday I’ll be able to afford one. Probably better to just make my own. Believe it or not, that is something I’ve actually attempted and could accomplish if I decided I was determined. Today however, I merely roamed and drooled. Awards were handed out and the top quilts are being auctioned on Saturday. In case you’re interested, the bidding for the three highest winners starts at $1250.

There was way too much food, all of which smelled yummy. Too many choices so I ended up with a locally brewed birch beer (more on that in a different blog!) and a roasted ox sandwich. I resisted the homemade ice cream and apple dumplings. I know, dumb, right?

I haven’t been to this festival since I was 10 and now I’m wondering why that is. It was fun. Lots of crafts and exhibits, yarn spinning, antique tractors that are almost 100 years old and still functional. A petting zoo with the sweetest baby animals. Excellent, home-style food prepared without chemicals and preservatives. Music and entertainment. It’s a great event. And, it’s going on until Sunday so you still have time to attend. I recommend it!